By tallying up the number of orders from KOKKA’s distributors throughout Japan, we release the fabric sales ranking each month in the Japanese-language version of this website.

One or more fabrics from “echino” series by Etsuko Furuya always rank in the top 3. Because of the distinct color scheme called “echino color”, echino fabrics are so popular and used for various sewing projects such as bags, pouches, dresses and so on. Sometimes we find the creations made of echino fabrics in crafters’ blogs not only from Japan but also from around the world. How wonderful to see that the echino fabrics are transformed into lovely products to be integrated in their living spaces!

Hiromi Widerquist, who is a Japanese crafter living in the U.S., posted what she made with echino in her blog at the beginning of last September. She wrote, “A day before school resumed, I whipped up a new pencil case for my daughter with laminated Echino fabric. The reason I picked this fabric is that peacocks are her favorite bird. Like I predicted, she liked her new pencil case. I am glad that she is still young enough to appreciate her Mom’s handmade.”

The blue zipper, which is matched with the coloration of the fabric, spiced up this back-to-school item. Consequently, the pencil case was stylishly finished. It could be a checkbook wallet in different size.

According to her, the pencil case was sufficiently strong without lining due to the thickness of the laminated fabric. She sewed up the simple product within half an hour.

Widerquist has written two blogs in two languages: “HIBI LABO JOURNAL” in Japanese and “Harujion Design” in English. You can see lots of her creations in both blogs, including a body pillow that has recently been posted. Whichever you see, you will just say “remarkable”. Indeed, these are “must see” blogs! You can also get the sewing tutorials with detailed descriptions from there. Check them out!

“HIBI LABO JOURNAL” in Japanese at http://hibilabo.jugem.jp
“Harujion Design” in English at http://harujiondesign.blogspot.com

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Inspiration file 46
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In Japan, it is said that fall is the season for harvest, reading, sports, and the arts. In addition to athletic meets and school festivals, craft shows are held all around Japan during this season.

Masumi Saito, who had presented the Usaron’s frilly apron for our Craft & Sewing column, participated in a craft event. The event “24h@craft in Tokyo”, which 14 crafters collaborated on, was held from Oct.25 through 28, 2013.

“Since my oldest daughter was born in 2008, I have made handicrafts as time permits while I have been a stay-at-home mom.” Saito says. She has 5-year-old and 2-year-old daughters. She produces children’s clothing and fabric accessories from her brand named “sinafuku”. The brand name is a blend word from her daughter’s name “Sina” (pronunciation /SHEE-nah/) and “fuku” which means clothes in Japanese. Saito continues, “I want to bring nostalgic feel but also childlike sprightliness into my creations. By using mainly retro-inspired and pop-feeling fabrics of U.S. cotton or German cotton, I have made ‘one of a kind’ products.”

The girl in the picture is Saito’s younger daughter. She looks so lovely in her mom’s handmade beret with fluffy pom-pom. Saito describes the beret, “Since I rarely knit, I used a pom-pom maker to make such a big yarn pom-pom.”

Some of Saito’s original creations were also displayed at the event site, which came out of her experiences of raising children. “One of my products, the baby chair harness, can be placed on a regular chair when you cannot find a baby chair or a booster seat on an outing. The washable cotton breast pads were actually so helpful for me while breastfeeding. I also made a cover bag so you can wrap your bulky and awkward baby carrier. They are definitely convenient! I want more people to try them!”

Saito used to perform in a theater company when she was single. The way to express herself changed from the plays to the handicrafts with fabrics. In whatever she undertakes, there is no difference in the joy she feels.

You can see the blog of Masumi Saito at http://ameblo.jp/kittenishgirl-sinafuku/

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