Shopping Bag – Sewing Instructions

This stylish shopping bag is designed to be cute enough to hold and look classy when folded. The featured fabric is the “Gauze” pattern from “tayutou”. This is the textile brand by Ayumi Toda, who creates her craftwork under “fabrica uka” brand. Knowing the ins and outs of the fabric, this shopping bag was designed by Ms. Toda herself.

Design & WorkAyumi Toda

Fabric shown for this sample:tayutou EKX-5120-4A

Materials:
□ Fabric: 40cm x 103cm
□ Acrylic Twilled Tape: 72cm (3.8cm wide)
□ Cotton Twilled Tape: 2m (1.5cm wide)
□ Rectangle Rings: Two pieces (4cm inner diameter)

Size: 35cm (l) 38cm (w–at opening) 28cm (bottom) 10cm (d)

We interviewed Ayumi about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
This “gauze” design was originally a standard pattern for my craft brand “fabrica uka.” At the request of Kokka, I redesigned it for the “tayutou” line by making the entire pattern smaller. The embroidered dots in the fabrica uka design are also reproduced. It adds a delicate look and light feel that were not present in the larger scale version, and I think it works very well with the texture of the cotton linen sheeting fabric used this time.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
I think that shopping bags are now daily articles that everyone has, not just one, but two or four.
There are four things that I look for in a shopping bag: light weight, bottom gusset, shoulder strap, and foldable to be compact. These four points are what I consider to be the bare minimum. If that’s all you need, the bag you already have is probably sufficient. What I wanted to add to this bag was “cute enough so that I would want to carry it other than going to the supermarket” and “stylish enough even when it’s folded.”

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
This is a quick sewing project that requires no pattern and can be completed with simple straight stitching. If you already have a bag of a size that is easy for you to use, you may want to arrange it to be the same dimensions.

KF:How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
This time, I used a natural color tape for the handles. You can choose a more colorful tape to match the fabric. The material of the drawstring is not limited to cotton tape. It is also interesting to try matching ribbons of various materials and changing the color on the left and right.

KF:Thank you very much, Ayumi! Here are sewing instructions along with step by step photos from her. Enjoy crafting!

◎Sewing Instructions

◎Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)

Tote Bag with Gusset – Sewing Instructions

This tote bag with gusset is perfect for everyday use. Its convenient 20cm gusset allows you to carry lunch boxes and side dish containers in a flat manner. The magnetic hooks on the opening which help cover the contents is a plus. You won’t want to be without it for your daily shopping. The featured fabric is from the “Retoro Japan” series. It is a fun print with retro and nostalgic Showa-era home appliance motifs including a rice cooker, TV, and radio cassette player. 80% cotton, 20% linen.

Design & Work:Kokka Fabric

Fabric shown for this sample:YKA-81020-2B

Materials:
□ Outer Fabric: about 110cm wide x 80cm
□ Lining Fabric: about 110cm wide x 70cm
□ Fusible Interfacing (heavy weight): about 110cm wide x 80cm
□ Magnetic Hook: about 15mm wide x One pair

Size: about 32cm (l) about 33cm (w) about 20cm (D) (Excludes handles)

◎Sewing Instructions

◎Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)

Accented With Shoulder Ribbons – Kid’s Dress – Sewing Instructions

This kid’s dress has a cute design with ribbons tied at the shoulder. Covering the entire fabric is “Bichon Frise,” popular white, round and fluffy dogs. The fabric is from the “kotorinuno” series. This is a textile brand featuring a drawing by trikotori who is well known for her creations, “Dobutsu (Animal) Pom Pom.” Made of 100% cotton, it is a softly woven double gauze, making it comfortable to wear. This dress will be perfect for the coming season.

Design & Work:Aiko Hada

Fabric shown for this sample:trikotri EKX-2130-2A

Materials:
□ Fabric (Body Outer Fabric, Skirt): 90cm×120cm
(Body Lining Fabric): 90cm×50cm

Size: □ Fabric (Body Outer Fabric, Skirt): 90cm×120cm
(Body Lining Fabric): 90cm×50cm

We interviewed Aiko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
It’s so cute! This is an adorable fabric with a pure white, fluffy dog staring at you. Taking advantage of the softness of the double gauze fabric, I created a design that allows for delicate drapes.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
This is a one-piece dress with a ribbon tied at the shoulder as an accent. I had a lot of fun making this dress, wondering where to place the patterns to create a lovely look.

KF: What are some tips for making this dress?
I think it is a good idea to have a little extra fabric on hand so that you can arrange the motifs as you like when matching patterns.

KF: How should we incorporate this dress into one’s styling?
As the pattern is so striking, you can just wear it on its own and look stylish! On a chilly day, you may wear it with a long sleeve shirt underneath.

KF: Thank you very much, Aiko! Here are sewing instructions along with step by step photos from her. Enjoy crafting!

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Clutch Bag – Sewing Instructions

This zipper-closure clutch bag features a stylish fabric with women exercising, a perfect match for this fashionable bag. The handle made with the same fabric adds an accent. Cotton 100% sheeting fabric from the ACTION PATTERN series is selected for the project.

Design & Work: Kokka Fabric

Fabric shown for this sample:LGA-41030-2A

Materials:
□ Outer Fabric: about 110cm wide x 40cm
□ Lining Fabric: about 110cm wide x 40cm
□ Fusible Interfacing (Heavy weight): about 110cm wide x 40cm
□ Zipper: 30cm – Once piece

Size: ：about 32cm (l-unfolded) about 27cm (w) (excludes a handle)

◎Sewing Instructions

◎Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)

Box Tissue Case – Sewing Instructions

The featured project is a box tissue case with a refreshing green tree design. The part that touches your hands is made of double gauze, while the bottom is finished with a solid canvas. The fabric used is “Kigi (Trees)” from Muddy Works, a textile brand by Tomotake.

Design & Work: Mioko Sugino

Fabric shown for this sample:EKX-126-1C

Materials:
□ Fabric (Panel): 80cm×40cm
(Bottom Fabric (Canvas)): 14cmx25cm
(Cord): 5cmx90cm

Size: 15cm(l) 23cm(w) 12cm(d)

We interviewed Mioko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
It is a lovely and soft double gauze featuring trees with an idyllic feel. It is both comfortable to see and touch. As we spend more time at home these days, I made a small home décor item with this comfy fabric.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
The part where you touch is made of double gauze for softness, and the bottom uses canvas for a solid finish, so it looks soft but holds its shape well. For this drawstring case, the accent is a tied bow of a solid dark green cord.

KF: What are some tips for making this tissue box?
I came up with a process that uses as few parts and steps as possible. The seam on the inside is not treated with a bias binding tape, and is simply finished with zigzag stitches. If you want to finish the inside nicely, please wrap it with the bias binding tape and sew it. For the cord, you could also use a wax cord or ribbon.

KF: How should we use this tissue box in everyday situations?
It would be cute to make a small size drawstring bag out of the same fabric and keep it beside the box. Matching items make you feel good, do they not? It would be nice to make them in colors that complement the atmosphere of the room.