Visit artist 017: Ayano Ichiyanagi (Painter / Designer)

Turning a painting into a piece of wearable art

The watercolor artist Ayano Ichiyanagi, who creates paintings with nature-inspired motifs, produces textiles and fashion accessories from her paintings. In June 2019, her textile label “yui” was released from Kokka. Here is a special interview with Ichiyanagi who has been creating beautiful nature themed artworks.

Kokka-fabric.com (KF): You have been making a lot of nature-inspired paintings since you learned graphic design at a design school in your hometown in Shizuoka. Did you like drawing from an early age?

Since I was very young, I have liked drawing and dreamed of my future to “make a living in painting”. But when I was in high school, I couldn’t picture myself feeding myself by painting. That’s why I decided to go on to a local graphic design school to take a step closer to my childhood dream.
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Slit Dress Sewing Instructions

With deeper slits on the side, this dress gives you flexibility and is handy for a layered look! Combining it with a long T-shirt and a pair of denims, it works as autumn and winter’s style accent. The featured fabric is a 100% cotton compass from the Spring flower series

Design & Work: Kokka Fabric

Fabric shown for this sample: Spring flower YKA-69050-1D

Materials:
□ Outer fabric: about 110cm x 260cm

Size: M

◎Sewing Instructions

◎Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)

Tucked Handle Bag Sewing Instructions

This bag is quite unique. The handles also function as outer pockets. Four generous outer pockets become handy for items that you need often, like a handkerchief or lip balm. A cotton linen canvas from Ellen Baker’s PAPER series is used for the handles.

Design & Work: Mioko Sugino

Fabric shown for this sample:　(Handle, Bottom, Bag panel Lining fabric) PAPER by ellen baker EKXA-5201-2C

Materials:
□ Fabric (Handle, Bottom, Bag panel Lining fabric): 100cm×70cm
(Bag panel outer fabric): 40cm×50cm
(Opening fabric, Pocket): 40cmx30cm

Size: 22cm (l) 28cm (w) 6cm (d)

We interviewed Mioko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?。
It has a mature feel with character. While utilizing the impactful design, I came up with an ingenious handle to add another striking feature.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
Overall it has the cohesive beige tones with a light accent of blue around the opening. It has a design where the handle continues outward to become a pocket. There are four outer pockets and they are convenient to store and take out miscellaneous items. While the finished line looks straight, the curvy sides add a fun element as it creates a nice shape when the bag is in use.

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
You may find piecing together the bottoms difficult. The tip is to cut small slits on the corner seams on the bag side for easier sewing.

KF: How should we incorporate this bag into one’s styling?
It will be fashionable if you coordinate it with a beige tone styling. Another way to make it stylish is to carry it as an accent to your all black outfit.

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

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Tote Bag with Frills Sewing Instructions

This frilled tote bag will make your outing so much fun! The cotton 100% twill fabric is from a series called JUMBO, which means “hello.” As the name depicts, this energetic and lively print is great for making bags and interior décor accessories.

Design & Work: Kokka Fabric

Fabric shown for this sample:　LG-29050-2B

Materials:
□ Outer fabric: about 110cm wide x 90cm
□ Lining fabric: about 110cm wide x 40cm
□ Fusible Interfacing (Heavy weight) 110cm wide x 50cm

Size:about 30cm (l) x about 35cm (w) about 10cm (d) (Excluding handles)

◎Sewing Instructions

◎Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)

Backpack Sewing Instructions

This backpack features a design called “pattern,” a fabric from the echino’s second brand, nico series. With four different designs in one fabric, you can create interesting color tones and appearances depending on where you cut it. The challenges of making pockets and adding zippers and straps are worthwhile especially because it gives you such joy when you complete the project!

Design & Work:rontan

Fabric shown for this sample:　(Outer fabric, Front pocket outer fabric, Zipper tab): nico pattern EKX-97059-50A
(Lining fabric, Front pocket lining fabric, Inner pocket): echino solid JG-95410-10H

Materials:
□ Fabric (Outer fabric, Front pocket outer fabric, Zipper tab): 110cm wide x 1m
(Lining fabric, Front pocket lining fabric, Inner pocket): 85cm × 1m
□ Fusible quilt batting: 100cm wide x 60cm
□ Fusible interfacing: 80cm x 30cm
□ Acrylic tape (Shoulder strap, Shoulder strap stopper, Handle, Rectangle buckle tab): 3.8cm wide x 3.8m
□ Leather tape: 0.2cm wide x 15cm
□ Lace: 0.7cm wide x 50cm
□ Zipper: 50cm long, 20cm long – one piece each
□ Slide adjuster, Rectangle buckle): 4cm wide – Two pieces each

Size: 40cm (l) 50cm (w-bottom) 40cm (top opening) 13cm (d)

We interviewed rontan about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
The bold silver print is really stylish against four different colors. I wanted to feature this bold design and decided to make a large-size backpack.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
This two-way bag can be utilized for your travels, too. The type of shoulder straps used and well-placed locations will keep them on your shoulders. The handles of the tote are placed carefully so that the weight will distribute evenly.

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
While you may find the project challenging because of its size, it is not too difficult with straight stitching. The key is to mark the stitch positions with erasable pens and use an iron to keep the fabrics aligned. Everyone should try making this as you will get such satisfaction when you complete making a bag that is original to you.

KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
It is a large bag, however the fabric bag is light and easy to carry. It can also be handy as a lesson bag.

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

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