Tunic Top

Size: Free

This tunic top is made with the SIMPLE BLUE fabric, the design that looks like a plaid in a patchy paint. The single piece front body creates a clean look, while the back body has a soft and fluffy look with a gathering at the transition. The fabric is a cotton 100% bark cloth, roughly woven in a thicker thread. With its uneven texture, it limits the amount of fabric that touches directly to your body, creating a nice feel to your skin. The textile’s superabsorbent nature makes it a perfect fabric for the upcoming summer season.

Design & Work:Kokka Fabric

Fabric shown for this sample:
　45400-400C

Materials:
□ Fabric: 110cm wide x 180cm

Click here for Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)

mina chape

A fanciful textile that tells you a story

Designed by an illustrator/handcraft artist by the name of mina chape, this series is filled with emotions that convey a story. Consisting of three designs and right-sized patterns, this fabric is suitable for a variety of pieces from clothing to bags.

LAND WITH ANGELS　JGA70010-D/#10B　 Cotton Linen Canvas

This textile is inspired by a French 18th century print design of Toile De Jouy. Creating a fanciful feel, a flock of sheep, angels and moon are placed around medieval churches in a style of delicate line drawings.

Continue reading →

Salopette Skirt

Size: Length about 125cm (including shoulder strap)

The featured project is a saloppete (overall) skirt in stick from the 3min. 2017ss collection that was also introduced in the textile story column.
This skirt proves that you can create something cool and stylish with an easy sewing that doesn’t require a zipper or buttons. The adjustable shoulder strap gives you a flexibility to enjoy it as a short tunic, styled with a pair of pants.

Design & Work:Anriko

Fabric shown for this sample:3min. JGA20060-1D

Materials:
□ Fabric: 110cm wide x 2.1m
□ Double fold bias tape: 12.7mm wide x 1.5m
□ Elastic tape: 0.4cm wide x 90cm

We interviewed Anriko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF)： What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
It has a very nice feel to the touch and it allows you to wear it directly against your skin. So I came up with a piece that can be enjoyed from spring to summer.

KF:Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
It is one size fits all, but I paid special attention to create a slim silhouette. Without using a zipper or buttons, easy sewing process was my focus.

KF:What are some tips for making this skirt?
The model is wearing as a size 158cm9AR (size 4 US equivalent). When you make it larger, allow for a longer elastic used for shirring. If you want to make it smaller, depending on the size, try to make the overall size smaller rather than shortening the elastic length.

KF: How should we use this skirt in everyday situations?
It is a thin material so you need to wear something underneath. While this sample is made in a longer length, it will look cute in a shorter length when worn with a pair of pants.

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

Continue reading →

echino 2017 Collection

Blithe Bold Colors

echino fabric collection 2017 is here!
The new series introduces a colorful and lively collection featuring small to large motifs. The variations of this fun 2017 collection include an eye catching bold pattern, simple yet interesting fabric in unique echino colors and textiles with gold and silver print accents.

hill　JG96700-700B 　Cotton Linen Canvas

The hill’s design depicts a scenery where a ray of light shines upon a series of triangular hills. The simple design layout makes it versatile for a variety of purposes. With various color combinations, you may have a hard time choosing which one to use.

Continue reading →

Visit artist 013: Kurara Omichi (Designer)

Koto Thouin – as the medium for expressing the power of words

Here is a special interview with Ms. Kurara Omichi who won the grand prize in the 4th of Kokka Print Textile Competition, which has been held every other year. The name of her brand, “Koto Thouin”, is the old Japanese phrase meaning “let me ask” or “there is something I would ask”. At the timing of its debut, Koto Thouin made a good start with working for the spring/summer collection of HaaT of ISSAY MIYAKE. Omichi represents a new style of textile with her avant-garde design and distinct coloration. What cultivated her unique artistic taste? What did she discover through creating textile? With a few interesting anecdotes about her childhood, we will be investigating the mystery of “The World of Omichi” from a variety of angles.

Kokka-fabric.com (KF) Please tell us about your childhood.

I grew up in Sendai City, Japan. I attended “Kangaroo Kindergarten” that was a unique kindergarten specializing in cultivating students’ sensitivities and creativities under the principal’s educational policy. We often went to a nearby pond to pick up fallen leaves or branches to make something with afterward in the classroom. My first action as “drawing” in my memory is that we laid down birthday classmates on a big paper and traced around their entire body. It was, so to speak, a kind of annual body measuring on birthdays. We additionally illustrated his or her favorite items around the drawn figure. It was the moment for me to become aware of “the act” of drawing. Probably this kindergarten was the starting point of my journey to pursuing artistic expression. I feel gratitude toward my mother who chose the school for me.

(pic: The hat Omichi made when she was in elementary school)