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)

Continue reading →

Long Gilet (Vest)

Size: Length – about 100cm

The featured project is a long gillet (vest) that comes in a new fabric from the 3min. series. The charm of this air tumbler treated cotton linen sheeting is its soft and fluffy texture. It is a simplistic style vest just like the concept of 3min., yet it allows you to create a mature look.

Design & Work:Anriko

Fabric shown for this sample:3min. JGA20050-1A

Materials:
□ Fabric: 108cm widex1.9m

We interviewed Anriko about her creation:
KF Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
It is a lovely fabric with large motifs laid throughout on a dense gauze-like soft texture. Rather than making something with a solid shape, I wanted to create an item that looks silky and airy.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
Following the concept of 3min., the design is simple, consisting of only three rectangular pieces. While it is a plain vest, I tried to achieve a look that can go well with a mature styling.

KF: What are some tips for making this long vest?
I tried to keep the sewing process to a minimum. You may find the process slightly different from the conventional way of making a top outer garment. As a first step, please do read the instructions. I think you will find the sewing process easy as it only requires a straight stitching.

KF: How should we use this long vest in everyday situations?
As the shoulder can be flexibly set, how you put this on could dramatically change the look. Off shoulder style can make you look as if you were wearing a shawl (picture shown right). When you scrunch the collar and put it on over the shoulder, you can wear it as a long gilet (vest) (picture shown left).

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

Continue reading →

nani IRO Textile 2017

The Poetic World Created by Naomi Ito

Started in 2002, naniIRO textile is a textile brand that incorporates Naomi Ito’s watercolor painting into fabrics. The brand’s name nani means beautiful in Hawaiian and IRO represents the meaning of color and harmony. The 2017 collection offers a new line of colors and materials added to the standard designs.

wild flower　JG10561-1A　Linen

wild flowerJG10560-1C　Canvas Double Gauze

Keep on walking as you admire the landscape that spreads out right in front of you.
Quietly picking a wildflower blooming on the ground.
Describing the wonders of the small workings of the nature.
Continue reading →

kokka-fabric.com/en

have fun with kokka fabric!

Salopette Skirt

echino 2017 Collection

Visit artist 013: Kurara Omichi (Designer)

Long Gilet (Vest)

nani IRO Textile 2017