Modern Craft

Nani Iro!

Its very exciting to be able to share this beautiful collection! Nani Iro is a really popular line in Japan, designed by Naomi Ito for both linen and cotton gauze.

The patterns are spontaneous and playful, drawing inspiration from natural life - ie. flowers, rain, snow - and drawings by Ms. Ito herself.

The cotton fabrics are unbelievably soft and fluid, but have quite a bit of body from the two layers of gauze. its very versitile, and would be wonderful as a fashion fabric and for lightweight home decor use.

Nani Iro linen is beautiful. Starting with crisp midweight linen, it is then screenprinted with sketches and watercolors by the designer for a fabric that is asthetically very modern, yet feels organic. it would be best used in simple pieces that would showcase the beauty of the fabric itself.

We are offering Nani Iro  both by the yard and by fat quarter (a squarish 1/4 yard), so that its easier to get the right size for your project. Also because we understand that it is impossible to transmit the unique texture of these fabrics over the internet, if you email me I will send you a small sample via snail mail.

visit the shop to view the rest of the collection, and here for more information about Nani Iro and Naomi Ito's works (in Japanese).

design spotlight: Junko Onishi

 

"Bloom" - available in the shop

 

Junko Onishi's designs are bold and contemporary with strong vivid colors and large patterns, but the details - pinwheel like blooms, plump colorful polka dots , hints of metallic among brick - give her fabrics a subtle playfulness.

"Koyuki" - available in the shop

 

Ms. Onishi first began designing handicrafts while working at antique furniture shop, and then decided to sell them when they became popular. In addition to her original line of fabrics, the 'en plus de' collection, Ms. Onishi, also designs accessories and gives classes on handbag construction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She often utilizes antique elements, such as lace or beads, side by side with contemporary patterns in her own pieces, and encourages people to discover how a flat pattern can take on new life when used in an unusual construction, such as in a handbag or patchwork piece.

 

Her own blog has several nice pictures of her fabrics in use; such as this sewing machine cover: link, and little girls dress: link.

This year is the 5th anniversary of Junko Onishi's en plus de collection, and this year she has released a series full of rich beautiful tones in several different weights of cloth appropriate for a variety  of projects, from home decor to apparel. 3 of these designs, 'bloom', 'koyuki' and 'peony' are in the shop now. Discover them for yourself.

 

Junko Onishi's website (in Japanese): link