Fabric Gossip: Echino Japanese Fabrics by Etsuko Furuya

Echino fabrics are created by a very talented Japanese designer by the name of Etsuko Furuya.  Most fabrics in the echino range are typically 55% linen and 45% cotton, they are a lovely weight and drape beautifully. These fabrics are great for bag making, a skirt or home decor items.  You can visit their website here, but SuperBuzzy.com seems to have a more comprehensive online presence featuring these fabrics.


I was quite taken by this design:  "Birdsong" Nylon - Spring Green

Use this fun Japanese 100% nylon 47" wide fabric, to make bags and pouches, lightweight sportswear garments, short shower curtains, and more! This print is railroaded which means the top of the pattern, goes to one side of the roll.

This fabric is not exactly "cheap" as it seems to retail around $16/YD, but it's worth checking out.

   

Inspiration: Hand Felted Tree Skirt

This hand-felted tree skirt is appliqued by hand with felt poinsettia leaves. If your sewing skills are not quite good enough for the buttons, you could find other ways to bring the two sides together; ribbons perhaps?  There is a pillow tutorial that is similar in concept.  Fabric poinsettias from Wal-Mart were used to adorn the pillow.  Perhaps you could adopt the same idea to this tree skirt.  

Here's what Real Simple Magazine, December 2010, had to say about this tree skirt; "Tree cozy. Wrapped around the base of your evergreen, this petal-trimmed felt skirt looks like a soft blanket of snow."  I'm inclined to agree.