Modern tradition – Seigaiha tote and pouch

When I first came across “kiseki” on DaWanda I was looking for masking tape and this shop had an overwhelming selection… I had a hard time to decide. And then I realized that Juliane, the shop owner, also sells fabrics! Imported from Japan “kiseki” offers a great choice of stunning traditionally patterned Japanese fabrics. Asanoha, Samekomon, Kanoko, Seigaiha … each of them so gorgeous! Some of the patterns are even available as oil cloth. I ordered a stack … and as always they moved to my fabric cabinet for a while.

But then, when I had Anna’s book “Handmade Style” in my hands and saw her “Gingham tote” with its zippered front as eye catcher, I knew that this would be looking great with a Japanese pattern instead of the gingham check, too. To let the Seigaiha pattern be the star, I went for a simple denim for the main body.

It’s already a few weeks ago now that I sewed this tote and a corresponding pouch (out of remaining scraps). But then they had to wait in the drawer until my little sister’s birthday and the pictures remained in the draft folder … I could hardly wait to share this bag, cause I’m really proud of the outcome – the clear modern design, the coordinating colours, the Seigaiha pattern that adds traditional elegance.

I also like the practicality of the pattern: The two ways that this tote can be carried and the size that easily keeps a DIN B4 folder. To make the tote more stabil I used cotton webbing for the long strap. With some experience in sewing bags and totes this pattern is stressless to sew. Only some concentration is needed when sewing the zippered front panel.