We love the quality of the Essex Linen Range, and particularly like the Yarn Dyed fabrics with the subtle two-tone effect achieved from using the coloured yarn for the "warp" threads and a Light Cream yarn for the "weft" threads. (To read our blog Crossweave Fabrics Explained click here)

When we heard that Robert Kaufman had developed a Metallic version to sit with this Range we had to check it out for ourselves! And we've got to say we weren't disappointed, it's the same quality that you'd expect but with a small percentage of the cotton and linen replaced with 10% Lurex.

The balance of Lurex is just right; as you can see from the photo above, there's a lovely sheen to this fabric without it being too much! And the really good news is it isn't "scratchy" and has retained the soft handfeel that we've come to expect with this fabric.

For now we've just added the Oyster colourway to our current range, it's perfect for summer and will work well with many of our other fabrics.  We're thinking that this fabric would look fabulous in the Zinnia Skirt by Colette Patterns teamed with the Scout Tee by Grainline Studio made in one of the Nani Iro double gauze fabrics such as Lei Nani or Five Senses; or the Linen/Cotton blend Komorebi Old Film, shown below.

This Metallic Essex Linen would work equally well as a top, we're thinking The Camber Set by Merchant & Mills, or again the Scout Tee by Grainline Studio. Below we've paired it with with one of our Handwoven Ikat's Black Zig Zag, which again would look fantastic in the Zinnia Skirt, together these would definitely make a statement!

Or why not go all out and use this fabric to make a dress, The Day Dress by The Avid Seamstress, pictured below, would look really special as would any of the dresses by Merchant and Mills.

Whatever you decide to make you're sure to create a stylish garment that will set you apart from the crowd; and don't forget we love to see what you make, so please send us your photos via the Contact Page.

To make way for new stock arriving soon, we've up to 30% off selected organic & designer fabrics including Nani Iro for Kokka and Robert Kaufman. Shop our sale fabrics by clicking here.

Also reduced by 40% are the Prym sewing accessories, click here to see the full range.

SaveSave

As we're sure you all know by now, we're huge fans of Naomi Ito's abstract painterly designs! Working for Kokka Textiles, under the brand name of Nani Iro, this Japanese designer has a very distinctive handwriting and style to her work.

The 2016 Collection is, we think, one of her best! Naomi Ito's approach is definitely more artistic or painterly, rather than that of design. The initial artworks are usually painted with watercolours, you can often see the brush strokes within her designs, which create a great sense of movement.

This season's design Five Senses, pictured below, illustrates this beautifully, with its sweeping painterly brushstrokes, is inspired by nature. This particularcolourway in warm tones of grey, looks like it could be a 'cloudscape'.

Next we have the beautifully calming design, Komorebi, with its over-sized floral design and mix of neutrals, popped with coral, mustard and a pale acid green giving it a very contemporary look.

Saaaa Saaa Rondo, below, continues the painterly theme with it's hand painted stripes. Designed 15 years ago, for the very first Nani Iro collection, it's been brought right up to date with this modern mix of royal blue and warm brown colours.

Although inspired by textile fabrics made from dying and weaving methods from long ago, in Ori-Some, Naomi Ito has created a very modern looking print. The base has a subtle tones, created by building up layers using watercolours. Onto this she's then added suggestions of textile patterns, stripes and herringbone designs in Navy and Cream with highlights of metallic silver.

A smaller scale floral, but still with Nani Iro's distinctive handwriting, Lei Nani, shown below, is still a very contemporary design. Hand drawn it's beautifully detailed and the subtle metallic print adds another dimension to this pretty design.

Next we have another small scale print, Birdseye, which has the look of an impressionist painting. Re-coloured for 2016, we love this colourway called Shinsei, with its tones of turquoise on a soft bluey grey.

Finally we have Pocho, this was the very first design that Naomi painted for the Nani Iro Collection 15 years ago. Part of the Pocho Basic range, we love the contrast of the metallic copper spots on the grey base of the colourway Gift Metallic.

We hope you like the fabrics that we've selected as much as we do and that they're helped to inspire you with your summer sewing projects. Shop the collection here

We're eagerly waiting for our latest shipment of Nani Iro for Kokka fabrics from the 2016 collection!

Designed by Japanese designer Naomi Ito, these latest designs do not disappoint; we're big fans of her beautiful painterly abstract designs and know that our customers are too! Due in any day, follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to find out when these beautiful fabrics are available to purchase online.

In the meantime, you can shop our current range by clicking here.

Jen Beeman is the designer and patternmaker behind Grainline Studio. She loves to sew and make things, and is passionate about sharing these skills with others. 

The aim of the brand is to create modern, fashion-forward patterns all of which have been drafted with a contemporary fit. They believe that the best handmade wardrobe is one you can wear and be proud of on a daily basis. All of the patterns are drafted, graded and digitalised by hand in their Chicago studio.

We've selected six patterns to sit with our current range of Sewing Patterns, including a mix of woven, jersey, nightwear and accessories.

Firstly, there's the Alder Shirtdress, a sleeveless loosely fitting shirt dress that comes in two options as shown above. Both styles have the same bodice with bust darts, a collar and breast pockets, the dress on the left has a gathered skirt at the sides and back, which creates a flattering and fun silhouette; and the dress on the right has an a-line shape and curved hem.

This style would look lovely made in either of our Chambrays and Denims, the Essex Linens and the Organic Crossweaves.

The Willow Tank Dress is a great staple piece for your summer wardrobe. Fitted at the shoulders, it falls into a relaxed style below the bust. Choose from either a top or dress, both of which are a great vehicle for both prints and plains alike.

Next up is the Scout Tee, an easy to make style designed for woven fabrics, it has capped sleeves and a flattering scoop neckline. This is another style which allows the fabric to take centre-stage, the Nani Iro printed fabrics for example, would look fantastic in this tee shape.

The Lark Tee is designed for knit or jersey fabrics, it has a modern slim fit and is another Grainline Studio pattern that is destined to become a wardrobe staple. It works equally well when worn on it's own and also as a layering piece, under shirts, jumpers and jackets etc.

What we really like about this pattern is the fact there are four different necklines: crew, tee, scoop or boat; each of which can be interchanged with the four different sleeve options, choose from cap, short, three quarter and long sleeved; this gives the maker a total of16 different shapes to choose from, making it extremely versatile.

Any of our jersey knit fabrics by Art Gallery Fabrics would look lovely made up in this style, above we've shown Aged Allure Washed Knit; or why not take it to the next level with the 2 ply knit fabric by Nani Iro, Corsage.

We love the Lakeside Pajamas, they're just perfect for summer. The top features spaghetti straps and has a lovely split back detail. The shorts are a gym style, which are very on-trend right now, and both are finished with bias binding.

Ginghams are really on-trend this season and we think these pyjamas would look lovely is any of our Organic Ginghams, or for a more luxurious feel, any of the Nani Iro Double Gauze fabrics would look fabulous too.

And last, but not least there's the Stowe Bag! Designed by Fringe Supply Co., purveyors of fine knitting supplies, this is the perfect project bag, whatever your project may be! This bags has lots of internal side pockets for your to store small tools and notebooks etc, although designed for knitting it works equally well for other projects too.

If you love these patterns as much as we do you can follow Jen and Grainline Studio on her blog.  

We hope these patterns have helped to inspire you with your next sewing project, first up for me has to be the Willow Tank! Whichever one you choose to make, remember that we love to see what you've been sewing, please send us photos via the Contact Page.SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave