New fabric and quilt WIP

I've had a busy few weeks screenprinting a big new batch of fabric, which has just been added to the shop. This process started out with me figuring which of my designs go with which ink colour and onto which basecloth. I also tested each of my custom-mixed ink colours on each basecloth (you can see the swatches below). That was the fun part! Then came trying to Tetris all the printing in my small studio (see image further below!)

Next is to start working on another quilt, to add to my WIP collection (why finish one when you can start another, right). Maybe I should aim small (like the last photo below) - a practical lap quilt that takes about three pieces of fabric and not too long to make. I've also been planning on making a quilt pattern and *big* fabric packs, so watch this space.

Studio Space: Fog Linen Work

Today I'm so excited to share the first international studio visit - when I was in Japan I visited the very zen workspace and shop of Yumiko Sekine of Fog Linen Work. Unfortunately, Yumiko was overseas when I was in Tokyo but some of her trusty staff showed me around and made me feel welcome. 

The four-level space was custom designed and built just for Fog Linen and the business seems to fill the space perfectly, with a retail space on the ground floor, event space on the second floor, office on the third floor and a meeting room and storage space on the fourth floor. Never before have I seen such neat filing & storage - I felt like I was in a Muji or IKEA showroom!

FOG LINEN WORK: HISTORY

Around 18 years ago Yumiko visited Lithuania, one of Europe's major growers of flax and producers of linen products. She was disappointed to discover that while being a major exporter of linen products, you could not buy everyday linen products in Lithuania. She contacted a number of linen manufacturers and soon began production of her own product designs in Lithuania.

Fog Linen Work now produces a large range of beautiful and functional everyday linen and household products including kitchen wares, clothing, trays and wire ware.

FOG LINEN WORK: Q&A

How long have you been in the space and where did you work from previously? 5 years. We were in another building in the same area before moving into current space. My boyfriend is the architect and he designed our current building.

How many people work in the space? I have 8 assistants, so 9 including me.

You designed and built your current four-level workspace in Tokyo. Can you talk a little about this - how did you decide how much space you needed, how many floors you needed? There was a height limit and it couldn’t be higher than now for this area and space. When we bought the space, we knew we can make a 4 storey building. So I planned 4 different things to do for each floor. 1st floor : store. 2nd floor : event space. 3rd floor : office. 4th floor: meeting, storage.

How many hours a week do you spend in your workspace? 60 hours ~ more?? Sometimes I work by myself during the weekend.

How, if at all, has the space influenced the way you? We have moved office 6 times since I started my own business. New spaces always brought something new. Before we rent the space, though this building is designed for us. It fits perfect for our store and made good balance and mood.

Which inspire you (personally or professionally)? Travelling. 

FOG LINEN WORK: LINKS

Website: www.foglinenwork.com

Shop: www.shop-foglinen.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/foglinenyumiko

Facebook: www.facebook.com/linenwork.fog

And don't forget to follow Studio Space on Instagram - @studiospace_ #hellostudiospace

LEVEL 1: RETAIL SPACE

LEVEL 2: EVENT SPACE

There was a tea ceremony being held in the event space on the morning I visited. It was all set up when I had a look through and the class arrived just as I was leaving. What a great morning they would have had!

LEVEL 3: WORK SPACE

LEVEL 4: MEETING SPACE & STORAGE SPACE

BUILDING EXTERIOR

The custom designed and built building is in a relatively quiet street. You can see the three main levels and the smaller, fourth storage area at the top. There's also a balcony area which looks pretty great.