I have exciting news!

Awhile ago, I hinted at some upcoming exciting news on the gram. Well, it is finally time for the big reveal! I am now a brand ambassador for Kokka USA. Yay! Let me tell you what this is and how it came about.

I have always loved Japanese fabrics and designs. I admire their simplicity and intentional look. When visiting quilt market in Houston last fall, I stopped by the Kokka USA booth. KOKKA is a Japanese textiles company that began operations in 1948. They are particularly famous for their printed fabrics. In July 2022, KOKKA opened their official online store Kokka Fabrics for customers in North America (United States and Canada). I became completely immersed in what they had on display. Their fabrics were not only beautiful, but beautiful to touch. If you are a fabric lover, you know what I mean. Fabric should not just look good. It has to feel good. I mean, who wants to be wrapped up in a quilt that is beautiful but feels like sandpaper?

So, after drooling and admiring, I bought a half-yard bundle of some dreamy, floral lawns. This is something you just don't find when you walk into your local quilt shop (unless you're lucky). I'm telling you, I felt and touched those beautiful fabrics all the way home to Virginia!

After much contemplation, I decided to use one of the prints in a test pattern for Sew Thirsty Quilt Co. The pattern lent itself to using solids, but I felt that it needed some softening and the Kokka cotton lawn was not only perfect because of its beautiful floral design, but the texture and softness of the fabric went well with the solid wovens that I had chosen (I love using different textures and substates in my quilts). The Outside the Blocks quilt turned out beautiful and I went on to add another Kokka cotton lawn to my next quilt; Boreal Forest by The Blanket Statement.

Fast forward, and I happened to see a Kokka USA post on Instagram asking for Brand Ambassadors. I really didn't know what it entailed, but filled out a form and applied. I received a lovely response inviting me to be one of their Brand Ambassadors. In the response they mentioned that they loved the use of their Flowny cotton lawn in the Boreal Forest quilt.

As a Brand Ambassador, I am gifted a fabric of my choice from Kokka USA to use in a project of my choice. After completing the project, I will display the project on social media to promote the Kokka USA online store. It's a win, win! I really hope to encourage more makers to try using Kokka fabrics (this means nani IRO and Echino!) in their projects. I am also super excited that Kokka now has an online store that ships only to the United States and Canada. You can have Japan at your doorstep in days!

Here's a sneak peak at my first project:

Happy sewing!

xo,

Tanna