You already know that I am passionate about sewing, but what you don't know is that my second great passion is Japanese culture. Also, after many trips to Japan, it seemed important to me to share my tips. I suggest we start with Osaka, the third largest city in Japan with its 2.7 million inhabitants and the economic heart of Kansai.

The store you absolutely must visit both for its selection and for the experience that its ordering system constitutes is the store: Toraya (3 Chome-2-30 Nanba, Chuo Ward). This three-story store is located in a lively covered gallery and is open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Outside, you will find huge bins filled with coupons that can go up to 2m at unbeatable prices. These are end-of-bolt or clearance products.
On the ground floor, you will find cotton fabrics with floral patterns (nice selection of liberty and imitation fabrics), geometric, Japanese… from well-known brands or not. The majority of these fabrics are produced in Japan, some come from Korea. You will also find on the ground floor chirimen, a Japanese fabric in crepe cotton slightly embossed, but also fabrics for making shirts and men's suits.

Upstairs, you will find a nice selection of:

• Laces
• Knit, jersey, wool…
• Polyesters and technical fabrics (lycra…)
• Fancy fabrics (sequins, faux fur…)
• Designer fabrics (devoré velvet, beaded)
• …

Just for the fabric ordering and cutting system, this store is worth a visit!
Indeed, you will not find, as usual in fabric stores, bolts of fabric on display. Here, all fabrics are displayed via coupons of about 2 meters.

How to order?

After a difficult selection because the choice is vast, signal one of the salespeople. State your order by showing the fabric and telling (or showing with fingers) the number of meters desired. The salesperson will cut 2 small pieces of fabric: one will be attached to a receipt that they will give you, the other will be hung on a ticket with the fabric references and the length. This ticket, by a clever tele-tube system, is sent to the cutting area, invisible to the visitor. Head to the checkout, 5 to 10 minutes later, your fabric arrives at the checkout again by an automated sending system.
All you have to do is show the cashier your receipt which will confirm your order and pay in cash or by card.

What did I bring back in my suitcases?

• A coupon of 2m of a pretty blue checkered cotton fabric found in one of the large bins placed at the storefront. The price: 780 yen, that is about 6 euros which comes to 3 euros/m. I intend this coupon for making overalls from the January/February 2019 edition of Maison Victor.

• A coupon of 3m of blue floral chirimen at 510 yen or 4.3 euros/m. I am thinking of making a wrap dress with this coupon; why not a Magnolia from Deer and Doe?
• A coupon of 2m (chosen by my husband) of turquoise cotton fabric with silver forest motifs from the brand Echino. This one was more expensive at 1500 yen/meter or 12.6 euros/m. The fabric is quite thick and I wonder if I will make a pleated skirt with this one… idea under progress….

Looking forward to showing you my sewing projects soon…