“Yuwa Live Life Collection”, Osaka, Japan, An amazing fabric shop – by Eileen

In September my husband and I had a holiday to Japan. My friends asked me before I went “will you be looking for fabric shops”, my reply was “of course”.

As we were on an organised trip, I knew there would not be a lot of free time for me to look for shops, we went to Japan a couple of days before the “main group” so that was my opportunity. When we arrived in Osaka, I was onto the iPad looking for fabric shops “close to me”.

I had never been to Japan before and my husband had been but many years ago, and it has certainly changed from what he remembered. Having researched where the shop was and the different underground stations, we set off – I did think that was rather brave of us on our first day. We had to change lines and then it was quite a walk to the shop – the weather was hot and humid, but we made it!

What a delightful welcome we received. On the ground floor were, what I would assume, were the office area and there seemed to be several ladies working away – I now wonder if they could have been designing various items, including fabrics.

Yuwa, design and print all their own fabrics, so a real treat that all the fabric they stocked was “their own”. No Moda, or similar in sight.

So up to the first floor where the shop was situated. Immediately, a chair was pulled out for my husband to sit on, oh the ladies knew exactly how to treat him. Not large but brimming with lots of beautiful colours and designs, some quite European in their look and obviously a good number that were traditionally Japanese. Where to start, how much to buy and how much would it all weigh? I was incredibly surprised at the cost, I had anticipated it would be very expensive and it wasn’t, so it goes without saying, I did make good “use of the plastic”.

Language is no barrier where patchwork is concerned. There was another lady with her daughter and they were busy looking at some fabric with a distinctly French theme.

There were several patterns for clothing and a number of kits for making different bags, the only thing I could not find was a traditional Japanese pattern to use with the fabrics I purchased.

Yuwa does have an Instagram page. If you do ever go through Osaka, do look them up, I am sure you would receive a warm welcome. Yuwa Shoten Co. Ltd., were established in 1974.



Now my only decision is – what shall I make with the lovely fabrics I brought home with me.