July 3, 2013

Zakka Handmades & a Giveaway

I am always excited to flip through pattern and sewing books, but recently, I had the opportunity to explore Amy Morinaka's new book, Zakka Handmades. It's a charming book with great patterns that utilize various techniques in order to create all things zakka.



Now, I have to admit, that I have seen the term "zakka," and wasn't completely certain what it meant until I read Amy's book. Perhaps you already know what it means, but in case you don't, "zakka" is a Japanese term that refers to the items you use on a daily basis - "necessities of everyday life," as Amy puts it. Zakka is all about practical items that we each use as part of our daily lives.


Amy Morinaka has brought together some of her favorite handwork techniques - sewing, embroidery, quilting, crocheting, stamping (there are instructions for how to carve your own), and appliqué - in order to provide her readers with fresh and new ways to infuse their uniqueness into handmade zakka. The patterns are easy to follow and each project comes together fairly quickly. The patterns range from scarves and wearables to home organization, baby, and kitchen accessories.



I found many of the patterns in the book great projects for some small fabric pieces and scraps that I couldn't bring myself to part with. It was difficult to pick just a few projects to make, because I definitely want to make everything in the book, but I decided to make the stamped lavender sachet, rice therapy eye pillow, kotori zipper pouches, and raindrops tote. It's a cheerful and inspirational book with instructions on how to mix natural fibers with fun embellishments AND we are giving a copy away to one lucky reader!


         This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered. The winner will be notified by email.

 See you back in two weeks for our usual Tutorial Tuesday.

Have a happy day!

Hi, I'm Kristen! I am a lover of all things stitchy and crafty. I have been sewing for as long as I can remember. My grandmother taught me how to sew Barbie clothes when I was young and I have been sewing ever since.

You can find me at Bobbypin Bandit, on Instagram, and my Etsy shop.

96 comments:

  1. Looks like a wonderful book! I have a Stitch Zakka book giveaway on my site right now - http://www.leighlaurelstudios.com. Thanks so much for the chance to win!

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  2. Love the birdy zipper bags! My son would love to store treasures in them :)

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  3. The bag looks really cute, and the little coin purses!!!!!! I need this book!!

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  4. This book has so many cute designs. I love to make little, useful sewing projects.

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  5. those bird pouches are fabulous!

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  6. I'm anxious to get my hands on one of these books to see what it's all about!

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  7. Love the ornament bag!

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  8. This book looks wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  9. I just put this book on my wish list yesterday!

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  10. I love the designs and kawaii. The book looks very inspirational.

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  11. LOOKS LIKE A REALLY NEAT BOOK!
    THANKS!

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  12. Love the fabric bucket! I just started learning how to knit and definitely want to make one of those! Also, the Matroyshka key covers are an awesome idea and so adorable!

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  13. Thanks for the chance, love those Zakka books!

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  14. Oh I would love to win one of these....thanks for the chance!

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  15. Else-Maria TennessenJuly 3, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    This is awesome! I love the birdie purses! Please enter me; thanks for hosting this giveaway!

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  16. love the birdie purses!

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  17. I would love to have a copy of this book! all of the projects are so sweet

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  18. This looks like a fun book!

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  19. Jennifer R. Gojira AdamJuly 3, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    I love Zakka books, and would love to own one written in English. Thanks for the contest.

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  20. anastasia anezinisJuly 3, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    Wath a cute births are this!!!i love it!!!

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  21. Such a charming book! I love all of the projects I've seen featured, especially the raindrop tote bag.

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  22. I would love to add the Zakka book to my collection!!

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  23. You learn something new everyday! Hope I win :)

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  24. Me! Me! I love these sewing projects. I would love to have this book.

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  25. This book looks super fun! Thanks for the chance to win. :)

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  26. What wonderful goodies, I'd love a chance to win, please toss my name in the hat! Thanks, Feeling Stitchy!

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  27. I love all the cute projects, especially the little bird pouches. So cute! The book looks really great.

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  28. I want this book so bad!

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  29. fun looking projects and I just bought 2 yards of linen to play with.

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  30. Love those Zakka books! Thanks for hosting this giveaway.

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  31. I'm so glad that you explained what Zakka was. I thought I was the only one who didn't know. Such cute things.

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  32. your projects are sew cute and would love to win a copy of this book thanks


    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  33. I've seen a few projects from this book here and there on Instagram! It seems so full of cute things ♥ Thanks for the giveaway!

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  34. I just found your site and love it! What a great book too. Glad to find you.

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  35. Love all the projects I've seen so far!! Thanks for the chance to win the book!

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  36. Woohoo, what a great giveaway! Good luck to everyone who's entering :) I'd love to enter!

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  37. I love the bird pouches and the raindrop tote! I'm trying to get into sewing and these look like perfect projects!

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  38. Thank you for explaining what zakka is!! I've seen it a lot around the web lately but had no clue what it was.

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  39. Oh, yes! I would definitely love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  40. Have been looking at this book and would love to have it!

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  41. I love those little bird purses!

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  42. I love the raindrop tote! Thanks for the chance to win the book!

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  43. So happy to finally know what Zakka means.

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  44. Love the raindrop tote. Very cute.

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  45. Those projects look so cute, and I love the idea of zakka!

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  46. So many cute projects. I just love the birdy pouches. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  47. Amy's book looks amazing! Lots of cute items. The bird coin purses are too cute!

    Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. This book looks adorable and I learned a new word -- yay!

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  49. Looks to be a good book.

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  50. Virginia Sattler-ReimerJuly 4, 2013 at 7:11 AM

    Oh! I am so intrigued by this book! Thanks for the chance to win it!

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  51. Shirley FitzgeraldJuly 4, 2013 at 8:05 AM

    This looks like a fun book. Thanks for a chance to win it!

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  52. Christine ThomsonJuly 4, 2013 at 8:28 AM

    Second blog I've seen it mentioned in as many days, thanks for the opportunity to check it out! Cheers!

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  53. That looks like a fun book! Thanks for the giveaway

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  54. Looks like a fun book!! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  55. I would love to try all those projects.

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  56. This book looks great! Thanks for sharing!

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  57. I love Zakka! Thanks for the giveaway!!!!

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  58. I would love to win this book!

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  59. Would love to make the projects in this book! Thanks for the chance to win :-)

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  60. Roxanne MartinsonJuly 4, 2013 at 7:56 PM

    Oh, I love that zakka refers to everyday items, I think that's my specialty! Those projects all look fun!

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  61. Your projects from the book are adorable! :)

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  62. That looks like a great book.

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  63. I love finding new ways to use up scraps. The projects look super cute!

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  64. This book looks like fun! I love your idea of using scraps you can't toss out.

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  65. bonnie buckinghamJuly 5, 2013 at 4:08 PM

    Love the title in Japanese meaning Household Goods. I would love a copy. Here;s Makoto Fujimura on Beauty in Culture: http://www.qideas.org/video/beauty-in-culture.aspx

    Enjoy.

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  66. Zakka for me! :) Sweet projects!

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  67. Christine SlaughterJuly 5, 2013 at 10:22 PM

    Oh, I'd love to make the rice therapy eye pillow!

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  68. How cute. I've been wanting this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  69. I would love this book for my daughter. Thanks for offering a chance at it!

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  70. I love Zakka because it brings so much colour and joy into everday life. Sometimes it's about the little things:)

    Great idea to show some of them here and spread the ideas.

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  71. Looks like a great book. I love those birdie change purses!

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  72. I would love to try these projects!

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  73. Such lovely projects! I seem to never tire of Zakka! :)

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  74. I love the little coin purse!

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  75. Your bird coin purses are so cute! I hope to win and make a few of these.

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  76. Your projects are so cute, especially the little pouches that look like birds!

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  77. So cute! (as per usual) :)

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  78. Just the cover looks great. Thanks for a chance to win!

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  79. Katherine McDonoughJuly 8, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    So cute! I'd never heard of "Zakka"... I'd love to make the change-purses. :)

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  80. Thanks for the giveaway! looks like a great book.

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  81. This book looks so good! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  82. I keep seeing this book all over blogland. I'd love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.

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  83. This book looks so fun and inspiring! Hope I win!

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  84. I have yet to try anything Zakka and this looks like a wonderful way to start!! Thank you for the chance to win.

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  85. Those little bird purses are adorable!

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  86. All of the featured projects look like they would make great Christmas gifts, I have fabric I have been saving for something like this book!

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  87. What a fun-looking book, and your projects turned out beautifully! I agree about the little bird coin purses especially, just gorgeous.

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  88. I love the Zakka style and all the cute things you made :)

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  89. SO cute!! I love the little bird purses! So cute and so useful!

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  90. Love this book! So many cute things----Thank you for the chance to win it!

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  91. How fun! And my scrap bins has been growing - this would be so handy! :)

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  92. this book looks like it will have many options for small hand made christmas gifts.

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