Pages

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!

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!

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. those bird pouches are fabulous!

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

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the ornament bag!

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. LOOKS LIKE A REALLY NEAT BOOK!
    THANKS!

    ReplyDelete
  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!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!

    ReplyDelete
  16. love the birdie purses!

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. This looks like a fun book!

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  28. I want this book so bad!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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


    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  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!

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love those little bird purses!

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

    ReplyDelete
  43. So happy to finally know what Zakka means.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Love the raindrop tote. Very cute.

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

    ReplyDelete
  49. Looks to be a good book.

    ReplyDelete
  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!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  55. I would love to try all those projects.

    ReplyDelete
  56. This book looks great! Thanks for sharing!

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

    ReplyDelete
  58. I would love to win this book!

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!

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

    ReplyDelete
  62. That looks like a great book.

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Zakka for me! :) Sweet projects!

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  72. I would love to try these projects!

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

    ReplyDelete
  74. I love the little coin purse!

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  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. :)

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  85. Those little bird purses are adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete