Zakka Sewing by Therese Laskey & Chika Mori (Stewart Tabori & Chang)
Buy the Book ($24.95)
If you’ve ever wished you could understand the patterns in those wonderful Japanese craft books, you’re going to love Zakka Sewing, the new book from Therese Laskey and Chika Mori. “Zakka” means “household goods” in Japanese, and the term has become synonymous with simple yet beautiful hand-sewn items that are both attractive and useful. Zakka Sewing is the first English-language book to explore this culture and its traditions, presenting 25 one-of-a-kind patterns from Japan’s best zakka creators. Projects range from a squirrel-shaped teapot cozy to simple felt flower coasters, and you can even learn to stitch up a pair of cozy slippers. The variety and quality of the projects will have you coming back to the book again and again!
One lucky Craftzine reader will win a copy Zakka Sewing! Just leave a comment on this post by 12pm PST on Saturday, November 1 telling us why you need this book. (Please make sure your e-mail address is included in your profile so we can contact you if you win.)
Get your feet wet in the world of Japanese crafts by downloading our CRAFT Pattern Podcast, featuring an excerpt from Zakka Sewing. Learn to make your very own bunny pencil case, a handy and cute zippered pouch complete with ears and a tail.
Download the Pattern PDF | Subscribe in iTunes
123 thoughts on “Bunny Pencil Case from Zakka Sewing – CRAFT Pattern Podcast & Giveaway”
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This would be so perfect for my craft group ^_^
I am an artist who has just got started sewing simple things and would love to make useful items with my sewing machine. I am in love with making my own unique creations for friends and family. Last holiday season I weaved my whole family scarves on my loom! I love the Japanese culture and would love to learn more about their crafts.
To make Christmas presents, of course!
Well, first, I’m always learning new crafts and trying idfferent things. I need this book because I would buy it myself, but I don’t have a job. I’m in a new city wehre I don’t know many people, so I’ve been spending my free time making things and I need a new book haha.
because I can’t read Japanese and I love zakka :) And I love to make presents :)
I’d love to have this book because I AM one of those crafters who salivates over Japanese craft books but can’t read the instructions, ha. The projects in this book look überadorable!
Because I love to make cute things.
I would love a copy of this book since I am making all of my Christmas presents this year.
as love all things Japanese but can’t read it and long to make some of their wonderful crafts.
I’m totally in love with it :)
And it would be a wonderfull help on making all my Christmas presents.
Hugs
zakka fan
I need this book because I’m a poor but crafty grad student — would help a lot with holiday gifts and a home for my million pencils!
I need this book because I’m a poor but crafty grad student — would help a lot with holiday gifts and a home for my million pencils!
The world just doesn’t have enough cuteness – I’d like to help it along :)
I need to make my mom a squirrel tea cozy for Christmas. So cute!
I am completely addicted to making cute little things to give away but then I keep them for myself because I love them so much but then having to make more stuff to give as gifts but then I can’t make the exact same thing because that would be cheesy and I am rapidly running out of different things to make. I’m currently searching for a support group but in the meantime I could really use this book.
Would love to have some new project ideas – the book sounds super cool.
I would love to win this book because it would be a perfect opportunity for me to ease back into crafting. I’ve been so preoccupied with school that I barely have any time to create things. This book would be a great jump start! :]
Please pick me – I love Japanese crafts!
I need it because I love… crafts, books, craftzine, be creative, get inspiration from others, create things, give presents and I do not have enough money!! ;)
Love and hugs
I used to live in Japan and speak pretty fluent Japanese, but unfortunately, my reading comprehension has dwindled to a pathetic low. I would LOVE some guidance on Japanese craftiness that I can actually read! PLUS I just bought a house (we moved in last weekend) and it’s chock full of appliances that need cozies and tables that need coasters and feet that need slippers. Thank you!
I love to make cute things.
because I heart zakka and an english-language zakka craft book would be a welcome change.
I have a niece who started getting into sewing and I’m hoping to share/introduce her to the wonderful world of zakka sewing. The patterns look pretty easy for a beginner and I think cute enough to get a young girls interest! Get them while they’re young you know! ^^
I need this book because as a child my mother always tried to teach me to sew, but I disliked her so much at the time that I always refused. Fast forward many years: Just a few months before I will get married and I’ve taken the DIY challenge and decided to make all of my Christmas gifts this year. I want to impress myself and my family, and especially my mother. Help me!
I’d love this book because…
it would help me make some things that I’d want to keep around the house always. For thoughtful gifts as well.
I would love to win this because I need to learn some quick sewing crafts!
I have eyed this book so many times, but won’t be able to buy it for a while. I make nearly all my gifts for people and I’d love to make some of the gorgeous projects soon!
I need this book because I love japanese crafting, and most of the books are in japanese and I cannot understand the directions. I am challenged that way and this book would really help a crafter like me out in a big way!
i had a look at the great range of patterns in this book at the stc craft book page and fell in love with the bookcover project. i always have a novel stashed in my bag for spare moments, and would love the make a cover to protect them and make them look super-cute!
I went from a lurker to a member for this book!! I’m making all my own Christmas presents this year, so I really, really need some good and creative ideas. This book would include project ideas that my friends and family wouldn’t have seen before!! Please, please, please!!
I recently took a road trip to San Francisco’s Japan Town, specifically to go to a book store and treat myself to a japanese zakka book. I spent an entire hour in the craft section and was just overwhelmed. Like a kid in a candy store who can’t decide. I went home empty handed wishing I could read Japanese. This book would keep me inspired until I learn Japanese!
because I drool over it every time I go to the bookstore but don’t have the nerve to buy it and give it a try as my sewing is still not the best. If I win the book, I will be obliged to make something, therefore improving my sewing and making me very happy! How can you go wrong with that?
I have always adored japanese craft books, and I love crafting for (and with) my daughter. I know there are a lot of projects in this book that will help us make wonderful memories together.
I finally can use my sewing machine! I took a class and I would love to start making super-cute projects like these.
I’ve always loved browsing through Japanese craft books, but the language barrier presents issues for me. An English language book with Japanese zakka crafts would be a wonderful thing to have. I love all things handmade and cute! Thanks for the chance to win this book!
I love the Zakka philosophy. We take our everything household items for granted. With this book, I can add cute, fun elements into the items I use everyday–my apron, dishtowels, and more.
I need this book because I am too poor to buy any more books, but am drowning in craft supplies. This would balance out. ;)
I would love this book because I love japanese crafts. They are so cute and I think that they would make great christmas presents. I would love this book so I can make them as gifts and impress my family.
Kimberley
pup_p_love@hotmail.com
I would love to start learning how to sew buy making cute, useful sewing crafts!
Zakka is a simple art
Designed for those like me.
My passion is to create, you see,
For students, friends and family.
Close to retirement, I’ll be
Yet boredom may set in.
Your book is what I need to win
To keep my artsy hands busy.
Domo arigato, Ms Laskey and Mori,
If only you’d choose me.
.. i love to craft but am too poor to afford crafty books! i have been getting by with free online tutorials but a book like this would be able to keep me busy for a while!
I am so enamored with Japanese fabric and Japanese craft/sewing books. I have a favorite fabric store that I have been going to for 25 years, and they have a large selection of Japanese fabric. I have quite a collection. I often admire the Japanese sewing/craft books, and I have never been brave enough to attempt to follow them. I would love to have this Zakka Sewing Book so I can make a dent in my Japanese fabric collection, and create many wondrful items for my friends and family. Thank you-Julie
Because you can never, ever have too many books!
I love the Japanese crafts, but am frustrated that I can’t read the background and comments that come alongside the instructions. It would be great to get an insight into the background and history to Japanese crafting.
i have always dreamed of visitng japan and this would be a super introduction to one aspect of their culture, until i can afford to travel there!
I would LOVE to win this book cause I need simple fresh sewing craft ideas. If I win, I promise to share this book with my crafty sisters. Thanks so much for this chance!
I’m a zakka sewing virgin! This would be my first zakka book and I think i’m ready for it. <3, the thirty year old zakka virgin
I need this book because I love to sew and create. I make all of my grand children’s holiday gifts. I have limited resources. I love it.
I would love to win Zakka Sewing because I love Japanese sewing books and all the wonderful unique craft ideas that they have inspired and created. I would love to create some of these adorable projects!!!
I would love to win this book. I just recently browsed it at the book store!
I need this book because, well, who wouldn’t? Saying I DON’T need this book is like saying I don’t need to eat chocolate ever again. Let’s buck up and be honest, I don’t need it for survival, it’s not that kind of need, but it’s one of those things needed for pure, unadulterated happiness. Like chocolate and sexy underwear and tosti asti and a puppy. Yeah, I could do without it, but why would I EVER want to? I’m not crazy ya know. Just crazy creative!! So, pick me! pick meeee! Cause if you don’t I’ll have to go out and get a puppy, and THAT will make my husband mad ;0)
To be frank i need this book because I would most definitely buy it except that I am a poor art student and can’t spare the expense.
I would love this book to death were I to own it.
I need this book! I’ve been drooling over it online so much that I fear for the safety of my computer if I don’t get my hands on a hard copy…
I need this book because I’m a hoarder of arts and crafts and would love to make all the useful items in this book to show my husband that arts and crafts is not useless but practically too!
Because its way too cute not to own. Who would not love this book?
I would love to have this book because I love, love everything Japanese but unfortunately, do not even come close to speaking Japanese, so I’m often stuck with patterns in another language which is really no help at all. Moreover, with my current job i could really use some small scale projects to keep me sewing but that don’t take up a lot of time. And this book is perfect. I foresee many Christmas presents coming from the patterns of this book :)
Ohhhhhh……why do I need the book…let me count the ways……I NEED it, I WANT it, I simply MUST have it!!!
Maureen Teddyfriends@juno.com
First off, thanks for the pattern podcast! I love it so much that I am dying to see what else this book has in store! I need something to work on now that Halloween is over and my costume that I worked on for weeks is done!
Wanted: Copy of Zakka Sewing by Therese Laskey & Chika Mori
Reply to: xxxx@email.com
Date: 01-11-2008, 5:50PM CET
Creative Colorado girl trapped in boyfriends apartment in the flat lands of Holland. No sun, no mountains, no job, no money.
Seeking Japanese designs to merge with Dutch fabrics. Desire to share finished creations on the Craftzine blog.
-Location: Culemborg, the Netherlands
-it’s NOT OK to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests ;^)
I have read a couple of reviews of this book and it looks great. I would love to try the Zakka style crafts in it.
Wanted: Copy of Zakka Sewing by Therese Laskey & Chika Mori
Reply to: xxxx@email.com
Date: 01-11-2008, 5:50PM CET
Creative Colorado girl trapped in boyfriends apartment in the flat lands of Holland. No sun, no mountains, no job, no money.
Seeking Japanese designs to merge with Dutch fabrics. Desire to share finished creations on the Craftzine blog.
-Location: Culemborg, the Netherlands
-it’s NOT OK to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests ;^)
[…] last but not least how about this super cute bunny pencil case from Zakka Sewing on Make: Perfect for your pens pencils or your eyeliner? Hope this little lot has inspired you to […]