{Book Tour} Zakka Home by Sedef Imer

Hello Friends!

Thank you so much for stopping past my little corner of the blog world and joining me in celebrating Sedef Imer from Down Grapevine Lane’s latest book offering Zakka Home. It was an absolute privilege to be asked to join in on this tour which sees me among some of the most talented makers in the world. I may be slightly nervous in this company just between you and me though.

Zakka Home is published by Tuva Publishing and includes 19 fun little projects that are suitable for any level of sewing. Flicking through it was so hard to decide what I was going to make because honestly, I could have put a fun Piccolo spin on any of it.

On Page 50 of the book are the sweetest Sashiko coasters and they really caught my eye. I loved the use of embroidery to add detail and decided almost immediately that I was going to start right there. I had been meaning to make another kantha cushion for a while now so it was the perfect opportunity to combine the two together! Using my trusty liberty scrap bowl I created a patchwork top and then down to adding the geometric pattern that is so typical of sashiko. I decided to use the circle one because I thought it tied into the Liberty prints so well. I drew the circle pattern on using a large circle and my handy Pilot Frixion pen, then chose 4 complimentary embroidery colours and got to work.

Surprisingly it was quite quick to embroider the design on, especially as I used a hoop to help keep everything flat and together and I was done in a matter of hours. Then it was just the case of turning her into a cushion and getting her ready to model in front of the camera.

Where I live in Aldinga, South Australia, there are so many great places to take photos and I am thoroughly enjoying exploring my area and finding all the cool little spots hidden within. Today it was simply a case of making use of the gorgeous stone wall at Port Willunga Beach and the garden out the front of Rosey’s cafe. I got many a strange look but that is something I am used to these days as I am frequently out with my camera and some sort of make in hand.

She suited the garden so perfectly! Especially when I could get the little daisies in the pic too. And the sweet carpet of flowers seemed just to be waiting for me to be honest.

I never really appreciated the detail in Liberty of London fabrics until the past 18 months – all that detail is just a pleasure to behold.

My next make seems to be a popular project already and it is easy to see why. Sweet little lavender house sachets are a fantastic gift and perfect for the zakka theme. I am going to be playing with these some more and have a million fabrics in mind. For my first 4 though I couldn’t go past classic linen and Liberty (again!). I opted to do mine with a plain liberty back instead of create the envelope closure and simply hand stitched the bottom closed once I had stuffed with a small amount of polyester fill and some dried lavender, locally sourced of course!

I won’t lie – I really want a whole lavender scented village in this basket. They are going to be my go to presents for all the wonderful ladies in my life who bring me joy daily.

I also may have had a bit too much fun photographing them – I had over 300 to sort through when i got home. Such a lesson in restraint to only share a handful of images with you all.

And that is (very nearly!) a wrap from me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself making these sweet projects and plan many more in my future. I love that you can translate certain elements of Sedef’s patterns to create something uniquely your own.

Ok one last thing. I found this graffiti on the wall with a tiny hook – it clearly needed a house to complete it. I don’t speak millennial but I desperately hope this little life motto is one we can all live by << insert hashtags and winky face emojis here>>

Thank you so much to Sedef for having me along today, I had an absolute ball.

Sarah x

There are many wonderful makers on this book tour so be sure to check them all out and join in the fun with us!

22 October – Sedef Imer – Down Grapevine Lane – @downgrapevinelane
23 October – Jemima Flendt – Tied With A Ribbon – @tiedwitharibbon
24 October – Minki Kim – Minki’s Work Table – @zeriano
25 October – Jane Davidson – Quilt Jane – @quiltjane
26 October – Elizabeth Chappell – Quilters Candy Box – @quilterscandybox
27 October – Lauren Wright – Molly and Mama – @mollyandmama
28 October – Sarah Scott – Piccolo Studio – @piccolostudio_sarah
29 October – Alyce Blyth – Blossom Heart Quilts – @blossomheartquilts
30 October – Emily Dennis – Quilty Love – @emily_dennis_
31 October – Sharon Burgess – Lilabelle Lane Creations – @lilabellelane
1 November – Wynn Tan – Zakka Art – @zakkaArt
2 November – Amanda Woodruff – A Crafty Fox – @a.crafty.fox
4 November – Samantha Dorn – Aqua Paisley Studio – @aqua_paisley
5 November – Love Patchwork & Quilting – @lovequiltingmag
6 November – Kate May – The Homemakery – @thehomemakery
7 November – Ayda Algin – Cafe Nohut – @cafenohut
8 November  – Faith Essenburg – Sarana Ave – @faithessenburg
9 November – Nadra Ridgeway – Ellis & Higgs – @ellisandhiggs
10 November – Fat Quarter Shop – @fatquartershop
11 November – Laura Cunningham – @laura_zuckerkuss
12 November – Bev McCullough – Flamingo Toes – @flamingotoes
13 November – Amy Smart – Diary of a Quilter – @diaryofaquilter
14 November – Riley Blake Designs – @rileyblakedesigns
15 November – Michelle Hickson – @coleandtaffy
16 November – Christopher Thompson – The Tattooed Quilter – @the_tattooed_quilter
17 November – Ange Hamilton – A Little Patchwork – @alittlepatchwork
18 November – Sarah Ashford – Sarah Ashford Studio – @sarahashfordstudio
19 November –  Sedef Imer – Down Grapevine Lane – @downgrapevinelane (ROUND UP)