Zakka Style Gets Whipped

The end is here and I am mighty sorry for it.  We all knew it would end one day but who would have thought, when we started out on the Zakka trail in April 2012 that September would come around so quickly.    The last project in the book is the Nesting Boxes designed by Laurraine of Patchwork Pottery. 

This project, out of all of them, is the one that I have waited for – the one I would’ve purchased the book for.  I know that some are finding it a tricky project but I have now made the small and middle boxes and I love them.  I will make them for gifts.  This week’s blog host, Kati, has constructed Christmas boxes – check them out here – they are really cool.

The Crafter’s Apprentice has devised an alternative method of constructing the boxes.  However, I followed the instructions in the book and have a few tips that might make things easier.

1.         I quilted the bottom flower twice, one small and one larger (shadow quilting).  This made my bottom firmer (if only I wasn't talking about the fabric box!).  Also, once the bottom has been constructed, iron it with a very hot iron (now I'm glad I'm not talking about my bottom - ouch!).  This will fuse the batting to the fabric making it even firmer still.

2.         Use double fold binding on the top edge.  This will make stitching it quicker and neater.  I cut 2” strips as directed in the pattern but folded it lengthwise and then aligned raw edges before stitching on.  I found there was enough to turn over and slip-stitch in place (see page 25 in the book).  Any problems come back to me and I will do a diagram.

3.         I had found the bottom fiddly when constructing the little box but after chatting to Laurraine she recommended that I stitch the bottom in, opposite sides first.  What this means is that, when stitching bottom in do it in the following order - it is much less fiddly and works well:

                          

4.         Also, I found that the box bottom was neater when I whip stitched lining-to-lining.  This will only make sense once you start to do it.

As for coming to the end of the Zakka trail – I will miss it more than I can say.  I have loved the sew-along; loved the people, the friends, most of the projects, the learning.    Without this Zakka trail I would not have made my first purse, my first mug-rug, my first bag, my first rag ribbon (okay – let’s forget that one!!!), my first fabric box.  And I would not have made my mug rug patterns which are selling like hot-cakes over at Craftsy.     

I must remember that it is the book, Zakka Style, that pushed me on this journey.  A fact that is easy to forget bearing in mind that I would not recommend this book to anybody in its current format.  A beginner would be frustrated and confused – as would a seasoned pro.  It is a disappointing book in that some of the cutting measurements are incorrect, many patterns were not tested at all (obviously) and there is an absence of diagrams throughout the book.  Rashida is compiling a list of errors so that any reprint can be adjusted.  Contact her through this Flickr thread.  However, where the book does stand proud is on the designs – most are innovative, functional and inspiring. Also it has to be said, this sew-along would not have been as good or smoothly run as it was without Lindsey's efforts week after week.  

But, as they say, when one door closes another opens.  I am looking forward to the Handcrafted Holiday Sew and Stitch-along which is due to start next month and I have plenty to do until then.  My block  for the Glorious Autumn Block party  is designed and made ready for 4th October, as is a matching little wall quilt which I will be adding to the pattern shop next week. 

I am hoping our paths will cross on a new trail and we will all continue on our journey together so ..... until next week.