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Patchwork, Please!: Colorful Zakka Projects to Stitch and Give
Get fresh inspiration with 19 quick and colorful projects!
In Patchwork, Please! , Stitch magazine contributor Ayumi Takahashi has created playful and practical patchwork projects for the home and the people who live in it. Sewing should be fun, and Ayumi Takahashi's patchwork projects embody that happy, playful approach.
Known for both her distinctive combination of patterned fabrics and her quirky interpretations of vintage style, Ayumi brings this signature approach to 19 sewing projects. The book begins with basic techniques in patchwork, paper piecing, raw-edged applique, and machine and hand embroidery. Then it's straight into an appealing assortment of projects for the kitchen, home, family, and friends.
In Patchwork, Please! , Stitch magazine contributor Ayumi Takahashi has created playful and practical patchwork projects for the home and the people who live in it. Sewing should be fun, and Ayumi Takahashi's patchwork projects embody that happy, playful approach.
Known for both her distinctive combination of patterned fabrics and her quirky interpretations of vintage style, Ayumi brings this signature approach to 19 sewing projects. The book begins with basic techniques in patchwork, paper piecing, raw-edged applique, and machine and hand embroidery. Then it's straight into an appealing assortment of projects for the kitchen, home, family, and friends.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2013
17 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 20, 2025
This book is making me desperate for sewing time!
January 29, 2014
i checked this out of the library because it was on the new shelf & i like to look at crafting books for project inspiration. then i let it sit on my shelf at home for months without cracking it open. it focuses on zakka projects. zakka is a japanese concept that refers to objects that improve one's home, life, or appearance. it's not necessarily my thing when it comes to sewing. i like to make clothing or quilts, mostly. i don't spend a lot of time making stuff, like pillows or stuffed animals or whatever. but i finally opened the book, & there, on the very first page, was a photo of a gorgeous book-themed baby quilt. i MUST make this quilt! it's a paper-pieced project, which is a technique i have never tried, but this gorgeous quilt has inspired me.
i was very pleasantly surprised to be inspired by quite a few projects in this book! another one i really liked was the quilted envelope mail organizer. it's not practical for me to make the project exactly as is. our household doesn't receive enough mail to require an organizer. (if i was still running a zine distro though....) but the envelope design is beyond adorable & i am thinking about using it to make some new throw pillows for the couch.
the fabrics takahashi chooses are really fun & colorful--right up my alley. i am not a fan of the "low-impact" trend in the modern sewing world. i like color & pattern, especially prints of real things, like people, food, animals, etc. this could be a really fun book for someone who is more interested in making things for their home. although takahashi has inspired me to maybe make some pillows, i am still more interested in making clothes than just about anything else.
i was very pleasantly surprised to be inspired by quite a few projects in this book! another one i really liked was the quilted envelope mail organizer. it's not practical for me to make the project exactly as is. our household doesn't receive enough mail to require an organizer. (if i was still running a zine distro though....) but the envelope design is beyond adorable & i am thinking about using it to make some new throw pillows for the couch.
the fabrics takahashi chooses are really fun & colorful--right up my alley. i am not a fan of the "low-impact" trend in the modern sewing world. i like color & pattern, especially prints of real things, like people, food, animals, etc. this could be a really fun book for someone who is more interested in making things for their home. although takahashi has inspired me to maybe make some pillows, i am still more interested in making clothes than just about anything else.
August 28, 2018
I want this book just for the book pattern for a quilt. One day I will make a book quilt.
October 15, 2018
A lot of projects made by paper piecing. Many fabrics with text on them were kind of distracting.
May 1, 2019
This author and quilter is popular for her Zakka projects. Zakka translates to "many things", referring to objects that improve your home, life or appearance, things to sew and gift.
December 27, 2024
terrible formatting
The formating on the Kindle edition of this book is pretty bad. The projects look cute, but The book is hard to read.
The formating on the Kindle edition of this book is pretty bad. The projects look cute, but The book is hard to read.
March 28, 2014
‘Colorful Zakka projects to stitch and give.’
‘Zakka, which translates to “many things”, refers to objects that improve your home, life or appearance.’ This book contains nineteen small patchwork projects, things that can be made from scraps of fabric - those tempting, gorgeous small pieces of fabric that have too much potential to discard - and assorted fat quarters. I was drawn to the book by the cute pincushions on the cover, but there are at least four other projects I’d like to make.
In a very helpful, cheerful chapter on tools and materials, the author advises that only a basic sewing machine is required. All you really need is a machine that can do straight stitch with an adjustable stitch length, and a zigzag stitch. A walking foot for quilting will be handy (although I suspect a number of quilters would like to do some of these projects by hand). The other items – including a rotary cutter and mat – would be part of any patch worker or quilter’s inventory of supplies.
There’s a wonderful chapter on techniques, and paper-piecing is well explained. There are diagrams and templates for the applique and quilt pieces, and the projects detail the order of assembly. A possible drawback for some may be the need to enlarge the templates –especially if you don’t have easy access to a copier.
Many of these projects would appeal to those new to patchwork and quilting, and would be a great way to practice cutting and piecing skills.
I’ve fallen in love with the ‘You’ve Got Mail Wall Pocket’ (a wall hanging measuring 52 by 70 cm) and the ‘Swedish Bloom-Time Lap Quilt’, while the ‘Yum Yum Apple Bib’ and the ‘Prettified Pincushion’ would make great presents. Hmm. Where to start? I’ll let my fabric decide.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
‘Zakka, which translates to “many things”, refers to objects that improve your home, life or appearance.’ This book contains nineteen small patchwork projects, things that can be made from scraps of fabric - those tempting, gorgeous small pieces of fabric that have too much potential to discard - and assorted fat quarters. I was drawn to the book by the cute pincushions on the cover, but there are at least four other projects I’d like to make.
In a very helpful, cheerful chapter on tools and materials, the author advises that only a basic sewing machine is required. All you really need is a machine that can do straight stitch with an adjustable stitch length, and a zigzag stitch. A walking foot for quilting will be handy (although I suspect a number of quilters would like to do some of these projects by hand). The other items – including a rotary cutter and mat – would be part of any patch worker or quilter’s inventory of supplies.
There’s a wonderful chapter on techniques, and paper-piecing is well explained. There are diagrams and templates for the applique and quilt pieces, and the projects detail the order of assembly. A possible drawback for some may be the need to enlarge the templates –especially if you don’t have easy access to a copier.
Many of these projects would appeal to those new to patchwork and quilting, and would be a great way to practice cutting and piecing skills.
I’ve fallen in love with the ‘You’ve Got Mail Wall Pocket’ (a wall hanging measuring 52 by 70 cm) and the ‘Swedish Bloom-Time Lap Quilt’, while the ‘Yum Yum Apple Bib’ and the ‘Prettified Pincushion’ would make great presents. Hmm. Where to start? I’ll let my fabric decide.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
May 13, 2013
The projects in this book are preceded by a lengthy section on basic sewing and construction, making this a great book for beginners. The project included are colorful and modern and run the gamut from "For the Kitchen" to "For Crafting". My favorite projects in the book are the Books-for-Baby quilt, which could be adapted for any age and the clever pincushion on the cover of the book. Projects include: Bell Pepper Coasters; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Towels; Lettered Tea Cozy and Teabag Pouch; The Polka-Dot-Café Apron; Diamond Patchwork Placemat; Yum-Yum Apple Bib; Dino-Mite Hat; Books-for-Baby Quilt; My Scrappy Box; Swedish Bloom-Time Lap Quilt; You've Got Mail Wall Pocket; Happy Hexagon Trivet; Piece-of-Cake Shopping Bag; Triangle Patchwork Box Pouch; Vintage Pencil Case; I-Love-my-iPad Quilted Cover; Handy Market Tote; Sweet Trips Embroidery Pouch; Prettified Pincushion. Recommended.
December 31, 2013
I was sort of underwhelmed by this book. While it had a lengthy introduction to techniques, the projects were all so.....run of the mill. There was absolutely nothing unique or dynamic or exciting in here. It was more pencil bags, pin cushions, and place mats. Oh, and don't forget the coasters!
Seriously. All the other 'famous' zakka books have the exact same projects as well as most basic sewing book.
I believe underwhelmed is the best way to describe it. I don't have any serious complaints--it if was the first book of it's kind that I had seen I'd probably be impressed--but overall, I think it suffers from lack of originality.
Seriously. All the other 'famous' zakka books have the exact same projects as well as most basic sewing book.
I believe underwhelmed is the best way to describe it. I don't have any serious complaints--it if was the first book of it's kind that I had seen I'd probably be impressed--but overall, I think it suffers from lack of originality.
October 28, 2014
Okay, I know I am out of the loop most of the time. I picked-up this book because on the cover it has "colorful Zakka projects to stitch and give." What is a Zakka? I looked up Zakka on Wikipedia and found that it is a fashion boom, an explosion I didn't hear or at least the term. Zakka is defined as "everything and anything that improves your home, life and appearance." Patchwork Please begins like most how-to-books with the basics, followed by techniques and tips, then moves to projects with instructions. The projects are vary is size and difficultly.I found the instructions and illustrations for paper-piecing helpful and enjoyed the variety of projects included.
July 19, 2015
I liked a lot of the charming projects, but I don't see myself making many of them. I did make the Patchwork Embroidery Case, and really enjoyed that project. I would like to use the pincushion project to try out paper piecing, and it's in developing new skills that the projects really shine in. Like many zakka books, you are required to have access to a copier. I do wish for the patchwork projects that the measurements of the pieces were included, to make it easier for those who prefer traditional piecing methods. At least, it would have saved me making several mistakes in cutting out the patchwork cover for the embroidery case.
May 10, 2013
I have always enjoyed Ayumi's projects in print but this book left me somewhat underwhelmed. Perhaps the projects are too easy (basic) in nature.
It's a well written book, albeit not as fresh as I'd hoped when I ordered it online.
It's a well written book, albeit not as fresh as I'd hoped when I ordered it online.
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August 18, 2017Cute ideas, but if I had been a beginning seamstress I would have found the instructions confusing, and there were not enough illustrations to clarify her instructions.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews