Mermaids…did I catch your attention? Ha! I made the Zip Organizer from Rashida Coleman-Hale’s Zakka Style book this past Friday. It wasn’t originally in the plans, but I decided my current wallet needed to go…some raw edges had begun to pop out on the inside, and also I made it with black fusible interfacing (because my local Joann Fabrics was out of the white kind for 2 weeks straight), so it always looked kind of dingy. I thought, I cannot go to dinner with sewing friends this week and pull that wallet out to pay…vain? Maybe. 🙂
Anyway, if you’re interested, there is a Zakka Style Sew Along going on right now, and it’s centered around the book. One project from the book per week. Actually I will be revisiting the Zakka next week when it is my turn on the sew along train, with the Stem Messenger Bag. But for now, let’s talk about the Zip Organizer.
Fabric – This is a great project for scraps. The biggest piece you’ll need to cut for the pattern is 12″ x 12″ (which is for the binding). All of the other pieces are much smaller. I decided to go with some Heather Ross Mendocino fabrics, which my brain has been getting more into lately. I used some more mermaids on the inside pockets, as well as some goldfish bags and seahorses. The binding is Sis Boom…love Sis Boom! I have a ton of Sis Boom in my rainbow color-coordinated section of my stash. 😉
Pattern Pieces – no pattern pieces to cut out for this project…everything is rectangular cuts! You make the rounded edges of the organizer using any old glass that you have lying around. 🙂
Illustrations/Instructions – Everything is very easy to follow. There are a few illustrations, mainly for measurements/placement of the pockets, which is extremely helpful. This may look complicated, but it’s a pretty straightforward project. I think it took me about 4-5 hours, start to finish, including the cutting and the handbinding of the bias trim.
I changed up the interfacing a little, since I always have specific things in mind for how I want a project to feel, as far as thickness and stiffness. All my pieces were fused using Pellon SF-101 woven fusible interfacing (well, not the binding or the zipper tab). The exception is that with my outer main panel, I added an additional Pellon #70 Peltex sew-in (to give it stiffness; this I cut 1/2″ smaller on all sides to reduce bulk in the seam allowance) and also a layer of Pellon #TP971F fusible Thermolam. I suppose you could baste around the edges to keep all layers together, but instead I topstitched on the fabric of the outer panel (I sewed 1/4″ to the right and also to the left of the seam of the blue fabric and the mermaid fabric). I like the results of the interfacing, and I would do it exactly the same if I made another Zip Organizer.
Conclusion – Honestly, I am loving the Zakka Style book more and more. For some reason I was not drawn to the book at first glance, but since I’ve already made 2 projects from it, it has far, far exceeded my expectations and I am now in love with it. It has definitely earned its spot on my sewing bookshelf! The Zip Organizer is a really beautiful project, it is so functional, with 3 large pockets and 9 credit card slots. There is also a pen holder feature in the pattern, which I decided to leave off. I would recommend this project to an intermediate sewer, because of the 2 zippers and also the binding, which needs to be sewn by hand. I give this one an A+!
I love this! I have been looking all over for a new wallet to buy or make! I love yours and need to make one for myself!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Ohhhh this is the project you mentioned to me the other day! I’ve got to say, I love the fabrics! I’ll admit I don’t know a ton about different weights of interfacings. I usually buy whatever they have at my tiny lqs. I guess I should spend some time on pellon’s website and learn a thing or two…..
Ohhhh this is the project you mentioned to me the other day! I’ve got to say, I love the fabrics! I’ll admit I don’t know a ton about different weights of interfacings. I usually buy whatever they have at my tiny lqs. I guess I should spend some time on pellon’s website and learn a thing or two…..
This is so dreamy… but if I made one for myself everyone else would want me to make one for them too! 🙂
I have made 3items from Zakka style book they are fabulous I will be making your zipper organiser it is really cool love it.
This is lovely. I am working my way through the Zakka saw along and am really enjoying it. I must admit when I saw the zippered pouch I was a little daunted but you have put my mind to rest and now all I have to do is choose the scraps of fabric – always the lengthiest part of any project so far – so many fabrics ….
Holy cow, how did I miss this project in the book? I love this!! I especially love all the scraps you used – can’t wait to see it in person!
I love this wallet! I’ve been toying with the idea of making myself a handbag, so naturally it’ll need a complementary wallet and this looks perfect!
Darling! I hope you don’t mind if I pinned it for reference when I get to it in the sew-along…
I think this will go on my list of ideas for christmas gifts. Yours look great.
I love the wallet and your fabric selection. Thanks for mentioning about the interfacing. I recently practice making a wallet and I made wrong choices and learned what not to do: fusing a thick facing to a thin fabric.
Oooh, I was just thinking how much I’d like to make this and it’s in Zakka Style! I’m doing the Sewalong so I’m looking forward to that week! Love your version
I’m glad you’ve done this and have posted a review – I’m doing some of the projects in the Sew Along – will be doing the stem bag next, and this zipper organizer is definitely on my list too! How was the zipper to install (the one that closes the whole organizer)? I’ve done tons of regular zipper bag type installs, but this one isn’t like anything I’ve done before, so I’m biting my nails a bit, lol. Your organizer is great – I *love* that pink mermaid fabric!
I am daunted by this zip too. Let’s hope the Zakka Sew-Along host that week can give us some helpful tips. I wallet made with your own choice of enviable fabrics – now that IS worth making. See you back here for the Stem Messenger Bag.
Love it! Finally convinced me to get the book now too!
*doh*
Thanks for the review! I just got the book today and had a quick flick through to see all the projects. There are definitely some I’ll be trying out in the upcoming weeks! =D
Very nice, love the fabric mix you chose (although with those choices you might just get mugged for it at Market ;o) )
Stunning!!!!
How cute is that zippy?! I love it…your choice of fabrics may have just convinced me that I need a zippy too. 🙂
I just love this! I’ve had a wallet on my sewing to do list for some time now, but have been waiting for just the right one. I think I found it!!! I’m already thinking of my fabric stash and deciding which prints to mix and match for it. I love your choices. I’m not sure I have an eye for mixing prints like that, but I might just make the leap and give this one a whirl. Thanks for posting this. Looks like I have till June 4th to find the book and get my fabrics all figured out!
NICE. I love that fabric.
~Monika via Handmade Parade
Popped over from the Handmade Parade. That’s an awesome wallet! So cute! I love your fabric choices.
Gorgeous! I can’t wait to make one of my own!!
Ooh, I love it – love the whimsy of the fabrics you chose!
Wow! Thank you so much for making one. Yours look fabulous.
I hope you had fun making it!
I adore the mermaids.. I have to find the fabric, for a quilt. Your wallet looks fabulous, I love it. thank you for sharing.
i adore you site.. too.. I have it on my menu bar.
Sara, I featured your Zip Organizer on my blog and linked back here in the post. Thanks For posting this, I’m so inspired!
Wow! I love how you used various fabrics to form this lovely piece! A definite inspiration for my new project, was thinking of buying a new wallet.. but making it is much much better. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
love your work. would like to change the purpose of the organizer to an art organizer (colored pens, pencils sharpener ext..+pad). is it much more complicated? what should i consider differently? lovely fabric combination
thanks RISA
love your work. would like to change the purpose of the organizer to an art organizer (colored pens, pencils sharpener ext..+pad). is it much more complicated? what should i consider differently? lovely fabric combination
thanks RISA
Sara, where can I find this pattern (2 years later) without buying the book…any ideas?