Sewing

Zakka Style Zip Organizer for me!

Zakka Style Zip Organizer for me! - Noodlehead

Ah! If only I didn’t catch myself saying this over and over again. I wish I would have just made this sooner. It’s the Zip Organizer designed by Masko Jefferson in the Zakka Style book complied by Rashida Coleman-Hale. Back when I was part of the Zakka Style Sew Along in 2012 I’m pretty sure I put this on my to make list, especially after seeing Krista’s stop on the tour. In fact if you look through the comments on that post I’m pretty sure I proclaimed I wanted to make one right away. So almost four years later, here I am and I finally finished one. I love this construction technique for the three sided zip. It’s so fun.

Zakka Style Zip Organizer for me! - Noodlehead

I actually held myself back from making this. I kept hesitating because I wasn’t sure I’d pick the right fabric combination. Which is really so silly when you think about it. Especially for a smaller project like this. If I don’t like it, I can just make another! geez. With more time consuming projects like quilts I can totally understand the panic of fabric selection. For me, if I don’t clearly see in my mind at least a few fabrics that I want to use to make it, I let it go and move on with my list. I often circle back around to a certain project several times if I can’t get it out of my brain.

Zakka Style Zip Organizer for me! - Noodlehead

Zakka Style Zip Organizer for me! - Noodlehead

So for this one I jumped in and made it, adjusting my attitude about making this little guy really helped. I made this first one for me, but I can definitely see myself making more for friends in the future. It’s fun and useful plus you can use some pretty small scraps to complete it – which is always fun! For my next one I’m sure I’ll mess around with some different inside pocket options or even do some applique on the outside. The wheels are turning! I found it to be a pretty straightforward project once I committed to starting, but I think it might end up being a bit of a struggle for a beginner or those who like lots of diagrams or photos. Either way I think creative enthusiasm can take you far!

Zakka Style Zip Organizer for me! - Noodlehead


Pattern: Zip Organizer by Masko Jefferson (Zakka Style book)
Fabric: Nani Iro from Miss Matatabi, Lotta Jansdotter Lucky, Robert Kaufman Yarn Dyed Gingham in Fog
Zippers: Zipit on etsy


Hope you have a fun weekend, I’m planning on making another Divided Basket for a friend’s upcoming baby girl!

Zakka Style Zip Organizer for me! - Noodlehead

24 thoughts on “Zakka Style Zip Organizer for me!

  1. krista says:

    This looks so good!!! That outer fabric is stellar, especially combined with that coppery zipper! It’s funny how certain patterns can take a bit longer to get to– this makes me want to make another. I think I gave away all of my ones from the blog hop!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks bunches Krista! I definitely questioned my zipper color for a while! Love that color though. Yes, definitely make some with your printed fabrics!!! ooo!

  2. Lindsey says:

    This one has been on my to make list for a long time too. I love yours! Perfect fabric choices.

  3. Nicole says:

    I need to check this book out again. I wonder if one of those slip pockets is deep enough for a passport? My coworker has been bugging me to make her a replacement passport wallet.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      I think the biggest interior pocket on the right side is intended for a passport. 🙂

  4. Mizue Kubo says:

    I love the fabric and style. Your work always inspire me.

  5. terrieannie says:

    I read there’s an errata page for this project but have had no luck finding it. C&T no longer has it on their website that I can see. Did you need it for your construction?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      I think there used to be, so if you have an older copy the notes on Krista’s blog post (linked in the post) should be all you need. I believe if you have a newer copy the errata will have already been corrected. Hope that helps. 🙂

  6. Heather says:

    I love this!!! I have that book too so I’ll have to look at that again. I really can’t stand installing zippers like that with the binding tape. It is incredibly challenging to me . I guess I won’t get any better if I keep avoiding it right? I always love the colors and patterns you put together. I saw you will be curating a fat quarter bundle for stash fabrics and I Am excited to see what you put together as always.

  7. Jeni says:

    So fun! I’d never have guessed that you struggled to pull fabrics for this, the selection you ended up with is totally dreamy!!

  8. sarina says:

    I love all blue – this one is classy looking – and you seemed to have nailed that complicated looking zipper – and I love your photography too 🙂

  9. Linda Doyle says:

    Wish I had some of your rainwalk canvas still in my stash….

  10. terrieannie says:

    Finally found the errata page for several items pertaining to this project: http://www.ct-publishing.com/errata/10824.cfm

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks for finding that! 🙂

  11. Emilee says:

    Love it! What interfacing did you choose? I made one of these for my sister and it was a bit floppy.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Emilee, I used Pellon 808 and SF101. 🙂

  12. Jennifer says:

    Really cute and I ALWAYS love your fabric choices. I can totally understand the fear of picking out the wrong fabrics… hahaha. Off hand do you happen to know of any similar patterns that might hold an iPad mini?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Jennifer! Not sure of another pattern for an ipad mini, but I think this could be easily enlarged to fit one (be sure to adjust the zipper size proportionally as well). 🙂

  13. Carol Taylor says:

    where is the pattern to make this…?? cant seem to find a link..

    1. Anna Graham says:

      It’s the Zip Organizer found in the book Zakka Style (linked in the post). 🙂

  14. bekki says:

    That looks great. I love the fabric you’ve used, you’ve made zakka look modern! It looks really useful too, I haven’t seen this pattern before.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thank you Bekki!

  15. Lesley Mac says:

    Thank you, Thank you ….. Having spent most of yesterday trying to make everything fit, I now find the errata right here on your blog….. So today I shall start again and hopefully have a finished article as good looking as yours!

Comments are closed.