Sew Adorkable Blog Tour

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Sew Adorkable Blog Tour

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Welcome to the Nancy Zieman Blog stop on the Sew Adorkable Blog Tour. The author, Samarra Khaja, online and very active in social media (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr & Instagram). You may already be following her and enjoying her sewing and illustration works. I recently had the opportunity to interview the author, Samarra Khaja about her upcoming release with C&T Publishing/Stash Books.

Meet Samarra:

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How long have you been sewing/quilting?

It was the late 70s and there was a big DIY home sewing/garment-making wave going on. My mom made amazing reversible tennis skirts for herself and patchwork dresses with gathered puffy sleeves for me that I proudly wore to school. It was during that time that she taught me how to sew and I made my first quilt (reversible!) at age 10 on the Singer Stylist that she still has today. In fact, part of my 8-Bit Birds quilt was assembled on that very machine when we were on summer vacation and I was getting all my book projects done. It’s not easy to have sewing pit-stops on a family road trip, but mom’s machine—just like mom herself—is always reliable!

When did you first start brainstorming this creative book collection?

Some of the projects, like the Teacher Tool Belt and Toothy the Tooth Fairy have existed in some form for a few years now, but the bulk of the book started bubbling to the front of my mind about two years ago.
11114 026Your illustrations in the book are outstanding, was integrating illustrations into the project artwork part of the original concept?
Thank you! Yes, the illustrations and the final look and feel of the entire book was a solid concept from the get-go. C&T/Stash Books was downright awesome in believing in my vision and helping see it through. I wanted to present a complete world of creativity to makers, so along with having unique statement-making projects mixed with my unabashed goofball humor, I also wanted to frame everything together in a world of fantastical and imaginative possibility to inspire readers to have fun and enjoy crafting.

What is your favorite project in the book? Ok, you can pick the top two.

As you might guess, depending on the day, I have a different answer. At this moment, I’m particularly fond of my Candy Dot quilt and my Prehistoric Portrait Painting, because they’re both comically over the top, fun, and are good reminders to not take everything so seriously.

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My staff and I are particularly fond of the graphic impact in your Braille Quilt. Can you tell us a bit more about it?

It all started when I was in elementary school and ordered “Louis Braille” from my Scholastics book flyer. That book, which I still have to this day, had raised braille dots embossed into the back cover and I’d spend a great deal of time running my fingers across the letters and thinking about what Louis’ life might have been like. Having a brother with disabilities has always made me very sensitive to the challenges people can face. Aside from being enraptured with the brilliance of Braille’s alphabet system, I was also amazed at its graphic perfection being logical, functional, universal, yet simple all at the same time.

11114 041What is next from Samarra in the world of sewing, quilting, and design?

I’m excited to say that I also have a coloring book for adults coming out this fall. It’s called “Off the Bookshelf” and for people who know my fabric designs, you’ll see at least a couple of familiar characters and scenes in the book! I’m crazy excited about it and can’t wait to get my paws on my own copy!

Any other info you’d like to share with quilters & seamstresses of all skill levels?

Let preconceived ideas of perfection and standards and what’s “correct” and what’s “wrong” fall away from your process and just focus on making. We wind up inhibiting ourselves preemptively with ideas that we don’t have the ‘best sewing machine/tools/etc’ or the ‘right technique’ or are somehow ‘not good enough’ at whatever it may be. It doesn’t matter what brand your sewing machine is; does it get the job done? Then use it! It doesn’t matter how someone else made something; can you get to the same end point yourself in your own way? Then do it! Life is too short to restrict yourself with invisible and subjective ideas of good/bad. Down with comparing! Up with making!
If you weren’t writing sewing books and working in the illustration and textiles industry, what would be your dream job?
Saving and helping animals in one way or another; I wanted to be a veterinarian as a kid and that passion and love for animals has never gone away.
What is your greatest sewing challenge?
Trying not to rush projects. Sometimes I’m so clear on what a finished piece looks like in my head and so excited to get to that endpoint, that I speed my way to get there. Let’s just say I’ve been known to drive my sewing machine like I’m trying to outrun the fuzz on the Autobahn. Slow and steady would probably shave less years off my life and save more time in the long run, but this just might be part of my messy method, so really, who am I kidding.

Nancys Giveaway 5 13Leave a comment telling us which project you are most looking forward to in Samarra’s new book? Open internationally, however if winner lives outside of the US, they will receive a promo code to purchase the ebook version free of charge. US winner will receive a hard copy. The random winner will be selected October 26.

Tour Schedule:

Bye for now,

Nancy Zieman The Blog

Nancy Zieman—author, pattern designer, businesswoman, producer, and national sewing authority—is the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. Follow Nancy’s blog at NancyZieman.com/blog and sign up to receive Nancy’s E-News for the latest news in sewing, quilting, & creating.
Content in this feed is © copyright 2015 by Nancy Zieman and may not be republished without written permission. You’re welcome to forward the email to a friend or colleague but it’s not okay to add the RSS feed automatically as content on a blog or other website.
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96 Comments

  • Niku Arbabi
    October 9, 2015

    The typewriter tissue box cover! It combines two of my favorite things! I’ve been collecting both vintage typewriters and making and collecting tissue box covers since I was a teen.

  • Sally Murray
    October 9, 2015

    I love the Braille Quilt!!

  • Susan
    October 9, 2015

    I really like the Braille quilt. During Jr. High School, there was a blind girl in many of my classes that used a Braille typewriter. In my last job, one of my colleagues was blind and he used a Braille machine but it was a lot different from the typewriter the girl in classes used. He also used a computer that read what he was typing. I tried learning Braille once, but it completely baffled me. When I come across Braille, like in an elevator I always run my fingers over the dots.

  • Karin C
    October 9, 2015

    Oh my gosh, that flying tooth was too stinkin’ cute! I love*love*love the story behind the blind quilt and would enjoy making that and giving it away! Thanks for bringing attention to this book – I’d never even heard of it until now!!

  • Ollie Morton
    October 9, 2015

    I don’t normally like tissue covers,but the typewriter cover is me. That’s the first thing I’m making.

  • Emily
    October 9, 2015

    The Braille Quilt is wonderful. My husband works at a school for the blind … could be a great fundraiser!

  • Georgiana Maszczenski
    October 9, 2015

    It’s certainly hard to choose when they are all so adorable. However, I find it hard to resist the portrait of my dinosaur ancestor!

  • LoAnn T
    October 9, 2015

    I think I would make the braille quilt!

  • Marianne in TN
    October 9, 2015

    Love the Braille Quilt…. but ANYTHING to keep me out of trouble!

  • Debbie S.
    October 9, 2015

    I’m teaching my 9 yr. old granddaughter Samara (only 1 R)to sew…another Christmas idea! Her Mom would probably like the adult color book too. I’ll keep my eye out for them. 🙂

  • Ilana
    October 9, 2015

    I would make the candy dots quilt. I remember eating those candy dots as a kid.

  • Alisa Vogt
    October 9, 2015

    I love Toothy the tooth fairy. I hadn’t thought about adding the wings, what a great touch! I also really love the quirky humor in the pencil pencil skirt! Looks like a great book!

  • Mary Tague
    October 9, 2015

    The first project would be the tooth fairies!! The I’d like to make thd Braille quilt.

  • Diane C
    October 9, 2015

    They are all so cool. It is hard to choose which one would be first

  • Bobee
    October 9, 2015

    Oh definitely candy dots…makes my mouth water. And I always love dots anyway…big will.

  • Mary Andrus
    October 9, 2015

    What fun! I can’t wait to see the finished product. I must visit
    Spoon flower to see what you have there.

  • Sandra Cantrell
    October 9, 2015

    I liked the dino portrait the best. Don’t we all have relatives that we think of when we look at that? Her “just do it” attitude and forget the perfection and not good enough attitude is great.

  • Wanda Frenzel
    October 9, 2015

    Hi 🙂 Not sure what I would make first…but enjoyed reading the interview with Nancy…I am a “newbie” at quilting, but I really liked the paragraph about “preconceived ideas…. ” that hit home with me !!! Always enjoy reading Nancy’s page !!

  • Emily W
    October 9, 2015

    The Braille Quilt is wonderful! My husband works at a school for the blind … great idea for the next fundraising event …

  • Frank W
    October 9, 2015

    I like the tissue box. something to hide all the boxes i keep. may even help find them.

  • Martha
    October 9, 2015

    My first project would be the tissue box cover and I would probably make it the same color. I have an actual typewriter that color. Wouldn’t that be cute!

  • Patsy Philson
    October 9, 2015

    Since I have a granddaughter that is blind and she teaches at a school for the blind, I would make the Braille quilt first.

  • R Newell
    October 9, 2015

    I love the Braille quilt, that is my project!

  • Dena Trask
    October 9, 2015

    The typewriter tissue box is making my fingers itch to make. In fact, I’d like to make one for all four of my office mates for Christmas, each in their favorite colors! And one for my daughter. And one for my sister…

  • Arlene
    October 9, 2015

    I would make tooth fairies for my 4 grandchildren.

  • Cherie
    October 9, 2015

    I think that I would like to make the candy dots quilt. Thank you!

  • Becky
    October 9, 2015

    Love the “adorkable” tooth fairies!

  • Monica AD
    October 9, 2015

    The Pencil Skirt … FIESTA 🙂

  • Sharon P
    October 9, 2015

    It has got to be the dino portrait. It is great!!!

  • teri
    October 9, 2015

    Love the Braille quilt also.

  • Laurel Lee Pedersen
    October 9, 2015

    I’d make that darling “pencil” skirt!

  • Donna Fecteau
    October 9, 2015

    I think I like the candy dots quilt. But the dinosaur is really cute as well.

  • Shirley
    October 9, 2015

    I just love the Tooth Fairies!!!

  • Bonnie
    October 9, 2015

    I am liking the typewriter tissue box cover

  • Joanie
    October 9, 2015

    I love the Braille quilt! How cute and modern!

  • Julie Guenther
    October 9, 2015

    I am really digging the prehistoric painting…as it is and another with a different creature. For the grandkids. Well, maybe for me, too.

  • Amy S
    October 9, 2015

    I would really love to make the dinosaur portrait, and then I would try to adapt it to make dino-portrait versions of myself and my hubby for hanging in the living room…

  • M Williams
    October 9, 2015

    It’s between the typewriter tissue box and the dinosaur portrait, I guess the tissue box because I could take it to work.

  • Barbara Knight
    October 9, 2015

    Ive got to make the pencil skirt! I drive a school bus and my kids love colorful colors and fun prints. They will love that!

  • Adecia
    October 9, 2015

    The tissue box cover

  • Chris Reeske
    October 9, 2015

    The tooth fairy…I want to make one for my dental hygienist, who has a toddler and will need a tooth fairy soon.

  • melissa c
    October 9, 2015

    I would really enjoy making and then using the typewriter tissue box cover! I also can’t help but get a silly grin when I see the candy dots. How fun and happy these projects are! Melissa Childers email address [email protected]

  • myra karachy
    October 9, 2015

    The typewriter tissue box caught my eye right away.

  • craftygramma
    October 9, 2015

    I love the braille quilt. The idea of introducing braille through a quilt is fantastic!

  • jane d
    October 9, 2015

    I’d love to make the Tooth Fairy!

  • Lily Kamikhara
    October 9, 2015

    Love the braille quilt. So simple it makes one smile.

  • janet moilanen
    October 9, 2015

    I am obsessed with the typewriter tissue box cover -it will be perfect for my quirky upstairs bathroom.

  • Carol Stephenson
    October 9, 2015

    I would love to make the Braille quilt for a blind relative. I think he would love it. I hope the alphabet is there so I can choose the message!

  • Bonnye
    October 9, 2015

    The typewriter tissue box is adorable. This note comes from someone who still has several vintage typewriters

  • Irene Arrigo
    October 9, 2015

    My first item would be the typewriter tissue box cover. It is so fun!

  • Debbie Chenoweth
    October 9, 2015

    I love the tooth fairy project and the Braille quilt.

  • April Curry
    October 9, 2015

    The braille quilt would be my first choice, I see it as a great learning tool.

  • Nicole Rodgers
    October 9, 2015

    The typewriter Kleenex cover would be my first project, with the Braille quilt a close second.

  • Susan T
    October 9, 2015

    A tooth fairy wearing tube socks…my kind of humor.

  • Corinne
    October 9, 2015

    I’d love to make the tissue box cover for my desk, and the wonderful tooth fairy for a dental hygienist friend.

  • Patty G
    October 9, 2015

    I want to read the description of the Braille quilt. Is there a meaning to the dot placement? I love the cheerful colors she used in her quilt.

  • Christine Murray
    October 10, 2015

    Any quilt project!!

  • Julie Willis
    October 10, 2015

    The dinosaur! The dinosaur!! The dinosaur!!!

  • BJ Marley
    October 10, 2015

    Is the pencil skirt in the book? I definitely love that one.

  • Marty
    October 10, 2015

    Definitely the Braille and typewriter-motif projects are what I’ll make first!

  • Adeline
    October 10, 2015

    I am totally emotionally touched by the Braille quilt and her ability to translate it to a comforting quilt interpretation. Way to “bump” it up!

  • Elnora Chambers
    October 10, 2015

    Wow! I’m looking forward to seeing how to make that awesome Braille quilt!

  • Kay G
    October 10, 2015

    The calculator project- my retired engineer most wonderful husband tutors advanced math at our local high school and would love it!

  • LindaC in AZ
    October 10, 2015

    I love the braille alphabet quilt. I don’t even quilt and I want to make that.

  • Tina
    October 10, 2015

    I like the candy dots quilt

  • Berenice
    October 10, 2015

    My sil, an English teacher, would totally love that pencil skirt & the typewriter tissue box. Most of her students probably have never seen a real live typewriter!

  • Joanne Donovan
    October 11, 2015

    I would love to win the book for the Dinosaur quilt! He is too cool! Thanks for the chance to win!!

  • Cheryl
    October 11, 2015

    I really like the braille quilt and the prehistoric painting. Been wanting to try a portrait like that.

  • JR
    October 11, 2015

    I’m looking forward to making skirt with pencils for my daughter-in-law who is a new teacher. All the projects make me smile. Anything that brings joy to the world is a winner to me. JR

  • Doreen Hersh
    October 11, 2015

    I love the Braille dots quilt. It would be a perfect piece of realia when we read “The Blind Hunter”.

  • Linda E
    October 12, 2015

    I’d like to see the teacher tool belt. I’m sure I’d enjoy the design spin you created.

  • Kathleen
    October 12, 2015

    I love the pencils pencil skirt! That’s just awesome.

  • Diana G.
    October 12, 2015

    I would have to say the Dino picture as I have a granddaughter who is so into dinosaurs, she lives, breathes and would eat dinosaur if she could !
    Thanks for the chance to win

  • Patti
    October 12, 2015

    Love the pencil skirt!

  • Patti
    October 12, 2015

    The pencil skirt!

  • Ell
    October 12, 2015

    Braille dots quilt – great colors.

  • Doreen Linehan
    October 13, 2015

    I think the typewriter tissue cover is cute.

  • Doreen Linehan
    October 13, 2015

    I think the typewriter tissue box cover would be cute to sew.

  • Kathy E.
    October 14, 2015

    I like the Circle Dot quilt too. It would be so much fun for any age kid!

  • Chris
    October 15, 2015

    The Braille Dots would be great for our Nursing home.

  • Debby
    October 15, 2015

    As a geeky math teacher, I am lovin’ that pencil skirt. So fun!

  • teri
    October 16, 2015

    The Trawzers wiykd be adorable for my grandson.

  • Jean
    October 19, 2015

    I want to make trawzers for me to wear at the next quilt retreat

  • Roi-Lynn Munsey
    October 21, 2015

    I love the Braille Quilt. It is hard to pick just one. I love that a sense of humor is infused in the book.

  • I’m with your team, Nancy: I love the Braille quilt! So stunning, so simple, such graphic punch. And who can resist trying to learn the Braille alphabet while snuggled under it?

  • JoAnne T.
    October 24, 2015

    The Braille quilt intrigues me. My grandfather was blind and we kids always were delighted when Grandpa read us from a book WE could not read. That was almost sixty years ago and I hadn’t thought of that in years, thanks for bring back those memories, they’re very dear to me.

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