Meet Our Makers - Sazzi Creations
Sadia Zubair aka Sazzi Creations runs her own sewing business based in Derbyshire. Sadia creates bright and happy products which are practical for everyday use.
In this edition of the ‘Meet Our Makers’ series I’m excited to be talking to Sadia Zubair aka Sazzi Creations; whose quest to find the perfect handmade pieces to personalise her daughters room, led her to start her own business. After meeting Sadia at one of our Well Dressing markets in 2022, I’m delighted to welcome her back to Tissington Craft Fairs again this year.
Hi Sadia, it’s lovely to talk to you today. Where did your passion for sewing begin?
I have always loved handmade, whether gifting or receiving. I really appreciate the love, time and skill that goes into making something unique and individual. My passion for making probably comes from watching my mum and my gran sew when I was younger. However, I never tried my hand at it until I had my own children and then my efforts started with their book day costumes and bedroom and birthday décor.
Sazzi Creations at Tissington Craft Fair in 2022.
At what stage did you decide to turn it into a business and what was your inspiration to start it?
At some point, I realised that there is a demand in the market for handmade accessories so I decided to start my business with few local small fairs. I must admit that when I first started, I didn’t really have a direction for what I wanted my business to be focused on. I can probably write a book on what not to do but thankfully over time it all came together and I took the decision to quit my job and do my Sazzi work full time. I always tell people that it’s the best decision I’ve made - I’m working longer hours and earning less but I’m much happier and feel so fulfilled.
So have you attended courses to learn your craft or are you completely self taught?
Sewing is something that I have learned over time through lots of mistakes, unpicking stitches and broken sewing machine needles. It’s definitely not what I thought I would be doing when I was at Uni. Having said that, as my degree is in business, I use the skills I learned then on a daily basis to run my business.
“Sewing is something that I have learned over time through lots of mistakes, unpicking stitches and broken sewing machine needles”. Sadia Zubair, Sazzi Creations.
Where do your creations come to life?
I started very small from my dining room and then my conservatory, but when I decided to do Sazzi work fulltime, I knew I needed a proper sewing space. A sewing business is not a tidy work place. You also need a lot of space for cutting, sewing and ironing tables as well as storage for a range of tools, materials and fabrics. I needed it to be away from the house so that it could be thread free zone (my girls could never understand how they ended up with threads on their uniform at school).
Now, I’m very lucky to have a purpose-built garden studio for doing my work. It’s my happy place. I love working surrounded by trees and I can hear all the birds chirping. I took my time to plan the layout for the studio so that it makes working easy and there is a place for everything.
There is so much to do behind the scenes when you work for yourself, so how do you fit everything in?
Like most makers and small business owners, my work is not a usual 9-5 job. I wish I had more time for making but in reality, a lot of my time goes towards admin and planning such as handling queries, stock control, marketing/social media (my least favourite job), finding events to showcase, looking for new prints to add to my collection (my most time-consuming job) and handling orders.
My typical work day starts at around 10am with my laptop where I take care of all these jobs. Then after lunch I prepare and pack any orders, if I have them, to take to the post office. Afternoons are spent planning what I’m making and cutting patterns. Then in the evenings after spending time with my family, I return to my studio to start making. I often work late as I enjoy the quiet in the evening to concentrate on what I’m doing. The couple of days before I do a showcase are just a hectic mess of making and more making!
“I took my time to plan the layout for the studio so that it makes working easy and there is a place for everything”. Sadia Zubair, Sazzi Creations.
Sewing is always a popular craft but what do you think makes your business stand out from the crowd?
As I mentioned earlier, it took me a long time to figure out the focus of my business and how to make it stand out, but it happened naturally. As I started doing more events, the main feedback I was getting from customers was that they love my range of fabric prints. I heard again and again that I have a good eye for prints so it clocked that this is how I’m different. I make everyday items that are practical and useful but I select bright and happy prints, which my customers love. I always joke at my events that my main job is being a curator of fabric prints and then a maker.
Which are your favourite pieces to make?
I love all my range of makes but I do love making my bags. They are the most difficult and time consuming to make but once you put all the different elements together (after a fight with the sewing machine), the finished product always makes me so proud.
And dare I ask, what is the trickiest part of the process for you?
Making sure that there is something for everyone. I know there are so many different styles and tastes that I can’t cater for everyone but I do try to make an effort. I love looking for unusual prints that are not easily available.
What has been your proudest moment so far with your business?
Having my own business is such a joy and there are so many moments that make me happy and proud. I honestly feel proud of every sale and order especially when customers find something in their happy print or if they find a gift for a loved one. I love when customers visit my stall and pull something from their handbag saying that they have used it every day for years. I also love my family’s reaction to my business and I hope they feel proud of what I’ve accomplished.
“I do love making my bags. They are the most difficult and time consuming to make but the finished product always makes me so proud”. Sadia Zubair, Sazzi Creations.
What do you love to do in your spare time and do you think this has any influence on your work?
I love reading, travel and watching sci-fi & fantasy and you can definitely find these influences in my fabric choices.
What can our customers look forward to seeing in 2023? Do you have any new products in the pipeline or anything that will only be available at markets?
I am really proud of my current list of makes but at the same time I am always reviewing what I make and what I can add or change through customer feedback. I have plans to expand my collection of makes by adding new accessories that will compliment what I already have. I am also very excited about the new prints that I will be introducing this year.
As for market exclusives, I try every time to make my display a little bit different by changing my fabric choices or adding seasonal makes. Some of these I don’t get a chance to photograph, edit and add on my website. My range of women’s hand bags are definitely a market exclusive as they are all so individual and I only make a select few.
A selection of products by Sazzi Creations.