Kona Club Challenge Giveaway Winner!

The Winner of the Kona Club Challenge - Giveaway is:

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57. Melissa said...

Love how this turned out. When I saw the colors I was a little skeptical, but the finished product is gorgeous!

21:34 

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Congratulations Melissa!

We've emailed you. You can also write to us with your postal address at connect@sew-sisters.com.

Many thanks to Cathy from Cathy's Blueberry Patch for this great tutorial.

If you'd like to build your solids stash and receive gorgeous Kona Solids at your doorstep sign up for Kona Club! 
Go here: Kona Club 

Kona Club Challenge: Binder Cover by Cathy from Cathy's Blueberry Patch

We're so excited to have Cathy  from Cathy's Blueberry Patch take the Kona Club Challenge this month! Cathy is a prolific quilter and she does it all while she works full time! It's been a pleasure meeting and getting to know Cathy in blogland and we're so happy to feature her on Kona Club Challenge.

Cathy used the colors we sent out in August 2014 for Kona Club for her project today. We hope you enjoy this tutorial and make your own Binder Cover! We are giving away the fat quarters that Cathy used in this tutorial so be sure to leave a comment on this post to win!

Binder Cover

Hello!  My name is Cathy Erickson and I blog at Cathy's Blueberry Patch.  I work full time as an elementary school principal so I like to say I am a weekend quilter.  I am married to a very patient man who knows how to build awesome cabinets for all my fabric!  We have 2 married children and live on a small blueberry farm.I have been quilting in a big way for the last four years but have been sewing since I was very young.  I call myself a modern quilter.  I love fabric and I am a huge fan of Kona solids.

I decided to make something a little different for this project.  It would make a great gift for someone else but it might also be something you might like to make for yourself!



Supplies:

• 4 FQs of Kona Solids ( I used Cornflower, Daffodil, Grapemist, and Windsor)
• 1 FQ of Kona Solids OPTIONAL (this is for the lining and I used Kona Snow)
• Scrap piece of batting measuring 14" by 23" at least
• 1-3 ring binder 1" (I used an inexpensive Hilroy binder measuring 11.75" by 21.5" when open and lying flat.  The spine measured 1.5")

All seams are 1/4"

Cutting Instructions:

Decide which Kona FQ will be your feature colour for the outside binder cover and cut:

• Two 8" x 13.5"main cover

From the 3 remaining FQs cut:

• Two 8" x 13.5" inside flaps
• Two 8" x 13.5" inside flap lining
• Two 6.75" x 8" inside flap pockets
• Ten 2" x 8" spine pieces assorted colours
• Two 2.5" x 8" inside pocket top edge from a colour which contrasts from the pocket

Sewing Instructions:

Arrange the pieces for the binder spine in a pleasing order and stitch together.  Press the seams to one side.  Centre the spine section to the front cover pieces and stitch as shown in the photo.  Trim the top edge of the spine section.  Place the outside binder cover on your batting, baste as desired and quilt as desired. I like straight lines and lots of them!

Press down 1/4" the long side of the pocket top edge.  Stitch pocket top edge to pocket.
Press seam towards pocket top edge.

Press pocket top edge towards the pocket, covering the seam.
Top stitch close to the edge, encasing the seam. Repeat for second pocket.

Layer your flap pieces in this order - Inside flap, pocket, inside flap lining and finally batting scrap measuring 8" x 13.5".

Stitch flap to flap lining, making sure you have inside flaps which are mirror images of each other as in the picture below.  Trim batting from seam allowances, press and top stitch edge. Nice!

Stitch flaps to main binder cover.  Again, trim excess batting from seam allowance and press.  At this point test the fit of your binder in your cover.  You want there to be some looseness as the top stitching at the end will also reduce the amount of wiggle room. Trim your binder cover to measure 12.5".

With right sides together, stitch top and bottom edge of flaps to outside binder cover.  Trim batting from seam allowance.  Trace the rounded corners of the binder on all 4 corners and stitch a curved corners.  Trim seams and turn to right side.  Press carefully.  At this point, you may wish to place lining on the inside of the binder cover.  Slip stitch to top and bottom inside binder encasing upper and lower bottom edge.  This is completely optional.  Otherwise, press spine of binder top and bottom edge to the inside.  Top stitch carefully around the entire outside of the binder cover.  I added a second row of stitching to secure the seam at spine edges.

 And there it is!  A lovely covered binder to store all your patterns and notes in.

Giveaway!

You could win 4 fat quarters of the Kona Cotton Solids Cathy used to make her Binder Cover.
Just leave a comment on this post for a chance to win.

If you are no-reply/Wordpress blogger please leave your email id in the post.

We will leave the giveaway open till Monday, September 28.
Winner will be announced Tuesday, September 29.

Good luck everybody and enjoy making your very own Binder Cover!
Many thanks to Cathy  from Cathy's Blueberry Patch for this great tutorial.

Click here for more details on Kona Club. 

Thursday Tutorial Giveaway Winner!

The Winner
of the One Metre of
Embrace Double Gauze is
Elsie!

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18. Elsie said...

This is a lovely gift idea. I've been meaning to try double gauze.

21:42 

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Congratulations Elsie!

We have emailed you! 

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments and we hope you enjoy making your very own Embrace Double Gauze Hooded Swaddle Blankets! 

Thursday Tutorial: Double Gauze Hooded Swaddle Blanket by Thread Riding Hood

Hi, my name is Sherri Sylvester and I'm visiting from Thread Riding Hood, a (proudly) Canada-based sewing blog. There is rarely a day that I don’t use something handmade in our home – bags, clothing, home decor, quilts and lots of things for my kids. My favorite part is when those things end up on the blog and I get to talk about them with you! I am so happy to have been invited by Sew Sisters Quilt Shop to provide this tutorial with one of my new favorite fabrics, Double Gauze. It's breathable, light and so comfortable to use and wear! Best of all it's easy to sew, and this project is simple enough to finish in a few weekend hours. When I had my babies, I remember loving their hooded blankets - perfect for keeping tiny heads extra warm. If I had known about double gauze then I would have made so many of these!

Using only one metre of fabric and simple sewing supplies, this project is easy enough for beginners! Here we go...

Materials:

• 1 metre of Embrace Double Gauze by Shannon Fabrics (I used Fun Dot Blue)
• ruler or measuring tape
• matching thread
• sewing machine
• scissors, pins & your usual sewing notions

Finding the Straight Grain:

If you have not worked with it before, Double Gauze seems like it should be thin, stretchy, and hard to sew. But it's not! The only tricky part is finding the straight grain, because it tends not to lie straight on it's own. Thankfully it will always be parallel to the threads that hold the two layers of gauze together, hence the term "double" gauze. These threads are usually more visible from the fabric's wrong side and run every 1/2 to 1" or so parallel to the the fabric selvages.

To make your sewing life even easier though, all the Embrace Double Gauze fabrics by Shannon Fabrics from Sew Sisters have a lovely crossed line pattern woven right into the fabric. Just follow the lines to cut exactly on the straight grain! Even though they may not lay straight, they are. Trust the fabric, not your eye on this one!

Cutting your fabric:

Be sure to cut both necessary pieces for this project along the straight grain, or at right angles to it. Both squares below fit side by side along the width of this double gauze. Be sure to plan how best to fit them in before cutting!

1. Pre-wash and press your fabric.
2. Cut one 12" square, this will be the hood.
3. Cut one square for the blanket that is between 33-36". This dimension depends largely on how much fabric you have available on the straight grain. Be sure to check that you have enough width in both directions before cutting! (P.S. You might have lots left over, there's a bonus project you can make with your scraps, see the end of this post for details.)

Instructions:

1. Sewing the Hood: Fold two opposite corners of the small square together to make a triangle. This will be the hood. Match all edges and press the folded edge well.
   
   
2. Pin and stitch the folded edge with a 3/8" seam. Take care not to stretch the bias seam! It is easier if you increase your stitch length a bit. If it does stretch, have no fear, press it flat along the seam with a bit of steam and it should flatten right out.
   
   
   
3. Lay the blanket square flat in one corner with the wrong side up. Place the hood triangle in this corner and match the corner edges. Pin and baste them with a 1/2" seam. (Do not sew the folded edge of the hood, just the two edges that match up with the blanket!)
   
   
   
4. Hemming the blanket: Press the raw edges of the blanket 1/2" to the wrong side.
   
   
5. Clip the corner of the blanket (on the hood corner only) between the pressed folds and trim the seam allowance on the hood to 1/4" to remove bulk when hemming.
   
   
6. Press all blanket edges in another 1/2" and pin to make sure it stays in place.
   
   
   
7. Stitch with a 3/8" seam. Pivoting at the corners.
   
   
   
8. Press your hem again to set the stitches. You are finished!

Congratulations, you've finished your blanket. It's ready to be swaddled or snuggled in!

Wondering what to do with your scraps of double gauze? Make a matching swaddle blanket in doll size! Perfect to include with baby's full size blanket as a gift for the older sister or brother. Now they can be just like mom! I've included the dimensions for the doll size on Thread Riding Hood. Once you are there, click around - you might find some other tutorials you like as well. Thanks so much for visiting!

This Giveaway is Closed

Giveaway!

We're giving away one metre of the fabric used in this tutorial to one lucky winner! 

For a chance to win one metre of Embrace Double Gauze - Fun Dot Blue from Shannon Fabrics leave a comment on this post. 

Winner will be chosen Monday, September 21.

Good Luck! 

Many thanks to Sherri from Thread Riding Hood for this great tutorial! 

Mark Your Calendar!

Shop our Sunday Sale this Sunday - September 20th - and get 20% Off Continuous Yardage including Clearance and Last Chance Fabric!

Please note: 

• The Sale is ONLINE ONLY. The store will remain closed on Sunday, September 20, 2015.
• Flat Rate Shipping will apply - $9.99 within Canada
• Discount is only valid on Continuous Yardage. 
• Discount does NOT apply to pre-cuts, kits, fat quarter bundles, mini-bolts etc. 

If you've shopped one of our sales before you'll know that we have a very high volume of shoppers. We will do everything we can to fill out your orders quickly and efficiently. You can help us do this by keeping a few things in mind when you shop online:

• Orders are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Please select alternate fabrics in case yours sells out - things go really quickly during a sale.
• Please be sure to provide specific instructions in the box titled : If we do not have the full quantity of an item on your order. For example you might say: " If you do not have the full 6 metres of the blue fabric please cancel that item but send the rest"; or "If you do not have the full 6 metres of the blue fabric cancel the whole order";  or "If you do not have the full 6 metres of the blue fabric please send a similar fabric of the same price. "
• Please note that we will send what we have if you do not add specific instructions on your order.

We will have all hands on deck to ship your orders out to you as quickly and accurately as we possibly can. 

New Patterns from Elizabeth Hartman

Elizabeth Hartman has three new patterns for you this fall and they are all so adorable!

The Kittens - Quilt Pattern

Meet The Kittens! Simon, Chrissy, Bacon Bits, Daisy, and Mr. Snuggles will be the purrfect addition to your next quilt. This pattern includes instructions for making two versions of a 66" x 66" cat quilt, each featuring 8" x 10" cat blocks. The Sampler Cats version includes 5 unique cat blocks and is perfect for using solids and monochromatic prints (and for duplicating the faces of your feline friends). The Plain Cats version is ideal for using large-scale and multi color print fabrics.

Allie Owl - Quilt Pattern

These bold and graphic owls will make a big impact in your next quilt! Make a baby quilt with a single owl block, or stitch up a whole nest for a striking lap or twin bed quilt.
This pattern includes instructions for a 32" x 44' Baby Quilt, a 52" x 66" Lap Quilt, and a 68" x 92" Twin Quilt. All of the projects are made using 16" x 28" Allie Owl blocks.

Bunny - Quilt Pattern

Make these adorable bunnies in all your favorite colors!
This pattern includes instructions for making large and small lap quilts using an 8" x 11" pieced bunny block.

Artisan Spirit - Ambience

Artisan Spirit Ambience offers an extensive range of exquisite textured prints in vibrant hues and multiple palettes. The progression of color and value in each palette can be used alone or in combination with other palettes. 

Northcott has added two quick stitch prints including their classic STRIP-R the no-sew 2" strips and their new NO SEW CIRCLES that allow you to spend your time quilting rather than piecing. 

Artisan Spirit Ambience is by Deborah Edwards for Northcott 

Click here to purchase: Artisan Spirit Ambience

Curiosities by Jeni Baker

Inspired by the many small wonders in life, Curiosities invites you to explore the world around you. A sophisticated color palette with a vintage twist transports you to a whimsical garden. This collection is dedicated to Jeni's bunny George, who is ever curious.

 Curiosities is by Jeni Baker for Art Gallery Fabrics

Imprint by Katarina Rocella

Imprint brings together several of Katarina's Roccella's favorite colors and neutrals. Use these fabrics as a collection, basics or blenders.

Click here to purchase: Imprint by Katarina Roccella

Deal of the Month - 45% off Aurifil 50wt 1300mt 3 Pack

Our Deal of the Month for September is 45% off Aurifil 50wt 1300mt 3 pack! 

The pack contains three colors - 2024 White, 2600 Dove, and 2692 Black.

Offer is only valid on our prepackaged pack of 2024 White, 2600 Dove, and 2692 Black.
Threads cannot be substituted for other colours. Offer does not apply to individual spools of 2024 White, 2600 Dove, and 2692 Black.

Aurifil 50wt is a ideal for hand applique, hand piecing, machine applique, machine embroidery, machine piecing, and machine quilting. You can use Aurifil 50wt for very detailed machine quilting with a lot of back tracking such as feathers and heavy background quilting . Perfect for quilting that creates texture when you don't necessarily want to see the quilting lines. Use the same thread in the bobbin.

Shop here:  Deal of the Month - 45% off Aurifil 50wt 1300mt 3 Pack

Fun Fabric Containers

The Fat Quarter Pop Up is a fun little container that pops! 

A specially formed wire springs back into shape every time! Each pattern contains full color 
instructions, 1 small pop up (FQG121 Refills), elastic and a fun FQ Gypsy label. All you need to add is a FQ of fabric and stabilizer! Once you make one... you'll be hooked!

5-1/2in Diameter x 6in Tall. Refills available. 

Click here to purchase:Fat Quarter Pop-Up by The Fat Quarter Gypsy

Remember to buy the Small Pop Up Refill  to make more!