Kitten on My Cardigan and Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Sewing Momma whose name was drawn for the Sharp Crochet Hook giveaway!  

Sewing Momma commented:  "Thank you so much for sharing these ideas for edgings. They are beautiful. I am currently doing some crochet edging on socks for my little girls. I never knew a sharp hook existed. I would love to give one a try." 

I do not have your address, so send me an email with the pertinent information!  

On another note, I am still knitting away on my Rocio cardigan.  One sleeve is all that remains, but let me tell you, this one sleeve is dragging on and on.  My goal is now to finish the sweater by December 1st as part of a KAL on Ravelry.

If you are a Ravelry user, and if you care to bother with it, would you please go to this link and click on the little "love" button under my picture?  If I get enough love, I may just win a skein of handspun yarn.  Now wouldn't that by nice?!  

(Clicking on the picture below will also take you to the Ravelry page). 
 

"I want to take a nap, but these pointy things are getting in my way."

Simplicity 2226 and Giveaway

Simplicity 2226.  What can I say but I love this pattern!  It is so easy to sew, but yet it has so many great details--the pockets, belt loops, curved waistband, tie sash, and to top it off, it's cute! 

The fabric I used is a rayon challis with a lovely drape.  To avoid needing a slip, I did line the skirt with batiste. Also, I used an invisible zipper instead of a regular zipper. Oh, and I made the fabric tie, but I didn't get pictures of it. I've worn the skirt with a belt instead, but it's nice to have the option of the tie.

I have seen variations of this skirt pattern all over blogland and on Pinterest, and liked what I saw.  So when Simplicity patterns went on sale, I bought the pattern and made the skirt.  Later, when cleaning my sewing room, I found that I already owned the pattern, hidden under a pile of fabric.  

Leave a comment on this post and I will send the duplicate pattern, new and unused, to one reader, chosen at random.    Thank you for everyone who commented.  The giveaway is now closed.

Happy sewing,
Ruth

 

Stitch Markers Giveaway

  

With all my knitting lately, I found I needed more stitch markers.  I almost ordered some beautiful stitch markers on Etsy, but then I found this tutorial.  So I decided to make my own.  

What I love about these stitch markers is that they do not snag the yarn.  There are no rough edges, and the slit in the jump ring is covered by the bead.  A bit of glue keeps the bead in place.  With coupons, this project cost me under $10.00. 

For your chance to win one dozen of these beaded stitch markers, made by me, leave a comment on this post telling me what is your current knitting project or your favorite knitting project.  Oh, a crochet project will count as well.  I learned to crochet before I learned to knit, and I have fond memories of my grandma teaching me.

I will close the giveaway in a week or two (busy summer days!!!) and I will ship internationally.

Ruth

Whimsy Couture Top, Giveaway, and Coupon Code!

Pattern: Whimsy Couture Easy Peasant Top PDF pattern

Fabric: quilters cotton from my stash. Yay for using up fabric that I've had for several years!!

My thoughts:  I made the size 4t for Marie and it seemed to run right on, size wise.  This was a very easy, simple design that went together quickly for a fun, mama-made summer top that looks great with jeans or shorts.

I opted to skip the elastic on the sleeves to create "flutter sleeves" and followed the included instructions to add a contrast band along the bottom.  The pattern also included instructions for puffed sleeves, ruffles along the bottom, a tuxedo front, and pockets.  Overall, it was a versatile pattern for a breezy relaxed shirt or dress.  Great for beginners!

For a chance to win your choice of 3 patterns from Whimsy Couture's esty shop, please like/subscribe to them on facebook (HERE) and come back and leave a comment on this post! If you are not on facebook at all, go check out Wimsey Couture's patterns, and leave a comment anyway.  =)  I will draw a winner next Friday, the 27th.

SewChic readers may also save 30% off of their entire purchase in the pattern shop with the code SAVE30.

Blessings to your day,

Jessica

"A Fitting End" Book Giveaway

~EDIT 2/27~ This giveaway is now ended...congrats to Lori and Kris, the winners!

Two copies of  "A Fitting End" by Melissa Bourbon have recently shown up on my doorstep, courtesy of Penguin Publishing.  Last year I had read the 1st book in her Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, titled "Pleating for Mercy" and found it to be a quirky and quick read featuring Harlow Cassidy, a seamstress turned sleuth with a paranormal family history and a grandmotherly ghost who aids her in her search for the murderer when tragedy strikes right in her own sewing room.

At this point I don't have time to read "A Fitting End" and give it a proper review, so I'm going to offer them both up to you!  If you enjoy sewing and murder mysteries with a bit of of magic thrown in, leave a comment and I'll draw two names on Monday the 27th.

Jessica

Neat Containers Winner

Congratulations to Goosegirl of comment #12. You are the winner of the Neat Containers giveaway!

Goosegirl said: "I would love any of them. But I think I would really love the shoe kit combo pack. I keep all of my sewing notions in clear plastic shoe boxes, so I can see what is in there. But they are all cracked and broken and I need to replace them. These look so cool! Thank you for the chance."

Send me your mailing address and these will get shipped out to you. :)

Thank you to everyone who posted an entry for the giveaway. I enjoyed reading all your comments.

Ruth

Neat Containers Giveaway

Whew! De-cluttering and organizing my sewing room has been a bigger job than I anticipated (why do I let it get this cluttered?!), and I've made little progress. Some, but not much. :/ I'll spare you the details of how bad it is right now (I think the process of cleaning sometimes makes the room look worse than it really is), but I do want to tell you about Neat Containers.

Here is a picture of some of my piles of this-and-that (oh, I confess, I do have more piles!)



And this picture shows the start of my transfer of the piles to the Neat Containers.


So yes, I'm slowly making progress. (Applause is appropriate here.) :)

I am using my set of containers in my sewing room, and I'm still working on filling them up. (And believe me, I have plenty of craft and sewing stuff to fill them all---really, I should de-stash!) The biggest size (shown in the middle) would be great for 12"x12" scrapbooking paper. I could see these containers nicely used totally for scrapbooking and rubber stamping supplies. (Does anybody still rubber stamp?!) I also think they would work wonderfully in a closet filled with belts, purses, scarves, socks, shoes, and so on.



Let me tell you what I love about the Neat Containers. They are clear--easy to see what's inside. They are stackable, and what's really cool is that you can pull them out kind of like a drawer and the rest of the stack does not fall over or collapse. The containers are easy to assemble, and the configuration can be changed easily at any time. Mostly, I love that my assorted supplies will all be in one place, easy to see at a glance, and readily available for use.

Now onto what you've been waiting for:
The Giveaway!!!

Neat Containers has graciously offered one of Sew Chic's readers (that's you!!!) a combo set of their wonderful storage containers.

To enter, you must:
1. Have a U.S. shipping address and not a PO box. (Sorry, but no international addresses).

2. Go to http://www.neatcontainers.com and browse around.

3. Comment on this post and tell me which Neat Container product you would like and how you would use it.

I will randomly draw a winner on November 27th. The winner will receive the small combo set pictured below.

Congratulations, Sandy!

The winner of the Sharp Crochet Hook is Sandy, who wrote:  

"I have lots of baby blankets to make (I know 5 or 6 pregnant ladies!) so I would definitely make some flannel blankets with crocheted edgings like you did! Thank you for the giveaway :)"

Congratulations, Sandy!  Email your mailing address to me, and Jessica of Sharp Crochet Hook will send you a hook.  Thank you to all who commented, and thank you, Jessica, for your generosity.

If you did not win the hook, you can buy one from sharpcrochethook.com.  By the way, the hook includes directions for three edging patterns like these pictured below.  Beautiful!

Pottery Barn Quilt pt. 2 and OttLite winner

Congratulations to our OttLite giveaway winner, Dana, from Country Heart and Home. Random.org picked comment number 68 and it was her!!

I'm continuing to work on the "pottery barn" quilt I'm designing for my friend. Our inspiration started with this bumper pad that was purchased off of ebay:

 She wanted these flower/trees to be used in the quilt design along with lots of hand embroidery, minky, and a piece of pottery barn sheet fabric she loved. 

Here are my paper tree patterns, numbered so I could remember the placement once I got them cut out of the fabrics!

 Next are my tree appliques cut out and ready to be ironed onto the fabric and machine appliqued around the edges.  Since these pictures I've gotten all the quilt top pieces sewn together and I've been working on the embroidery on the trees.  I'll definitely be showing more pictures as I finish it up!

August has been a super busy month for me, with sewing several quilts, wedding and baby shower gifts.  I'm trying not to get overwhelmed, but to enjoy the rush of deadlines and savor being in my sewing room again.  

More bound-edged tea towels...these were a wedding present for a sweet bride who is doing her kitchen in pink and green! 

Earlier in the month I finished off 4 new baby quilts for my etsy shop...haven't gotten them up yet, but hopefully soon!  I'm getting ready for the Dustbowl Arts Market  again in 2 weeks, so I'm hoping they will sell before I have a chance to get them on etsy. =)

Marie wanted to be in the photo shoot...she's so silly!

~Blessings, Jessica

quilt designing...

I'm working on a custom quilt right now for a friend.  She wants a pottery barn-esq baby quilt with flower appliques, white chenille squares, and colored thread stitching and embroidery.  This is the design we've come up with so far.

The solid white areas are for a floral print that is still to be finalized.  We were excited to find pottery barn fabrics on etsy...hopefully one of them will be perfect! 

Marie has been raiding my closet again!  This time my thrift-store red heels (yes, an impulse purchase that I have nothing to wear them with!) with her blue Easter dress. 

She reminds me of Dorthey from the Wizard of Oz!

Be sure and check back here early next week...we're going to be hosting a review and giveaway with OttLite.  I'm sure you'll want the chance to win your own natural sunlight lamp!

Blessings,

Jessica

Simple Skirt Finished! and Giveaway Winner Announced!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the book giveaway. The winner of Purses, Bags, & More book is AndreaK who said, "Happy Birthday and I hope you are able to get some sewing in today. Thanks for the giveaway-purses are so fun!" Andrea, I do not see your email address on your site, so please email your mailing address to me. (sewchicblog at gmail dot com)

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I had a wonderful birthday, and I even found time in my sewing room for a few hours. I finished a skirt for myself. The fabric came from Jessica as did the ready-to-wear brown top that matches perfectly. The pattern is McCall's 3830: a simple but classic skirt with front and back darts, faced waistband, and zipper closure.

Ruth

Birthday Giveaway

Today is my birthday, and to celebrate I am giving away a copy of the book mentioned in my previous post. If you're interested in Purses, Bags, & More, leave a comment here to be entered in the giveaway. The drawing will take place in one week on April 9th; the winner will be chosen randomly.

Today I plan to spend some time in my sewing room. It's been too long since I've sewn, and I do miss it. The busy-ness of life has a way of pushing out the things I enjoy most, like sewing. I'll let you know if I accomplish anything today. :)

Happy sewing,
Ruth

Pattern Winners!

We have two winners!!!

After I copied and pasted the comments into a Word document (automatic numbering!), removed the deleted comments and duplicate comments, there remained 102. Wow, and thank you to everyone who commented! :) I used Random.org to choose two winners.

Okay, ta da...drum roll....


The first winner is #18, Alisa, of Making More with Less. She will receive the pattern for the Victory Bags. Take a look at Alisa's beautiful quilts on her blog that she shares with her sister.


The Crossover Carry-All Bag pattern will go to #37, Dawn of (4:35 am). Dawn's blog has been so inspirational to me with her beautiful photography and crafting...oh,and you should see the awesome smocking she does!


So, Alisa and Dawn, we will mail your patterns to you after we get your mailing addresses. Again, thank you to everyone who commented.

blessings,
Ruth and Jessica

Purse Pattern Giveaway Ends Soon

I had hoped to sew the Crossover Carry-All bag pattern from Indygo Junction before ending the giveaway (previous post), but it just isn't going to happen. Well, maybe I still have time....we'll see...but just so you know, the last day to leave a comment on the giveaway post will be in 4 days on Sunday, March 13th.

The drawing will be for two patterns, Victory Bags and the Crossover Carry-All, and they will be given to two different readers. So, if you haven't already done so, go comment on this post here. Spread the word---there are only 4 days left to comment.

Ruth

A New Purse and a Pattern Giveaway

NOTE: Comments are now closed for the giveaway.


"Victory Bags" from Indygo Junction by Amy Barickman

Pattern Description:
From the pattern back: A pair of stylish shoulder bags with a 1940s wartime influence. The Victory Bags are constructed with a set-in gusset base and are a sensible size for everyday use. Both styles include instructions for an internal zippered or patch pocket.

Pattern Sizing: one size: The bags measure approximately 14” wide x 11” high x 3” deep at the base, excluding shoulder strap.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes. I sewed View A with the buttons. View B sports a buckle.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions were well-written with clear, helpful illustrations. The only thing I found lacking was a pattern layout diagram. Because of the many pieces, a layout diagram would have been helpful.

Error on pattern piece G: pattern piece says to cut 2 from interfacing; only 1 is needed.

The gussets were surprisingly easy to sew. I expected to have to re-do the gussets at least once, but they came together just right and on the first try. Again, great instructions!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the style and size of this purse. The gussets at the purse bottom make for a roomy inner compartment. The purse is easy to sew, but yet the details of the design make it interesting. I also like that the purse has a magnetic snap closure under the front flap. The 3 buttons are for just for show. :)

Fabric Used:
Exterior: I used a piece of home decor fabric--a heavy twill, I think--a typical home decorating fabric with a mod leave print on a lime green background.

Interior: A cotton quilting fabric from my stash. The bag also has an inner lining of Pellon fleece. The strap and front flap are also interfaced with fusible interfacing.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
The only change I made was to add a second pocket to the purse interior. The pattern gives great instructions on how to make a zippered pocket; my bag has both the zippered pocket and the added second patch pocket.

Conclusion:
I love, love, love this pattern. It's the perfect size purse, and I can imagine making several in various fabrics...change the fabric and you get a whole new look..cute and trendy, sleek or classic...just imagine the possibilities! I will definitely make this pattern again, but next time in View B.

Ruth


Okay, if you've read this far, here is the information about the pattern giveaway! Sew Chic will be giving away two purse patterns from Indygo Junction, complements of Amy Barickman, owner and founder of Indygo Junction. The two purse patterns are: Victory Bags (reviewed above), and Cross-Over Carryall, another great pattern I hope to sew up soon.

To enter, go to the Indygo Junction site and browse the shop. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post answering the following question: If you were to buy one item from Indygo Junction, what would it be?

Be sure to leave your email address so we have a way to contact you if your name is drawn.

Note, because of shipping costs, this giveaway is open only to people with addresses in the United States and Canada. We're sorry that this is closed to our international readers.

In a week or two, we will choose 2 winners for the 2 patterns. The first winner will receive her choice of the 2 patterns, and the second winner will receive the 2nd pattern.

Now, go to Indygo Junction and have fun browsing all the fabulous patterns! :)
happy sewing,
Ruth and Jessica

Vintage Notions Book Review...giveaway on Thursday!

Vintage Notions, by Amy Barickman...I was so blessed to receive a copy of this lovely book to review...so excited to share a bit of her book with you, my readers!

Truly a delight for lovers of all things vintage, this book is much, much more than your typical craft project book (although it does contain sewing patterns and projects!). Basically, in a nutshell, it's a compilation of the vintage fashion and magazine articles from the early 1900's. It is chock full of recipes, household tips, inspirational quotes and poems, advice for friendship and relationships...and it is simply filled with lovely illustrations and vintage fashions. Delightful!

Vintage Notions is a celebration of the beauty and joy to be found in the womanly arts of homemaking, decorating, fashion sewing, and cooking...this would be an excellent book to share with a special friend...or to treat yourself with if you are in need of some household inspiration and encouragement!

Oh, did I mention that this is a large book...240 pages...there is definitely enough inspiration here to last a year at least!

I have always loved old things...I have many memories of antique shopping trips with my grandmother. She taught me to appreciate the beauty of the past and I loved hearing her stories and paging through her albums of black and white photos, asking "who's this" again and again.

This book brought back a lot of those memories...memories of my grandma, (she would love this book!) and memories of the ideals and romantic notions of my teenage years. Ideals that have sadly gotten shoved to the back of my mind as I've grown up and taken on new responsibilities...the busyness of life has a way of making one forget about the important things, doesn't it?

I think I'd forgotten the dignity, joy and meaning that can and should be derived from creative home arts...making good food for my family, playing outside with my kids, indulging in sewing something for myself, reaching out in friendship to the people God has placed in my life...all of these things are important and the enjoyment of them shouldn't be neglected in the craziness of life.

I think this vintage quote from the book sums up what I'm trying to say...

(pg. 96)

"I could not help thinking what the day means to me. It is always like a new piece of cloth to use in the best way that I know. Material means so much to me--its texture, color, width, and purpose--that even if it is only a kitchen curtain or a cloth for dish toweling, it has its use and should be cut and made the best way I know so that it may give the greatest satisfaction and comfort.

And our lives are as a day. We must make them fruitful. How? By total unselfishness. Selfish people often have comforts that the unselfish do not have, but they never possess the same quantity of rightness and happiness....

A woman, according to her love and energy, has a great responsibility

in making her home an abode of peace, a place of protection from the winds of the world,

a castle for her love, and a shrine to womanliness."

The book contains 12 different "magic patterns", original projects from the early 1900's. Patterns include several different apron styles, a cape, purses, several different styles of loungewear and nightwear and more.

I love the vintage fashion illustrations scattered throughout the book! The book is divided into monthly sections and each section contains seasonally appropriate fashion, beauty tips, recipes and more.

Amy Barickman, the author of Vintage Notions is also the owner and founder of Indigo Junction Patterns...go check them out...Thursday we will be hosting a review of one of her purse patterns...and a giveaway! See you then!

Jessica

Pattern Giveaway Coming Soon

This weekend I made a purse from Amy Barickman's Victory Bags pattern. Let me just say, I love this purse! My 15 year old loves this purse! (You may NOT have it, Ellen!) And now that I made one, I want to make another. And another....

The cool thing is...Jessica and I will be giving away two of Amy's purse patterns in a few days...and you just may be one of the lucky winners. Check back soon for more giveaway details and reviews of the purse pattern and Amy's book, Vintage Notions. :)

Ruth

Coming soon...Vintage Notions book review!

oooh, look what arrived in the mail recently...a lovely package chock full of goodies from Amy Barickman of Indigo Junction. We're going to be doing a book and pattern review in the next couple weeks so check back...two readers will win a fun purse pattern! While you are waiting for the review and details, you can check out Amy's site HERE and her pattern lines HERE.

Jessica

Purse patterns to review and a fun tote bag... I love how the book came wrapped in actual pattern tissue paper from one of her patterns!

Cloth Review and Giveaway

Last week I won a lovely set of fat quarters from Allegro Fabrics. I was so excited!!  This is a new (to me!) shop that I stumbled across one day from a link on another site.  They have a lovely site and some great fabrics.  Check them out HERE.

Speaking of giveaways, one of the publicists at Cloth magazine kindly sent me their latest issue to look over.  A new UK based magazine, Cloth's focus is unique to the craft world...it's all about up-cyclying, creative fashion, and learning new crafty skills. 

Definitely useful for the beginner crafter, I liked how this issue had articles and recommendations for choosing and using your new sewing machine, and photo tutorials showing how to sew on buttons and do basic hand stitches.  Some of the other fun features include zipper necklaces, paint and stencil re-makes for your favorite tops and shoes, interviews with trendy designers and vintage clothing shop owners, and how to-s for recycling thrift store treasures into modern day, edgy streetwear.

Overall, Cloth is a lot of fun, especially for the young and trendy folks.  I'd love to pass on my issue to one of you!  If the sound of this magazine appeals to you, leave a comment and I'll pick a reader on Wednesday.  

Blessings,

Jessica