I nearly forgot it was Sew, Mama, Sew’s Giveaway Day, but thank social media for the reminder! (I knew it was good for something..)
In the holiday spirit, I’m giving away a PDF copy of my Mirth wall quilt pattern! It uses 9 different fabrics to create a nine-block quilt. The full-size paper piecing template is included (you’ll make some copies of it) for easy and precise piecing.
All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me something you’d like to learn about sewing and quilting in 2017. I want to know what you want to know. Maybe I can help you learn or maybe it’s something I want to learn, too!
And then head back to Sew, Mama, Sew to see what else people are giving away today!
Winner will be announced on Monday, December 12, 2016. is Kathy E.! Thanks to everyone for their input–it’s given me some great idea for tutorials in 2017.
I’m excited to be the one to kick off the Handmade Holidays over at Sew,Mama,Sew! If you’re new to the series, you’re gonna love this. Every year Handmade Holidays runs through November, each day offering up tutorials gathered by a variety of designers, authors, and bloggers.
My focus was Gifts for Crafty People and I included tutorials for a pincushion, apron, clock, lanyard, crochet hook case and my own needle book. Plus there are a couple of my favorite recipes (mmm!) and some printables. Continue reading “Handmade Holidays Time!”
Head over to Sew, Mama, Sew for an inside scoop on how to make pillows that look more professional than a simple envelope pillow cover. I did a guest post for them earlier in the month, but forgot to get it published over here. Oops!
I’ve been making pillows for a while and have them up as PDX Pillows on Etsy and have figured out a few tricks that make a real difference in the final appearance.
One important thing that I don’t really talk about in the SMS post is the choice of pillow form. I prefer a down pillow form, but they can be hard to find (and expensive!). Instead I have been using the Home Elegance pillows from Poly-Fil. They have them at work and feel more like down than most other pillow forms. They sell for $20-25 for a 20-inch square pillow, so they cost a bit more than your typical stuffed pillow form, but they feel so much better. And really, when you’re leaning back against pillows on your sofa, you want them to feel nice.
Do you have other tricks for making nice pillows? Do you prefer invisible zippers or lapped? What’s your take on button closures?
For the Sew Mama Sew needle testing blog post I made up a few little needle books. They’ll be giving ten of them away, filled with the eight different needles we used in the testing. Go comment over there for a chance to win one for yourself.
In case you don’t win and want to make one up for yourself, I thought I’d let you know how I made them. They are pretty quick and a great way to use up some scraps.
You’ll need:
4” x 7” piece of outer fabric (I used the Tula Pink Elizabeth collection)
4” x 7” piece of inner fabric (I used RK’s Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Chambray)
4” x 7” piece of batting
3” x 6” piece of wool felt
hair elastic cut in half or 2” piece of elastic braid
3/4” button
coordinating thread
Mark center of one short end of outer fabric. This will be the back of the needle book.
Baste elastic at center point, creating a loop.
Layer batting, then outer and inner fabrics (RST) and pin at corners.
Sew around edges with a 1/4” seam, leaving a 1 1/2” to 2” gap on one long side.
Trim batting close to stitching line around entire rectangle.
Trim corners.
Turn inside out, using a point turner and press.
Using a ladder stitch, sew the hole used for turning closed.
Press again and top stitch, if desired.
Mark proper button placement by pulling elastic band around to front.
Sew button in place.
Fold felt in half and press to mark stitching line.
Fold needle book together with outer fabric touching itself. Mark center with pins.
Place felt on unfolded needle book, matching stitching line with pins. Pin in place.
Stitch along fold line, from top to bottom and back-stitching at each end.
Trim threads, put some needles in the felt, fold in half and button to keep it closed.
I decided to add a little tape measure ribbon, muslin for holding buttons and/or safety pins, and a pocket to the back for my own, but you can make it as simple or complicated as you’d like.
Twice each year, Sew,Mama,Sew! does this awesome thing called Giveaway Day. I haven’t been able to participate in a while with life being a bit crazy, then forgetting, and thinking I’ll do it the next time, then not.
But this year I am doing it! And what am I giving away you ask. How about a little four-pack of fat-sixteenths!
To win the fabric quartet, comment and tell me about your favorite scrappy project (finished or on your to-make list). Feel free to include a link–I’d love to see YOUR work, too.
I’ve participated in plenty of blogger giveaways, but always as the one hoping to win (which, in fact, I have been lucky enough to do twice!). Now it’s my turn to give back as part of the Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day. There are a five hundred-odd blogs participating, and just for the price of leaving a comment, you’ll be entered to win. I’m offering up a brand-spanking new wallet that I made just for this giveaway. It’s made from both re-used and new fabric. The outside is remnants of a linen blouse with pintucks that I used as inspiration for the padded quilting that runs in the opposite direction. Inside are two pieces from the new Spring Street line by Carolyn Gavin and a colorific polka dot that I used for the trim, too. You can win this totally one-of-a-kind wallet by leaving a comment. Tell me what you like about it, or what you’d like in another version. Or tell me what you think about the new Strawberry Patch quilt I’m working on: The Strawberry Patch quilt is coming together slowly thanks to all that patchwork. You have until Friday to leave a comment. Like Crinkle Dreams on Facebook for an additional entry. I’ll be choosing a winner on Saturday, shipping on Monday. I’ll ship it anywhere in the world, too. The U.K., Malaysia, Easter Island… it doesn’t matter where you live. (I’m probably jealous, anyway, if it’s outside the U.S. and warm.)
Not loving this one? Check out the others in the Etsy shop.
In the holiday spirit, I’m giving away a PDF copy of my Mirth wall quilt pattern! It uses 9 different fabrics to create a nine-block quilt. The full-size paper piecing template is included (you’ll make some copies of it) for easy and precise piecing.
Head over to 
