Modern QAL – November Block

 

I was eager not to leave this month’s block until the last minute, and have managed to complete it early on 🙂

This month’s block is called Pogo Stick. The tutorial for it can be found over on the Sew Delicious blog.

My version is a quite colourful, with more than one fabric. I read the information about the block in the Modern Blocks book:

and in there it suggests placement for different coloured fabrics. I thought that the block would fit in better with the others I have made if it used more than one colour.

Here is my finished block:

You can see all the other blocks people have made over on And Sew We Craft.

 

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My First Paper Piecing

I keep seeing lots of photos around the internet of beautiful paper pieced blocks and quilts, something I’ve never tried before – so I thought it was about time I fixed that!!

I chose a digger pattern, designed by Quiet Play.

When I printed out the pattern and looked over all the tiny pieces I started to think that maybe I should have started with a slightly simpler pattern! But I watched lots of YouTube videos and read lots of instructions and decided to just jump in – it’s quite logical really, follow the numbers, and logical I can do!

It wasn’t completely smooth sailing. I sewed the wrong colour in two places and had to unpick – which with tiny little stitches is no easy feat.

But many hours later (being the slowest sew-er in the world!) it’s finished!

So here is my very first piece of paper piecing – a digger!

I’m going to use this block to make a children’s bag, hopefully next week 🙂

I’m linking up with the Paper Piecing Party over on Quiet Play.

Paper Piecing Party

Red and Green Colourblock Tee

This is the second t-shirt I started last week for Kid’s Clothes Week, but only finished the final seams today.

This one too is made from the Charlie Tee Pattern by Fishsticks Designs, and I colourblocked this one as well, but this time horizontally using red and green cotton jersey. I think I like the look of the horizontal blocks of colour better than the vertical split on the last t-shirt.

From the back the t-shirt is plain red. I went with black for the neckband as red and green ribbing sold in my local fabric shop doesn’t match the red and green on the cotton jersey. The sleeves and side seams were all I had left to do today, and they caused me more trouble than usual. Despite checking twice before pinning and sewing, I still managed to sew one sleeve on the wrong way round! You can’t tell now that it’s unpicked and sewn on the right way now though. I had to bribe this little man with getting the paints out to try it on and let me take a photo! But he says this one is better than the last, so I guess that means it will most likely be chosen to wear all day tomorrow 🙂 

Easy As ABC QAL: Catch-Up

Easy As ABC QAL

 

It’s been a big catch-up month for me this month. Instead of five letters for the Easy As ABC QAL, I’ve done twelve! But it means that I’ve now caught up and have completed all the letters from A to T 🙂

F:

G:

H:

I:

J:

L:

N:

P:

Q:

R:

S:

T:

You can see the other blocks that people have made this month over on Blossom Heart Quilts.

There’s only two more months of letters to go!

Pink and Green Colourblock Tee

 This happy little fellow has been asking for this t-shirt for weeks!

I finally relented and made it for him during Kids Clothes Week last week!

I used the Fishsticks Designs Charlie Tee pattern, and colourblocked the pink cotton jersey with green for the front … … while the back is plain green. The neckband is grey ribbing. The topstitching around the neck is green and matched to the fabric underneath everywhere else. W looks every happy with the finished product 🙂

Modern QAL – October Block

 

It’s now six months into the Modern Blocks Quilt Along – halfway! Only six more blocks to go!

Here are all my blocks so far:

May – Follow the Leader:

June – Spool:

July – Megan’s Star:

August – Quatrefoil:

September – Escalator:

October – Best Friends:The October block is the one I have just finished. It was a nice quick one to put together.

I’ve been looking forward in the book to see what other blocks are coming up.

I’ve been thinking about which colours to keep for which blocks – they’re going to look pretty 🙂

Here are all the blocks so far together. You can see everyone else’s and vote for your favourites over on And Sew We Craft.

 

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Modern QAL – August Block

I’m catching up this month with the August quilt blocks I missed.

First up is this block for the Modern Blocks Quilt Along from And Sew We Craft, a twelve month quilt along of blocks taken from this book:

The August block was called Quatrefoil.

I looked through the different colours I had in the spotty fabric and picked out the ones I had used least often in the previous blocks, so that when all twelve are complete they’ll be evenly spread across the quilt.

Here is my finished block:

 

 

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Stars and Stripes V-Neck

I have been doing some more sewing this week from the Sew Fab Pattern Bundle.

After the success of my first t-shirt I was tempted by the Vintage V-Neck by Blank Slate Patterns.I used the tips from the last t-shirt, of hemming before sewing, so you’re sewing a flat piece of material rather than a circle, which is definitely much easier.

The v-neck was the trickiest part as it took me several attempts to figure out how to position the ribbing so it would sit right. But after reading the instructions for about the ten millionth time and comparing what I had with the photos in the tutorial I finally got it right!

W chose the stars and stripes knit and has been patiently awaiting his completed t-shirt! He says it’s ‘very soft’ so I guess it must be comfy!

If you’re quick you have a little over 10 hours to get this pattern along with 25 others as part of the Sew Fab Sale. (sale finishes Tuesday 8am US EST/ 12pm UK/ 11pm AEDT)

The pattern can also be found on the Blank Slate Patterns website, where for this next week they are donating 50% of profits to the Komen Foundation for breast cancer research and services.

 

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Fancy Pants Leggings

I have been trying out some of the patterns from the Sew Fab Sale.

First on the list were two pairs of Fancy Pants Leggings by Titchy Threads. I did one pair in blue, and the other in purple, both with black ribbing for the waistband and sewn completely on my sewing machine using my twin needle. They are both in the size 6-12 months, which at Christmas will be just the right size to fit my niece! They are ‘fancy pants’ as they have a separate bum panel pattern piece so the bottom on your leggings can be a different colour or have a fancy pattern on it. For these leggings I switched the colours for the bottom pieces. The pattern has been updated and now goes all the way from newborn up to size 10, and has instructions for making shorts as well as leggings.

I think I shall try some shorts next 🙂

 

It is one of the 26 patterns for sale as part of the Sew Fab pattern bundle, which means that it costs just $1.15 when bought as part of the bundle!

Sew Fab Sale!

Back at the beginning of the year I posted about the Sew Fab sale, where you could buy a huge bundle of patterns at a fraction of the cost of buying them separately. Well it’s back! And this time it’s bigger and better!

As an affiliate of the sale, I earn a small percentage for each bundle bought through my links below. Thank you if you do 🙂

Read on for all the sale information, and look out later this week when I share things I’ve made from the patterns for sale in this great bundle.

 

 

 

Welcome to the Fall and Winter 2013

Sew Fab e-pattern Sale Event!

Last February was the first ever Sew Fab e-pattern Sale and it was so successful and was so well received that Jenny Yarbrough of The Southern Institute, the creator and administrator of the sale, decided to have more! This sale is bigger and better than the first, with plenty of patterns to get you through the fall and winter (if you live on this side of the hemisphere), and a few warm weather patterns thrown in for those of you who live on the other side of the world. You’ll also find more gender neutral patterns for those of you who are sewing for boys. And what about you? Of course there are a few women’s patterns thrown in for some selfish sewing too!

Over the past several weeks a lot of behind the scenes planning has taken place to bring you this newest bundle of ePatterns from many of the top established and up and coming online sewing pattern designers. The result is a bundle of 26 PDF sewing patterns that you’re going to love!

For one week only, twenty-six pattern designers have come together to bring you 26 of their best PDF patterns, valued together at well over $2oo.oo, for the incredible price of $29.95!!! That’s over 80% off of the combined retail value! Plus you can enter to win a dream of a giveaway with several prize packages from some of your favorite online fabric shops!

For less than $30.00 you will have a library of resources that you can use over and over again.

The designers that have joined this sale are experts in their craft. Each designer has contributed one of their favorite patterns to create a bundle that is sure to please! Whether you are sewing for your own family or making gifts for others, these are patterns that you will love to use.

If you’ve never sewn with a PDF pattern before, let me tell you how great it is! After downloading your pattern instructions and your pattern, you will print out the pattern itself, creating pattern tiles, if you will. Simply tape the tiles together to create the full pattern! At that point you can cut out the size that you need and pin the paper pattern directly to your fabric, or you can trace the pattern size that you need onto sewing paper or tracing paper and cut it out, saving the paper pattern for later when you need to sew another size. Pdf patterns are so convenient because you can print them out as many times as you need!

 

Now for the good stuff… the PATTERNS!

26 amazing ePatterns from 26 well-known and up and coming designers are instantly accessible to you by PDF download upon purchase of the Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle. Here are the patterns that you will receive (click on the links below the images for more information about each pattern.):

Reversible Zippy Hoodie from Kitschy Coo, Ananda Pants from CHOPSTIX, The Sally Dress from Very Shannon, Best Harem Pants from Too Sweets , Notebook Slipcover from Gingercake, Junebug Dress from Craftiness Is Not Optional, Fancy Pants Leggings from Titchy Threads, Skinny Jeans from peek-a-boo, Pajama Eaters from Sew Fearless, Ruffle Dress from Sumo’s Sweet Stuff, Go To Cape for Women, Sadie Grace Nightgown from Seamingly Smitten, Vintage V-Neck from Blank Slate Patterns, Zermatt Bow Swing Coat from See Kate Sew, Tumble Tee from imaginegnats, Nituna Jacket from Figgy’s, Greenpoint Cardigan from Hey June, Gathers and Giggles Quilt from Sew Much Ado, Billy Car Play Mat and Roll Up from Handmade Therapy, Bimaa Sweater from LouBee Clothing, Candy Carousel Dress from Molly Blossom, Convertible Clutch from LBG Studio , Infinity Sweater from One Girl Circus, Undies Pattern from From the Red Kitchen, Owl Backpack from The Sewing Loft, Ethan Shirt from the Scientific Seamstress

This Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle is only available for one week and will never be available again! You can purchase the bundle from September 30th at 8 a.m. EST through October 8th at 8 a.m. EST and there will be no late sales offered. Due to the nature of the sale there are no refunds.

You don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to purchase a ready made collection of 26 PDF sewing patterns from 26 of the best designers out there!

 

And now for The Sew Fab Giveaways!

I’m so excited about these giveaways! Can’t buy the pattern bundle? It’s okay… purchase is not required to enter. Each of these prizes will inspire you in your sewing as well as keep you stocked with what you need for your upcoming projects. There are lots of chances to win and each entry applies to all of the giveaway packages. Just use the Rafflecopter widget below the prize descriptions to enter as many times as you want, no purchase necessary.

#1: $50 Gift Card to Fat Quarter Shop

The Fat Quarter Shop was founded in 2003 by Kimberly Jolly who began her shop as a side business, cutting, packing and shipping right out of her house during evenings and weekends. From the very beginning, she was committed to delivering top-notch service for every single order and customer. You’ll still find the same level of service at Fat Quarter Shop, along with an extensive selection of high quality fabrics at great prices.

 

#2: $50 Gift Card to Girl Charlee Fabrics

Girl Charlee Fabrics is your retail and wholesale source for unique knits fabrics at the best price. Browse their wide selection of fabrics and specially select knit specific sewing patterns from independent designers.

 

#3: $50 Gift Card to Modern Yardage

Modern Yardage has a curated team of talented designers who design fabric exclusively for them. They print your fabric on-demand and offer their prints in small, medium, and large scale and as many as 10 different color options. Designs are printed in the standard 44″ width on 58″ wide, pre washed, 100% cotton quilting weight fabric, and they use the 12″ margin to print features about their designers, free projects and patterns for you, and other fun goodies!

 

#4: $50 Gift Card to Michael Levine, Inc.

Located in the heart of the Los Angeles garment and fashion district, Michael Levine, Inc. is one of the Largest fabric retailers and wholesalers in the nation. With two retail outlets and a super stocked warehouse, Michael Levine, Inc. is the place to buy fabric.

 

#5: $50 from Finch Sewing Studio

Finch Sewing Studio provides a curated selection of modern fabrics and cool tools. Our classes are offered in our physical shop in Loudoun County, VA. We offer fun, on-trend classes for beginner and experienced sewists alike. We teach the skills and provide the materials to make beautiful, handmade goods.

 

#6: $50 Gift certificate from Fabricworm

Fabricworm offers a selection of fresh, modern fabrics that you’ll love, including organic fabrics and japanese import fabrics.  You’ll find children’s fabrics, fabric bundles, quilt kits, and free sewing patterns when you visit Fabricworm’s shop.  Come by and search their great selection today!

Sign up for the Sew Fab Newsletter to get the latest Sew Fab News! Winners will be announced in the newsletter as well as upcoming sales and other news pertaining to the Sew Fab Sale and the world of pdf patterns.
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The Sew Fab e-Pattern Sale!

Sew Much Inspiration right at your finger tips…

only $29.95!

Get your bundle now!

 

*Patterns included in the Sew Fab Pattern Bundle are intended for personal use only. The selling of patterns without designer’s permission is prohibited and punishable by law. Please contact individual designers for licensing requirements if you desire to create and sell clothing from patterns that have been purchased through this sale.

**For answers concerning sale terms and customer service questions, please see the FAQ page.