Practice Makes perfect

Practice Makes perfect, originally uploaded by sewfantastic2009.

So I took My very first quilting class on Thursday, that is unless you count the class where you learn how to use a new machine. I have learned from watching others and books, blogs, videos etc. I would have to say that I preferred the class over trying to figure out things on your own.

The class was learning free motion Quilting and bias binding. One small attachment on my machine and a sew slip mat over my sew steady table, and I was drawing with needle and thread. To be honest I have only tried this once about 6 years ago when a singer dealer convinced me to buy a walking foot for quilting.

So obviously I am still very amateur, but I wanted to show you all cause I am so excited to quilt again. It's funny how something so small can spark your interest in an old love for something isn't it. I learned many cool tricks as well that I will be sharing with all of you shortly. Until then.. I hope everyone had a very happy and spooky Halloween.

November Gift Guide feature

Hello friends! Just wanted to give everyone a quick heads up on whats to come for the up and coming holiday season. First of all Sew Fantastic will be featured on a gift guide starting November 1st. Click on the button above to check out where it will be, along with many other fellow crafters. Stop by and let her know that sew-Fantastic sent you over to be eligible for all the giveaways all month long. Also add her cute button to get the word out to everyone in time for the contests. Second there will be a few items re-vamped in the shop for a limited edition Christmas 2009 offer, as well as a few new items that will only be around through Christmas.Wishing everyone happy holiday shopping this year.

Trick or Treat Mini Bags :: Tutorial

Yay Halloween is almost here. I wanted to give you a fun craft that me and Sophie did the other day. Remember the Alexander Henry remnant we found at Joann's? Well this is what we did with it.

Since our house doesn't get many trick or treaters, this was a super fun way to dress up our cheap Halloween candy. That way each kid that stops by our house will get their own pumpkin drawstring bag full of candy. (please pardon the quality of the pictures, I still can't figure out whats wrong with my camera)

Here are the directions to make your very own mini treat bags to. Enjoy...

(to enlarge any of the pictures, just click on the picture itself)

Step 1:: cut out a rectangle from your desired fabric that measures 3.5" x 9.5"

Step 2:: Fold and iron the long edge over about 1/4 inch towards the wrong side of the fabric.

Step 3:: Fold and iron the short edge 1/2 inch towards the wrong side of the fabric.

Step 4:: Sew the shorter edge across, along the rough edge of the fold. (approx 1/8 inch from the raw edge)

Step 5:: with right sides together, fold the two ends to meet at the short end where you stitched.

Step 6:: Sew along the longer edge, stopping where the top stitch begins( see picture) If you sew to far then your opening will close up.

Your bag should now look like the first picture shown above. Turn your bag right side out to make it resemble the second picture. Now you have your treat bag. Take a piece of twine or ribbon and use a safely pink at the end to thread it through the top hole on your treat bag. Push the string through one end out the hole and right back into the other side making sure not to cut ribbon thread yet.

After you have strung your bag tie a knot at the ends of the ribbon. (we also used a lighter to singe the ends to prevent them from coming unraveled.) Now you and the kiddos can stuff them full of candy! When your done tie up the top and set it in your trick or treat bowl.

There are many ways to make these bags, this just happens to be our version for the trick or treaters. To adjust the sizes just make your rectangle larger. There is not such thing as a wrong size when making these. Super easy, and fun to. Enjoy!

Sunday Stash :: Japanese Scraps

I have in the works a scrappy quilt made completely of Japanese scraps and linen. In my head this quilt is just the coolest thing I will ever make. I have slowly been collecting scraps.. ans I mean slowly. I wanted a huge variety but shipping from Japan is not a pretty sight. Lucky for me I found this cute shop that offers bags of cute scraps. The shop is called Beautiful Work on Etsy. I apologize ahead of time for the overload of cuteness if you click on their shop link.

I love love love everything thing I received, the best part was knowing what scraps I would get from the picture. I am always afraid of ordering from japan just randomly you know.

On another note, me and Sophia found this cute Alexander Henry remnant over at Joann's the other day. Stay tuned for what it will become!

Sew Fantastic Buzz :: Matching Seams

Although I have been a sewer for more then half of my life, I would consider myself nothing but amateur when it comes to quilting. Quilting is something that I enjoy for a few months, and then it gets put away for a long time until the urge comes back. This could be a year or more when it happens. I really wanted to start , and finish a quilt this year. So I joined Jane's Aqua Red block swap. (story here)

Today I cleaned off my sewing space to fill it with Aqua and red disappearing nine patch quilt blocks. (tutorial here) After wasting a bit of fabric doing some experiments, I thought I would share a little something.

To pin.... or not to pin... That is the Question!

After sewing and sewing as fast as I can to fill shop orders, Quilting is quite tedious to me. The thought that has to go into each piece, and the process to put it together correctly are quite nerve racking sometimes. I am a instant gratification kind of gal you know. I used to be an eye-baller. You know one of those people who eyes the fabric and hopes it all works out. Me and my seam ripper have a love hate relationship.

After many ways of doing it differently, I found that indeed pinning your fabric in place makes more a more accurate match. (Duh Terri) I also wanted to see if placing the pin in vertically would work better then horizontally, just for kicks I guess. Now keep in mind there is no wrong or right way in the process of making any quilt. It's strictly what works best for you. I know there are quite a few beginner quilters out there who could find this conversation intriguing I suppose.

Anyway, the vertical matched up more accurately for me which came to my surprise. Reason is that you have to pull out your pins before the machine runs over them(or let the machine run over them... to scary.) . The horizontal pin can be placed out of the way and left until the piece is sewn completely. So I guess I expected the horizontal pins to work best.



Now that I have lost all of you, I am curious is there a trick to make sure seams always match up? Is it the way you pin, or the kind of pins you use. How can I guarantee that when I iron my block, the corners will match just so perfect that I can throw away my seam ripper.

Does something this wonderful exist?

Dress up time

Just wanted to take a break from my sewing machine to show you all something cute. I am totally in love with my little girl, she always amazes me. I love it when she blows me kisses when I leave the house, or when she jumps up on the couch to snuggle and watch Tinkerbell. This little girl ROCKS my whole world.

Anyway, today she got to pick out her outfit. Once a week I let her choose, and she keeps choosing until she has a full outfit. This is what we wore today. Her super cute Jean Skirt. New visor hat, and stripey tights. She did end up with the kitty puddle stompers instead of the sneakers as well. I tried to talk her out of the boots, but it was a no go. My favorite part about her outfit is the sweater. Her cousin Cailey who is now 5 years old, wore this sweater when she was Sophia's age. It was passed down to us and we love it. I think she did pretty good for only being 17 months old. Lucky for her the closet is mostly pink.

Hope this post makes you smile as much as it did for me. Aren't kids just wonderful.

Felted Friends WINNER!!

It's not to late to grab one up over at Olivia's Felted Friends. Olivia wrote me the other day and let me know that all of you were sending her very kind and encouraging words. I think it is important for us all to support each other no matter what our ages, or talent. I am thankful for our youth, for keeping our fondest crafts alive.

Thanks again to everyone who left Olivia some love, or purchased from her shop to support her journey to collage. It didn't go un-noticed that is for sure. I encourage you to share her shop with your blog readers, or purchase your own felted friend, that is unless your the winner!!!!

Number 9 was:: Jacquie who made a purchase to gain 10 extra entries, and it looks like her strategy worked. Congratulations Jacquie

Thank you again everyone who participated... until next time!

Twelve Days Of Christmas Giveaway

Ok, First of all... How cute it this picture of my little munchkin last year. We took this at home sitting on the couch because we had run out of time for Christmas pictures. This year we hope to be much more organized.

I am trying to get organized for Christmas already, I know I know... but if I don't start now I will be behind later.

We are planning a twelve days of Christmas Giveaway for all of you. 12 items, one each day, up until the end. I am looking for people who would be interested in giving something away for this event.

You would receive free promotion to your blog or etsy/eBay shop in exchange for something wonderful that you will giveaway to a lucky reader.
As this is the first announcement there are 12 spots open. I will be contacting you if you have already participated in one here to see if you would like first pick. Spots will go quickly so please email as soon as you can.

Send to me the following information

Your name

Your blog link, or link to shop (or both)

What you would like to giveaway (does not have to be Christmas themed)

your email to be contacted easily

Send all of this information here sewfantasticblog@yahoo.com

Thanks everyone, I look forward to the event.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER THIS WEEKS GIVEAWAY HERE IT WILL CLOSE ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON

Catching up :: Organization

As fellow crafters you all probably know this, or go through this on a daily basis pretty much. Everything inspires you to create something, or change something that you are already working on. This creates problems for me when I am already way to busy.

I have been sewing my fingers to the nubs this last week. I cranked out over 100 wallets, 35 clutches, and a few sketchers to. I finished 32 of the 100 quilt blocks for Jane's Aqua red quilt block swap. I also got a few minutes to reorganize my personal stash a little bit. It has not helped that I have been so busy, I had to separate my stash into two groups. Personal, and in 3 giant Rubbermaid tubs out in the dining room is stuff for the shop.

I feel a little more organized now, which is a great feeling right before the holiday push. I have also spent a lot of time just hanging out and playing with Sophia. We have been nature hunting kinda. Walking the parks looking at flowers and bugs. There is even a Koi fish that always comes up to the surface and gives Sophia a pucker.

And just when I thought life didn't get any better, Sophia did this....

Sophia getting dressed. 17 months old
Originally uploaded by sewfantastic2009

I wish she could stay little forever, but everyday she shows me that is not gonna happen.

Fabric Stash Guards {Holy Cuteness} GIVEAWAY

I am taking some time from my sewing machine to share with you a wonderful Etsy artist. I get a lot of ideas and inspiration from my friends on Flicker. So when Penny showed me her Fabric stash guards, I just had to have some myself. I immediately went to the etsy shop and became overwhelmed by the talent.

Fellow crafters, I would like you to meet Olivia. Olivia is 16 years old and a Senior in high school. She came up with the idea of creating her felted friends to help raise money for collage. All the animals in her shop are made from natural wool roving's and are hand needle felted by her in spare time. She just introduced some new items to her shop as well. Feroo the felted fox, and Paisley the Felted Rabbit. She will also do a custom orders to your requests.

The talent just pours from this young lady like magic, into each one of her delightful creatures. Olivia has been so sweet as to offer a felted friend up to $17.00 to one of our lucky Sew Fantastic readers. Please take a minute to stop by her shop and maybe send her an email for good luck on her venture to collage. Or buy your own fabric stash guards, to help her get there. It wearms my heart to see today's youth getting crafty. Please take some time to visit Olivia and her Felted friends.

To enter the Giveaway please leave a comment for each::

1 Entry for following here at Sew-Fantastic

2 Entries for stopping by Felted Friends, and sending Olivia some kinds words. Do this by clicking the contact button link in her shop. The link is to the right side under info details.

3 entries for blogging about this giveaway and leaving a link to it.

10 entries for any purchase made at Felted Friends, during the giveaway.

THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS TUESDAY OCTOBER 20th 2009

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED

Happy Anniversary Mr. Sew Fantastic

Just wanted to take a minute and share with all of you, my husband and very best friend. Father to my my adorable daughter Sophia, lover of a good steak. Supporting to his entire family all the time, joke teller, computer junkie, quiet sometimes and loud at others. All these things are my husband.

We started out as great friends for years and then one day it just blossomed into more. I am so proud to know that I have married my best friend in life. After being together for so many years, and married now for two, I still love the little crinkle in his eye when he smiles. Or that look he gives me when our daughter reaches a new milestone. Rob you are the kindest man I have ever met. I thank you so much for your love an support through all these years, and I hope for many more. You are a fantastic father , back massager, sitter when mom needs a break, overall wonderful person inside and out.

Happy Two year anniversary Honey.

Sew Fantastic made Etsy's Front Page today :: SALE

Although I missed it actually featured, many customers wrote me to congratulate me. That was the most wonderful thing to come home to today. I love the kind words that are given by people who love shopping at Sew Fantastic. I was able to catch the actual screen shot from craft cult today have a look see.

It was My Panache Paisley Carryall Clutch. Etsy posted it to the front page at around 6:30 PM our time here. And it was sold within a few minutes. So needless to say it was not viewed long. But did bring some serious traffic to the shop. I also found out that this is the second time I have been on the front page. YAY!

Thanks everyone for your continued support, and thank you Etsy for choosing me in your front page feature today.

SO HERE IS YOUR SALE

FRONT PAGE SALE :: Buy any item in the shop get another item at half price. See shop announcement for details. Sale will go from now until Monday 10/12/2009

Sunday Stash :: New Fabric

Check out this stack of beautiful. The new collection by Momo for Moda fabrics. The collection is called Momo Odyssea Underwater Fantasy. I just ordered this full collection in one set here. I can wait to make a beautiful quilt with it. I love it when Etsy sellers list small pieces of the entire line. For instance, this is a Fat Quarter set of the collection. So I get a bit of every piece for a low price. What a deal. Head over and get one to you will love it.

How Dare You.....

So this morning I get up to read a few blog entries before I head to my regular Sunday morning job. A blog I have followed for quite awhile posted something so shocking to me, I am utterly disgusted by it. I would like to thank you Nikki over at "You Sew Girl" for bringing this out. It needed to be spotted and taken care of.

This Etsy seller, has been stealing patterns given by bloggers. These patterns are given to the public by blog readers at no charge. Then this seller is not only selling their free patterns, but using their pictures as well. This is Disgusting to me.

I hope Etsy gets enough response on this matter to remove that person from our handmade community. She has even stolen patterns from large designers. Amy Butlers credit card case pattern, Heather Bailey's Bitty booties pattern... I am appalled.

You all know how I feel about this subject. A pattern of mine was stolen and is still be used by an Etsy member for her own benefit as well. Please do not buy from this seller.
If you would like the patterns, please let me know and I will give you a direct link if possible to the blog and the pattern FOR FREE!!

So how do you feel about it

Keepsake Collage :: Quick Project

So as I explained in my last entry , I wanted to somehow keep the memory of my wonderful purchase from Heather Ross herself in some form of keepsake. This is what I ended up with today. Now that it's finished I wish that I would have bought a bigger frame to fit more fabric goodness. I love how it turned out though.

Supplies ::

Pinked Rotary Cutter & Self healing mat (scissors work to)

Colored piece of card stock 12x12

Picture Frame any size you desire (Joann's 19.99)

Scotch Tape

Ruler

Here are all my supplies. I cut down the letter from Heather to make it smaller for fitting into the matted frame. Taped a green piece of card stock behind the matting and began cutting my fabrics.

I cut little pictures from a few of the fabrics by using a pinked rotary cutter. It made the cute zig-zag style cut you see in the photos. I laid out the pieces around the letter until I had them the way I wanted. Then I began adding a small piece of scotch tape to each piece to keep it in place.

After everything was taped down I put the picture behind the glass again and closed the frame. This is a great way to keep something you hold dear and making it a visual keepsake forever. I will now proudly display this piece of my quilting history (ha ha) in my sewing room to look at whenever I need inspiration.


I hope this technique gives you inspiration to make
something special with your keepsakes.