Vintage Modern Fabrics goodness and a GIVEAWAY!

I am pleased to welcome Vintage Modern Fabrics on Etsy as my newest sponsor! 

Vintage Modern Fabrics is owned by Michelle who has a fantastic eye for combining collections into fun combos. She sells tons of modern goodness and beautiful unique FQ bundles. She inspires creativity with beautifully unique Fat Quarter Bundle combos she's created. Here are some fun ones she has to offer!

This is a go-to shop for any modern quilter! She carries a wide range of Cotton + Steel fabrics as well as Anna Maria Horner, Tula Pink, Heather Bailey, Alison Glass, Heather Ross, Amy Butler. She also has some great collections available for Pre-Sale in her shop. Some of these include...

Vintage Modern Fabrics also supplies FABULOUS blender bundles too! More eye candy...

I'm totally obsessed with Anna Maria Horner's True Colors collection. It's to die for! 

Speaking of Anna Maria Horner...

Michelle of Vintage Modern Fabrics as graciously offered up a FQ bundle of AMH's newest collection due out in February...Folk Song!

OMG!!!! OMG!!! OMG!!!

Awesome. Right? Yes. I agree. I wish I could enter my own giveaways. Sigh.

This is a pre-order item. So the winner will be receiving their fabric bundle when the collection is available in February.

Here's how to enter:

-Leave a comment telling me what you love in the Vintage Modern shop. (Click Here)

-My followers get another entry. Leave another comment telling me how you follow. New and old followers welcome. Facebook, Instagram, Bloglovin, Feedly, Email...many different ways.

-Favorite Vintage Modern's shop on Etsy. Leave another comment telling me that you did.

-Follow Vintage Modern on Instagram for another entry. Leave another comment for telling me you follow her on instagram.

I will leave the giveaway open until 12/22 and pick a winner on 12/23 just in time for Christmas!

Congrats to Connie Cain! 

Good luck!

Do you like Kiwi? GIVEAWAY!!!

I love me some Kiwi. Especially when it has to do with fabric! Yep! That's right folks...a new fabric shop called Kiwi Fabric is now up on my sidebar as my latest and greatest sponsor! 

Run by Kim and loaded with modern awesomeness, Kiwi Fabric is a wonderful Etsy shop I discovered. Kim has stocked up on some absolute must haves for any modern quilter. She carries Cotton + Steel basics, Alison Glass' Handcrafted, Heather Ross' Far Far Away, along with some other great collections. She also has some Cotton+Steel collections available for pre-order. 

Ready for some eye candy? 

(Pre-Sale) Doe by Carolyn Friedlander

 (Pre-Sale) Mochi by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton + Steel

 (Pre-Sale) Playful by Melody Miller for Cotton + Steel

Elizabeth Hartman Solids

Lighthearted by Kokka

Well, what are you waiting for? Go check out Kiwi Fabric on Etsy for some amazing fabrics!

But wait! Hold up! We have a GIVEAWAY!!!! Whoop Whoop!
Kim has offered up a F8 bundle of Utopia. Wowzers!

Here's how to enter:
-Leave a comment on this post telling me what you like in her shop (Click here)
-My followers get another entry. Leave another comment telling me how you follow. Old and new welcome.
-Go favorite her shop on Etsy for another entry. Leave a third comment telling me that you did.

Sorry, open to US only

Thank you! Good luck! I'll pick a winner on Saturday!!! 

Giveaway Closed
Congratulations to Comment #217 Sarah!

Check out my other giveaway here

September is National Sewing and Quilting Month!!!

Woot Woot! September is national sewing and quilting month! How awesome is that!? A whole month to celebrate! Now's the time to finish some WIPs or start something new! Fat Quarter Shop has a fun new pattern for you to download and has asked me to participate as part of this special occasion. How could I say no? They asked me a few questions and challenged me to make something I've never made before! OMG! Here it goes!!!

Why do I love sewing?

With craziness happening all around me at any given time. Sewing is my outlet. It's the "me" time I need. I love spending time at my machine making something that will be used and loved. It's a real joy to see others get excited by things I've made as well. I definitely cut myself short when it comes to accepting sewing as a talent. I think it's just a fun hobby but others really do see it as a talent. I've always had a hard time accepting compliments. I usually think and/or say "Pfff!". I've learned to accept compliments and be thankful that I can make beautiful things.

1.       How did you start quilting/sewing? I started in High School and was taught by my Mom. She challenged each of us (kids) to do something productive with our summer instead of watching TV everyday. I decided to make a quilt. I still have it and use it all the time!

2.       When was the first time you knew that you were a quilter/sewer? I'd say I really found my sewing mojo about 3 years ago. I would go to quilt shops with my Mom just for fun and just fell head over heels with fabric! I was an avid paper collector and scrapbooker before but fabric is something that doesn't only look nice but feels nice. I love playing with it and making something that is useful instead of just something pretty to look at.

3.       Do you have any sewing/quilting horror stories or faux pas? Well, I remember I was rockin' and rollin' on a quilt one time and for some reason I wasn't paying attention as I finished piecing. I went to clip the thread and my thumb got run over by the needle. I literally sewed through my skin. It was kinda cool to see the thread go through my skin (not entire finger). Then it hit me what just happened and I got all dizzy. Haha! I'm so lame! I have such a weak stomach for things like this.

4.       What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in sewing/quilting? Start slow with easy project. Just jump in and go for some crazy quilt or weekender bag. Work your way up with new challenges. Don't be afraid to cut into your favorite fabric! That's why you bought it to begin with! It doesn't do you any good sitting on a shelve collecting dust "waiting" for a special project. Every project is special!

Ok, so Fat Quarter Shop has challenged me!!! Ok, so they asked me to make something this month that I've never made before. Hmmm...that was tough! I've made so many different things from quilts to bags, clutches to backpacks, fabric baskets to pincushions....I'm willing to try anything! BUT one thing or should I say one "department" of sewing I have NOT ever tried is CLOTHING. 

Yes folks, it's true. I have never made an item of clothing from scratch. Seriously! Those knits and rayons scare the crap out of me! I can trace an existing pattern from something into a duplicate but I've never actually followed a garment pattern before or even a tutorial. So..I decided to put my big girl panties on and make an item of clothing! 

I knew I wanted to make a dress for my daughter. My Mom was getting rid of a bunch of clothing patterns a few weeks ago and I grabbed a few (ok, like a box) that I could see myself sewing up. I was going through them last night (yes, last night...procrastination at it's finest) and picked something "fast" and "easy". I was so nervous to start but went for it anyway! 

It will probably be lame for some of you more experienced garment sewers. I skipped the pockets and ric rac because I like it better without. Some things look cuter simpler. So here's my little A-line dress. It's a little big for my daughter but she'll grow into it. It's so fun! I used a large pink & red gingham print called Cheeky Checks from Early Birds by Jane Sassaman for FreeSpirit. I had 1 yard on hand which was perfect for size 2T!!!

Sorry for that FAT wrinkle!

For those of you who are wondering...

Thanks for stopping in! Don't forget to download this fun and free pattern by Fat Quarter Shop!!! Just click the image below to download!

 Now challenge yourself to do something you haven't tried yet! Share your projects with Fat Quarter Shop on their Facebook, Google +, and Instagram using #fqschallenge. Have fun!

Be sure to follow along with the other bloggers to see what they've made this month!

Sherri of A Quilting Life

Amy of Amy's Creative Side

Alyce of Blossom Heart Blog

Charise of Charise Creates

Lucy of Charm About You

Erin of Dog Under My Desk

Amy of During Quiet Time

Rachel of Family Ever After

Anne Marie of Generation X Quilters

Marni of Haberdashery Fun

Melissa of Happy Quilting

Katy of I'm A Ginger Monkey

Elizabeth of In the Boon Docks

Jana of Jana Machado

Lynne of Lily's Quilts

Maureen of Made by Marzipan

Barb and Mary of Me and My Sister Designs

Melanie of I Heart Stitching

Kaye of Miss Print

Dana of Old Red Barn Co.

Natalia of Piece N' Quilt

Denise of Pieced Brain

Stephanie of Quarter Incher

Jane of Quilt Jane

Heather and Megan of Quilt Story

Cheryl of Quilter Chic

Michele of Quilting Gallery

Allison of Quilting Mumma

Teresa of Quilting Stitching & Sew On

Leslie of Seasoned Homemaker

Kelli of Seriously.. I Think It Needs Stitches

Liz of Sew4Home

Erin of Sew At Home Mummy

Sara of Sew Sweetness

Leanne of She Can Quilt

Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilts

Amy of Stitchery Dickory Dock

Tonya of The Crafty Mummy

Julie of The Crafty Quilter

Paula of The Sassy Quilter

Erin of Why Not Sew?

Sponsor Spotlight: Zipit

I wanted to give a shout out to one of my sponsors Zipit! Jennifer has the best selection of zippers around! She offers an enormous assortment of colors and sizes. I've been using up my whole collection with all the clutches and bags I've been making! If you need some zippers, please head over to her shop on Etsy. You can use the coupon code QUARTERINCHER for 15% off your order! 

Design Challenge: Embroidered Baby Blocks Tutorial

Happy St. Paddy's Day! I have a fun tutorial for you but it's not green!

With a baby on the way, choosing a project for my Design Challenge for Sew Lux Fabric wasn't too difficult. Since I'm having a boy I thought some Red, White & Blue blocks would be fun. When I spotted the Sailboat print in their inventory, I knew that was the theme and pulled other fabrics to match. 

To read my fun Q&A's for the Challenge Click here!

If you're interested in purchasing these prints, please visit Sew Lux Fabric to grab the bundle here! The red prints pictured above are substitutes for what I used but still really fun!



Here's what you need to get started:

• 6 Fat Quarters (There will be plenty of fabric left over)
• Pins
• Polyfil
• Hand Sewing Needle
• Hand Quilting Thread
• Perle Cotton (optional)
• Regular Writing Pen for drawing pattern on paper
• Water-Soluble Fabric Pen or Frixion Pen for drawing embroidery design on block

Let's get started!

Blogiversary Giveaway!

I can't believe I've been blogging here a whole year! Yowza! It's been fun peeps, it really has. Here are a few things I've learned over the past year...

• I'm apparently obsessed with swapping (Thanks Amanda for pointing this out to me)
• I've bought more fabric in the past year than in my whole life before blogging
• I like sewing/quilting books I suppose. I somehow ended up with 26 new books on my shelf
• I've found my quilting/sewing/fabric style is modern. (I only really knew Civil before because that's what my Mom likes and uses/buys)
• I don't like quilt kits or BOM kits. I like picking my own fabrics out for projects
• The online quilting community is AMAZING and SO supportive! I've made so many friends and love reading comments from readers!
• I've learned how to use Flickr, Instagram, Facebook Fan Page, Gmail, Google Docs & Blogger like nobody's business...BAM!
• My life motto is "Google it"....seriously people for reals. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is on Google. Someone has seriously taken the time to blog or video about whatever it is that you need or have a question on. Yep! Why your eye twitches, What type of needle to use for what, When the next comet is coming, How to fix your broken xbox, Who invented lint rollers. It's pretty amazing...in more ways than one. I would not have this blog if Google wasn't around to answer all the stupid blogger codes issues/questions I had.
• I've stepped outside my "comfort zone" or quilty narrow-mindedness and made many many non-quilt items. I really enjoy making something I've never tried before. I think the quick finish is something I like too.

Anyways, enough about me and blah blah blah. It's time to celebrate! I love you guys so much that I'm willing to throw a giveaway! Since it's my 1 year Blogiversary AND for going over 500 Bloglovin followers AND to celebrate 200 blog posts! Yay!!!

This weeks Sponsor Spotlight is Aurifil! They sent me some goodies to share with you guys a little while ago and I was saving them for this very occasion!

I'll even throw in these extra bits of awesomeness to celebrate!

• 5 Fat Eighths of Lizzy House Pearl Bracelets in colors: Orange, Frosting, Grape, Cosmonaut & Medium Grey
• Pretty Little Patchwork Book by Lark Books
• Rainbow Washi Tape Set of 10
• Little Drawstring Pouch made by yours truly
• A few extra little goodies not pictured

The giveaway is open to everyone! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sponsor Spotlight: Fat Quarter Shop with Giveaway!!!

Hello all you cute people! Today is my first Sponsor Spotlight! Yay! I have a great one for your today too!

Fat Quarter Shop!

Many of you have probably been to their online super store at one point of another I'm sure. Well today they launched a new free quilt pattern called the Charm Pack Cherry Quilt! It's so cute & simple! Fun right?

Fat Quarter Shop has teamed up with a list of great bloggers to show you their versions too! So click on over to The Jolly Jabber for a list to see all the Charm Pack Cherry Quilts. Here's a link to the free pattern!

Here's a link to the video tutorial!

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This week ALL charm packs in their shop are 20% off to celebrate the new pattern! So now is the time to stock up on some great new collections you've been eyeballing!

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Giveaway!

Fat Quarter Shop has a charm pack of your choice up for grabs!

You have 3 chances to win:

-Visit the Fat Quarter Shop website and leave a comment telling me which Charm Packs you would use to make the Charm Pack Cherry Quilt.

-My followers get an extra entry. Leave a second comment telling me how you follow me.

-Follow The Jolly Jabber blog for a third entry. Leave a third comment letting me know you follow their blog

That's it! Good luck and I'll choose a winner on Sunday March 2nd!

Giveaway closed

Sponsor Love

I'm pretty bad at writing about my sponsors so I need to change that! This year I'll be better. I'll let you know what's going on with them or how I'm working with them. This is what's going on so far...

Fat Quarter Shop: Who doesn't like this online sewing superstore? A crazy awesome selection of fabrics, patterns & notions! February's Basic of the Month Special is Bella Solids! All yardage & precuts of Bella Solids are 20% off all month long! Now is the time to stock up!

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Sew Lux Fabric: I'm currently participating in the Club Medallion BOM and loving it! One more month to go! They have another great BOM coming up soon called Spinning in the Rain BOM. Sign up here if you're interested! It looks like it'll be a fun one with all those great pinwheels!

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Cucire Etsy Shop: Now this is a great shop! Elizabeth offers the best selection of Shot Cotton around! Who doesn't like Shot Cotton? It's gorgeous! Not to mention her awesome selection of Aurifil & King Tut Thread! And the shipping prices are SO reasonable! I've recently stocked up on some Aurifil thread from her and can't wait to put in an order for a shot cotton bundle.

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Westwood Acres: Everyone loves Westwood Acres! Amanda puts together amazing bundles of fabric! She has such an eye for fabulous fabric collections. Recently she's stocked up on Jen Kingwell Patterns and boy it's tough not to put every single one of them in my cart! I did manage to get my hands on the coveted Gypsy Wife Pattern as well as a copy of the Green Tea & Sweet Beans Pattern! Don't forget that all patterns ship FREE with any order and shipping on all orders is only $5.50!

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Zipit Zippers Etsy Shop: I get all my zippers from Zipit! What an AMAZING selection! Every color of the rainbow and so many different sizes! The prices are extremely reasonable with great low cost shipping rates. Use coupon code QUARTERINCHER for 15% off your order anytime! Currently, I'm hosting round 2 of the Triple-Zip Pouch Swap and I refer all my members to Zipit for great deals!

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Aurifil: I've been keeping a secret for a little while about some yummy Aurifil. Do you smell a giveaway coming up soon? Stay tuned.

Phew! Ok, that's all the info I have on these great shops for now! I'll inform you on any great specials going on as they come up!