sewtakeahike

Cafe set winners!

 

Thank you everyone who commented to for a chance to win the Parisienne Cafe set!

Congratulations to the three winners:

Sonicfreak

Jody

Melissa

 

I will email your patterns to you shortly!

Happy Saturday!

xo,

Penny

Parisienne Cafe Set

 

As Kerry has mentioned here, we are over the moon to present our newest pattern set, "Parisienne Cafe" (available here and here!) 

 

 

It is chock full of fabulous designs with so many possibilities! 

In addition to my espresso cups and teapot, Kerry has come up with the most ingenious designs for a French Press

 

and for a coffee grinder

 

 

We have changed the layout of our patterns slightly, you can read about it here.

I couldn't help myself and came up with a revision for the espresso cup before we released the pattern

(the saucer revision is not a part of the pattern set)

 

And I have a special surprise for you!  I am offering up 3 Parisienne Cafe pattern sets, just leave a comment on this post.  I'll pick a winner on Friday.  And no worries if you buy the pattern set before then and you win a copy.  Kerry and I will reimburse you!

Happy Monday!

And make sure to check out Kerry's blog for the Parisienne Cafe set giveaway there too!

Ringing it in with a grateful heart

Happy Happy New Year!

 

 

I always thought my parents were so fuddy duddy when they would say this, but where has the time gone?  It really does seem to move quicker now than when I was 10. 

 

 

2012 was full of many things; joy, sadness, inspiration, brokenheartedness, and elation.  Just when I was feeling drab, something or someone would inspire me.  When I was feeling down in the dumps, someone would encourage me.  And when I was heartbroken, friends came along side me and cried with me and hugged me. 

Through it all, I am so thankful for 2012.  After all, it brought

• the most wonderful dream of a partnership with Kerry in Sew-Ichigo.
• a renewed sense of where I fit in the quilting world when I was asked to teach at QuiltCon (which is coming up in a few short weeks!)
• reminders of what's really important in life
• time with L-man doing the things we love
• closer bonds of friendship
• Instagram! :)
• a deepening desire to improve and make a difference

 

 

And then, just a few days ago, I received a note from Lisa at the Moda Bakeshop telling me that my Isosceles Picnic quilt was one of the top 10 viewed projects at the Moda Bakeshop in 2012!  Get.out!!!

 

So to each and every one of you that take your precious time to visit sewtakeahike, leave comments and touch my heart, thank you.  Thank you for a wonderful 2012!

And to thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ben at Saral Paper and Kimberly and the gang at the Fat Quarter Shop for being long time sponsors. 

Here's to a super 2013!

 

xo,

Penny

Sew Very Christmas

Pattern set is now available at Sew-Ichigo!

 

The pattern set is perfect for beginning paper piecers and the design element is appealing to seasoned paper piecers as well as beginners.  The set contains a Candy Tree, Christmas dress, NOEL, and a retro bulb.  I'm thinking coasters, gift tags, placemats, pillows, valances, quilts, and on, and on!

 

 

 

I made a couple of gift bags with the Christmas dress and retro bulb

 

 

 

 

And Kerry and I will be giving a few tips later this week for modifying Jeni's bag pattern to include whichever Sew Very Christmas pattern you like!

 

Happy Monday everyone!

xo,

Penny

flexing my liberty scrap challenge

I so appreciate the lovely Nova and Jo for allowing me to be a part of the Liberty scrap challenge.  Jo sent a beautiful parcel of liberty to me, including a mini scrap pack of liberty, and it took about two seconds for me to decide what to make.

btw, have you seen the liberty crack Jo offers in her shop?  If you want to just eat it up like I do, make sure you read to the end of this post!

On to the project!

 

 

Today I'm going to give you the basics for making this flex frame frosty bag.

What you will need:

• two liberty pieces 8"X 4 1/2" plus some scraps for piecing frosty
• linen 8"X4 1/2" plus some scraps for piecing frosty
• embroidery thread
• 1 flex frame (just search for flex frame on etsy)
• one Frosty pattern printed at size, no scaling

Directions:

1. Print your pattern and piece each section then sew the sections together, matching tick lines.  Make sure and leave 1/4" seam allowance around each section.  If you are new to paper piecing or need a refresher, here is a free download on sew-ichigo with lots of tips.

2.  Stitch around frosty with embroidery thread, within about 1/8".

3.  Layer the 8"X 4/1/2" piece of linen with the frosty block, right sides together.  Mark 2 1/4" from the top.

 

Pin and sew around the bottom of the layers, starting at the mark on the R side and ending at the mark on the L side, leaving the top section unsewn. Oh!  And make sure and backstitch at the beginning and end.

4.  Repeat step 3 with lining pieces, leaving a 2" opening in the bottom for turning.

5.  Turn the lining piece right side out and stuff down inside the outside of the bag so the right sides are together and the top flaps line up.  Pin each of the lining flaps to the linen flap it is right sides together with.

 

6.  Sew the pinned flaps together, starting and ending stitching on each flap as close to the center stitching as possible.

7.  Turn the bag right side out through the turn hole in the lining and push both flaps out, using a bone folder to get the corners turned.

8.  Slip stitch hole in lining closed.

9.  Push the lining down into the bag and then turn the back flap into the bag so the top seam of the flap is even with where the flap starts.  Pin in place and stitch down close to the flap edge.

10.  Repeat step 9 with the other flap.

11.  Following the directions on your flex frame package, undo one side of the flex frame, insert one side of the flex frame into each tunnel on each flap, and replace the pin for the frame.

 

And there you have it!  A little gift bag or ornament bag!

And now, for those that have made it all the way through, you have a chance to win a sweet liberty scrap pack (or crack pack as I call it) from Jo.  Just leave a comment on this post telling me if you've paper pieced before and if you haven't, what kind of pattern design would make you want to learn to paper piece and you will be entered in a the drawing.  I'll choose a name on Monday!

The giveaway is now closed!

Good luck!

xo,

Penny