Patchwork Please!

Fair warning, this might be my longest post ever!

I am so pleased to be kicking off the Patchwork, Please! sew along organized by Lindsey (thank you Lindsey!).

Ayumi Takahashi is the author and not only is she a dear friend, she is one of the most inspiring and encouraging people I know.  Her book is full of just that.  Inspiring, happy, and impeccable projects with superior fabric choices.

The first project is Ayumi's bell pepper pepper coaster.  I don't use coasters much, so I decided to turn it into a hotpad pattern.  I mean come on, a bell pepper hotpad???  So cute!!!

So I increased the pattern size by 180% on my printer and got to work.  The pattern was super fast and so fun!  It's not often that I can make something so cute, fun, and useable in 30-45 minutes.  It took me longer to pick the fabrics than it did to sew the pepper up.

 

 

To turn the coaster pattern into a hotpad, here are a few basic tips:

• increase the pattern size by 180% on your printer
• use a 5" piece of cotton tape for the loop
• use a 8 3/4"X5" fabric rectangle for the right and left front of the pepper
• use a 8 1/2"X4" fabric rectangle for the middle front part of the pepper
• use a 10"X13" piece of batting, insulbrite and backing fabric

 

 

 

And here's some exciting news. 

I'm offering up a copy of Patchwork Please! (courtesy of Mama Said Sew!  thank you Ange!!!), 5 sample packs of Aurifil thread, and a sample card of Pellon interfacing and batting. (due to shipping costs, US entries only please). 

Just leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a winner on Friday.

 

 

 

And if that wasn't enough, there's also a giveaway for linking up this weeks project by Sunday June 9th on Lindsey's blog.  A $25 GC to Fort Worth Fabric Company and 1 crib size Legacy by Pellon bleached cotton batting. So get sewing!!!

 

Here are the other participants in the Sew Along, and all together we will cover all the projects in the book.

June 3: Penny | Sew Take a Hike :: Bell Pepper Coasters

June 10: Maureen | MC Handmade :: B,L,D Towels

June 17: Anna | Noodlehead :: Lettered Tea Cozy + Pouch

June 24: Angela | Cut to Pieces :: Polka Dot Cafe Apron

July 1: Lynne | Lily’s Quilts :: Diamond Patchwork Placemat

July 8: Lindsey | LRstitched :: Yum Yum Apple Bib

July 15: Sukie | Don’t Ya Know :: Dino-Mite Hat

July 22: Jennifer | Ellison Lane :: Book for Baby Quilt

July 29: Krista | Poppyprint :: My Scrappy Box

August 5: Kerry | Very Kerry Berry :: Swedish Bloom Time Quilt

August 12: Tamiko | Patchwork Notes :: You’ve Got Mail Wall Pocket

August 19: Monica | Happy Zombie :: Happy Hexagon Trivet

August 26: Krista | Spotted Stone Studio :: Piece of Cake Shopping Bag

Sept 2: Lori | Bee in My Bonnet :: Triangle Patchwork Box Pouch

Sept 9: Amy | During Quiet TIme :: Vintage Pencil Case

Sept 16: Svetlana | SOTAK Handmade :: I love My Ipad Quilted Cover

Sept 23: Amber | One Shabby Chick :: Handy Market Tote

Sept 30: Deb | A Quilter’s Table :: Sweet Trips Embroidery Pouch

Oct 7: Leila | Where the Orchids Grow :: Prettified Pincushion

 

And thank you so much for our sponsors for the sew along!

I can't wait to see who the lucky winner is!!

Happy Monday to you,

Penny

 

The Giveaway is now closed!

Comments

[Gina]

Love the hotpad idea. So cute (and functional!).

[Denise Roberts]

Love the hotpad idea. I wish I was so clever!

[diane stanley]

your version of these coasters are so pretty

[Michelle]

These bell pepper coasters/hotpads are to die for. They are just the cutest thing. I have a feeling I am going to be obsessed with making them for all my family and friends.

[Sarah]

I love how you modified this pattern to make a hot pad. Brilliant! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

[Heidi]

I love the idea of hot pads!! I have my copy of the book, and look at it thinking of which project to start with. SO much good stuff!

[Joy]

Great idea to make these into hotpads - I'm always needing more of those in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing your adaptation!

[Amy]

Love your versions, and the idea of making this as a hot pad! And thanks for the chance to win.

[Jessica]

I love this idea! I don't use coasters but I would use a hotpad. :)

[Debbie D]

I needed something different for my summer table this year and this was just the thing I just love it. Its given me inspiration for alot more projects. Awesome thanks:)

[Janice Svercek]

I love the up sizing to a hot pad. Great idea.

[Kay Lemieux]

What a great idea making the pattern larger for a hot pad!

ktreve (at) hotmail (dot) com

[Michelle]

I was able to quickly flip through this book at a guild sew day recently - I totally thought those coasters were apples! I love the idea of enlarging them to become hot pads. And what a nice assortment of potential bootie.

[Patricia]

I love the hotpads you made. Thanks for sharing the idea with us and Thanks for the Giveaway!

[Candace]

Thank you for the chance to win! This book looks like it is full of fun, cute projects I can add to my "to sew list". Your pot holders are too cute!!

[Jana Machado]

What a wonderful gifts ! I'd love to win! I totally enjoyed the hotpad idea. Your fabric choices are great too!

[Bec]

Love it! What a great idea, even more inspiration now!

[Carol Stearns]

Those are sew cute and love the biscuit fabric! What a great idea!

[Christina]

Thanks for the tut on the potholder, as I was worried, cause I don't use coasters. Never thought of increasing the size of the pattern. Duh! Love that you used selvedge as the loop. Sweet! Thanks.

[Michele Minehart]

I love the colors you chose!! I need to dig through my stash now.

[Frieda]

I love this book. I have had it for a little while and I think this might be the push I heed to get started making some things from it.

[Judy J]

Love the hotpad! Looking for fabric now...

[Machelle]

These are darling! Going to look for the book!