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!
Love the hotpad idea. So cute (and functional!).
Posted by: Gina | 06 June 2013 at 05:13 AM
Love the hotpad idea. I wish I was so clever!
Posted by: Denise Roberts | 06 June 2013 at 08:42 AM
your version of these coasters are so pretty
Posted by: diane stanley | 06 June 2013 at 09:44 AM
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.
Posted by: Michelle | 06 June 2013 at 10:20 AM
I love how you modified this pattern to make a hot pad. Brilliant! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Posted by: Sarah | 06 June 2013 at 10:55 AM
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!
Posted by: Heidi | 06 June 2013 at 11:25 AM
Great idea to make these into hotpads - I'm always needing more of those in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing your adaptation!
Posted by: Joy | 06 June 2013 at 02:39 PM
Love your versions, and the idea of making this as a hot pad! And thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Amy | 06 June 2013 at 03:43 PM
I love this idea! I don't use coasters but I would use a hotpad. :)
Posted by: Jessica | 06 June 2013 at 04:54 PM
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:)
Posted by: Debbie D | 06 June 2013 at 05:36 PM
I love the up sizing to a hot pad. Great idea.
Posted by: Janice Svercek | 06 June 2013 at 06:23 PM
What a great idea making the pattern larger for a hot pad!
ktreve (at) hotmail (dot) com
Posted by: Kay Lemieux | 06 June 2013 at 10:34 PM
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.
Posted by: Michelle | 06 June 2013 at 11:15 PM
I love the hotpads you made. Thanks for sharing the idea with us and Thanks for the Giveaway!
Posted by: Patricia | 07 June 2013 at 12:07 AM
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!!
Posted by: Candace | 07 June 2013 at 12:30 AM
What a wonderful gifts ! I'd love to win! I totally enjoyed the hotpad idea. Your fabric choices are great too!
Posted by: Jana Machado | 07 June 2013 at 12:43 AM
Love it! What a great idea, even more inspiration now!
Posted by: Bec | 07 June 2013 at 04:29 AM
Those are sew cute and love the biscuit fabric! What a great idea!
Posted by: Carol Stearns | 07 June 2013 at 05:21 AM
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.
Posted by: Christina | 07 June 2013 at 06:02 AM
I love the colors you chose!! I need to dig through my stash now.
Posted by: Michele Minehart | 07 June 2013 at 06:48 AM
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.
Posted by: Frieda | 07 June 2013 at 09:38 AM
Love the hotpad! Looking for fabric now...
Posted by: Judy J | 07 June 2013 at 12:28 PM
These are darling! Going to look for the book!
Posted by: Machelle | 07 June 2013 at 03:44 PM