Giveaway!!!!

UPDATE
--------The giveaway is now closed, here is the screen shoot of the winners chosen by Random, now I'll need to go and count the numbers;)-------
Thanks everyone for participating!!!!

So, here are the winners:

Number 25- Jess and Bess who said:
the snowflakes would be my second choice - they're lovely!
bess :)
So the snowflakes go to Jess!Congrats Jess!

Number 62- Carol who said:
Those bibs would be perfect for my grandkids!
Carol (NJ)
So the bibs go to Carol!Congrats Carol!

Number 105- Susan who said:
so hard to decide!
I would love to have the poncho or the ties!
So the poncho goes to Susan!Congrats Susan!

Number 178- the Thompsons who said:
I think I'd have to go with the ties! You have some beautiful things!
So the ties goes to the Thompsons!Congrats!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, it's time for the giveaway. This time, for the first time, I've decided to take part in Sew mama, sew Giveaway Day and can't wait to see the reactions. I wasn't sure what would be the best thing to give away that falls within one of the following categories:

Handmade for the Home (quilts, hot pads, pillows, etc.)
Handmade Bags
Handmade Baby + Kid Items
Sewing Supplies (fabric, patterns, buttons, trims)
Other Craft Supplies
Handmade Accessories (hats, scarves, belts, adult clothes, etc.)


So, I decided to go with the Handmade Baby + Kid Items category. I am giving away a few items:

1 ITEM - baby item

2 baby bibs, made with my original Spoonflower cut and sew template fabric



_______________________________________________________________________

2 ITEM - toddler boy item

2 boys cotton ties, made in 100% cotton with Velcro closure, to fit best 2-7 years

_______________________________________________________________________

3 ITEM - toddler girl item

Poncho set for girls, including 1 orange poncho with leg warmers and hair clips that will fit best 4-7 years (it is tagged as 5-6, but is very comfy)





_______________________________________________________________________

4 ITEM - "fits all" item

Yet, if you are without kids or with grown kids and are not very attracted to the above listed gifts, you may be thrilled with this beautiful snowflake garland from my IwannaBe etsy shop, (including 5 pieces of 3x3" snowflakes in white acrylic) that can be used in many ways, as single snowflake ornament, garland when grouped or as coasters. Great also as a gift giving wrap detail.




All you need to do is to leave a comment under this blog post until December 16 at 5 p.m. PST including your choice regarding the item you wish to win and your contact(e-mail) info (you can even leave two comments if you wish different items, but no more than 2 comments per person). I will draw a random winners using RANDOM Generator. Winners will be announced by e-mail on Sunday, December 18 (I will update my Giveaway Day post to include the winner’s name).
The items will ship internationally on Monday, December 19. (so be sure to leave your e-mail in comment in way that I can contact you immediately and get the shipping details)
Be sure to check all the wonderful giveaways linked to Sew mama sew Giveaway day,
Katarina

Baby bib tutorial

During this summer, I created several sewing templates(patterns) and they are available for purchase @ Spoonflower.



Each sheet is created as 18 x 21" large (size of the Fat Quarter) and includes the sewing instructions. So beside the fabric FQ, you will need either Velcro tape for closure or snaps. Also, I would highly recommend using additional fabric for the back sides, like minky, terry cloth, chenille, cotton backing or similar fabric.









Very important thing to do before starting to sew is to wash the fabric, as it will shrink. I also recommend to wash even the fabric that you will be using for backing, as in that way there will no be unpleasant surprises with shrinkage after you get the final product, and as this item is designed for babies, washing fabrics before use is a must do:)

Needed supply:

1. printed fabric sheet with template ( you can use the fabric type you prefer for the design to be printed on like: Quilting Weight Cotton, Organic Cotton Sateen or Organic Cotton Interlock Knit and for the limited time even the great cotton poplin fabric would be perfect)
2. thread, scissors and needle
3. pieces of Velcro or snaps for closure

sewing machine is optional-you can totally stitch it with hand, as it is a small surface;)



So, the fabrics are washed and ironed, ready to be cut & sewn.



To cut the bibs from the fabric template, I recommend the zig zag scissors, as in that way you will have nicer and easier sewing (without further need to eventually trim the pieces). HERE you can find very nice article explaining why trimming the corners in sewing. I must admit that I am not doing this always, (and in the following pictures you will notice that I haven't do that because I used very narrow seam allowance), but with larger curves, it is really the best way.





After cutting the bib from the template, be sure to fold it lengthwise and check if both sides are the same (as the fabric will be shrinked, it is possible to have some minor discrepancies) and if needed, adjust the shape with scissors to obtain the equal sides.



Using the front bib shape, cut the same shape in backing fabric.



If using velcro, in this stage you can sew them in place, if prefer to not have the sewing lines visible, so you will have this situation:



And in this picture you will note the difference between sewing the Velcro at this stage or in the end.



So regarding this detail, choose yourself, but note that sewing the Velcro as the last thing is much easier;) Just sayin'. If you prefer to sew the Velcro at this point, be sure to cover the opposite pieces on the top of each Velcro piece,(that you can remove-strap after turning the bib inside out) as otherwise it will be very hard to turn the bib inside out through the gap( it may get stuck and damage the fabric)



Ok, so you need to place the front and back pieces on the top of each other, right sides together and pin them.



Sew the bib using the max. 1 cm (1/4") seam allowance and leaving the bottom gap open that will allow turning the bib inside out



Now, you can trim the bib (if still haven't) and turn it inside out and press the bib with iron



Stitch the outside of the bib all around, catching the opening closed this way



Sew the Velcro fastening at this point(suggested) in rectangular or circular shape upon preferences or apply the snap buttons on the marks (be sure that they will match properly-one side with another when the bib is connected)

Done:)





Hope you like it:)
Katarina

Free swatch day @ Spoonflower!!

August 18th is the Free Swatch Day at Spoonflower!
Spoonflower's Third Annual Free Swatch Day Starts Thursday, Aug. 18th, 2011
You can get a single free, custom fabric swatch for 24 hours between
noon EST on Thursday, August 18, and noon EST on Friday, August 19 with free shipping!!!

Read more about it HERE.

This is the great opportunity to get a piece of original design fabric for free and there are so many awesome designs to choose from:)
You can see some of mine available HERE

As the spoonflower prices are higher than when purchasing regular designer fabrics, I thought that it might be convenient thing to create the ready to cut and sew sets, where you get all in one: fabric, pattern and instructions.
So, there is a section with sewing patterns-templates where you can find them. I will also post here all the step by step instructions with photos once I get the designs.

Remember, this bag? Now, you can buy this template that will allow you to create one bag. Spoonflower post worldwide and you can easily pay through Paypal or with some of the major credit cards (even Serbian;), so it is a great thing!!!
This pattern fits one yard of linen cotton canvas which is a medium weight fabric with lovely texture, suitable for the bag making. It don't have the instructions printed, as I barely managed to fit all the pieces for the bag, without almost any millimeter free(which I think is a neat way to use properly one yard of fabric for one normally sized hand bag without having almost any scrap pieces left;) Those 3 spots you can see in blue, purple and brown, these are left for fabric buttons, eventually;)
I tested this bag pattern and created a lovely birthday present for my sister, Jelena.

If you don't have the experience with sewing bags, you should wait for the all step by step blog post and as I took all the pics in process of making it, I will hopefully, be able to post it soon;)



Also, thinking about babies and baby presents, I have created many sewing templates for baby bibs and can't wait to get them and make some bibs. I used the designs from my Playground collection , suitable for baby boys and girls. I can customize them, so once I test them, I will be able to offer some sort of- you design yourself bib set:)....thinking about the name of the baby etc...







And last, but not least, here is the softie family pattern. It is the fat quarter that will allow you creating 4 softie bears: Mama Bear, Papa Bear and baby boy and girl bear. Mine will arrive any day now (I hope), so that I can blog about it too;)
It is created for the next week, spoonflower's plushie contest.



Have a wonderful weekend,
Katarina

Summertime.....

It is getting HOT, hot over here and we are all eagerly expecting the 27 of July, when going to Greece, on vacation;)
I'm trying to finish all my projects: some ordered twirly skirts, headbands, bibs....





Of course, in beautiful Tanya's fabrics from Barefoot roses line

I finally made myself a new bag,too;) that can be order as a custom in my etsy




I was so lucky to got recently from Christine her new Summertime pattern available at Farbenmix and to do some test sewing....and I love it;)







Inspired by this juicy fruity fabric by Alexander Henry, I created some jewels, great for summer, available in my etsy too.



Looks yummy, don't you think???

And talking about yummy things, how about this delicious zucchini made on barbecue???



And also those delicious Peaches and cherries in Light Syrup Fruit made by my mom;O)



Kids loves them so much and the BEST thing is that the fruit is absolutely free of all toxins etc, as it comes from our garden;)...something like-directly from the trees......



As we have a river Danube very close to our weekend house, kids enjoyed the moments of walking through the water...it's not like the sea, but it is nice having the possibility to "chill the feet's" during the summer days




xo, Katarina