Monday, March 28, 2016

Sew-Along #32 - School Days Jacket - Preparations

The School Days Jacket by Oliver+S

Items to Collect 

*Note: Links to products within this post are either links to our website or affiliate links. 
 
1. You must have the School Days pattern to be able to take part in this sew-along.  If you have not yet purchased this, please do so here. This pattern is an instant download and you will have access to download it as soon as your purchase is completed.

2. If you do not have fabric for the project you will want to purchase some.  At the time of this writing we have have lots of fabric kits available.  We also have lots of nice fabric selections on our website.
Note: We greatly appreciate your purchase of patterns and kits from us.  These purchases help pay for the sew-alongs and allow us to continue to offer them, along with the great prizes we give away. Thank you for your support!

3. The jacket requires three 3/4" buttons.  Again, fabric kits came with buttons, so if you purchased one, you are set.
4. If not using laminate, the button tabs require fusible interfacing.  All non-laminate fabric kits come with this.  If you have not purchased a kit from us you will want to make sure you have enough interfacing on hand to complete the project.

5. You will need Velcro for the inside of the jacket.  All kits came with Velcro coins for this purpose.

6. You will also need pins if you are not using laminate fabric.  If you are working with laminate it's best NOT to use pins. Wonder Clips will be your friend.
7. A disappearing ink fabric marker. This will be important to have on hand if working with the laminate. 

 8.  When working with laminated fabrics it's very helpful to have a nonstick presser foot.  If you do not own one or can not purchase one you may also use scotch tape and tissue paper.  Sharon will be going over this method in our sew-along lessons.

9. And finally, you will need a sewing machine, a good iron (if NOT using laminate - DO NOT iron laminated fabric!), a pair of fabric shears or a rotary cutter and mat, and a quilting ruler. 

Things to Do 
 1. Make sure to download the pattern PDF onto your computer, tablet, or smart phone. Your pattern will be located in your order history on our site.  Log into your account, then click on the My Account at the very top right hand side of our site.  You will then see a list of your orders.  Click on the correct order and a download link will be available.

2. Please make sure to have printed your pattern pieces and taped them together before lesson 1.  We have not included this part in the lesson. Do NOT cut out your fabric yet.  Sharon has a tip about cutting out your fabrics that she will be sharing in the first lesson.

3. To prewash or not to prewash?

Laminated Cotton Kits - If you ordered a laminate kit DO NOT prewash your fabrics. You CAN NOT wash laminated cotton or you will ruin it. If your laminate becomes dirty later, just wipe it down with a damp cloth.

Twill and Denim Kits - If you ordered a twill or denim kit please make sure to prewash and preshrink all of your fabrics. I wash my fabrics on warm or hot and then I dry my fabrics in the dryer with no softeners. I always preshrink in this way when I am using fabric for clothing construction. I would hate to work hard on something only to have it shrink and not fit when I was done.  

I also prewash my fusible interfacing to preshrink it. This will prevent any wrinkles or waves that might arise when you iron or launder your garment.  To prewash your interfacing simply soak it in a sink for about 5 minutes in very warm water.  You don't want the water too hot to avoid removing the iron-on finish, but you do want it warm enough to shrink the interfacing.  After soaking, just pat it with a clean towel and hang it to dry. 

4. Don't forget to join our Whimsical Fabric & Me Group so you can post your progress pictures.

The Prizes
Did someone say something about a prize? I love prizes and I know you do also. At the close of the School Days Sew-Along we will be giving away a year's worth of Oliver+S PDF patterns to one lucky winner! The winner will receive 4 patterns of their choice upon winning and then 1 pattern of their choice each month for the remainder of 2016! Make sure to join the Facebook Group so you have a chance to win this amazing prize! This prize package is worth over $200! Wow!
We will give out entries for the prize drawing at the end of the sew-along. There are three different ways to earn entries into the prize drawing.

1. At the end of each lesson posted on this blog there will be a link to add a picture of your completed lesson into a photo album on our Whimsical Fabric & Me Facebook group. Each day that you turn in an assignment on time you will receive 1 entry per item you create. Thus, the more items you make, the more entries you will receive.

2. We will also award 1 entry for purchasing the School Days pattern from us using the coupon code SewAlongSavings from the Sew-Along #32 Category. 

3. In addition, if you purchased a kit from the Sew-Along #32 Category we will award you another 4 entries for each kit purchased. That's twice as many points as you normally get, so grab yourself a kit (or two) today!  *Note: Patterns purchased within the kit count as pattern purchases outlined in step #2 above. 
 
Happy Sewing,
Danielle Storm
www.whimsicalfabric.com 

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Happy Easter from Whimsical Fabric - Save 20%


Hoping you and your family have a wonderful Easter Sunday.
After the egg hunt and dinner hop on over to Whimsical Fabric to Save 20% off your entire order.
Use the coupon code: EASTER2016
This coupon code is valid Easter Sunday and the following Monday only.

Happy Creating!
Danielle Storm
 
www.whimsicalfabric.com

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

School Days Sew-Along Prize Giveaway - A Year of Oliver+S



Have you grabbed your School Day Jacket sew-along pattern and kit?  There is still time. The jacket is a fairly easy pattern with amazing results. We will be teaching how to sew it with both laminate and non-laminate fabrics. You won't want to miss out on this sew-along. Grab your kits today!


The Sew-Along Prize Giveaway
Did someone say something about a prize? I love prizes and I know you do also. At the close of the School Days Sew-Along we will be giving away a year's worth of Oliver+S PDF patterns to one lucky winner! The winner will receive 4 patterns of their choice upon winning and then 1 pattern of their choice each month for the remainder of 2016! Make sure to join the Facebook Group so you have a chance to win this amazing prize! This prize package is worth over $200! Wow!
We will give out entries for the prize drawing at the end of the sew-along. There are three different ways to earn entries into the prize drawing.

1. At the end of each lesson posted on this blog there will be a link to add a picture of your completed lesson into a photo album on our Whimsical Fabric & Me Facebook group. Each day that you turn in an assignment on time you will receive 1 entry per item you create. Thus, the more items you make, the more entries you will receive.

2. We will also award 1 entry for purchasing the School Days pattern from us using the coupon code SewAlongSavings from the Sew-Along #32 Category. 

3. In addition, if you purchased a kit from the Sew-Along #32 Category we will award you another 4 entries for each kit purchased. That's twice as many points as you normally get, so grab yourself a kit (or two) today!  *Note: Patterns purchased within the kit count as pattern purchases outlined in step #2 above. 

Happy Creating!
Danielle Storm

www.whimsicalfabric.com


Sunday, March 13, 2016

Announcing the Whimsical Fabric Voile Blog Tour



I'm excited to announce that we have a special blog tour starting this week. Five wonderful bloggers have created some fabulous items using voile and patterns Whimsical Fabric stocks. 


Be sure to check out all the posts this week.
So many different uses for Voile!
3/14: Larissa from Connected by a Thread
3/15: Denita from Hattielu Handmade
3/16: JaNette from Merri Poppins
3/17: Sharon from Sweet Pea & Pumpkins
3/18: Stacey from From a Box 


Make sure to shop voile on the Whimsical Fabric website. Use the coupon code: VOILE to save 10% on your entire voile order! The coupon expires Thursday, March 24th at midnight CST. 

Happy Creating!
Danielle Storm

www.whimsicalfabric.com

Saturday, March 12, 2016

March Raincoat and Spring Coat Sew-Along Kits are Available


Our March sew-along kits are now available on the website. We will be sewing the Oliver+S School Days Coat.

  
We have kits with both laminated fabric for making raincoats and twill and denim for making an everyday spring coat. Both options will be covered in the sew-along lessons.

http://www.whimsicaldesignsclothing.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=367_601
  
The sew-along runs Wednesday, March 30th thru Tuesday, April 5th and all lessons will be posted on this blog/newsletter in addition to being posted in our Facebook group, Whimsical Fabric & Me.

http://www.whimsicaldesignsclothing.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=367_601
  
Grab your kit today. We have a limited number of kits available. Please use the coupon code SewAlongSavings to save 10%. 

http://www.whimsicaldesignsclothing.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=367_601

Our sew-alongs are a great chance to have lots of fun, learn some new skills, and win some great prices. I hope you will join us!
 
Happy Creating!
Danielle Storm

www.whimsicalfabric.com


Monday, March 7, 2016

March Quilt-Along Challenge


Hello! Sharon here with our March Quilt Block Tutorial. This is our third block in our year long scrap quilt along. In case you missed the announcement in January, I will give you a little recap. On the first Monday of each month, I will teach one quilt block pattern. You have until the last Monday of the month to sew your quilt block(s) and enter them into the album in our Facebook group, Whimsical Fabric & Me, and/or blog about your quilt blocks and link up your blog post in our link party (see below).

This months block is a fun one and a favorite of mine. I just made a whole quilt using these blocks; they are so fun and can change the look of a quilt based on the placement and colors you use. You can make a pinwheel or even a chevron pattern if you make each block identical. This month's block is designed to use all your longer pieces of scrap fabric.

Prizes
Each block that you sew and enter into the Facebook Album, will count as one entry into our monthly drawing. If you make two blocks, that is two entries. Make four blocks, that is four entries, and so on and so on. There will be a prize drawing each month.

In addition to the prize giveaway on the Facebook group, we also have a monthly Link Up Party. Blog about your entry and link up your post and you will automatically be entered to win a second prize.

Note: You CAN enter both giveaways to increase your chances of winning!
 
Supply List:
*quilter mat
* rotary cutter
*quilter's ruler
*your long scrap fabric pieces

1. First take out all your longer length scraps. They do not need to be the same length as we will trim them down later on. Cut them into 2" wide pieces by the length of the scrap fabric.

2. Next take two pieces and place them with right sides facing, matching up the raw edges.

3. Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance down one side only.

4. Press the seam facing upwards. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the third strip of fabric. And press the seam facing downwards.

5. Trim up the first edge so that it is square. This will give our block a nice shape for sewing our quilts later on.

6. Next we will cut out the blocks into our squares. (This method of sewing/cutting quilt blocks is called strip quilting.) All my blocks are going to be cut into 4 3/4" lengths. If your blocks are 5" please cute your blocks into 5" lengths. I sew mine all with a generous 1/4" seam allowance so after trimming my blocks they measure 4 3/4". Keep cutting down your strip until you can no longer any more full sized blocks.

7. Now onto the left over pieces! This is why I said that each strip could be different lengths, they will not go to waste at all. Cut out them into 2" lengths. If you have groups of three or even two they can be used still. Remember January's BOM? These are perfect to make a few more of those up!

I keep a gallon sized zip-lock bag hanging up in my sewing room just for these small scraps.  I call it my rainy day fun bag. One day my daughter's doll will get a quilt made from some of these scraps.

That is it, we now have our finished blocks! I think that you will find these sew even quicker than last month's blocks and you can make a dozen of these in no time at all.

Facebook Group
After you have sewn all your blocks together for this month please go over to our Facebook Group and share each of your blocks in our March Quilt Along Album for a chance to be entered into our monthly drawing! You have until Monday, March 28 at 12:00 pm (noon) CT to enter your blocks.

Link Up Party
In addition, if you blog, write up a short blog post about your quilt-along block(s) and link up your post in our Link Up Party. The button is located below. In addition:

1. Grab the February graphic, share it in your blog post, and link it back to this post here to let all of your followers know you are partying with us.
2. Share about your blog post on all your favorite social media outlets.
Note:We will be sure to visit and comment on your blog. We love interacting with our followers!

Remember, there is no required amount that you need to make. Make as many or few as you would like.

Happy Sewing!
Sharon

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Celebrate Seuss Day Sale

http://www.whimsicaldesignsclothing.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_527
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! 
Come celebrate Seuss with Whimsical Fabric. 
All Seuss Fabric is 15% off today only. 
Hurry, sale ends at 11:59pm MT tonight.

Happy Creating!
Danielle Storm

www.whimsicalfabric.com

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

March Tutorial Tuesday - Easter Basket


Larissa Gibbs of Connected by a Thread brings us our March Tutorial Tuesday.

 **Note, click on the pictures to enlarge them for better detail**

Fabric Requirements
1/2 yard Main Fabric
1/2 yard Lining Fabric
Pellon SF 101
Peltex 71F
Wonder Under
Scraps: white, black, pink for face

All seams are 1/2" unless otherwise specified.

Cut - (WxH)
Base:
12" x 12" : 1 exterior, 1 lining, 2 SF 101
11" x 11": 1 Peltex 71F

Sides:
12" x 6" : 4 exterior, 1 SF 101
11" x 5" : 4 Peltex 71F

Strap:
31" x 4" : 1 exterior, 1 SF 101
30" x 3/4": 1 Peltex 71F


Bunny Face FMA (optional)
Cut out all pieces, using the template. Click here to download the template.  Following the directions for the Wonder Under, fuse it to all face and ear pieces, leaving the paper on.  

Remove the paper backing on the inner eye and ear pieces.  Layer them on the outer pieces and fuse.  

Use wonder under to secure your face pieces to one of the side panels.  Stitch around and add details using Free Motion Applique (FMA).  Be sure to lower your feed dogs before starting your FMA.  

Basket Construction
1.  Fuse SF101 to all pieces.

2.  Apply Peltex 71F to all exterior pieces except handle, leaving 1/2 around all sides.  

3.  Sew two side pieces RST along one short edge.  Open and press seam.  Repeat with remaining side pieces.

4.  Place side pieces RST and sew along short ends, creating a square hoop.

5.  Pin/clip the bottom to the sides RST.  Sew along all four sides to create your basket.  Go slow around the corners easing the fabric as needed.  

6.  Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the lining.  

7.  Turn the lining right side out and place inside the main fabric with right sides together.  Sew around the top, leaving a 4" opening to turn.  

8.  Turn and press well.  Topstitch along the top of the basket.  

9.  Fold your handle in half along the long edge, wrong sides together and press.  Open up and fold one edge to the center.  Repeat with the other side.  Fold in half along your original fold line and press well.  Open and place your stabilizer strip inside; fold back and press well.  Fold each end in by 1/2" and press well again.

10.  Topstitch along the entire length of the strap about 1/8" from the edge.  

11.  Center the handle on one side of the basket, placing the bottom of the handle 1 1/2" down from the top edge of the basket,  Sew in a a square, making sure to double stitch for added security.

12.  Repeat on the opposite side of the basket with the opposite end of the handle.

13.  Add ears, where desired.  Either hand or machine stitch in place.

14.  Press well with a lot of steam to get all of the wrinkles out.

And enjoy your bag!

Larissa Gibbs
Connected by a Thread: Blog   
Connected by a Thread: Facebook