by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 30, 2015
Hello again! I just realized I’ve taken an unintentional week off. My parents are visiting with us for a few weeks and we are so excited to have them. As a result, though, I haven’t been as eager to get on the computer! I do have a super summery project tutorial coming up later this week, and today I’m posting a bit about our vacation.
Before all that I realized that I have not as yet posted the winners of the last two giveaways. Shame on me… here they are:
Seam Allowance Fabrics gave away a $30 Shop Credit to Kathy D. I hope you are enjoying it Kathy! {interview here}
Fabric Please! gave away a Thread Riding Hood Blogger Bundle to Pam P. Amazingly, we sent Pam her congratulatory email on her actual birthday! What are the odds?! {interview here} You can purchase your own Blogger Bundle from Fabric Please! and you can still get 15% off your purchases with the code THREAD15 until July 1, 2015!
We recently got back from Florida after a much needed 10 days away from our home. I find that since we are all in our home all the time – save business meetings and school – that we go a bit home-crazy every once in a while. We were so fortunate to get away, even if we did work a bit while we were there.
I love that owning our own businesses allows my husband and I work from anywhere in the world – as long as we have wifi! A chance of scenery is so good for us and we come home ready to work again.
On the last leg of the 19 hour drive home, I realized that I was surrounded by handmade. Literally! I packed in it, my kids and I were dressed in it and we stored the stuff in our bags in it too! When we got home I tried to photograph every handmade item as we unpacked. I was curious and wanted to know how much we really had with us and what we used everything for.
Since also love roundups of “things on white backgrounds” – here are the photographs. (Linked to their respective blog posts if applicable of course!) These are some of our most-used handmade items, since only the most useful things are deemed good enough to come on vacation with us! It is also fun to go through some of these older posts, the kids are so little, especially the pink and yellow Tennis Skort post below!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 22, 2015
I love when a long, planned project is finally finished. These Diamond String quilt-as-you-go pillows have been on my to-do list for so long now. Amazingly, two great reasons came at the same time so I could justify making a new project!
First, I wanted to use my Fabric Please! blogger bundle to make something, because I love the colours together! Second, PillowCubes contacted me to see if I wanted to review their pillow inserts. (P.S. Enter for a chance to win the blogger bundle until June 23, 2015.)
So…. Pillow fabric + Pillow Insert = Obvious obligation (*wink*) to make the tutorial you’ve been dying to try!
I’ve got a mini tutorial later on with the measurements for making your own 12″ x 16″ Diamond String pillow, but first a word about PillowCubes. When I first looked at their site I wasn’t sure what to expect. A pillow insert is a pillow insert, is a pillow insert, right? For my sample, I checked the list and ordered an Eco-Friendly 12×16 insert. May as well save the environment as much as possible!
When my sample arrived in a Flat Rate envelope I was amazed it would fit in there – turns out they are vacuum sealed to save space. Once opened, the pillow puffs up to its normal size. I love that the pillow is:
- made of good quality unbleached cotton (Less chemicals)
- stitched and edge-finished on 3 edges, the 4th is folded
- and the filling is distributed evenly and out to the corners
- the recycled filler is soft, and fluffy, just like it should be!
All in all I’m really pleased with the insert and I’m especially happy that it is Eco-Friendly. Though, they do have Polyester Fill, 3 types of Down Fill and Synthetic Down, if you’d like more options.
I also really like that you can save quite a bit of money ordering by the “cube” – a box of pillow inserts! If you don’t think you’ll use that many inserts, share with a couple of friends. Or get a box and use your stash to gift throw pillows to everyone this year. (Get a discount below!)
PillowCubes are American Made and ship from the US, they also ship to Canada and Internationally. My order (to Canada) arrived in only 9 days!
Use the discount code: ThreadRidingHood10 to get 10% off your first PillowCubes order. This code never expires! Use the discount code to purchase a sample pillow, a pillow cube or a custom order!
I always dread sorting out the math in my quilty projects, so I thought I’d write out the measurements I used below in case you want to make one too. It perfectly fits a 12″x16″ PillowCube insert!
- Cut 4 pieces of low loft batting as your foundation pieces – 7 1/4″ x 9 1/4″ (these are purposely oversized)
- Create your quilt-as-you-go Diamond String blocks. This tutorial was really helpful, use the batting as your foundation instead of muslin.
- Trim the blocks to 6 3/4″ x 8 3/4″ and stitch them together with a 1/4″ seam.
- Cut 2 backing pieces – 13″ x 13″ – for the envelope back. Hem the inside edge of each piece.
- Layer the pillow front with the envelope backs aligned to each side (hems in the centre). Baste the layers together.
- Bind the edge using your favorite machine/hand stitched binding method. You will need about 70″ of 2 1/2″ wide binding.
Now, just add your PillowCubes insert! Here is the easiest way to place your pillow form into the cover:
Reader Feedback: What is your favorite pillow cover tutorial?
Thanks for reading. Follow along and join me for “thread ride”!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by PillowCubes. I recieved a sample product and compensation for this post. I promise I will always write my own opinion and never review anything I don’t love myself. View our privacy policy.
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 18, 2015
I’m feeling especially patriotic today. It’s my turn to post on the Canadian Pattern Designer blog tour. I am super proud to be Canadian and connected with this group of designers. This tour is an amazing showcase of great patterns! (Discount below + lots of prizes to be won! Keep reading!)
Ula from Lulu and Celeste has organized a great bunch of bloggers over the past few months and each of us gets to showcase a different pattern from our selected Canadian Designer. I was so fortunate to get to play with Victory Patterns! Kristiann Boos is well known for her patterns and I was dying to make an Ava. I seem to keep collecting dressy tops when I am part of these blog hops – maybe that’s a sign I need to get out more?!
My general impression of the Ava pattern was that it is SO professionally put together! I happened to have about 4 pattens that I was putting together at the same time a few months ago and this pattern stood out way over and above the others. The way it is written, down to how it prints out and the directions and ease of finding what you need. I really enjoyed working with it.
I made this peplum top in voile, which I have never worked with before. It was easy to sew, I didn’t have any issues with the fabric at all. To make the top more modest (read: not see through!), I cut two layers of each pattern piece and then sewed everything pretending they were one piece. It worked really well, aside from the peplum skirt having a bit more body than I would like. It stands out from the top quite a bit and I could likely have only used one layer there.
Oh my goodness, can I say how proud I am? I survived attaching binding smoothly for the first time ever! Binding and me have a long standing mutual hate for each other, I was super afraid when I saw the neckline and sleeves were binding bound on this top. My tip is to go slow, really slow – and pin, a lot!
The neckline did give me a bit of trouble, but I found an amazing post on how to sew it on the DIY Fox. Her post about sewing the Ava Sweetheart Neckline was really helpful. I was nervous because quite a few bloggers were saying the two sides of the neckline weren’t even when they stitched it. Again – slow and steady wins the race. Mine isn’t perfect, but I only know that because I made it!
Just to add a bit to the list, the bust darts finish too high. It’s my own fault – I made them a bit wider to take in more fabric (a la small bust adjustment) and shouldn’t have added to the height. Argh. I could take them out and fix them – but I was on vacation while I was sewing it… so they stayed put, mostly because it still fit and didn’t show that much.
PATTERN REVIEW SUMMARY: Ava, by Victory Patterns, Version 3
Fabric: Black Madonna Voile, unknown “French Chic” lining fabric (both from Fabricland)
Here are a few things I love about it:
- Lots of proper notches and markings! This is a super professional pattern.
- Cutting layouts and required fabric listing is super clear for all 3 versions.
- The neckline! It’s so cute.
- The sheer (or not) upper bodice. I’ve seen amazing versions with regular woven material in the top, as well as lace – so many options!
The fit & my alterations:
- This pattern fits SO easily! This pattern fit the best (on my first muslin) out of any of the patterns I’ve made in the last few months.
- To make it fit my non-average measurements I:
- took in a bit on the sides and widen the dart. (Basically a small bust adjustment)
- extended the shoulder up to a size 10, graded back to a size 4 at the top of the bodice and graded to a size 8 at the bottom and through the peplum skirt
- Since I am long-waisted, I added 1″ to the length of the bodice.
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Things I changed from the original pattern:
- Nothing save alterations to the fit.
Things I might change next time:
- I really, really want to make one of these out of knit instead of woven – since I wear knits almost every day.
- I’d love to try the sleeveless version as well.
- I would not use a double-layer of voile in the peplum skirt, it gives it extra body which isn’t as flattering.
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There are SO MANY prizes to be won along this blog hop! Enter for your chance to win a Victory Pattern below. Find out how to win the Grand Prize here!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Victory Patterns is offering 15% off anything on their website using the discount code “CANADATOUR” from June 17 – 23, 2015. Thank you Kristiann!
Follow the Canadian Pattern Designer blog hop below. Link over to so much great Canadian information!
June 1 – 3 Gracious Threads – Interview : Creative Bug – The Wholesome Mama – stitched by crystal
June 4 – 6 Jalie – Interview: Shaffer Sisters – Call Ajaire – hibbadoray
June 8 – 10 Thread Theory – Interview: Handmade Boy – Rebel & Malice – Sew Out of Control
June 11 – 13 Audrey & Tiffany – Interview: All Things Katy! – Not Sew Fast – Conversas de Hermana
June 15 – 17 E+M Patterns – Interview: From-a-Box – Made by Sara – Climbing the Willow
June 17 – 19 Victory Patterns – Interview: Swoodson Says – Thread Riding Hood (that’s me!) – Sprouting JubeJube
June 18 – 20 FABulous Home Sewn – Interview: Create3.5 – Calm and Carrion – Stitches by Laura
June 22 – 24 Filles a Maman – Interview: Pattern Revolution – PhatQuarters – sewstarly – House of Estrela
June 24 – 26 Closet Case Files – Interview: gloria june – Rebel & Malice – Sew Far North
June 25 – 27 Elegance & Elephants – Interview: Sprouting JubeJube – AmandaRose – Mae & K
June 29 – 30 Lulu & Celeste: new makes and a round up post
July 1st Last day to enter Giveaways and Final Round up Post!
Reader Feedback: Have you made any of the Victory Patterns? How did you like it?
Thanks for reading. Follow along and join me for “thread ride”!
And what is a good post without a tiny photo bomber and her “new rock”?!
Disclaimer: I received the Ava pattern from Victory Patterns in return for this post. My opinions are always my own and I do not promote things I don’t love. Thanks for reading!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 16, 2015
Hello to you! We are back and rested from our vacation so it’s time for another Canadian Online Fabric Store series interview! I’m so pleased to introduce Rita, owner of online Canadian shop Fabric Please! today. She has a brand new shop with a not-so-new background. You may know Rita better as author of the blog Pin Pricked Fingers.
I had the pleasure of meeting Rita at the Spring Creativ Festival and it was so much fun to chat with her. Today she’s bringing you a discount and a bundle giveaway from her shop. She is based out of Ontario, Canada – and ships worldwide. (The giveaway is open internationally too!)
“I’m married, I have a 13 year old son and we have two of the goofiest Portuguese Water Dogs on the planet! My family keeps me grounded, fulfilled and laughing. I’ve lived long enough to know it’s more important to enjoy your work so you can enjoy your life. In a nut shell, that’s why I started Fabric Please! I started the business in February 2015 and I’m loving every minute of it!” ~ Rita, owner of Fabric Please!
Alright – here are some of my favorites from her shop…. always the hardest and most fun part of these interviews. I get to drool over the whole shop (figuratively of course!) trying to choose which fabrics to feature.
Thread Riding Hood: Why did you decide to start Fabric Please!?
Rita: I’ve been in the alternative health field (registered massage therapist) for 25 years and I’ve been looking for another career that is a bit gentler on my body. I’ve been a sewist most of my life and have had a love affair with fabric since I can remember. It just seemed like a natural fit.
Thread Riding Hood: What is your favorite type of sewing project? Quilting, Apparel… ?
Rita: I prefer quilting and home decor projects. I like the (almost) instant gratification from transforming a space with fabric. I dabble in apparel but it’s not my forte.
Thread Riding Hood: What is something coming up in the near future that you are especially excited about?
Rita: I’m just so excited about all of it! It’s such a new business, I’m still in the honeymoon faze of it all! If I had to narrow it down, I’m especially looking forward to the Fall Creativ Festival. I love the interaction with my customers. I love working with them to choose the perfect fabric for that special project they are working on or having them find something that sparks a new project idea.
Thread Riding Hood: Thanks Rita!
One lucky reader will win the 9 fat quarter bundle pictured above! This giveaway is is extra fun for me, because I got to choose the bundle Rita is giving away! She offered to let me choose a blogger bundle from her shop just after she opened and we decided to pair it with this interview and giveaway. If you can’t wait to see if you won the bundle, you can also buy them in her shop!
I’m going to use my bundle to make a quilt-as-you go pillow or two. Something like this Maureen Cracknell Diamond Strings quilt I recently saw. I think these colours will be perfect for it! I can even use the yellow and green in the centre to create the middle diamond shape. (edited: I made the pillow!)
This giveaway is open to everyone, from today (June 16th) until midnight June 23, 2015. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter – and if you don’t have Facebook to sign in with, just use your name and email address. There’s a “click to enter”, no social media login entry too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
We are super lucky because Rita has decided to also offer a discount along with her interview. Use the discount code “THREAD15” to save 15% on your order at Fabric Please! until July 1, 2015!
I couldn’t resist choosing a few more of my favorites. Have fun stashing! (P.S. All Fabric Please! shipping costs are flat rate – Canada $8, US $15, International $30!)
Thanks for reading. Don’t miss a post – Follow along below!
Disclosure and Privacy Policy: I asked Fabric Please! to be a part of this series. I will never recommend or highlight a shop that I do not love, and my opinions will and have always been my own. Thanks for reading!
by Sherri Sylvester | Jun 11, 2015
Sooooo… I’ve been hoarding this fabric since last summer, because, of course – it is the super popular Cotton + Steel Mustang fabric from last spring’s collection. (Of course!)
Lately, though, I have been thinking that hoarding gorgeous fabric just means it sits on my shelf. So I’ve been using it up instead. Now it’s a cute First Day top (and a sunglasses case) and I have some left over for something else. I’m thinking tiny shorts maybe?
This top is a wearable muslin for the Tula Pink Elizabeth First Day dress I made my youngest last month. She’s grown a bit since last summer’s First Day dress so it’s a good thing I made a muslin for this one! Turns out, since this version does not have an empire waist, that she needs a size 7 around and a size 4 length, neckline and shoulder. I love that this pattern is so well put together. It’s super easy to alter!
I hadn’t made a top from this pattern as yet and I can see making a lot more. The dress is already quick, and the top is a bit faster and uses less fabric. LOVE that I can fit these into the smaller pieces I have left over from my projects.
I bought this fabric from Fabric Spark last summer, so it is now out of stock – you can check out their current Cotton + Steel stock though. Watch out – you might need all of them!
Reader Feedback: What is your go-to girl’s dress pattern? Or little boy’s shirt, if that works better for you!
Thanks for reading. Follow along and don’t miss a post!
