by Sherri Sylvester | Jul 13, 2015
Time for Giveaway No. 2! Woo Hoo! Don’t forget to come back, there will be 2 giveaways listed each day this week and 3 on Friday! (Find out more or Link to all of the giveaways)
Many thanks to Flare Fabrics for today’s second giveaway. I saw her check shot cotton at Creativ Festival this year and got to use if to make a super-cute Ella Top earlier this year.
“At Flare Fabrics, Canadian sewists will find shelves of quality handmade batiks following traditional, time honoured methods alongside bold, contemporary fabrics that bring flair to any project. Online only, dedicated to reaching all Canadians.” ~ Flare Fabrics
Marlene’s Sewing Tip: Press, don’t iron. Press once to set your seam, then either press the seam to either one side or open. Then press again from the front. Pressing means picking your iron up and moving it along the fabric, overlapping as you go. Don’t iron! Ironing — where you slide the iron in a back and forth motion across the fabric — easily stretches and distorts the fabric. And don’t wait until the end to press – press as you go. This is true whether you’re sewing a quilt, clothing or — well, actually anything and everything.
Flare Fabrics is generously giving away a 5 Half Metre Bundle of Paint by Carrie Bloomston of Such Designs. Bundle includes Lotus Garden in Coral, Lotus Garden in Sea Glass, Coral Staggered Stripe and blenders Terra Cotta and Aqua. Yippee!
This giveaway is open to readers in Canada and the US, from July 13 to July 20 at midnight EST. 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
Don’t Forget! Discount Weekend coming July 18/19…
by Sherri Sylvester | Jul 13, 2015
Today is the first day of the Thanks to YOU Week Giveaways! I am SO EXCITED to begin and can’t wait to see who will win these fabulous giveaways. Don’t forget to come back, there will be 2 prizes each day this week and 3 on Friday! (Find out more or Link to all of the giveaways)
Today’s giveaway is from Mad about Patchwork. I put them first on the list because they are the shop that started it all. I think they were one of the first Canadian Shops I ordered fabric from, and they were the first shop I interviewed here on the blog!
“Shop by collection, colour or designer from our awesome selection of modern fabrics. With over 200 bolts of Kona solids in stock you can find almost any shade you need for your project. Every month we feature a different spectrum at 10% off – your chance to save on Kona cotton all year long. For fans of the Cotton + Steel collective, there’s still time to join our Spring 2015 Club, expected to start shipping later this month. Get all the details here.” ~ Mad about Patchwork
Pam’s Sewing Tip: Use the best thread you can afford. We tend to spend a lot of money on fabric, but forget that the thread is going to have to hold it all together. My favourite is Aurifil.
This giveaway is open to International readers, from July 13 to July 20 at midnight EST. 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
Don’t Forget! Discount Weekend coming July 18/19…
by Sherri Sylvester | Jul 11, 2015
It’s finally here! I am so pleased to introduce Thanks to YOU Week at Thread Riding Hood! Today I am celebrating Thread Riding Hood’s 3 Year Blogiversary. Exactly 3 years ago today I was writing this. Crazy to think how far this blog has come since then – and YOU have been right here with me. Amazing, and so humbling.
I have so many moments when I stop to think about the readers I have never met – the ones following along week after week. Moments of disbelief. Are they really there? Is Google Analytics just messing with me?! Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that “shy Sherri” would be able to share this journey with so many people. Lots that I can now call friends! YOU have made it all possible.
Thank you so much for coming back. Reading more. Commenting. (LOVE the comments the most!) Buying the patterns and downloading tutorials. Sharing your projects. (SHARING is my second favorite thing!) Emailing – really anything – comments, questions, encouraging notes. It all exists Thanks to YOU! (Voila, the title of the week)
And now I get to give back a little with this amazing Giveaway Week that ends in a grand finale with a 15 shop Discount Weekend!
I’ve had the idea for this week in the back of my head for about a year now. And I am so grateful to all of of the fabric shops that have made it possible! (Round of applause for them please?!) I have worked previously with these 11 amazing shops and they graciously provided all of the amazing giveaways. They also all happen to be , and I am so proud of Canadians and our growing sewing presence.
Enough of me being sappy?! Here’s how it works:
- Everyday this week (Monday – Friday) I will be posting 2 or 3 giveaway posts.
- Each post has a new giveaway from one of the (amazing!) shops listed below (You’ll have to come back to see what they are giving away! I know, suspenseful right?!)
- Grab some great sewing tips! Each shop told me their favorite and they’re GOOD, I’m
stealing using them all!
- Enter for your chance to win the giveaway.
- One new person will win each prize and I’ll be posting the names next week.
- COME BACK and grab your discount codes! The 14 shops participating will be revealed at midnight on Friday, 17th. Save up this week and treat yourself on the weekend!
Ready for it?! I will be posting each giveaway here or link to all of the giveaways here.
Come back often so you don’t miss anything! Enjoy!
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!
