Sew Illustrated - Book Tour and Giveaway

Have you ever seen the stunning creations of Minki Kim - well you need too if you haven't already.  Seriously this is one very talented lady with a sewing machine and thread and what she turns them into is nothing short of amazing.

Sew Illustrated - 35 Charming Fabric and Thread Designs is an amazing book by Minki and Kristen.  I totally admit that I have been really intimidated to give Sewing Illustration a go as I thought it was way out of my league.  After reading through the Tips and Techniques in this book - I was sure that I could give it a go.  These ladies have made a wonderful team creating and writing this book.

I decided to make the Tea Mats and using just a few simple supplies which I already had in my sewing room - set about making these.  Well these were so much fun to make. 

I just loved making these and although some of the lines were at times a little wonky I really enjoyed the process and want to give some of the other projects a go.  I can totally see that this type of sewing is totally addictive.

I thought that these Tea Mats were too cute and will be perfect for when friends drop over.

I really enjoyed reading this book with well written instructions and with Minki and Kristen taking you through the steps it was easy to create these fun projects.  Definitely stop by Minki's blog for all her sewing illustration - she is such an inspiration.

C & T Publishing are generously giving away a copy of Sew Illustrated at every stop on the blog tour. If the winner is in the USA, they will receive a hard copy of the book. If the winner is International, they will win an eBook.  To enter, just leave a comment below. Giveaway is open world wide until September 3, 2016. 

You can check out all the amazing creations by all the talented bloggers here 

August 15: C&T Publications

August 16: Amy at nanaCompany

August 17: Wynn at zakkaArt

August 18: Sedef at Down Grapevine Lane

August 19: Lisa at A Spoonful of Sugar

August 20: Amy at chick chick sewing

August 21: Stacy at Stacy Olson

August 22: Debbie happy little cottage

August 23: Generation Q Magazine

August 24: Faith at Sarana Ave

August 25: Ayda at  cafenohut

August 26: Melissa at Oh, how sweet

August 27: Jemima at Tied with a Ribbon

August 28: Veronica at Vivid Felicity

August 29: Sharon at Lilabelle Lane Creations

August 30: Nadra at ellis & higgs

August 31: Kristyne at pretty by hand

September 1: Elnora on Instagram

September 2: Jennie at Clover and Violet

September 3: Auribuzz

September 4: Minki at Minki’s Work Table and Kristin at They Grow Up Too Fast

Happy Sewing

Jemima x 

Hexie Love Actually Oceans Blanket

Back in March this year I started this Hexie Love Actually Blanket by Bonnie of Pink Stitches.  I had long been a fan of Bonnie's work over in Instagram and just amazed at the stunning blankets that she makes.  You should go over and check out her work - you will be blown away.  During my back surgery earlier this year, this crochet blanket was just what I needed to help relax and recover.  Little did I know just how addicted to these crochet hexagons I would become.

My young Godson will be gifted this blanket later this year for his birthday.  He has watched as I crochet and always asked if I would make him a blanket of his own so I knew that he would just love this mix of Blues and Greens.

Yarn - Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece 

(DK 80% Cotton, 20% Wool)

Hook - Clover 4.5mm (7)

Diameter of each Hexie - 3.5in

Size - 41in x 52in (104cm x 132cm)

Total number - 217 Hexagons

Weight - 1.25kg (approx 13 balls)

I have long been a fan of this Cotton Fleece as for kids blankets it is nice and soft.  The cost is economical for a 100gm ball and the range of colours if great.  I love working with Cotton and although it can tend to split a bit - just as most cotton will - I actually really love the finished look and texture that it creates.

I was very quickly "hooked" on these hexes and could not get enough - making them in the car while I was waiting for kids to finish activities, in the doctors waiting rooms, on the couch, at the park - anywhere. While the blanket is Join-as-you-go it is actually quite a portable project as you make the rounds in the varying colours and then these can be joined later.

I absolutely enjoyed making this blanket and already have plans for the next one, and even the one after that!

Happy crocheting!

Jemima x x

Sweet Orchard Blog Tour by Down Grapevine Lane

Today is my stop on the Sweet Orchard Blog Tour.  Sweet Orchard for Riley Blake Designs is the debut collection from Sedef Imer from Down Grapevine Lane.  Sedef has created a very sweet range with a perfect mix of sweet characters as well as text and my favourite bias stripes.

I love the colours that Sedef has chosen for her first collection and she has even designed and amazing "Cheater print" for each of the colourways in the range.  This "Cheater Print" is a great piece to use for backing and when you want to have that overall patchwork look quickly without the fuss.  And speaking of fuss - there are prints with perfect Fussy cuts as well.

I chose to make with this beautiful bundle a Crochet Trim Blanket.  I wanted to leave the prints in large pieces to show off the collection and this pattern was perfect.

The quilt is a simple and quick quilt to put together and can even be done so with Charm Packs.  This quilt is all about letting the prints be the star - and these are surely beautiful.

I love how the mix of prints and colours work so well together.

This is my Crochet Trim Blanket and the pattern is available here.  

This quilt is my Amity's Garden Quilt - this was made for Spring Market that was held back in May in Salt Lake City.  This quilt was hanging in Sedef's Booth that debuted the line with Riley Blake.  Such a versatile collection for all styles of quilts and sewing projects.  

Sweet Orchard is in stores now and in Australia is distributed by Millhouse Collections.  

You can check out all the other wonderful and inspiring projects being made by the talented bloggers below - check them out

15 August Nadra ellisandhiggs.com 15 August Sarah alittlehappyplace.blogspot.co.uk 16 August Jemima tiedwitharibbon.com 16 August Anorina sameliasmum.com 17 August Lisa aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com 17 August Minki minkikim.com 18 August Kimberly fatquartershop.blogspot.com/ 18 August Keera livelovesew.com.au 19 August Cassie cassandramadge.com 19 August Liz & Elizabeth simplesimonandco.com 22 August Samantha aquapaisleystudio.com 22 August Xanthe wife-made.com 23 August Peta shequiltsalot.com 23 August Stacy stacyolsondesign.com 24 August Sharon lilabellelane.blogspot.com 24 August Amy diaryofaquilter.com 25 August Sarah piccolostudio.com.au 25 August Kristyne prettybyhand.com 26 August Jennie cloverandviolet.com 26 August Megan quiltstory.blogspot.com

Happy Sewing 

Jemima x x

The Farmers Wife 1930's Quilt-A-Long - #93 Starlight

Have you joined in The Farmers Wife 1930's Quilt Along ?- you can click here for all the details over at Angie from Gnome Angel Blog.

If you would like to grab a copy of the book you can do so here

The Farmer’s Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt: Inspiring Letters from Farm Women of the Great Depression and 99 Quilt Blocks That Honor Them by Laurie Aaron Hird for Fons & Porter/F+W; RRP $28.99 – Click here to purchase.

Sponsors for this great Sew Along are Fat Quarter Shop and Marti Mitchell

I am here today sharing all of my best tips and techniques for this block - 

#93 Starlight using Paper Foundation Piecing.

1. Tools I love to use when Paper Foundation Piecing include

Add a 1/4 Ruler

Clover Finger Presser

Open Toe Sewing Foot

Rotary Cutter

Rotating Cutting Mat

Pins

2. Always pre-sew your papers.  After printing out your pattern onto your paper (I just use regular printer paper) trim your pieces to the dotted line and then take out any thread from your machine (top and bobbin).  Sew over each of the lines to "punch" a hole into the paper.  This will make it easy to tear later with these perforated lines.  I love to use an Open Toe Foot on my machine for this - it makes it so much easier for you to see where you are sewing.

3.  When sewing your lines always turn the "Stitch Length" to 2.0.  This smaller stitch ensures the security of the stitching against tearing.  

Always "Backstitch"  at the beginning and ending of a line.   

Run your stitch from the middle out to past where the seam will finish.  This will ensure you don't have any holes in your pieces later once you join the next piece.

4. Use your "Add a Quarter" Ruler and Rotary cutter to cut the excess fabric from your piece.  This gives you a perfect 1/4in seam allowance.

5.  Using a "Finger Presser" will mean you don't have to run back and forth to the iron each time.  

6.  I like to hold the last piece to be sewn down with a pin.  As you can see here I have already sewn down piece B2 and next I will be adding piece B3 - the Pin is well out of the way of sewing line B3.  (NEVER sew over Pins!)  This pin will keep piece B2 out of the way while sewing the next piece.

7.  Always ensure you followed the lettered/number order to ensure all of your pieces are sewn in the correct order.  Place out all of your sewn pieces before sewing together to ensure you have each piece in the correct position and orientation.

8.  Press seams open when you Paper Foundation piece.  This ensures the bulk is distributed evenly.

I hope that helps with some of my best tips and techniques for Paper Foundation Piece sewing.

Here is the upcoming list of Blocks

02/08/2016: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com ; Marti @ Marti Michell

04/08/2016: Raylee @ Sunflower Quilting

09/08/2016: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com & Marti @ Marti Michell 

11/08/2016: Jemima @ Tied With a Ribbon

16/08/2016: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com & Marti @ Marti Michell

18/08/2016: Sherri @ A Quilting Life

23/08/2016: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com & Marti @ Marti Michell

25/08/2016: Janice @ Better Off Thread

30/08/2016: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com & Marti @ Marti Michell

01/09/2016: Lisa @ In the Boon Docks

06/09/2016: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com & Marti @ Marti Michell

08/09/2016: Sedef @ Down Grapevine Lane

13/09/2016: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com & Marti @ Marti Michell 

15/09/2016:  Kerry @ Kid Giddy

20/09/2016: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com & Marti @ Marti Michell

22/09/2016: Lisa @ Sweet Little Pretties

27/09/2016: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com & Marti @ Marti Michell

29/09/2016: Cat @ Cat & Vee

More sewing inspiration for this Quilt Along can be found at  #FQS1930FarmersWife

Happy Sewing

Jemima x x

High Tea Blog Tour

Today is my stop on the High Tea Blog Tour.  This is Jera of Quilting in the Rain's first collection for Lecien and it is simply lovely.    Delicate florals mixed with great co-ordinates and sweet tea cups and doily's.  If you love soft colours then this will be just the range you have been looking for.

The Charm pack was the perfect pack size to make one of my Kaleidescope Mini Quilt/Cushions with.    The mix of colours and prints is really sweet with this more subtle colour palette.  There are perfect prints to be able to fussy cut and then there are some which are lovely geometric style prints that match in really well to balance out the range.

It was great getting to meet Jera in person at Spring Market and her debut collection for Lecien is just so sweet.  The tiny florals too will appeal to all those who love floral prints.  I really love the red Jera has chosen with this collection.

High Tea is available now so look out for it in your local quilt store.  Whether you love making quilts or smaller projects then this range has all the bases covered.

You can check out all the other beautiful makes by the other bloggers here

Happy Sewing

Jemima

x x

Apple Farm Blog Tour

Today is my stop on the Apple Farm Blog Tour.  You all know that I just adore Elea Lutz designs and this latest collection for Penny Rose Fabrics is just her cutest.  I really love the small scale prints with florals and ginghams and the cutest little characters for which Elea has such a talent for.

Elea has such a style and flair for these sweet reproduction style prints.  I just love the cute detail and her addition of the brown in this collection was just perfect.  I really had trouble choosing a favourite print as it kept changing.  This is a great range that will be a lovely addition to your stash.

The colours Elea has chosen for this range are just so bright and the prints mix and match so well.  I knew it was going to be hard to stop at only one project and with the Apples I thought it perfect for some "Back to School" inspired projects.

This "Rainbow Drawing Folder" is one of our Sew Along Patterns.  I decided to change the star pattern we usually use and drew an apple instead for the front Appliqué.  

There is just the perfect mix of busy prints along with co-ordinates in this range. 

With lots of places for pens/pencils and book this Rainbow Drawing Folder has pockets also with zips to keep things safe inside to make it great when travelling.

Another great school inspired project I made with Apple Farm is my

"Colour My World Pencil Case" pattern.  

These are great fun and make a great gift to make.

I told you I had trouble stopping at one project to make with this range - this "On the Go Backpack"  by Heather Bailey is just a great pattern.  

I love the drawstring detail and the front pocket is a perfect size.  I saw this pattern on display at Quilt Market and was so excited when it was released.  

I will definitely be making more of these and think that they would be great as Christmas gifts.  The Yellow Gingham is definitely my favourite print from this range.

Apple Farm is now available and in Australia is Distributed by Millhouse Collections.  Just such a sweet range from Elea - I can't wait to see what she has in store for her next range.

Both the "Rainbow Drawing Folder" and "Colour My World Pencil Case" are available as a PDF download or wholesale through Creative Abundance.

Next up on the Apple Farm Blog Hop is Anorina and Kimberly. Hop over today and tomorrow to see what they made!

Happy Sewing

Jemima

x x