Gingercake's On the Go Organizer (Giveaway)

I hope your Thanksgiving was as great as mine. Last week was full of carefree family time and high-calorie meals. But when I woke up back at home Monday morning, I realized it was December 2nd, and I was completely unprepared for it. Damn you, late Thanksgiving! I'm not usually a person who lives my days in checklist form, but now it's time to get serious. 

At least now I have one gift checked off, thanks to Virginia of Gingercake (and a second cut out!) This is her On the Go Organizer, which might now become my go-to quick gift this year. It was so fun to pick out coordinating fabrics from my scrap pile and come up with a really polished finished product, thanks to a thorough and enjoyable pattern. I found this old piece from AMH's Innocent Crush line which is probably one of my favorite prints ever. I had just enough for the outside of my organizer.

The inside pocket is RK's Essex linen in black, same as the contrast on the outside. The lining and pockets are more little scraps. I love the way the pattern has you zig-zag stitch the pockets on. So much less bulky!

This will be a teacher gift that I'll probably fill with a couple of goodies like this. There are so many different uses for an organizer like this, and I think I'll eventually need my own since I might be the most unorganized person I know. 

It's nice and sturdy with layers of interfacing and batting in the middle, and I had to use my walking foot when it came time to put it all together. But even then, I broke my needle into three pieces while topstitching and I'm pretty unhappy with my stitch consistency. This is not because the pattern uses too many layers though... I think I'm finally realizing that it's time to upgrade my machine. I think saving up money for a Juki needs to be my big goal in the new year. It's exciting to think about purchasing my own machine, because I didn't get to pick out the two I've owned so far. They've been great to me, but I do A LOT of sewing and quilting. I need a real workhorse!

Anyway, another thing I really love about this pattern is the cute button closure. I didn't have any elastic cording, so I just used this aqua fold over elastic, which worked great. I think a long piece of leather cording wrapped around the button a few times would also be really cute.

Want to win your own copy of Gingercake's Organizer PDF pattern? Just leave a comment and your email. I'll pick a winner Friday, December 6. Also be sure to check out Gail's beautiful organizers, and look around the Gingercake pattern shop for more wonderful gift ideas.

Roly Poly Pinafore- Review and Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Roly Poly Pinafore blog tour. This is a new pattern from my in real life friend, Rachael of Imagine Gnats. 

Let me tell you about Rachael. She is really funny, really generous, and totally going places. I wish I had her drive! I've never known someone who can bring ideas to life as fast and as well as she does. It's like she just goes around whipping her world into shape. I can never wait to see what she does next!

So this pattern is one of the most recent accomplishments from Rachael. (Hey, I think I'll try writing children's patterns...poof! Nailed it.) It's downright adorable. And it's also quick, easy to make and fun to pick fabric for and customize. What else could you need in a  summer pattern?

For my version I used a Lotta Jansdotter dot from here Bella line, and the glasses print from Riley Blike's Geekly Chic. Both were stashed from Sewn Studio, and I had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use them together. The lining is a lovely and light Kaffe Fassett shot cotton my mom got for me at a recent quilt show. (Thanks mom!) 

The skirt she's wearing here is a corduroy Oliver & S Sailboat skirt I finished up during KCW. 

I love the sweet pleat detail that Rachael added to this classic kids shape. It's perfect. I chose some great tealy-green buttons for the shoulders from my vintage collection. (They really bring out the food on her face.)

This is the second day in a row Elsie has worn this top. It just looks great with everything and I want make her about a dozen now. I love how sweet her shoulders look in it and when her little baby back peeks out.

She is normally wearing a 2 in most patterns, but for this I cut a size 1 but lengthened it to a 2. I'm glad I read Tara's post about that before making mine. (You have to check out her version, it's geniusly cute!)


Even though I honestly think you should run and buy this pattern immediately, Rachael has been kind enough to offer a giveaway to one lucky reader. To enter, just leave any comment. Please remember to include your email so I can contact the winner! One entry only please, open to anyone.

Sew Sweetness Pattern Giveaway

Hey guys, today I'm over at Mama Says Sew talking all about my fun new Aeroplane Bag. But after you check out my pictures and full pattern review there, come back and leave a comment here for your chance to win any three Sew Sweetness patterns you want! 

I'll pick three (3!!) winners this Friday. You can tall me which pattern in Sara's shop is your favorite, or just tell me why you need to make a new bag. Don't forget to include your email. Good luck!

Giveaway Day! (Yup, it's the Ornaments.)

So I've been blogging for a while now, and somehow I always manage to be completely oblivious to the fact that Sew Mama Sew's giveaway day is coming. Every single everloving time. This time, I caught wind last night. Phew. I was still tempted to get lazy, but I knew if I did I would later regret missing out on the fun.

And besides that, I have to celebrate/announce/getsweatyinmyarmpitsabout the fact that I've decided to re-open the old Etsy shop! (OLD. I'm talking, it's been awhile- like since before I got an iPhone and before anyone knew Mitt was a name.)



I bet you will be shocked and flabbergasted to find out that I'm selling....

....these. Are you sick of them yet? People seem to be partial to nostalgia in felt form at Christmas time. We'll see if their wallets are equally partial. Am I taking down the free pattern and tutorial for these? No way. You should still make them for yourselves and for your Christmas gifts if you want to. Just don't do other things that might be considered mean by most humans.



But for YOU today, no wallets need be involved if you would like to try to win your own set! All 7 hand stitched felt ornaments can be yours, just enter by leaving me a comment telling me what your favorite Christmas TV special was growing up. Obviously, it doesn't have to be CB, there are many good ones to choose from. I'll choose a winner at random by Friday.

A second random winner will get a full yard of this amazing fabric called Drop Cloth in Plum by Jay McCarroll for FreeSpirit.  I am lucky enough to have 2 yards of it. One for me, one for you. 

If you are new here from Sew Mama Sew, I'll hope you'll take a minute to look around A Little Gray. My name is Jessica and I sew A LOT. I've got a few new Christmas patterns and tutorials on the right sidebar there, just click on the pictures to see more. I've also got some other tutorials in the tab on top, mostly related to kids clothing. I sew very often for my 2 kids Hendrix and Elsie. If you want to see some of that stuff, you should check out the things I made for the sewing and design competition Project Run & Play. Or look at the movie-inspired kids clothing I've made in an ongoing series with Kristin called Film Petit. (We have a REALLY good one coming up in the next couple weeks!!!)  I make a lot of quilts and smaller projects as well. I hope you'll poke around and make yourself known. 

So thanks for coming over from Giveaway Day, I can't wait to read your comments. I'll be stitching up your ornaments while I do!

• Leave a comment about your have Christmas movie or tv special.
• Make sure your email address is in your comment or blogger account.
• One entry per person, two random winners by Friday.
• U.S. entries only please.

**** also be sure to check out the OTHER giveaway I have going on today for Go To Patterns!****

The Retro Romper: review and giveaway

This girl is ready to pounce.

I am enjoying so much all the girly things I've been getting to make her lately. But MAN is she hard to photograph. I think she is just about twice as wild as Hendrix ever was at her age, and definitely twice as clumsy.

So from wild Elsie and me, welcome to my stop on the Peekaboo Pattern Shop blog tour!

This pattern is called the Retro Romper, and it's quickly turning into my favorite little outfit. First I should mention that today only, this pattern is only $5. So if you like it, you should snag it up now... but also read my super helpful and informative review :)

Fabric: 

I used a clearance navy fabric from the shop I work in called Many Eyes Seeing (weird name) and solid white Bella for the trim. My original thinking in choosing the navy was that this would be an outfit for the Fourth, but that did not happen in time. Even so, this little romper is so summery, that even the dark color looks great. It's totally nautical- so hot right now. (Hansel)

Pattern Pieces: 

There are five pattern pieces, and they were clearly marked and easy to print and understand.  (All Peekaboo Patterns are PDF downloads.) The cutting instructions for non-pattern pieces are also clear. 

Pattern instructions:

Everything came together fairly easily. The gathering on the bodice works nicely with the collar and halter straps, which is the design element that really drew me to the pattern. I also love the sweet elastic gathered back.

The instructions themselves are clear enough if you have followed a couple of clothing patterns before. I don't feel like this is something for a first time pattern sewer, just because some little things are taken for granted, but nothing major. If you have just a few clothing projects under your belt, you would be able to follow with no problems. There are also pictures for nearly every little step, which is always helpful.

Changes:
I made the 18 month size for Elsie, which Amy did warn me might be a little long. When I got the main part of the romper done, it was almost to her ankles and just looked odd at that length. I think in the older sizes that shape works really well, because I like the vintage-looking length in the sample photos.  But I decided it wasn't working on Elsie, especially with the darker fabric. So I chopped off a good four or five inches, re-did the crotch and added simple white cuffs. It was a super quick fix, and I ended up LOVING the shortie version on her.

And she loves it too. She can do all her climbing and troublemaking easily and comfortably. See? Look at that cheese:

Giveaway Time! (Do I even DO those things?! Apparently.)

****Giveaway now closed, winner is #45, Rhonda D. Congrats!*****

Amy from Peekaboo Patterns is offering such a great prize package to one of my readers- three patterns from her shop, your choice. What I love about Peekaboo is that there are so many options! Amy has boy stuff, girl stuff, hats, PJs, dresses, jackets, even several swimsuit patterns. Go look around and it will not be hard to find three patterns you will want to try. 

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment here telling me your favorite Peekaboo pattern. 

If you are the sort that likes extra chances to win, one extra chance each for liking the Peekaboo Facebook page and for liking my new Facebook page. Just leave me another comment for each. I'll pick a random winner Friday.

***But don't forget about the $5 romper! If you end up winning, you just get to pick three MORE good ones. And be sure to follow the tour on these other stellar blogs:

The Final Winner Is...

(Ha, that sounds a bit ominous doesn't it? Cue "Final Countdown" opening synth in your head...)

Entry #6, Jenny! I'm so glad Jenny won, she is another sew-alonger who has been so faithful and supportive. I'll be emailing you soon about your copy of Growing Up Sew Liberated. I wish I could buy a book for all of you who played with me, but I didn't win the Mega Millions. (Obviously, that would have been the first purchase on my list.)

Thanks so much for sewing-along and for helping me and one another thru these fun projects. I learned a lot, but I think my favorite part was seeing how encouraging everyone was to others in our little group. 

So thank you thank you thank you!!!

(I could remind you to vote for me this weekend, but I'll try and resist. That would just be annoying.)

GIVEAWAY starts today!

The very lovely Mollie is doing a giveaway of one of my monsters over on her super fun blog, Wild Olive. (Welcome if you are visiting from there!) It starts today and goes through the weekend, so if you'd like to win a FREE monster from my shop, head here and leave a comment to enter! And the best part is, you get to pick your prize.

I've never done a giveaway before. Giveaway virg. Just thought I'd go ahead and get that out there in case this was a little awkward :)

And more monsters are coming to the shop soon for Christmas. Kids of all ages love them, so you know, it's a possibility. Or just go ahead and buy your nephew something plastic from China, no pressure :)