Friday, September 24, 2010

sew & tell - amy butler extravaganza and giveaways!

*****Comments Closed***** Winners to be announced later today!*****

It's the day we've all been waiting for!  I'm so excited for today's Amy Butler exclusive sew & tell!  I can't wait to see what everyone has finished for today.  I've been getting emails and sneak peeks and think it's going to be fun browsing everyone's links!

I'll admit, it's been a rough week here.  I haven't felt well most of the week, and after finishing the baby bedding last week, I'm feeling like anything I do will be a little anti-climatic.  But, if it involves Amy Butler fabric it will still look nice!  So finally, last night, after everyone was in bed I tried to figure out something fun.

So here's what I did. 
I've been wanting to make one of these FOREVER.  I found 2 of my favorite Amy Butler prints and cut them the size of an old kitchen towel - the absorbent terry cloth kind.  I even used a clean one.  Then I just cut my fabric the same size.  And then made a little sandwich - fabric/towel/fabric.  I had to piece the one side, because my scrap wasn't quite big enough.
Then I decided it would be a good idea to quilt it.  And why not free-motion?  I needed the practice and it was only 11:00.  PM!! I really should have just gone to bed.
I think you can see the quilting better in this picture.  It's definitely not perfect, but hey, it's really my first time doing it.  So maybe I just need to tackle a couple of my quilts and get better.  I'm not sure if you can see it, but I just serged around the edges to finish it off!  Super easy and now my kitchen looks better already.  And so does my adorable teapot!  :)  I might actually want to wash some dishes now.

And I love that I can look at two of my favorite prints all the time!

There are a lot of giveaways for today's participants!  I'm going to be selecting several winners for the following gifts.  To enter you must link up your Amy Butler project and/or comment on this post.  Let's be creative with our comment entries.  Tell me about your favorite memory sewing!  I will take comments until Monday night, September 27.  Winners will be announced sometime on Tuesday.  If you link up and comment you will get 2 entries!

1.  A winner will be chosen from those who linked up today to receive the following 2 patterns, and 3 yards of Amy Butler fabric from The Material Girls Quilts!

www.thematerialgirlsquilts.blogspot.com

2. A winner will be chosen from all linkers and commenters (one comment per person) to receive the Birdie Sling pattern and a $25 gift certificate from Fabricworm!  So you can pick out fabric to make your bag!
www.fabricworm.com

3.  Another winner will be chosen from all linkers and commenters to recieve the laptop cover and mp3 case pattern.

4.  And then there's these awesome headbands!!

I'm going to be giving these two away as well!! Thanks so much to my dear friend Allyn who made them this week, especially for two of you!!  You may have seen her post last week featuring more of these darlings (her girls AND the headbands!).  Maybe I'll decide to pick someone from my facebook page, maybe I'll just pick my favorite project, maybe I'll use random.org for all of them.  Either way you'll want to come back to see who wins!

I feel like every sentence I just wrote should have an exclamation point after it!

Thanks to everyone who has been so excited about the challenge!  I can't wait to see all the things you've made -  It's going to be such great eye-candy!


What Amy Butler project did you finish this week?
ALL PROJECTS LINKED UP THIS WEEK MUST BE A SEWING PROJECT AND HAVE AN ELEMENT OF AMY BUTLER IN THEM (fabric and/or pattern).  
Please show good bloggy manners and follow the linky rules.  Refer to the sew & tell page if you have any questions or wonder why your link may have been  deleted.
1. Link to your specific post about a sewing related finish you had during the time period for the Amy Butler Challenge.
2. Please mention sew & tell in your post and link back to this  post (link or button) so everyone can join in.
3.  Pat each other on the backs in the comments! Please, don't just link up and leave, we all want to hear from you!



87 crafty mcCrafters commented:

Seams Inspired said...

I can't wait to see all the AB projects! :o) Hmmm...a favorite sewing memory...I have so many, it's hard to choose just one. I think I'll go with my earliest sewing memory. I was six years old and wanted to create something for my next-door neighbor's new baby. Mom let me pick out some fabric from her stash, and use her machine, to sew a baby blanket. It was my first-ever project, and it sparked a lifetime love of sewing and creating for others. :o) Happy Friday! Larri at Seams Inspired

Aunt Spicy said...

Easy. Favorite sewing memory...falling asleep as a child to the sounds of my mom's sewing machine!

Thanks so much for hosting this great challenge!

Lauren said...

The dish towel does look great with the tea pot. My favorite sewing memory is a lot like Aunt Spicy. I loved/love sitting and watching my Mum sew. She's so much better than me, so she can talk and sew at the same time. So I learn new tricks from her and have great conversations!

greta @ topography said...

What a great idea for the kitchen! My memory is going through my mum's sewing cabinet that was bursting with treasures like buttons, thread, trim, scraps, zips... Hi from New Zealand :)

Miri said...

Love your Amy Butler/towel mat!

A favorite sewing memory has to be working on a nine-patch quilt with exchange charm squares from my quilt guild friends. My 2 year old son helped me pick out the squares to go together for the blocks...he still uses "his" quilt (he's now in college!).

allyn said...

way to use your fabric without really damaging it with scissors. and you get to enjoy the entire print all day in your kitchen. very pretty.
one of my favorite sewing memories is falling in LOVE with some fabric i found and buying way too much of it getting even more excited when the dresses i made for my daughters and two nieces ( i had a LOT) turned out to be some of my favorites.
i have many other happy memories involving sewing, which is why i continue buying fabric and storing it for some fantastic project that is in my mind....sometimes for several years.

Mary said...

Great job on the dishtowel! Too funny that you attempted free-motion quilting for the first time at 11pm . . . sounds like something I would do! :-)

My favorite sewing memory is finishing my first quilt. I was sooooo excited, I even had my husband take a picture of me sewing on the last bit of binding. I was totally hooked on quilting after that!

Nicole said...

Love those little towels (that's what we're calling them, yes?). I am so looking forward to seeing all the Amy Butler stuff today!

I have lots of good memories of sewing, but the one sticking out this morning is finishing a double wedding ring (queen size!) quilt for my parents-in-law for Christmas last year. It was the first real quilt I'd ever done and it turned out beautiful. When they opened it Christmas morning I started crying. (My MIL has since redecorated their guest room around that quilt. Makes me feel so good! And the room REALLY needed a makeover, let's face it.)

Sara said...

I'm sorry you've had a rough week. :-( But your project turned out great! I would love to learn how to use the free-motion foot on my machine sometime!

I'm so excited to check back tonight and see everyone's projects! I CAN'T WAIT! Good luck to everyone, the prizes look awesome!

Sara said...

Oops! I forgot to say that my favorite memory of sewing was when I was in 3rd grade, my mom had a "sewing class" for me and one of my friends. We learned how to sew a draw-string bag and a dress. And my wonderful mom actually let me wear my "dress" to school!! :-)

Sarcastic Quilter said...

First, I love your project, as always.

Second, thanks for doing this and even though I didn't use her fabrics, I did get the push I needed to redo some pillows with an Amy pattern!

Third, my favorite sewing memory so far is teaching my son last year so he could help make the teacher gifts he designed.

Wendy said...

I have so many sewing memories. My mom is an amazing seamstress and my dad managed a sewing factory so we all sew. In Jr. High I remember sewing a vest and all three of us did a part of it. Now all of my girls sew and are sewing for their kids too.

emilyc @ Sew Super Sweet said...

Favorite memory...my little man sitting on my sewing table using my soft measuring tape as a fishing pole! I also love when he tells me he has a "surprise" for me, which of course he unveils when he takes the soft cover off my sewing maching and yells "SURPRISE!". :)

This has been such a fun challenge! The Amy Butler Birdie Sling is the reason I love to sew.

Jenn said...

I am *almost* finished with my tote/library bag made with Amy Butler fabrics...but not quite yet. I'll have to try to get it finished. :)

Ok, sewing memories. Let's see: My [LEAST] favorite sewing memory is when I ran my needle through my finger a couple of weeks ago. But the best has been seeing my daughter get excited when I have something new for her ~ she doesn't care that I'm just learning/teaching myself to sew...she loves the pretty fabrics and loves that Mommy made it. :)

pinksuedeshoe said...

I think I like the pieced side better! I really do love that peacocky looking print.

OK, favorite recent sewing event. Creamie is loving sitting on my lap while I sew. I give her a few little scraps and she holds them and tries to slip them in under the needle while I'm not looking. It is so heartwarming to have her sitting there saying "Sewing shasheen... (machine) buttons... go go go! Oops... string (thread)." I Love it!

pbach1 said...

most favourite sewing moment of all: i made matching velvet dresses for my nieces one Christmas. (one niece each from two different brothers.) One of my sisters-in-law didn't understand that i'd been sewing "forever", and bought a velvet dress "just in case". when i costumed my 3-year old niece in her purple velvet party pants with a HUGE lace collar and cuffs and matching hat, my sister-in-law almost cried. (and took back the other dress.)

lemonadegal said...

First, I love your finish! That is such beautiful fabric, and I love how you found a way to add color and design to your kitchen. Great idea for using the towel in the middle!!

Second, my favorite sewing memory is finishing my first quilt. It was a goal I had set for a long time. I just felt so accomplished when I actually finished. Plus, my son was such a joyful reciepiant.

sewfunbymonique said...

The dishtowel is such a great idea! I'd like to try that! My fav sewing memory is when I found out I had a girl (didn't find out until she was born) after having a boy. I knew I had to make my first quilt for her big girl bed, so I shopped for fabrics for a year & got the quilt done when she was 18 months. She got her big girl bed earlier than I liked because I couldn't wait to put her girly room together! :)

Cecily said...

So many beautiful finishes this week! Favorite sewing memory... probably when I figured out how easy meandering quilting can be when you have good thread! :)

Jolene said...

Thank you for hosting this fun Sew an Tell.

(Almost) all my sewing memories are good ones. Back when I was a little girl, I'd sit at my mom's machine and make Barbie clothes. Now I sit at my own desk and make quilts while my little ones crawl all over my chair and under my feet, and although some days I'd like to sew in solitude, I know someday I'll look back on this as a blur of wonderful memories.

ktquilts said...

I love you dish quilt! Unfo rtunately I have been using my own far too much! My dishwasher died...sigh.
The meomory that comes to mind is one of my grandma making me a red-checked, double-knit polyester skirt and top without a pattern. All done so that I could stay at her house longer without having to do laundry!! LOL!! I loved her dearly, but that may have begun my dislike of red as well as my love of sewing!!! (No need to mention how I feel about double-knit polyester!)

Blessings,

KT

JLG said...

I remember my mum sewing me everything I asked for! It was great. And anytime I needed something I would ask her! Well now I have two kids of my own and decided that if they wanted something made that I would be the one to do it! So from a self proclaimed jock I am now a knitter, crocheter and now a Sewer! I think my late Great-mother and Grandma Jamieson are doing 180's in their graves! My mum loves it!!! Can't wait to see what everyone else has made!!! YEAH!

Honey Bunny Quilter said...

I thought this would be a great way to get an early start on Christmas presents but the "cozy scarves" that I made I want to keep all for myself. I made them in a couple different fabrics but the roses are my favorite.

Maevy said...

My best sewing memory was when I was little and my mom would be sewing on the kitchen table. I would sit on the floor next to her and hand sew barbie clothes from her scraps.
Can't wait to see all the great AB finishes.

badlandsquilts said...

Love the headbands... sometimes I wish I had girls instead of boys to sew things for but I have a feeling I would be so broke then!

Mands said...

Those bags are adorable. My very first fabric I ever bought was Amy Butler. I then bought some more to sew my baby some dresses. And then bought some more to make myself and apron. HA. I would have to say the Cherry Dots and Wallflower have been some of my faves.

Patrick and Emillie said...

My favorite sewing memory is learning to sew a log cabin quilt when I was 13. That's when my interest in sewing began!

Emillie

emilliepeters@yahoo.com

em's scrapbag said...

Thanks for this fun event, for the motivation to finish my Amy Butler quilt and for all the fun eye candy this has created. Hats off to you girl!

ashjoy said...

This is my very first sewing project ever! Unfortunatly my local quilt store only carries AB patterns and not fabric. I love it anyway and hope you do to.

I love your blog, visit often and love your fabric!

Kate said...

This should make you laugh. Between my son's birthday and a party, I'm not going to get the binding on my quilt done, but I am going to link up. Anyway, I must have been unconsciously stressing about it, since I dreamed that I was at the White House for Sew and Tell and my quilt wasn't ready so I couldn't show it to Mrs. Obama and I was crying. :) I woke up and laughed and laughed. I live in the area, and my friend had been telling me about touring the white house the day before my dream...

Kimberly said...

I love seeing all the AB goodies! So many great bags.
This is in't so much a memory as a thought I had. My grandmother was a seamstress and a great one at that. She died when I was little so I have very few actual memories of her. However, I do have some of the clothing she made for my sister and I before she passed. I see them hanging in my daughter's closet and marvel at her skills. As my sewing skills get better, I appreciate something new on these items of clothing. She never had exposed seams. I can tell she spent a lot of time, and put a lot of love into her sewing. So when I sew, I hope I am honoring her memory. One of these days, I might reach her skill level...

Jenn said...

First of all, I must say how much I love your item! Oh! I love that thing!!! :)
What do you call it? a trivet? tea towel? counter cover? Whatever it is, I definitely want one!!! You did a great job on your quilting - something nice and small to practice with!
I've been sewing since I was little and not only did my mother teach me to sew but I also learned at a class at our church and our first project was a prairie skirt. I think my most memorable thing about growing up sewing was that my mother chided me constantly because I always rushed and did a sloppy job. I still struggle with the rushing because I'm SO excited to see the finished product, but have learn to curb my enthusiam!!

Meg said...

Already so many great entries! Thanks for the challenge! I enjoyed it! I probably wouldn't have cut into this fabric anytime soon if hadn't been for this challenge. ;0p

Love your dishtowel!

Meg said...

Oh! And my favorite memory: Ummm...a couple of months ago I had this plan for some simple cute boxers for myself. I turned on my music, sent the kids off with their daddy, and I whipped them out in an hour. Not once did I bring out the seam ripper or have to resew! This is unheard of for me. ;0p

Quilting Mom said...

WOW! The projects are just beautiful! Thank you for an opportunity to participate. My most vivid sewing memory was when I took my first sewing class after purchasing my machine. I was so nervous and I became rather pale in class. I now realize that I was so afraid because I just didn't know the first thing about sewing or a sewing machine! I wish that I had learned to sew much earlier in life. But I am thankful and enjoy the opportunity to be creative whenever I am not working.

Tori said...

What fun, I love looking at all the projects! I wish we had a non-Amy Butler linky though because I got a lot finished this week!

My favorite sewing memory is when I made my first set of baby pajamas for my baby, and it was the first project I've ever done by myself (albeit with several calls to both my mother and mother-in-law!). I was so proud of those pajamas.

Alyssa said...

My favorite sewing memories are those involving sewing while my kids plan under and around me. They take my cutting and pattern boards and make forts. They sort buttons. They use fabric scrapss to make quilts.

aimee @ lily pad designs nz said...

Wow! This is so exciting! I'm from New Zealand and we are starting to see a groundswell of good design lovers here! I have gathered up around 6 Kiwi gals to enter today!!!
Amy I love your kitchen mats/towels a lot. this is a great simply way to bring some pattern into the kitchen. I will totally be doing this!!! Love to everyone from the bottom of the world!

Krista Lee said...

What a lovely challenge! Certainly one to kick my behind into getting my quilt top together! I heart all your lovely projects!!! Surrounded by such talented folks is a seriously motivating thing!

No doubt, my favorite sewing memory is with my mom. She wasn't a traditional machine or even needle and thread sewer. But, like so many crafty mamas in the early 80s, she LOVED plastic craft sewn with yarn. You know the ones--sheets of gridded plastic, graph-paper-like holes ready to be stiched--into whatever your heart desired!

Whenever there were rainy, sweltering hot, snowy or otherwise yucky days, we'd trek to Ben Franklin's (Nursery and Crafts in those days) and pick out some era-appropriate variegated yarn, large plastic tapestry needle and sheets upon sheets of the good stuff. We'd sit, her ever-patient, me totally impatient and 5 years old, for afternoons of mother/daughter time. I still have the tissue holder and many a Christmas ornament that she made.
Memories I'll always cherish.

aimee @ lily pad designs nz said...

Hello! SOme of the New Zealand crafters don't have blogs or websites so I have offered to host their entries on my blog. I've just uploaded a "New Zealand Entries" group photo. This is for

Rebecca @ Little Paper Bird who has designed gorgeous 'cross over' dresses to go over leggings and fitted jeans. Divine!!!

Shelley said...

LOVE the Daisy Chain skirt (#2) and the Happy Modern Quilts pillow (#15) Beautiful work everyone!

Camille Lewis said...

I am a very new sewer, but my mom is a pro. I was sitting down to tackle my very first quilt, but didn't even know how to get the sewing machine started. I live far from my mom, but thought I would give her a call anyway to see if she could help via phone. When she answered and I asked what she was doing she said "oh, just sitting down at the sewing machine!" We sat on the phone and she gave me a virtual sewing lesson that helped me get started on my quilt (that I was making for her, by the way, she just didn't know it). Thank goodness for technology, and an even bigger thanks to moms who inspire us daily. :)

mommymae said...

i'm running out of amy butler prints! belle was my favorite & i've used all of it up. boo hoo!

my favorite sewing memory is probably the first set of halloween costumes i stitched for the twins when they were max & a wild thing 6 years ago. that felt pretty good.

and i love your mats. such a great idea! i should do something like that to pretty up my horrendous late-80s kitchen!

Danae said...

First off I have to say I am so happy that you are holding this challenge! I have been hoarding my Amy Butler fabric for months just waiting for the perfect project to use it for. But this challenge made me think, it doesn't matter what the project, its the fabric that is going to make it sing - am I right! Amy Butler rocks! And so does your blog!

My sewing memory...My mom always sewed while growing up. Each time we had an event to dress up for she always made my dress. Of course at the time I hated it, but look at me now sewing and loving it! But I did recently take on the challenge of making a shirt for myself and well, lets just say I should leave the clothes making to my mom! I'll stick with my bags. Not only did I measure wrong, but changed plans midway through the project and talk about an interesting shirt. So, here is a shout out to my mom who made making clothes look so easy.

Thanks for the challenge and love keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be a winner!!!

The Paisley Abbey said...

My favorite sewing memory is hand-sewing doll clothes while watching the Golden Girls and Empty Nest at my grandma's house during my elementary school summers. Does that date me? LOL
:)
Courtney
ThePaisleyAbbey.com
ThePaisleyAbbey@gmail.com

chrisandleigh said...

Hi everyone it's Leigh @ Coolcrib here - I am part of the NZ entry. This has been a really fun challenge and thanks to Amy Lou for letting us Kiwis enter and to Aimee and Greta of On Top of a Lily Pad for the NZ shout out!

My first and most formative sewing memory is making a pink gingham flannel pillowcase at school - I was so proud of it!

My entry is a one-off design specially for this competition and I will be donating it to FeltAid - an online shop raising money for Christchurch following the big earthquake.

I am totally loving the orange polkadot pumpkin and giraffe!!

Good luck everyone
Leigh
www.coolcrib.co.nz

Amy - Amy's Creative Side said...

Yay!! I made it :) Love seeing all the posts up already! Hope you are feeling better soon!

Shari B. said...

When I met Amy Butler at Quilt Market, she read my name and said, "Hmm you are my little sister!" Then we proceeded why I chose Doohikey Designs instead. People would think we are related, which would never be bad at all! I love AMY she also inspired me to be a fabric designer!

So thanks for the fun chance to win!

Nina... said...

Those mats are a great idea. Now you can look at something beautiful while doing chores!

webmailaddress2 said...

Amy Butler fabric is so bright and colorful! I love seeing all the finished products. Sewing puts me in a nice, zen mood, so it's all good.

J-me said...

I LOVE all the projects!!!!

Em said...

Great idea to pretty-fy the kitchen! This may be in my kitchen's future. But I don't know how to quilt. i wonder if you YouTube knows.

Leslie said...

oh my goodness i barely made it. i just got it finished at posted by 11:59. I am loving seeing what everyone else made, and i love your towel/ dishmat....looks awesome. thanks for hosting, as usual.

Jane said...

wow love this! can't wait to have a good look at all the projects - such eye candy!!

my favourite sewing moment is a tie between learning to make my first quilt, and the hours I'm spending hand quilting a quilt for my godson - hopefully done by christmas!

SewSara said...

this is such a fun link up ... thanks for hosting!
my favorite sewing memory .... hmmm tough call. probably a recent memory when i go to the fabric store w/ my kids and they call it "favric" (i hope they never stop calling it that!!) and help me pick out their favorites :)
i love that they love 'favric' with me now.

Laura said...

Whoa. Those are adorable!!! So you can still use them just like you would the normally fluffy kitchen towels? I want some!!! Also, I really really really really want a serger. Is there a good affordable one?

My favorite memory sewing is making cloud pajama pants with my mom when I was about 12. Wish I had taken the time to learn more useful sewing tips from her!

Ducks and Rabbits said...

I'm very new to sewing, and had no exposure to it as a child. A great moment was when a friend gave me some quilting fabric to make a dress for my baby girl - I hadn't previously realised that you could use quilting fabric for clothes! This opened me up to the wide world of fabric and I've never looked back.

Brynn said...

Such lovely projects! Maybe next time my old sewing machine and I will participate :)
My favorite sewing memory would be the blanket I made with my grandma when I graduated from high school. It was neat to spend time with her like that, and it was my first blanket.

bethanndodd said...

So bummed I didn't get an Amy Butler project finished in time :(
Any who, I am thrilled I still get to comment for a chance at some goodies. My favorite sewing memories are when I pack up my sewing machine & some fabric and I drive 3 hours to see my bestie. We let the kiddos play all day and we sew all night. It is the absolute best...we talk, laugh (a lot!) and create together. Oh how I wish she still lived around the corner!! Have a splendid day! Thanks!

Alicia said...

So many lovely things people have made! It's so inspiring! One of my favorite sewing memories was teaching myself how to make a really cute apron for my daughter and then everyone loved it so much, I helped my niece make one for herself while I made one for her mom. They both turned out great!

Liz said...

I'm in awe of all these projects--wish I had had time to participate myself! My favorite sewing memory involves my mother teaching me how to use the sewing machine when I was about seven... I remember she had me practice sewing pieces of paper together before I graduated to fabric.

jednoiglec said...

My favourite sewing memories are these from holidays - I just spend hours on hand sewing siting on a boat (while sailing - really! Once even I almost fall out from the boat - I've got such thoughts: "What to rescue? Myself or the hexagon quilt?").

jednoiglec said...

This week I sewed two things. One of these things is in two posts:
1) first post: http://jednoiglec.blogspot.com/2010/09/whats-this.html
2) second post: http://jednoiglec.blogspot.com/2010/09/for-hexies.html

It's really really small and simple thing:)
The other one thing (a bag) is not blogged yet, so I get back here soon:)

Dayna said...

Oh my word, Amy! I'm already sad that I haven't yet been able to get started sewing after our move; but this week takes the cake! I can't wait to click all of these links! It's disappointing that unpacking, organizing, homeschooling, football, baking, etc. have kept me from sewing recently; but at least I can live and enjoy it all vicariously through all of you super talented ladies!

Vicki said...

I didn't comment earlier, sorry :)
Thanks so much for hosting this special sew & tell! So many greeat projects!

Julie said...

Well, guess what, I didn't get anything done! Boo. BUT, I DO love the polka dot pumpkin posted by pinksuedeshoes. I LOVE Halloween & this pumpkin with orange AB polka dots is just too cute!

gretam said...

What beautiful projects! I have had high ambitions to get things sewn up this week but it just never happened. I really wish sometimes life didn't take over my sewing time..lol.

Haylee said...

It looks great! My favorite sewing memory right now would have to be when one of the girls I was teaching how to sew from church finished her quilt. It was so fun to see her face when she gave it away as a baby gift. She was on cloud nine when the gift was being opened.

Sandy O. said...

Well,I don't really know if I can participate, being from Portugal and all, but I would have to say my favourite sewing memory is a really basic one, not from long ago. It was the first time I managed to finish a project. It was a mini quilt, in a hot day in July and that very last moment when you look at it and realise that it actually looks nice AND it was completely your creation, it was just amazing and it was in that moment that I realised I was hooked :)

Angie said...

I love Amy Butler! These are beautiful!

Kelly Irene said...

This challenge was so much fun! I linked to my blog post already, but thought I would share a favorite memory.

Completing my first solo project was a big deal because it was something I had to do alone since I had recently moved 2,000 miles from my mom. I loved every aspect from choosing the fabric and project (table linens for my new home) to making the linens and finally setting out the finished project on my table. I was hooked and now feel I am loosing my sanity if I go for more than a few days without sewing!

Thanks again for the fantastic challenge!

Abbey said...

How fun! I love this site! So many inspirational women!
Sewing Memory, probably the funniest one is my first bag. I put the whole thing together and was so proud of myself only to find out it was all inside out. ARG. To this day, I can not start sewing until I hold the seams together and flip it so I know I'm doing it right. I guess that's how you learn though!
Looking forward to the giveaway and I"ll give a shout out on my blog!

Valerie said...

Well it seems like I am a little late for the challenge but I can still comment. I love looking at all of these projects. This so motivates me!

Nathalie said...

Very nice idea. I like to see these all those things with this wonderful fabric.

mom2three said...

My favorite sewing memory is the first thing that I made for myself, with my mom's help. I remember sewing on the machine and my mom saying so proudly "you sew such nice straight seams!" it's making me smile just writing about that day. I always felt like I could do anything with my mom's encouragement.

Cinnamon Sangria said...

Favorite sewing memory? I'd have to say it was my very first sewing project. I must have been 10 years old and it was for a girl scout badge but I made a jean skirt. I LOVED that skirt and was so proud of it and wore it as much as I could. That was my first and last sewing project for probably close to 20 years. I recently started sewing again and I often think of that sewing project and how much fun I had and how good I felt showing off my work.

Weatherbee ;) said...

I love the little dish towel!! What a great idea. And all of the projects are amazing. I really wanted to participate, but have just been too busy trying to keep up with other projects, and had to just face the fact that I can't participate in EVERYTHING! (Even though I'd like to) :)

When trying to think of a favorite sewing memory...not just moment comes to mind...but many. My daughter is 3 1/2 years old and every time I go to my sewing area...she comes with me. She plays with my scraps, stacks my spools of thread, measures everything and pretends to make clothes for all of her dolls. She wants a miniature pink sewing machine for her birthday, and when I asked her if she wanted a pretend one or a real one, she says she wants a real one that she can sew fabric like mommy. I love that she wants to be just like me, and she's already learning a love of creating at such a young age. She is absolutely my inspiration and my littlest love.

~Teresa ;)

Sandy said...

ack! those are some of my all time fave AB prints too!

My fave memory is making all the basket liners, curtains, lampshades, and bedding for my baby girl's room!

Kristie said...

My favorite sewing memory....I never had a relative who taugh me the ropes (not really a domestic type of family!), but I hope to teach my own girls someday. My favorite moment was recently, my oldest daughter (who was 4) asked to use some of my scraps from a quilt I was cutting, then sat down with me as I sewed and used the scraps to make a craft of her won, then proudly declared herself to be "making beautiful things like Mommy!"

Kristen said...

One of my favorite memories was my daughter at age 2 "smelling" my applique flowers and smiling. Last month she declared she is going to make a quilt one day with a picture of mommy and daddy for us. :)

My project was put on hold for a fabulous cold. These posts remind me I wish I had more AB!

sallgood said...

My mom was an excellent seamstress and knitter. When I was in fifth grade, she helped me make a dress-tiny pink gingham, yolked dress. I used tatting that my grandmother made as trim on the patch pockets and neckline. I modeled it in a Camp Fire Girls fashion show, so proud of my work. My mom died when I was 19...I know she would love to see all of the wonderful fabrics and sewing going on these days!! (Thanks Mom, for all you taught me!!)

adnohr said...

My mom was the type who never let me do anything fun... really! But for some reason, she allowed me to use her sewing machine. I loved it, all in the cabinet and the smell of the wood and the machine oil.
I only made a few things - a terrycloth dress for wearing in the summer with rainbow ribbon trim! and a pillow are the only things I can remember, but I'm so glad she did, because 25 years later I decided I wanted to start sewing again and it all came back. It's like your body knows just what to do. Now if only I could get the cool cabinet - or maybe a Koala table?? :)

Ellen said...

Its Amy Butler crafty heaven - so many fabulous projects to admire. I have stashed some of her fabrics but I haven't been able to cut into them yet. Must take the plunge!

FionaPoppy said...

I have Loved looking at all these wonderful projects!

My favourite sewing memory is being about 8 years old and using my Grandmother's hand-crank Singer machine to make a bedcover (made out of an old pillowcase) for my doll's bed (made out of an old shoebox) whilst visiting her during school holidays> I still remember how proud I felt when I finished :o)

Sara Musick said...

Does anyone really have ONE favorite sewing memory? Here are a sampling of mine:
• Watching my mother sew her small, button-jointed teddy bears from scrap material and then helping her stuff them late at night.
• Listening to my sister's silent frustration while trying to sew in a skirt zipper...and then seeing the skirt fly across the room.
• Taking pictures of my brother at my mom's sewing machine when he was in high school, completing his "do something new" experience project for a class.
• Being sprawled across my mother's sewing room floor, six month's pregnant, and tying a quilt while laughing hysterically with my sisters and mom.
• Watching my 2-year-old daughter spin in circles while wearing the first skirt I made for her and declaring, "Mommy, I look PRETTY!"

Dee said...

Your dish quilts are inspiring! I've been wanting and needing to make some and you've just encouraged me with yours!

Favorite sewing memory is of me as a junior high home ec student sitting on the lawn of my parents' house sewing the binding on my first quilt.

I still have some of the fabrics I used and remember the warmth of the sunshine and thinking how much I loved that quilt!

Just Me @ My Domestic Experiments said...

I haven't been able to sew lately... My 3 year old is in a very messy and attention hogging stage. My favorite memories are actually blogged on my site in May 2010 for mother's day of course.


Here is one that is not blogged. My Mom used to be the substitute teacher at my Jr High and was one of the volunteers for the sewing section. She literally taught me AND all my friends how to sew. We made a pair of shorts from a pattern and a draw string bag with appliqued fussy cut fabric. At home I got to make an extra project ... a pound puppy!