Monday 12 May 2014

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

UPDATE - THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED

It's Sew Mama Sew giveaway day!  This is a great way to discover new blogs and of course get in to win some great prizes.  Make sure you pop over to Sew Mama Sew to check out everyone who has linked up a giveaway.


This time around I'm giving away this bundle of fabrics which is co-ordinated around this totally awesome bee hexagon print which I got from Stitchbird this weekend.  You'll get a quarter of a yard of each fabric, but some piece will be fat quarters and some width of fabric cuts.


To enter, simply leave a comment with the best quilting tip you've ever been given. Followers old and new can get a second entry by leaving a second comment. This giveaway is open to everyone (including international participants), but if I can't contact you, you can't win. If you are a no-reply blogger, please leave your email address in the comment.

The giveaway will stay open until around 6pm Sunday May 18 2014 (New Zealand Time), and I will use the random number generator at random.org to pick a winner then. Good luck everyone!

By the way, I usually respond to all comments, but giveaways can be a little overwhelming, so I hope you don't mind if I don't respond to your comment on this post.

Follow on Bloglovin

UPDATE - THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED <

632 comments:

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Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Happy follower xxx

Paula said...

The best tip I've been given lately was that speed matters with fmw - the faster you go the better. Since I discovered that my fmq has improved amazingly.

Paula said...

I follow on Bloglovin

Kim said...

Measure twice cut once

audrey said...

The best advice I've ever received was to not stress myself out over my quilting because these are just blankets we're talking about! :)

Catrin Lewis said...

Advice? Do what you want, not what you think you should :0)

Catrin Lewis said...

I follow via feedly x

✄ Erin @ Sew at Home Mummy ✄ said...

Of course I follow (with Bloglovin'!) :D

✄ Erin @ Sew at Home Mummy ✄ said...

Best quilting tip ever: check your 1/4" seams to make *sure* they're 1/4" each time to start back at your machine. :p

Ramona said...

Love the fabric! So adorable. I love using binder clips for binding. It is so much easier than pinning.

Unknown said...

Pressing seams to one side, the rotating on the next row....makes the seams nest so well! Spetzie at att dot net

Unknown said...

I follow you on on IG. Spetzie at att dot net

LeAnne said...

Figuring out your 1/4" seam allowance and putting a stack of masking tape or something similar to use as a fabric guide.

Unknown said...

Pin, Pin and pin some more! Nothing worse than having your stuff not lining up!

Susan @ MadebyMommainPA.Blogspot.Com said...

Always make sure you know where your perfect 1/4" seam is AND press, Press, PRESS!!!

Susan @ MadebyMommainPA.Blogspot.Com said...

Following on Bloglovin'!
https://www.bloglovin.com/madebymommainpa

Jules said...

Measure twice (or 4 times) and cut once! Wish I would follow my advice more often than not! Thanks for the chance!

Jules said...

I also follow via bloglovin!

Diane P said...

To not be a protectionist. Be careful how you match seams but let minor things go.

Gretchen said...

When you get a compliment on your work, the best answer is thank you. Don't point out the flaws!

Gretchen said...

When you get a compliment on your work, the best answer is thank you. Don't point out the flaws!

Gretchen said...

I follow on feedly.

Pedal Sew Lightly said...

Glue. I love glue basting. I tend not to have UFOs hanging around so attracting critters is not a problem for me. Love your fabric collection. Thanks.

Pedal Sew Lightly said...

I'm a follower on Bloglovin.

Svetlana said...

learning how to spray baste my quilts is the most time and sanity saving thing ever. Love your gorgeous fabric.Thanks.

Svetlana said...

I'm a follower.

Jamie @ the Backless Shirt Blog said...

The best tip/advice I have received is that there is more than one way to do things. And just because one of the ways is the traditional way, doesn't make it correct. Do what works for you.
Thank you for your generous giveaway!
Jamie

Jamie @ the Backless Shirt Blog said...

I follow on bloglovin'. And just pinned your equilateral triangle tutorial.
:)
Jamie

Kay Holm said...

glue basting has been a really good tip for me

Kay Holm said...

I follow with google +

Liz said...

My best tip: never quilt when you're tired. I've ripped way too many seams because I've been sewing past my bedtime!

Liz said...

I follow you on Bloglovin'!

Jill said...

The best tip I've been given is that if you can't see a mistake from across the room, no one else will be able to see it either.

Thanks for the chance to win some great fabrics!

Desiree said...

this is hard for me because I am a total perfectionist. But, just do your best because chances are no one else will notice any of the imperfections.

glazefamily3 AT gmail.com

Victoria said...

Use quilting gloves. I love my white Machingers gloves because they fit well, are flexible and you know when they need a wash.

Megan Collins said...

Alright- best advice was to keep at free motion quilting...practice, practice, practice. But can you believe I didn't know to finger press to match the center of blocks until last year? That's what happens when you are self taught. All advice is good! :)
sweetfeetstitches at gmail dot com

LittleHouseontheDairy said...

Don't be a perfectionist. Embrace the fact that handmade does not mean perfect. (And as a beekeeper I love that fabric!)

LittleHouseontheDairy said...

I follow on feedly

Deanna said...

Get a good seam ripper, then you won't hate it so much when you have to rip stitches. ;)

Sarakd said...

Straight line quilting

Anne-Marie B. said...

Press your fabric, do not iron! Pressing and ironing are not the same!

Sylvia said...

Learn to sew an accurate ¼" seam!

Emily C said...

Love the bees. I always found 'press to the dark side' very helpful.

Brenda said...

One of the first things I learned was always press after each seam.

Katie.Herzog said...

Proper ironing has been a lifesaver. Thanks for the giveaway!

Katie.Herzog said...

I am a bloglovin follower

Beth said...

Best tip ever: measure your seams, fix your inaccurate 1/4"' seams before sewing blocks together so that you don't magnify your mistakes.

Lara @ Luellabella said...

The oldest tip in the book....measure TWICE, cut ONCE! The number of times when I haven't followed my own advice though...

Debby said...

If you can't see the mistake from four feet away, don't worry about it. I am much calmer about quilting and my seam ripper now.

Debby said...

I just started following you on Feedly. Love Wellington BTW.

Kelli said...

Using regular old Elmer's glue to baste down binding. It eliminates those clips and makes it so much easier to handle when machine stitching or hand-stitching down the binding.

Jess Z said...

Measure twice, prewash fabric and relax. :) coralbunnyandlo [at] gmail [dot] com

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

Clear medical tape is great for making quilting rulers grip better!

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

I follow with Bloglovin.

Unknown said...

My friend taught me how to do mitered corners on a quilt bias. She made it look so perfect!

Vicki said...

Use a kwik klip for pin basting.

Deb (Two Cheeky Monkeys) said...

A friend taught me about using snap clips to clip bindings in place rather than pins. :)

Nancy said...

Tip- only make what you like! Thanks for the giveaway.

Annie said...

To just jump in and give it a try!

Susan Solberg said...

The best tip I have ever been told is to practice the 1/4" seam allowance. I have struggled a lot, and FINALLY have it mastered! Wow, what a difference!

Susan Solberg said...

Also, I am following you on Bloglovin

Sarah said...

To square up my blocks. sarah@forrussia.org

Shayla Sharp said...

Use neutral color threads (grays and beiges) for almost all blocks, so you don't have to get lots of different threads and switch out all the time. Might seem obvious to quilters, but I sewed apparel before I quilted so I came from the background of matching thread to fabric. This tip has saved me a lot of money and time!

skyberries said...

Oh, I loved that bee fabric when you posted it on Instagram! How exciting to have a chance to win it. My best quilting tip ever was to press my seams open. I know most people don't but I found my accuracy improved greatly when I tried it and now I prefer not to press any other way!

skyberries said...

And I follow you via bloglovin and Instagram :-)

Stephanie said...

Best tip... press fabric very carefully. Careful prep makes a big difference in the finished quilt.

Heather @ Winding Bobbins said...

I think it's just how important a nice 1/4" seam is. My first bed quilt ended up much smaller than it was supposed to be so I learned a very valuable lesson!!

Andrea said...

Thanks! Definitely to use a seam gauge...otherwise it throws everything off!

Just Sew Sue said...

Measure twice cut once.

Anonymous said...

I agree with many of the commenters here...the best advice I've gotten is to use a 1/4 inch piecing foot!

Pat V. said...

Best advice -- accept compliments gracefully and don't point out your mistakes!

Saira p said...

Lovely giveaway - thank you. Best tip for me is to keep to that pesky 1/4 inch seam

Poppy Black said...

My aunt spent a day with me when I first started quilting, and she said that ironing is just as important as the sewing for a fantastic finish. I also watched her sewing very slowly around curves and corners - I then realised I was exceeding the speed limit at times!

highwaycottage said...

Always trust your instincts, never second guess color/fabric choices.

highwaycottage said...

I follow :-)

Jo said...

This is a really wonderful funky fabric selection! Thanks for the chance. Best tip I ever had was to pin through the seams to get perfect point matching! Off to explore your blog!

Jo said...

Love your spools quilt! Following along now too!

Elinor said...

The realisation that my regular foot was not actually the exact 1/4 inch that I thought it was!

Anonymous said...

That tip must be 'Just give it a try!' =)

Anonymous said...

That tip must be 'Just give it a try!' =)

Michell said...

press well

Adele said...

Your iron is your best friend!

Elise Lea said...

Best quilting tip I ever received is how to sew a scant quarter inch!

Elise Lea said...

I follow via bloglovin!

Anonymous said...

take your time, breathe, and enjoy the process :) You'll enjoy it much more rather than rushing through it!

Julie Kaye from KS said...

The best advice I got was that their are no quilt police. No one else sees the mistakes that you see. Thanks for the great giveaway. Love that safety pin fabric.

Julie Kaye from KS said...

Happy to be a follower with bloglovin.

Meredith said...

keep your sewing machine close and your seam ripper closer

Meredith said...

I follow you on bloglovin' (merroman)

Lori said...

I follow via FB
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Lori said...

i think the best tip i got is: measure twice and cut once
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

cedacanthus said...

The best hint I've ever been given is not to worry so much about the pressure of the presser foot when quilting, because it doesn't really make that much of a difference! Wish I'd known that before springing for the more expensive machine haha

cedacanthus said...

I follow your blog, too!

Margaret said...

Measure twice cut once is the best advice.

Anita said...

The best quilting tip I've ever been given was to chain piece. I wasn't a believer until I tried it. Thank you for a beautiful giveaway.

Alexis said...

"It doesn't have to be perfect--it's about having fun" was probably the best quilting advice have ever been given.

Alexis said...

I'm following your blog via Feedly.

Michelle said...

The best quilting tip ever, that's a tough one. Probably to press and not iron seams. It's amazing the difference it makes!

Michelle said...

I started following on Bloglovin. I'm looking forward to seeing your projects!

Jeana said...

Hmmm... I think measure twice, cut once! seems so simple, but man is it important!

Jeana said...

and I'm already a follower

Kathryn said...

Keep your machine well oiled to save maintenance problems.

Cheri the Quilting Nanny said...

Press seams!!! It helps more than you realize...than I realized!
Found you on the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway!

Cheri
quiltingnanny(at)yahoo(dot)com
coffeebreakwhatever(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jenilyn said...

Beautiful! Learning to press my seams correctly has made all the difference in sewing quilts and garments. Thanks for the giveaway!

Lee Ann L. said...

Best tip? Hmmm... I was told about the quarter foot when I was having trouble maintaining consistent 1/4" seams. After I purchased a quarter foot, my seems became perfect!

Thank you for a chance to win.

Lee Ann L. said...

Feedly follower! :-)

Wendy said...

gorgeous fabrics! I learnt (the hard way) that you should always raise your presser foot before rethreading your machine - it solves all kinds of tension problems

Carla said...

Thanks for the chance to win. My advice was "done is better than perfect"

Unknown said...

Love that bee print! The best advice I have been given is to measure twice and cut once. Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

I follow you on Bloglovin!

Lisa said...

I have a thing for bee fabric and that is some GREAT bee fabric!!
Best sewing tip was recently when someone posted the correct way to use a seam ripper... Who knew!

Lisa said...

I am a follower through Bloglovin!

Afquilt said...

Don't point out the imperfections to anyone else.. they won't notice them!

Ly said...

Fun fabric, thanks for the giveaway! My favorite quilting tip has been to use spray adhesive for basting! =)

Amber said...

Best tip? Slow down. I'm always in a rush, and I can get better results if I slow down. ;)

Amber said...

I follow through blogger reader, or whatever it's called.

Ellen said...

To put a large clear plastic sheet over a quilt top and use dry-erase pens to try out different quilting designs.

Roxanne said...

Using a rotary cutter/mat.

Roxanne said...

Following on Bloglovin

Claire H said...

Best tip: Don't use very expensive designer fabric when you are new to quilting.

Dresden Lane said...

I use knitting interfacing to "tape" together batting scraps.

Angelia Lanouette said...

This is not actually a tip but something I read once.

Perfection is unattainable..
Imperfection is unavoidable.

Love it!

rosi w. said...

It took me several suggestions to get a walking foot. It wasn't standard on my machine and was VERY pricey, but it turned out to be totally worth it. Seems silly to everyone whose machines come with them standard, I'm sure. Thanks for the giveaway!

JDBrown said...

practice, practice, practice!

Kay said...

I follow with Bloglovin.x

Kay said...

Pressing and starching makes such a difference, I had always pressed but the starch really helps.x

Sam said...

The best tip I've received is that a quilt doesn't have to be perfect to be loved.

The nosy pepper said...

I've only made one quilt, I normally make bags and garments, and I've found that pressing properly is the best tip ever! I'm sure that applies to quilting too ;) Thanks for the chance to win!

Sallie said...

Be satisfied with good enough.

jellybean said...

Pin or tack always and press as you go

Margaret said...

My eyes opened when I read how to machine bind quilts using a tutorial from Red Pepper Quilts!

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

"if you can't see it from a moving horse, than it's not a problem". Aka.. don't sweat those small imperfections. :)

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

I'm a new follower, but I swear I've been here before! wondering if I lost you during the reader to bloglovin switch!?

Lia*s Handmades said...

Garden gloves are a cheap alternative when you don't have quilting gloves...and they work just as well! I think quilting is so much easier with gloves.

Many thanks for the chance to win these! :)

Lia*s Handmades said...

I'm also a happy follower via bloglovin!

Liz said...

I'm not sure I've received many quilting tips, but my mom always taught me to have fun with my projects.

Lisa England said...

Make a test block before cutting the pieces for a whole quilt.

SIMPLESEW said...

Already follow.

SIMPLESEW said...

starch

Cara said...

best tip was to find a quilting mentor...someone you can learn from and with!

Angela said...

PRESS don't iron!!!! And set the seam with a press first before pressing your seam to one side or flat.
Love the fabrics.....

Angela said...

I also follow you on bloglovin

sandyandcosmo said...

Quit when you are tired or just not feeling it. That's when I make all my mistakes.

sandyandcosmo said...

I already follow via GFC.

Stephanie @ Quarter Incher said...

When to use and not to use steam on the iron!

sofen said...

I don´t have a tip for you because I am not an experienced quilter.

jachelno at gmail dot com

Stephanie @ Quarter Incher said...

I already follow you on BL

sofen said...

I am a Bloglovin follower

jachelno at gmail dot com

Julie S said...

My mom taught me to be an accurate sewer; otherwise she made me use the seam ripper. Taking the time to be accurate is well worth the effort, especially if you hate to rip, AND if you like to have a praise-worthy final project!

Lindsay R said...

The difference between pressing vs.ironing!

Lindsay R said...

A new follower through Bloglovin!

Renee said...

Home made vodka starch has helped a lot, especially when I have to press seams open--they actually stay open with a little starch! Gah, no one told me that 5 years ago!

JenJohnson said...

To always always always starch and pin

Mom C said...

If you can see the mistake while riding a horse at a gallop it's OK!Love it. Thanks.

Susi said...

Thank you so much for the chance! The best tip I ever got...always press seams open before you do anything else! ;) xoxo

Susi said...

Following on bloglovin :)

ThreadCatcher said...

Best tip, striving for accuracy in every step is a noble goal but done is better than perfect. Thanks for the chance at some fun fabrics.

ThreadCatcher said...

I am a new follower.

CarrieM said...

To use beeswax when I hand quilt!

Jill said...

Never be afraid to unpick something and start again, I live by this advice far too often!

Unknown said...

Best advice I've been given: "If you can't see it when riding by on a horse, then don't worry about it." Basically, don't fuss over every mistake or you won't get anywhere.
amy.forkner(at)gmail(dot)com

Sheila said...

The best advice I ever received was to use the same ruler for all the cutting for one project , it dies make a difference . Thanks for the chance ,

Sheila said...

I am following you .

Adrienne said...

use a topstitch needle for quilting

Adrienne said...

I follow you on bloglovin

Janie said...

Love the main fabric. The purple really pops. Measure twice cut once is my advice. Thanks for the giveaway.

Stephanie said...

I'd love to leave a quilting tip, but I'm not a quilter, so I really don't know any. I just make sure I press everything, and like to cut on grain, cause that helps a lot.

Jo said...

The old standby measure twice cut once

imatopper said...

I was told to always try a block before you make the whole quilt. Make the trial block out of Christmas fabric. Later, you can make a Christmas sampler using all those blocks you have tried.

Jenny said...

Press well. Oh, and learn to love the imperfections - that's a big one!
Thanks for the giveaway!

Jenny said...

And I'm already a follower. Thanks!!

Sandra :) said...

When seaming binding on the diagonal, press the seam open BEFORE you trim it down. It's a lot easier than trimming afterwards :D

Now - why didn't I think of that?!

Jennifer said...

Glue basting! It is wonderful.

JoyceLM said...

My tip: square up your blocks. Thanks.

JoyceLM said...

I'm a follower with Bloglovin'. Thanks again.

Skootchover said...

The best tip -- keep your fingers away from your machine's needle.

EmSewCrazy said...

Press to the dark side and ALWAYS press! Thanks for a lovely giveaway.

Judith said...

I hate getting stabbed by pins when sewing on binding, so using Elmer's washable school glue to hold everything in place has been a lifesaver.

Kirsten said...

The best tip I have been given is to press carefully (rather than ironing back and forth) as it distorts the fabric too much, especially if the blocks have bias edges like in HST's. Thanks for the chance to win these lovely fabrics!

Vicki H said...

Measure twice, cut once and of course relax and have fun.

Cindy said...

To press after every seam, and to lock your seams before sewing blocks together.

Ali said...

To press things. I spent my first year sewing garments, then switched mainly to quilting, where I learned that tip. The clothes I've made SINCE then have looked much better now that I know to press seams.

kimberlier said...

I'm really enjoying reading all these tips. I'm a fairly new quilter and I just can not get enough, so I am constantly learning and trying new things, but solid advice is measure twice, cut once. Thanks for the giveaway!

kimberlier said...

New follower- found you on bloglovin' Thanks!

Carla G said...

Measure twice cut once!! I always double check I have it on the right line on my ruler... :)

Carla G said...

I follow via bloglovin! :)

Sarah said...

I follow through bloglovin:)

Sarah said...

I was introduced to spray basting! love it, hate pins :)

Anita said...

The best tip I got was to prewash my fabric.

Anita said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Crafty Tokyo Mama said...

Prewash. Religiously. The one time I didn't, the difference in shrinkage between the front and the back ruined my placemat!

KristaBee said...

Measure twice, cut once! That is an oldie, but a goodie. :)

KristaBee said...

I follow via Bloglovin / kmbee

Fran said...

The most helpful tip for me was to not use steam when pressing quilt blocks, it can made them shrink. My accuracy improved greatly when I took this on board. Thanks for the chance to win these lovely fabrics.

Fran said...

I follow via Bloglovin, thanks again!

ArloDeanQuilts said...

Keep your machine clean!

ArloDeanQuilts said...

Already following via bloglovin

Unknown said...

don't skimp on ironing!

Unknown said...

i'm following with bloglovin

Nati said...

Keep the scissors handy for unpicking? does that count? Thanks for the chance to win.

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