Fat Quarter Shop giveaway winner

Thanks everyone for your comments on my Firecrackers Quilt blog post.  It was really interesting reading about your favourite gadgets. There were a few themes running through the comments - Bloc-Loc HST rulers and clover clips were popular (these are both on my favourite gadgets lists too), as were easy angle and companion angle rulers, which I haven't tried.

Without further ado, I'm delighted to announce that the random number generator drew commenter 21, Allison, as the winner of the Creative Grids 30 degree triangle ruler,generously provided by Fat Quarter Shop.

Congratulations Allison, and thanks to everyone else who entered.

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Firecrackers Quilt - a Fat Quarter Shop pattern

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR ENTRIES - THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Today, I'm delighted to be sharing my version of Fat Quarter Shop's newest quilt pattern, the Firecrackers Quilt!

If you're interested in making this quilt yourself, all the resources you need are right here:

Firecrackers PDF pattern
Firecrackers video tutorial
Firecrackers quilt kit
Firecrackers backing set

 

This quilt uses two jelly rolls, and a background fabric.  I was super lucky and managed to get my hands on not one but two fabric collections I've been jonesing for - Modern Background Paper and Modern Background Ink.  Although these fabrics have been designed as backgrounds, I wanted them to be the stars of my quilt, and chose Moda Grunge in Duchess for my background.

 

I'm really pleased with how this quilt top has turned out.  I really liked the angles in the pattern design, and I wanted to keep the graphic nature of the quilt with my fabric choices.  I think the black, white and grey achieves that perfectly.

 

I had a nice time making this quilt - there are a few steps to it but they are all pretty simple and perfect for doing while watching a TV show or listening to a podcast (lately I've been listening to and really enjoying Reply All).  If you're going to make this quilt, I totally recommend this rotating cutting mat for the trimming stage.  I actually bought one when I was holidaying in Auckland last year.  I was making a quilt with lots of half square triangles, and I forgot to take my other rotating cutting mat with me.  I found the Matilda's Own one in a shop up there and I haven't looked back since - it's that good.

 

I really like the subtle texture of the Moda Grunge fabrics.  I have a few stashed but I think this is the first time I've actually used one! It has reminded me why I stashed them in the first place!

It was a pretty windy day when I took these photos - it always makes photographing a quilt top challenging!  Here is my tip for anyone making this quilt: once you have finished assembling the quilt top, stitch a line about 1/8" from each edge of the quilt.  This will help keep the edge stable and prevent it from stretching.

I can't wait to see the quilts made by the other bloggers who made quilts from the Firecrackers pattern!  You can find the other quilts here:

Ants to Sugar by Daisy

Silly Mama Quilts by Brooke

Happy Quilting by Melissa

627 Handworks by Julie

Must Love Quilts by Corinne

Mommy Sew by Jenn

Little Bunny Quilts by Alison

Fly Away Quilts by Lauren

One of the things I really enjoyed about making the Firecrackers Quilt was the opportunity to use the Creative Grids 30 Degree Triangle Ruler for the first time.  I'm already a big fan of 60 degree triangles, and the 18 degree wedges that are typically used for making Dresden plates, and this ruler hits the gap in between perfectly!  I've already started a little project using some of the 30 degree triangle scraps from this quilt, which I hope to share with you soon. 

Fat Quarter Shop is very generously letting me give away a Creative Grids 30 Degree Triangle Ruler to one lucky reader.

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment letting me know about your favourite ruler or other quilting gadget - I'm just curious to know what people have found and love.

You can get an optional extra entry for each of the following (just leave an extra comment on this post for each that applies):

 - following my blog (through google friend connect or a feed reader like Bloglovin' or Feedly); and
 - following me on instagram (I'm there as @adrianneonthewindyside).

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.  If you're not sure whether you're a no-reply blogger, check out my tutorial on how to stop being a no-reply blogger by clicking on the button below.

The giveaway will stay open until around 6 pm Tuesday 17 November at 6pm (New Zealand Time), and I will use the random number generator at random.org to pick a winner then.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR ENTRIES - THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

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My first sponsor (and a giveaway)

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

So after all that thinking about sponsorship (here and here, if you missed it), I eventually got my act together and approached a few potential sponsors.  Fat Quarter Shop had to be on the list and I'm now very pleased to introduce them as my first sponsor!

Here's why I like Fat Quarter Shop:

- they have a HUGE range of high quality quilting fabrics, and stock both modern and more traditional designs so there is something for everyone.  

- their sale section is brilliant, especially when I need lots of yardage for a quilt back - there's always a bargain to be had.  

- the presentation of their packages is outstanding - the fabric is always beautifully presented and it's almost a shame to unfold it!

- they are a massive supporter of the online quilting community and regularly provide prizes for quilt-alongs, challenges and other online events.

- they stock one of my favourite solid collections, Moda Bella Solids.

So Fat Quarter Shop has been generous enough to offer a $20 gift certificate to one of my readers.  What would you buy?  I think I might be tempted by one of the design rolls that are currently on sale.  Joel Dewberry's latest collection Bungalow definitely caught my eye.

As did Heather Bailey's latest collection, Lottie Da.  By the way, has anyone else noticed how many good purple fabrics are coming out just at the moment?  I have, and it's pleasing.  Good purples are hard to find!

To enter the giveaway, head over to Fat Quarter Shop and then leave a comment on this post letting me know what you would buy if you won.  If you want, you can get an extra entry for each of the following (just leave an extra comment for each that applies):

- following my blog through google friend connect or a feed reader like bloglovin' or feedly (new and existing followers both count);
- liking my facebook page; and
- sharing this giveaway via your favourite social media (you could blog about it, share it on facebook, tweet about it, whatever!).

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 10 pm Friday 27 September 2013 (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.  Also, please don't be concerned that my blog is going to be all about sponsored content from here on out.  It won't.  For the most part it will be exactly the same, with a couple of extra buttons in the sidebar.  But I think it's only fair to introduce my sponsors as they come on board, and let you know why I've picked them to partner with.  Also, I'm stoked to be able to offer you the chance to win free fabric!

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