That Handmade Touch Book Hop

That Handmade Touch Book Hop

That Handmade Touch by Svetlana Sotak

I’ve been following the work of Svetlana Sotak for years now and am in love with her clean, practical, handmade aesthetic. When I heard she had a new book out I was excited to get my hands on a copy and be part of her book blog hop! Follow along on the hop via her Instagram feed at: @sotakhandmade

Soft Storage Bucket from That Handmade Touch by Svetlana Sotak

The book is called That Handmade Touch and is a Lucky Spool publication. It was so hard to pick just one project to make because honestly, I want to sew everything in this book but I needed to leave projects for the other blog hop makers to sew so I decided to sew the Soft Storage Bucket because:

1. It’s so darn cool

2. I can always use more pretty storage baskets

3. I’ve always wanted to work with leather handles and try adding rivets

That Handmade Touch by Svetlana Sotak

Never having added rivets to a project before was the only part of this project that made me nervous. Sewing up the bag was a snap and the instructions and illustrations were easy to follow. I think it took all of a half hour to make the bag and another 4 days to get the nerve to add the rivets!

Turns out, it was really no big deal to use the pre-cut leather and rivets—look for the affiliate product links at end of post. For the fabrics, I used the Sand Bar canvas from my Art Gallery Fabrics Coastline collection on the exterior of the bag and AGF Crosshatched Textured Denim for the lining.

This bag is just the perfect size and there’s so many uses for a bucket bag like this; toys, throw blankets, craft supplies, shopping, and the list goes on. I also like the fun option of rolling the top edge down to reveal the interior print or having it up for a taller bucket bag or easy-carry tote.

Don’t you just love the antique gold rivets with the leather!!!??? The leather adds the perfect accent for the coastal-look of this bag. I plan to make more of these to use as gifts for the upcoming holiday season—their roomy enough to fill with fun items and useful beyond just being the wrapping.

Everlasting Blog Tour - Week 1 Recap + Giveaway

Everlasting Blog Tour - Week 1 Recap + Giveaway

It’s felt like Christmas in July this week as the Everlasting Blog Tour makers posted their tour makes. I want to give a huge thanks to everyone taking part in the tour and for the incredible gifts they’re giving all of us by sharing their talents and creativity.

This May saw the release of Everlasting, my seventh fabric line for Art Gallery Fabrics. Romantic, summer-inspired prints make sewing easy with a classic palette of navy, red, turquoise, and blush. Everlasting has been a huge success and is available in shops everywhere. See FABRICS page for stock listings of online shops.

I knew right away I wanted this collection to have a blog tour and coordinated a list of wonderfully talented makers to share their love of stitching with all of us. Here in the States we’re enjoying summer and I know I’d love these long, lazy days to never end. So, to keep those summer vibes going, over the next three weeks you’ll find inspired sewing posts, exciting makers to follow, beautiful projects, and of course, weekly giveaways all focused around my Everlasting fabric collection—you won’t want to miss a day!

EVERLASTING BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Friday, July 12 - Sharon Holland

Monday, July 15 - Marija Vujcic

Tuesday, July 16 - Carolina Moore

Wednesday, July 17 - Dana Willard

Thursday, July 18 - Lisa Ruble

Friday, July 19 - Dritz Sewing

Monday, July 22 - Eleri Kerian

Tuesday, July 23 - Marisa Wilhelmi

Wednesday, July 24 - Sharon McConnell

Thursday, July 25 - Modernly Morgan

Friday, July 26 - Alexis Wright

Monday, July 29 - Priscilla Geissler

Tuesday, July 30 - Maureen Cracknell

Wednesday, July 31 - Elina Temmes

Week 1 Recap

Day 1 of the Everlasting Blog Tour started out with a bang as Marija Vujcic gave us not just one but THREE amazing sewing projects to drool over. Marija is a must-follow maker and so passionate about sewing. She can sew anything and does everything to perfection. Find tutorials for her projects along with the soon-to-be-published pattern for this amazing Everlasting Garden quilt (top left).

Everlasting Blog Tour projects by Marija Vujcic

Day 2 belonged to Carolina Moore our very own Art Gallery Fabrics Sewcialite. Carolina created a stunning improv quilt incorporating traditional English Paper-Pieced blocks by Brimfield Awalkening into a color-blocked modern strip quilt. Learn more about Carolina and see the stunning quilting on this quilt on her blog.

Everlasting Blog Tour project by Carolina Moore

Day 3 had me smiling ear to ear when Dana Willard (an Art Gallery Fabrics sister-designer) posted about her smartly-designed reversible skirt. I adore Dana and she has the best tutorials! This easy-pease skirt can be sized for any girl-young or old and a must-make for your summer sewing.

Everlasting Blog Tour project by Dana Willard

Day 4 was Lisa Ruble’s stop on this fun blog tour. Lisa and I have worked together over the years and she’s a wonderful and passionate quilter, amazing person, and extremely talented in everything she does. Definitely follow Lisa on her quilting adventures! Now through the end of the month you can get 10% this gorgeous Ribbon Weave quilt pattern that Lisa made using the blues and teal prints from Everlasting.

Everlasting Blog Tour project by Lisa Ruble

Day 5 ends the first week with one of our tour sponsors and everybody’s favorite notion company, Dritz Sewing! The super talent team of creatives at Dritz bring us the most innovative and fun projects. Their tutorials and products are easy-to-use and give your projects that professional finishing touch. Make a customizable cork banner to hang in your sewing room, office, or how about making one for those going off to college!?!? The possibilities are endless! Find all the how-to’s and make this pretty banner to display favorite things on the Dritz Make Something Blog.

Everlasting Blog Tour project by Dritz Sewing

Week 1 Giveaway Now Closed: Congratulations Lacey!

What an amazing week, right??? The only way to make it even better is to have a giveaway to keep the party hopping. The week 1 sponsored giveaway comes to you from Dritz Sewing.

The Dritz story spans nearly 100 years, and encompasses tens of thousands of creative products. What began as a family business in 1920s New York City, is today a storied brand that is recognized by DIY enthusiasts around the world. Today, Dritz embodies a heritage of quality, value and innovation. Sewists and quilters alike turn to Dritz for top-notch quilting and sewing supplies. Dritz is conveniently sold via mass merchants, independent shops and online retailers, so it’s readily available where and when you need it. - See more at: Dritz!
Products  *  Projects & Patterns  *  Instagram  *  Blog 

To get you started on your Banner, Dritz is including the following fun hardware and notions to their giveaway package:

• Double Cap Rivets Nickel 750-65

• Rivet Tool 750T

• Triangle Rings 738-65

• D-Rings 1" 117-1-65

• Swivel Hooks (2 packages) 512

• Grommet Pliers 1P

• Nickel Grommets 1-65

THANK YOU DRITZ FOR THIS GENEROUS PRIZE!

* Note * This giveaway is open to US residents only (sorry, international friends). If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment--you can't win if I can't get a hold of you!

1. Simply leave a comment here under this post! (First comment entry).

2. Follow Dritz on their Blog and/or Instagram. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment - second entry). 

3. My followers get a third entry! If you follow via subscribing to my posts, through Bloglovin (or other service), or on Instagram, just let me know by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment - third entry). Note: I'm no longer on Facebook.

4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Spread the word about the Everlasting Blog Tour on YOUR instagram, facebook, tweet, pin, blog post, etc... (separate comment - fourth entry). 

That’s four possible entries! Enter now through Tuesday, July 23. The winner will be picked at random around 4 pm Eastern. I’ll post the name of the winner on this blog post once they've been notified and responded to my email.

Happy sewing,

Sharon

Hold Tight Sew Along Week #2

Hold Tight Sew Along Week #2

Welcome to Week #2 of the Hold Tight Sew Along! For this blog post, and the following two posts, I'll be share tips and tutorials to bring your quilting skills to a new level. No longer will curved piecing hold you back from stitching a quilt with curves! 

If you don't have the pattern already, you'll want to purchase the Hold Tight PDF pattern from my Shop page or from our friends at Fat Quarter Shop who now carries this pattern as well as Hold Tight quilt kits. These blog posts serve to supplement the instructions but don't provide the detailed pattern information that you'll find in the PDF available for purchase. The Hold Tight pattern will have your material list, cutting requirements, full-size templates, and be fully illustrated. My supplementary blog posts are just that, supplementary and meant to guide you along as you sew and give general patchwork sewing information for anyone sewing curves.

From March 20 until April 10, 2019 I'll be breaking down the key components of the Hold Tight baby quilt pattern into four manageable tutorial blog posts. These tutorials will be useful to anyone working with fabric and patchwork regardless what quilt is being made. In addition to my written posts, I’ve adding skill-building demonstration videos to further your learning experience. The videos support Weeks #1 through #3 and you’ll find these helpful videos on my Sew Along page. All the videos will be available on Week #1 of the sew along for those wanting to work ahead and will stay a permanent feature to resource in the future.

If you’ve just discovered this blog or only just heard about this sew along, there’s still plenty of time to join in on the fun and take part in the sponsored giveaway prizes for each week of the event. To get up to speed, take a look at the Week #1 posting dedicated to color selection and working with colors like a designer.

I’ve just finished a top for my third Hold Tight quilt! To give myself a color palette challenge I decided to find a color palette inspiration from Pinterest and let that determine the look of this quilt.

Colour Crush from Love Print Studio Blog

I fell in love with this terra cotta, coral, clay, forest green, and golden palette and knew that Art Gallery Fabrics carried so many Pure Solids in these ranges that coming up with a palette based on this Love Print Studio mood board would be a snap!

The morning of my fabric pull I was walking the dog and marveling at the blue sky when it dawned on me that an ombré background would be an awesome addition to this already earthy, southwestern-looking color palette—was I right???!!! My top is all pieced and am waiting for some Hobbs Poly-Down batting to arrive so I can quilt it. I’ve decide to use my Art Gallery Fabrics Destination Aerial print from my Tapestry collection as the backing and it could be any more perfect!

As promised, I want to share the fabric selection information with you. Now, be warned that doing an ombré background you’ll need to double the amount of background fabric for this quilt because of the size and odd shapes of the pieces create a lot of waste and left over fabrics. I used six gradient fabrics for horizontal rows of color with the two middle blues being used in two horizontal rows. Altogether you’ll need 25 colors (or 27 if each background row is a different gradient) to make a Hold Tight quilt with an ombré background. The rest of the yardage is unchanged.

Cutting Templates and Fabrics

The Hold Tight PDF pattern comes with the full-size templates which already include the seam allowances. Be sure when printing out your PDF pattern that you set you printer to 100%, no scale. Select a US letter paper size and deselect any borderless option (no borderless). Each template page has a 1” square reference square to check for printing scale accuracy. It’s extremely important you print the templates to true size.

With a permanent marking tool, trace the shapes onto heavy template plastic. I highly recommend Dritz Heavy Duty Template Plastic. Transfer shape letter information, grain line arrow. When tracing the Block Trimming Template, include the seam allowance and curves onto your template. Cut templates out with household scissors. Learn more about creating templates from the Hold Tight Sew Along Week #2 video found on my Sew Along page.

Refer to the PDF pattern for strip cutting information and number of pieces to cut. Let template straight edges and grain line marks help you to align the templates onto the fabrics for cutting. A 28 mm rotary cutter is highly suggested for cutting around curves. Use the extra guides of rotary cutter rulers when working on straight edges.

Tip: To help hold the template in place while cutting, roll Washi tape onto itself to make double-sided tape. Adhere the rolled tape onto the back of a template shape in 2-4 places. Fabric can be rotated for cutting ease without disturbing the template position and the taped template can be reused several times before the tape looses it stickiness.

When cutting the B shape pieces, utilize the straight edge of the strip to cut the first shape then rotate the template to make the second cut which leaves an oval shaped scrap. For more demonstrations on cutting see Week #2 video.

Unfortunately, curved patchwork comes with waste pieces. If you plan to do additional curved sewing like trying your had at my free Orange Peel Table Runner these waste pieces can be cut down into smaller sizes and used. Start a bin of castoff curves for that next project.

Stitching, pressing, and squaring up of a finished block will be covered next week and also in Week #3 Sew Along video Part 1 and 2 but I put this image here to show the importance that the template markings play in creating the Block Trimming Template.

A sew along’s a lot more fun with sponsors and giveaways, right!? Our friends at Dritz Sewing, the Fat Quarter Shop, Hobbs Batting, and Omnigrid have generously provided the Hold Tight Sew Along with products I know you’ll love! Every Friday I’ll be posting weekly a giveaway on Instagram. By using the hashtag #HoldTightSewAlong on Instagram every time you post sew along photos to a public account (private account posts don’t show up in hashtag pools) your IG account is automatically entered into the weekly sew along drawings! Ideas for what to share include your sew along progress, the “I’m a maker” sew along badge found HERE, your fabric pull, blocks, and finished quilt. Be sure to follow me on Instagram @sharonhollanddesigns so you never miss a thing!

THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY SPONSOR IS from DRITZ Sewing and Omnigrid

This Friday, March 29, 2019 the giveaway prize will be these wonderful Dritz and Omnigrid products:

Omnigrid 28 mm Rotary Cutter

2 Sheets of Dritz Heavy Duty Template Plastic

Dritz Shower Curtain Rings

Dritz Slip ‘N Grips

Glow Head Pins

Fabric Marking Pencils

If you’re wondering why I selected Dritz Shower Curtain Rings to be part of this giveaway package it’s because I love using everyday object in new ways and find this size shower ring to be so handy for keeping template pieces together, organizing swatch cards, note cards, bobbins, keys, etc. Anytime you can organize your work area is a good day, right?

Please note that this giveaway package is for US residence only (sorry, international friends, due to overseas shipping costs I’m asked by our sponsor to keep this giveaway US only.)

Don't forget the giveaways for this sew along are held on Instagram (not on the blog) and winning names are randomly drawn from the posts in the hashtag pool. By posting images of your Hold Tight color inspiration, fabric pull, blocks, or quilt. Use the official #holdtightsewalong hashtag every time you post your makes (to a public account) and you're automatically entered into the weekly IG drawings! See my Instagram Friday giveaway posts @sharonhollanddesigns for full details. 

Aura Blog Party

Aura Blog Party

Aloha, and welcome to my stop on the Aura Blog Party hosted by Mathew Boudreaux (AKA Mister Domestic), the textile designer behind the Aura fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics.

This bright and playful fabric collection is Mathew’s sophomore collection for Art Gallery Fabrics and was the perfect way to chase away the winter blues and escape to a magical paradise of warm colors, sea turtles, dolphins, and tropical flowers.

Instead of stitching a quilt for this blog tour I decided to mix things up a bit and sew garments for my granddaughter. Ever since I made her a stuffed turtle with my Signature fabric collection she’s been crazy about turtles. So, of course I just had to sew her something fun with Mathew’s Hawaiian Honu in Dawn sea turtles print. Clockwise from the turtle print is Aloha Spirit in Windward and Hula Dolpins in ocean. See the full collection HERE.

I don’t consider myself much of a garment sewer even though I used to sew dresses for my daughter when she was little—it’s just not something I feel as comfortable doing as I do for sewing quilts. But, you know what? Everything I made for this tour turned out wonderful and even fit her nicely so that gives me so much more confidence to do more garment sewing in the future!

This adorable dress is from Little Lizard King and is called the Napoli dress. I love this style of dress because right now (at a 3T) it’s a dress but as she gets taller she can wear it as a top. I selected the long sleeve option and again, these are just as cute rolled up when she’s small as they will be down when she’s taller.

I was even able to dig into my button box to find the perfect shade and size buttons for this fabric!

The most marvelous thing about sewing for toddlers is you hardly use any fabric at all. This too-cute-for-words vest is also a Little Lizard King pattern. The Madison Vest was super easy to make and I love that it’s reversible!

Since it’s still winter, I couldn’t resist adding some faux shearling for some snuggle and texture. A girl’s got to have options, right?!!?

Such a great way to use a half yard of (each) fabric. I went with the loop closer option and stitched matching vintage buttons on both sides for a fully reversible vest.

Like I said, toddler clothes hardly take any fabric at all so I still had material to play with. Why not make her another turtle!!!

Meet Myrtle the Turtle. This adorable softie is a pattern by Purl Soho. I thought Mathew’s medallion print would be the perfect print as a turtle shell and mirror imaged the design so the motifs reflect each other on each side of the turtle back. More vintage buttons saved the day as eyes and Myrtle now has a permanent home with my granddaughter getting lots of love and snuggles.

This is how to be a turtle.

And, for my final make for the Aura tour I chose the most fun and easiest project of pajama pants! Art Gallery Fabrics very own Dana Willard has a fantastic and free Kid Pants pattern perfectly sized for a toddler.

The Aloha Spirit print is so cute for PJs and brings a bit of a hippie-girl vibe that looks perfect for lounging and playing with your matching turtle. If you’re hesitant about garment sewing, this pajama pattern is an ideal beginner project and a very quick make.

I had a blast sewing for this blog tour and even better, an excuse to have my daughter and the grand babies up for a weekend photoshoot. After we had finished photographing we had gone out shopping and stopped for a bit of thrift store poking around. I found this wonderful carved wood turtle that the shell comes off and the inside is a shallow dish. Of course I bought it for my granddaughter and she said it will be her box for special things which I suspect are rocks. Three of anything makes a collection—she’s well on her way to being just like her Mimi!

Thanks for joining me on the tour. For loads more inspiration, be sure to follow along on the rest of the tour as crazy talented makers share their Aura Blog Party makes.

MISTER DOMESTIC’S AURA BLOG PARTY

• Monday February 11: Amanda Woodruff of A Crafty Fox

• Tuesday February 12: Kylie Gersekowski of Little Moo Designs 

• Wednesday February 13: Sharon Holland —You are Here

• Thursday February 14: Kim Niedzwiecki of Go Go Kim

• Saturday February 16: Sarah Maxwell of Fearless with Fabric

• Sunday February 17: Natalie Santini of Hungry Hippie Sews

• Monday February 18: Carolina Moore of Always Expect Moore

• Tuesday February 19: Isabelle Selak of South Bay Bella Studio

• Wednesday February 20: Elizabeth Chappell of Quilters’ Candy

• February 21-24: Intermission 

• Monday February 25: Tara Curtis of Wefty Needle 

• Tuesday February 26: Monica Tetteh of That’s Sew Monica

• Wednesday February 27: Nicholas Ball of Quilts from the Attic

• Thursday February 28: Lucy Brennan of Charm About You 

• Friday March 1: Robbin Flockhart of Sew Farm Quilter

• Saturday March 2: Evie Jespersen of EV Quilts

• Sunday March 3: Kelly Liddle of Jeliquilts

• Monday March 4: Maureen Cracknell of Maureen Cracknell Handmade

• Tuesday March 5: HollyAnne Knight of String and Story

• Wednesday March 6: Mimi Goodwin of Mimi G Style

• Thursday March 7: Angela Wolf of Fashion Sewing with Angela Wolf

• Friday March 8: Kitty Wilkin of Night Quilter

• Saturday March 9: Sharon Burgess of Lilabelle Lane Creations

• Sunday March 10: Emily Dennis of Quilty Love

• Monday March 11: Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill of Whole Circle Studio 

• Tuesday March 12: Elina Temmes of Elina Temmes

• Wednesday March 13: Jennifer Strauser of Dizzy Quilter 

• Thursday March 14: Saija Kiiskinen of Saija Kiiskinen

• Friday March 15: Brittany Jones of Brittany J Jones

• Saturday March 16: Jodi Godfrey of Tales of Cloth

• Sunday March 17: Kim Niedzwiecki of Go Go Kim

• Monday March 18: Sharon McConnell of Color Girl Quilts