Giveaway, Oh Giveaway

I don't even know where to begin with all of the adventures I went on this month.  I may have to grant myself a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card and skip immediately past Go -- at least till I'm caught up on some design projects.

This weekend I went through the first round of strike-offs for my next fabric collection.  Gah!  I normally wouldn't mention strike-offs because, really, it will be months before the fabrics are available.  But, gah!  They're gorgeous.  I'm ready to fly over to the mill and screen the prints myself if it will speed things up.  I'm dying to sew with this fabric. 

See, now I feel better, and you feel worse.  Which is why I normally don't say anything.  But, that's what I'm working on today. And that's where my brain is.

I'm also thinking about a giveaway to celebrate my blogiversary.  It's been 3 years now.  So, how does this sound for a prize?

• Freshcut Scrap Bag (in 1/4yd-1/2yd pieces)
• Sewing Pattern (your choice)
• Flutterby Flip-Book Kit

Leave a comment, telling us what your first sewing project was -- or if you don't sew, what your first sewing project might be -- or if you don't plan to sew, why not!?  Or your favorite remedy for puffy eyes.  I don't know, tell us something interesting.  Or just say, 'Hi.'  That works too. 

I'll let this go through Thursday night MST, then hand it over to the Random Number Generator for an edict. 

I may hand out a couple of extra giveaways too.  I tend to do that.

The photos?  Some shots from my weekend in Pittsburgh.  What a beautiful city!

Comments

[nicole]

My first sewing project was a skirt i made with my grandma. I grew up watching her sew and in high school I thought i'd give it a try. 15 years later I'm now sewing any time i get.

[The Mama Jenn]

My first sewing project was a nursing cover. I love your stuff and your blog! Thanks for writing!!!

[lesley]

my first sewing project in a bajillion years (okay like 20) was the amy butler birdie sling. my best friend is going back to school at age 31, so I made her the bag, a notebook folio, a pencil bag, bookmarks...all things to hopefully help her be successful and know i'm always cheering for her!

[Sarah]

Hmm...my first sewing project was something in Middle School but I have no idea what it was. The first one I remember is a locker caddy that I made in Clothing I my freshman year in high school. It was red and green. I never used it in my locker. Instead, my mom stole it and used it as her crochet caddy where she stored her hooks and other accessories.

[Jenna]

i can't wait to see your new fabrics! freshcut is still one of my all time favs! the first thing i sewed.....sleep shorts out of giant sunflower fabric in high school: clothing and fiber arts. that class changed the course of my life!

[Betty Beguiles]

My first sewing project was a dress for my little girl. :)

[eve]

I don't remember my first sewing project, but my last one was handsewing a lining into a knit, then felted, bag.

[The 6 O'Clock Stitch]

My first sewing project was a stuffed owl for my daughter. I've been hooked ever since!

Thank you for such a generous giveaway!

[Lisa]

hi heather! how is the octopus pouch treating ya? hehe i still can't beleive you bought that from me. you are too too sweet!!!

anyhoo, my first sewing project was a totally hokey looking purse. i fudged the pattern because i was so eager to finish it. i used totally cheapo fabrics and then threw the whole thing out lol i think all first sewing experiences are supposed to be a disaster. how else do you learn?? esp. teaching yourself...it's no easy task!

i would love love love to win! thanks so much for hosting an amazing giveaway!!

[jennifer]

Hi Heather!

My first sewing project was actually for my college interview at FIT in NY. The requirements were my portfolio and something that I sewed myself - had to have zipper, lining & darts. I made a knee length Vogue pattern skirt. So basic but, terrifying at the same time! I got in (but, not based on my sewing skills) : )

Love your fabric!!
xo
Jen

[Allie]

My first sewing project was a pouch! And I haven't stopped making them since! :)

Happy 3rd Blogiversary Heather!

[chris]

1970's style top in bicentennial fabric for 4-H club in 1976.

[Lindy]

I had to start small, so my first ever sewing project was making 2 dozen drawer sachets for favors at my very good friends lingerie shower! Think bean-bag sized, in shiny jewel toned colors. The first 'real' project I undertook were jumpers and sundresses for my daughter. Right now I'm starting on my first ever QUILT! I love your blog and everything you do, thanks for adding a little bit of beauty to the world. :)

[Jennifer]

I don't remember the first project I made but my first experience with sewing was during a weekend at my grandmothers when I was 11. She taught me everything from sewing basics to working with different fabrics and alterations. I've been sewing ever since. During college it allowed me to make some side money since most people my age can't even sew on a button.

[DebbieKL]

Congrats on 3 years! My first project years ago was an apron for 4H. Got to show it in the county fair!

[Valerie]

The first project I can remember sewing was this chartreuse colored pencil skirt I sewed when I was about 12 or 13, when chartreuse was not in style like it is nowadays! I believe it was my firs zipper experience as well. I wonder what happened to that skirt!
I can't wait to see your new fabrics!

[Anita]

Hum my first sewing project was a little dress with a diaper cover for my oldest niece. I love your fabrics, can't wait to see your new fabrics.

[sherri]

My first sewing project was a nine-patch pillow. My Mom bought me some pre-cut squares, and I sewed them together and then sewed and stuffed the pillow. It was far from professional-looking, but I was only 10 years old!

[Gemma]

My first sewing project was a lap quilt. I hand pieced most of it as I didn't have a sewing machine! I gave that up pretty quickly!

[Jennalou]

My first sewing project was a mini skirt. I made it in first grade under the watchful eye of my mother. The print looked like a cow... Scary!

[alicia]

My grandma got me a little sewing machine when I was about 7. I made doll clothes. I still have that little sewing machine and I wish I could say that I kept at it and am a great seamstress, but I cannot! I do sew a little bit, though, and I really want to sew some pillows with your beautiful fabrics!!!

[Samantha]

My very first sewing project was a pillowcase with french seam when I was 11 years old. I can't wait to see you're new line!

[Material Mary]

My first sewing project was a 4-H project--an elastic waist skirt. I made a gazillion of them for me, Barbie dolls, etc. I got really efficient at making them. Maybe that's why I really like to sew...
Mary

[Jennifer]

My first sewing project was probably a dress. I can't remember exactly when I started sewing, but as a tween/teen, I spent my spring breaks sewing with my grandma. We always made a dress or skirt for summer. Every spring, I still get an itch to sew a fun summer dress. :)

[Brittney Clark]

Happy 3rd Blogiversary Heather! My first sewing project was a notions bag back in High School. If you can believe it, I still use it now 10years later! I LOVE your fabric! Great Giveaway!

[Amber Scurlock]

My first sewing project, ironically, was a scrapbooking page. It was very exciting. I have also made a lovely little house pillow and have plans for the weekend to make my nieces cute little dresses...p.s. I put a cold cloth on my eye to de-puff them!! =)

[Molly]

I think my first sewing project was an around the world quilt. I still have it. Boy have my tastes changed since then!

[Roberta Taylor]

The first sewing project which I remember at all well was a quilt. My mother is a quilter, and when I was a wee thing, she hand stitched a broken dishes quilt (though, in the interest of full disclosure, it started out a queen and ended up a twin).

My first attempt was far more modest, just a quilt out of 3"squares. But of course, being a teen, I didn't ask for help well (at all), and decided to sew each strip the full width of the quilt, then sew the strips together. So of course the squares didn't line up at all. But I still have it, poor ugly beast.

[Kath]

I messed around with the sewing machine a little before this, but in 4th grade, my mom helped me pick out a pattern and fabric and I made a vest and matching jammer pants for the new school year - haha!

[Cheri]

Ooo, what fun! My first sewing project on my own was a skirt for my American Girl doll. Of course it turned out terrible, but after lots of practice I ended up having my own home-business for a couple of years sewing doll dresses. It then went on to "big girl" dresses, and now I just have a little peasant cottage on etsy with aprons, totes, and other little items. =)

[Robyn W.]

Fun! I can't wait to see your new fabrics!!!!!! Exciting! My first sewing project was some pj pants in a sewing class in high school. :)

[Wendymoon]

Congrats on your blogiversary! One of the first sewing projects I did was with my mom. We made a fabulous dress suit for me in a black and white houndstooth.

[Jenny]

My first ever sewing project was a patchwork cushion cover that I made in school.

First (and only so far) in adulthood was a cute tote bag to carry my lunch to work in. I loved that bag - then I went and left it on the train one evening :(

[kara]

my first sewing experience came in 4th grade right before "Day on the Prarie". We all had to make little felt pouches to hold our trading beads. They were handsewn and then flipped over on top to slip a draw string through. I couldn't get enough and made countless others, even during church (!) But always had to ask mom to knot my thread!

[Louise]

My first sewing project was a little doll quilt (just squares) that I hand-sewed while my mom was working on some clothes. I think I was about seven or eight. I found that little quilt recently. Still so sweet!

[Sarah]

I have no clue what my very first ever sewing project was, but my first sewing project as an adult was a small linen laundry bag.

[Keri]

I don't remember my earliest project because I was quite little, but I do remember sewing striped culottes in Girl Scouts. EWWWWWW! They weren't cute modern culottes, but they were highwaisted, elastic, bargain basement striped fabric culottes.

I'm sure they got "lost" somewhere (like the trashcan?)

[dorothy]

right now i'm working with your Pop Garden and making giant hexagons (5inches)--and yup, i'm going to hand-sew them altogether--it's going to take awhile. it's such a joy to work with your fabrics--they're gorgeous! my first "real" sewing project was probably an ice-cream quilt that i made back in the early 1990's--which started my obsession with quilting :-)

[Mushyhed]

My first sewing project would be a dress I tried to make my niece and it turned into a big huge disaster! I stopped making garments after that. My first quilting project would be a photo quilt I made for my best friend and that turned out much, much better! Can't wait to see your new line!!

[Gina]

My first sewing project on a machine was a peasant blouse when I was 11 years old. I have loved to sew ever since and finally got my great machine a Bernina about 10 years ago.

[Carrie]

I used to sew a lot but after many years of no sewing I am trying to get back into it... First project: a quilt for my daughter!

[Amy]

The first thing I ever remember sewing was a jumper dress with my grandmother. Yes, back in the day, jumper dresses were fashionable. I just recently started my first quilt (made with several fabrics from your Pop Garden line) and I have to say, it has reminded me so much of sewing with my grandmother. It has been therapeutic!

[Rachel]

Wow! I have to think. I've been sewing for a while. It was probably clothes for my Barbie dolls.

[Sarah]

First sewing project:
Age 10, perhaps.
A denim and cow print vest.

Don't ask, I thought it was cool.

It certainly was not. Lesson learned.

[Barbara]

Not officially a sewing project but the first time I made something with fabric was when I was about 6 and I made myself an armband with a bunch of buttons sewn on. But the first time I actually had to, you know... use more than one piece of fabric was in 6th grade when we made wallets in home economics class. Today I'm more a knitter than a sewer, but I still love making little pouches and similar projects. This summer though, I'm planning on taking on something a bit bigger. Maybe a wrap skirt?

[Michelle Tech]

A reversible denim skirt and vest to enter into the 4-H competition (tough project for a first-timer youngster)...way back in about, oh, 1977?!!!

[Robin (rsislandcrafts)]

I took home-ec in 6th grade. We were taught how to make a laundry bag out of denim. It had a drawstring top. It was my first time using a sewing machine. I remember sewing my finger to my project. The needle went right through my finger. OUCH!! I'm surprised I ever went back to the sewing machine after that!

[DianeY]

My first sewing project was whatever thay had us make at a Singer Sewing machine class my mom sent me to in the early 60s! I think it was a skirt & top, & I don't know if I ever wore it, but I've been sewing ever since! And sewing for my granddaughters is the most fun of all!

[Meredith]

My first ever sewing project was a pink polka dot pillow in the shape of a mouse face (?!) that I made in Home Ec in middle school. My first "real" project since I've picked up sewing again was an apron.

[Melissa]

My first sewing project was a child's apron (3rd grade 4H project). My mom pulled it out and gave it back to me just last year :). Thanks for the chance!