It's a Big Number!

503,666

That's the number, at least as of the time this post went live. American Patchwork & Quilting's One Million Pillowcase Challenge has inspired 503,666 pillowcases to be made. 
That's fantastic!
It's also just a little over halfway to their bold 1,000,000 goal. 

To celebrate reaching the halfway point, AP&Q is hosting a contest on Pinterest. They've chosen 20 of their favorite pillowcases and are asking readers to choose one and repin it on their own board. The pillowcase pattern with the most repins by July 31 will win. 

So, head over to AP&Q's Pinterest board and repin your favorite!
(And if you need help deciding which to vote for...ahem, cough, cough...this one below, featuring our Rockets & Robots collection by Blue Sky Studios, is ours.)

We at Benartex are thrilled to be a sponsor for the One Million Pillowcase Challenge. We love the concept--quilters and sewers making and donating a pillowcase to a local charity, making a difference in their own community. We love how easy it is--you can make a pillowcase in an hour! 

Find more details about the One Million Pillowcase Challenge, including free patterns for pillowcases, a list of charities, and the official counter keeping track of donations, here.

One more thing we love about the Challenge--seeing all the different ways our fabrics can be used to make bright, cheery pillows. Check out some of the samples made by American Patchwork & Quilting:

Lili-fied chevron pillowcase

Manhattan Modern  crazy rail fence pillowcase

Cabana uneven hourglass pillowcase

Interlude spool pillowcase

Tree Frog train pillowcase

Find the free patterns for all of these pillowcases here.

And don't forget to head over to Pinterest and repin your favorite! After the winning pillowcase has been selected, we'll be remaking it in some of our newest fabric and joining in the One Million Pillowcase Challenge blog hop!

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5 Summer Sewing Ideas

Where do you find summer sewing inspiration? When warm, sunny days are calling your name, it can be hard to make time for a little soul-soothing stitching. We've got inspiration and ideas to get you started!

1. Everyone needs a tote bag
Between trips to the beach, farmer's markets, or even just running errands around town, nothing puts a spring in your step like a new bag. Plus, even if the bag is quilted, it's so much smaller than a quilt--you can finish it quickly without spending those sunshine-y days hidden away in your sewing room. 

Try a nautical-themed tote using our beachy Cabana collection from Kanvas. The tote is designed by Joanie Holton and Melanie Greseth of Tailormade by Design and the pattern is featured in the Summer 2013 Quilts and More issue. 

Photo courtesy Quilts and More magazine

Find the magazine here.
Find the kit and learn more about Tailormade by Design here.
See the entire Cabana collection here.

2. Nothing says "summer" like themed prints!

Melons? We have 'em! Mad for Melons

Cocktails? Complete with plastic flamingo drink stirrers! Happy Hour II

Headed for the beach? Ocean Avenue

Take me out to the ballgame... Who's on First

3. Can you say "panel quilt?" 
Nothing goes together faster--Add pieced borders for added interest--but the majority of the work is done for you. Little effort, big results! 

Kimberly Bourne's "Circus Circus" panel quilt, featuring her Under the Big Top fabric collection, is featured in the summer issue of 2013. Easy pinwheel blocks and a fussy-cut parade border enhance the main big top scene. Quick to sew, perfect for a little one. 

Photo courtesy of Quilts and More magazine

Find the magazine here.

Find the kit here.

See the entire Under the Big Top fabric collection here.

4. Hit your summer reading list
Have a Kindle, Nook, or other e-reader? A handmade case will keep it safe as you tackle that summer reading list, whether it's relaxing chick lit, inspiring biographies, or a murder mystery. 
You can find Ebony Love's e-reader tutorial here on our blog. 

5. Pick a "Christmas in July" project
You'll be so glad to have it done when busy December rolls around. And, since the deadline is far off, even 15 minutes of sewing a day will get you there. 
Starting next week, we'll be introducing our 2013 holiday fabric lines here on the blog and on Facebook, and our July blog hop will feature tutorials using these fabrics as well. Stay tuned!

Ho, Ho, Ho Let It Snow by Nancy Halvorsen

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100 Posts Giveaway!

(Image: Baker's Delight from Greta Lynn for Kanvas)

We've reached 100 posts here on Benartex's Sew in Love with Fabric blog.

To celebrate, we are (you guessed it!) giving away some fabric bundles.

The Big Apple from Kanvas

The Big Apple in brights from Kanvas

Cabana from Kanvas

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below telling us what type of posts you'd like to see in future blog entries. 

The giveaway ends Sunday, June 23rd at 11:59 EST. The giveaway is now closed. One entry per person, please. We'll randomly choose five winners from all the comments left below and announce their names here on the blog on Monday, June 24th. 

Check back Monday to see if you've won! And thanks for following our blog! 

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