Novelty Prints Blog Hop Winners!

Happy Monday, all!

Here are the randomly selected winners from our Novelty Prints Blog Hop!

Day 1

Chris

Day 2

Debbie

Day 3

Doris

Day 4

Super Mom No Cape

Day 5

Diane B.

Congratulations!

Winners, if we have your email address, we'll be contacting you to get your mailing information. If you see your name here and haven't heard from us, please send us an email, because it means your email address isn't connected to your comment.

Thank you!

And if you missed any of our fun novelty print tutorials, check out these links:

Day 1: Reverse applique pillow by Lisa from Stubbornly Crafty

Day 2: Boxy make-up bags by Jennie from Clover & Violet

Day 3: Drawstring camera bag by the Benartex blog design team

Day 4: Pillow organizer by Wendy Sheppard from Ivory Spring

Day 5: Children's vests by Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts

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Novelty Prints Blog Hop: Day 5

Start out your Monday here! This blog hop is all about novelty prints from Kanvas--fun designs that make you smile--and our talented designing friends are offering up great ideas for using them! Use the links at the bottom of this post in case you missed one of the earlier tutorials.

Today Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts is here, with a salute to local heroes. See how she has used the Firefighters Rock and Boys in Blue collections from Kanvas to make some adorable accessories for her grandsons. Enjoy the tutorial, and then scroll to the bottom of the post to see how you can win a fat quarter bundle of these local hero prints.

I have two little grandsons who are into ACTION! They don't play with stuffed toys or little blankets and quilts. They just run through the house pretending to be super heroes. Firemen and policemen are superheroes, right?

Let's hear it for our local fire fighters! Firefighters Rock Collection

My grandsons LOVE policemen. Boys in Blue Collection 

I made two things for them using these prints. One I'll share with you as show and tell, and the second I'll show you how to make yoursel. The first thing I made was a karate robe for each of them (2 and 4 years old). I used a commercial pattern by McCall's which also includes pajamas. Let me say, they don't make patterns the way they used to! I had to remake the neck interfacing 3 times, with the last time making my own pattern! I wasted a lot of fabric!

First robe with reworked neck facing; for Miles (4)

 Easy to make the second robe after I "learned" on the first one

Firemen fabric robe for Matteo (2)

 Now for the tutorial I can share using a free pattern I found on the Internet. I made them vests using the Vest Pattern by Marzipan.

Two easy pieces; I decided to line the vest

I chose the fingerprint fabric for the lining. This vest is for Miles.

Cut out the lining using the same pattern pieces; back is cut on the fold

 Here are the pieces cut out:

Outside and lining pieces ready to be sewn together

Since it had been a REALLY LONG TIME since I sewed garments like this, I had to do some research for making a lined vest without any raw edges showing. This is what I found:

1.  Join the front pieces to the back piece, at the shoulders, for both the outside and lining parts.
2. Press shoulder seams open.
3. Sew the lining piece and outside piece together along the armholes (see below)

Sew the lining and outside pieces together at the armholes

 4. Now this is where I got real excited, because I couldn't believe this would really result in no raw edges showing! Sew the lining and outside pieces together from the bottom of one front edge, around the neck, and then back down to the other front edge bottom.

Sew the front and neck edges from the inside

 5. Now it gets a little tricky, but it's doable. Turn the whole vest right side out. It's time to sew the side seams (yes, that's right, and we won't have any raw edges showing, I promise).

Vest ready for side seams to be sewn

6. I don't have a picture for this, but this is what I did: open up the sides and pin the main print sides together (right sides together). Stitch. Sew the lining pieces together, right side of fabric together. You can open the vest up from the bottom and press those seams (it's a bit awkward, but it will work).

 7. This is what the vest looks like after the sides are sewn:

The entire bottom of the vest is open for the next step

8. Last seam: turn the vest inside out and stitch the long bottom opening closed, leaving about 4-6" open in order to turn.

Last seam with opening

9. Turn vest right side out; stitch opening closed (I used my sewing machine)

Police vest for Miles with NO raw edges showing

And what about the firemen fabric? I didn't have enough and had to improvise with more of the fingerprint fabric? Pretty clever, huh? And I added big patch pockets

Firemen vest for Matteo

The Vest Pattern by Marzipan is a free download and fits size 2-4T.

What's a boy to do wearing a police vest if he doesn't have handcuffs and badges?

Dollar store finds; I had enough fabric to make a pillowcase

These handcuffs have a safety spring. I gave the keys to the "Sheriff" (my daughter). The boys had a great time locking all the family members us with these things!

Gotta have handcuffs!

And one more pillowcase!

Little boys like action toys and these two collections fit the bill.

Thanks, Debby, for all the inspiration for using these the Firefighters Rock and Boys in Blue collections! Head over to Debby's blog to learn more about her work and find out how to enter to win a fat quarter bundle of the fabrics she used. 

Don't miss our other novelty print tutorials!

Day 1: Reverse applique pillow by Lisa from Stubbornly Crafty

Day 2: Boxy make-up bags by Jennie from Clover & Violet

Day 3: Drawstring camera bag by the Benartex blog design team

Day 4: Pillow organizer by Wendy Sheppard from Ivory Spring

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Novelty Prints Blog Hop: Day 4

Happy Friday! This blog hop is all about novelty prints from Kanvas--fun designs that make you smile--and our talented designing friends are offering up great ideas for using them! Be sure to stop back Monday for one last novelty print tutorial, and see the links at the bottom of this post in case you missed one of the earlier tutorials.

Today Wendy from Ivory Spring is here, using the whimsical Leap Frog prints to make a pillow storage project. This handy design will help reduce random clutter in the car; the bonus is that it's made from such cute fabrics that it's useful and fun to look at! Enjoy the tutorial, and then scroll to the bottom of the post to see how you can win a fat quarter bundle of the Leap Frog prints.

Hello Benartex fans, it's good to see you here again!  I am Wendy from Ivory Spring, and it is fun to be able to share a quick project with you again.

Today, I am sharing with you a pillow storage project that is easily customized for your needs.  You all have seen pocket storage system like this to store things on the road or just things in general.  They work great!

However I find that sometimes it is hard for a child to transfer the storage system from one place to another without spilling out the contents (like markers etc) with the strictly pocket system.  I know my daughter has done her share of spilling!   So, I came up with the idea of using the pillow form to sort of provide a "snug" fit for the stuff she is storing in the pockets.

***

This project is easily customized for your own needs.  All you need is fabric and a piece of hanging ribbon to length.  For this tutorial, I am using a 12" x 16" pillow form.  SO... from these fabrics 

You will need to cut:

3 (12 1/2" x 16 1/2") rectangles (focal print)

1 (6 1/2" x 16 1/2") rectangle (blue fly print)

4 (4 1/2" x 6 1/2") rectangles (blue fly, orange fly, light lily pad, dark lily pad prints)

***

Let's get sewing, shall we?

1.  Sew the 4 (4 1/2" x 6 1/2") rectangles into a row.  Add 1 (6 1/2" x 16 1/2") blue fly rectangle to the top of pieced row.  

2.  Press seam open.  And matching wrong sides together, fold and press so that on one side, you have the pieced row, and the blue fly rectangle.

3.  Place the unit made in step 2 on 1 (12 1/2" x 16 1/2"), right sides together, with the blue fly rectangle facing downward.  Pin to hold the fabric layers in place.

4.  Sew along the seams of the pieced rows to make pockets.  You may sew along all the seams to make 4 pockets.  I only made 3 pockets for mine because I needed 1 larger pocket.

5.  You now have the completed pillow front assembly.

6.  Tack hanging ribbon in place on pillow front.

7.  Completing pillow.  You may use method of choice to complete your pillowcase.  

a.  Place pillow top wrong side down.  Then lay the pillow backing rectangles (two 12 1/2" x 16 1/2" rectangles) on pillow top, right sides together.  Adjust the pillow backing rectangles accordingly, and trim off any excess from the 12" x 16” area that is not covering the pillow top.

b.  Pin and stitch the pieces together.  

c.  Trim around the corners.  Finish by zig-zagging the seam allowance to reduce the bulk of all the pieces stitched together.

d.  Turn the pillowcase right side out.  Press and insert pillow form.

8.   I used mine as a stitching pillow/pseudo-purse for my daughter as she likes to have a pillow to rest her little hands while she stitches.  The big pocket holds her hooped piece.  The rest holds her notions etc.  Even turned upside down, the pillow form holds the pillow contents nicely... we no longer have spillage problem!  

I hope you have enjoyed seeing how the Leap Frog fabrics are used in this tutorial.  Have you seen my Hoppity Hop quilt featured in Fons & Porter's Easy Quilts (Winter 2014), as well as the free-to-use downloadable design In The Pond?

"Hoppity Hop" by Wendy Sheppard; featured in Easy Quilts winter 2014

"In the Pond" by Wendy Sheppard; free pattern download

Thanks Wendy!

Head over to Wendy's blog to learn more about her work and these designs featuring the Leap Frog fabrics. For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Leap Frog, sign up to follow our blog either by email or through a blog reader (see both options in the right hand sidebar) or follow us on Facebook. Leave a comment letting us know that you follow, and let us know--do you sew in the car? The giveaway is open through Wednesday, January 28 at 11:59 pm EST.

Don't miss our other novelty print tutorials!

Day 1: Reverse applique pillow by Lisa from Stubbornly Crafty

Day 2: Boxy make-up bags by Jennie from Clover & Violet

Day 3: Drawstring camera bag by the Benartex blog design team
Day 5: Children's vests by Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts

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Novelty Prints Blog Hop: Day 3

Welcome back for day 3! This blog hop is all about novelty prints from Kanvas--fun designs that make you smile--and our talented designing friends are offering up great ideas for using them! Be sure to stop back each day for a new tutorial.

Today the Benartex design team is sharing a drawstring camera bag tutorial using That's Hollywood. Enjoy the tutorial, and then scroll to the bottom of the post to see how you can win a fat quarter bundle of the That's Hollywood prints.

Today we'll be using the camera print from the That's Hollywood collection to make a padded drawstring camera bag. If you own more than a simple point-and-shoot camera, chances are you also have a heavy-duty camera bag to lug around. Which is great to have. But sometimes you just want to toss your camera in a tote bag or larger purse so you're not walking around with a bag (or two!) on each shoulder. Here's where this drawstring bag comes in. A layer of fusible fleece offers a little protection for your precious camera, but the the design is still small enough to be tucked inside a larger bag. And on top of all that, it's cute! 

 Here are the three colors of camera prints from the That's Hollywood collection. Aren't they fun?!?!

And a peek at some of the remaining prints in the collection--film spools, popcorn, pin-up girls, stars...

Let's get started.

Here's what you'll need:
1/2 yard of the camera print
2/3 yard black solid
Two 15" squares fusible fleece
Chalk or fabric marking pen
Walking foot for your sewing machine (helpful, but not required)

Cutting:
Camera print:
Cut two 15" squares

Black solid:
Cut one 15" x 42" strip then cut into two 5" x 15" strips and two 14" squares 
Cut three 2" x 42" strip then cut one strip into two 2" x 14" strips


Step 1: Following manufacturer's directions, fuse a fleece square to the wrong side of each 15" camera print square. Quilt each piece as desired. We did horizontal straight line quilting on the squares. Tip: Concentrate the majority of your quilting in the center 5" of the squares, as the bottom will be covered by the black base and the top by the casing. Trim quilted squares to measure 14".

Step 2: Draw a horizontal line 4-1/4" up from the bottom of the quilted square. Lay a 5" x 15" black strip on the quilted square with the bottom edge touching the marked line as shown. Stitch 1/4" in from the marked line.

Step 3: Press the black strip down over the bottom of the square and topstitch 1/4" from the seam line. Trim excess black fabric as needed. Repeat on the second quilted square.

Step 4: To make the casing strip, fold the long edges of a 2" x 14" black strip in 1/4" and press. On each short end, fold the fabric in 3/4" and press. Stitch both short ends to secure the folds and create a finished edge. Make a second casing strip.

Step 5: Measure 2" down from the top edge of the quilted square and draw a horizontal line. Position the top edge of the casing strip on that line, centered from left to right. Stitch the top and bottom long edges of the casing in place with a scant 1/4" seam. This creates the casing for the drawstring. Repeat on the second quilted square.

Step 6: Position the two quilted squares right sides together, matching up raw edges. Stitch along the sides and bottom using a 1/4" seam. Cut a 2-1/2" square out of each bottom corner. 

Step 7: To box the corner, fold the bag so the bottom seam and side seam meet. Stitch across the opening created with a 1/4" seam. Repeat on the opposite side of the bag. 

Step 8: Use the two 14" black squares to make the lining. Position them together and sew around three sides, leaving an opening on the bottom for turning. Cut 2-1/2" squares out of the corners and box them out in the same manner.

Step 9: Turn the outer bag right side out and slide inside the lining (which is still wrong side out). The bag and lining should have right sides facing. Match the side seams and sew around the top edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step 10: Turn the bag right side out through the opening. Slipstitch the opening closed and stuff the lining into the bag. Topstitch around the top edge of the bag. Note: On our bag, the black lining shows slightly on the outer bag--that's just personal preference--you can tuck it all inside as well. The topstitching will secure the outer bag and lining together either way.

Step 11: Fold and press a 2" x 42" black strip in half, lengthwise. Unfold and press each long edge in to the middle fold line. Trim to measure 36". Fold the short raw ends in on both ends and refold on the center line to make a long, skinny strip. Topstitch the length of the strip to secure. Make two.
Step 12: Using a safety pin, feed one strip through both sets of casing, starting and ending on the left side. Knot strip ends to secure. Feed the second strip through both sets of casing, starting and ending on the right. Knot strip ends to secure.

Insert the camera for easy toting, and you're done! 

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of That's Hollywood, sign up to follow our blog either by email or through a blog reader (see both options in the right hand sidebar) or follow us on Facebook. Leave a comment letting us know that you follow, and telling us which print in the collection is your favorite. The giveaway is open through Tuesday, January 27 at 11:59 pm EST.

Don't miss our other novelty print tutorials!

Day 1: Reverse applique pillow by Lisa from Stubbornly Crafty

Day 2: Boxy make-up bags by Jennie from Clover & Violet

Day 4: Pillow organizer by Wendy Sheppard from Ivory Spring
Day 5: Children's vests by Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts

p.s. Check out these clowns wearing pants made from this fabric! They were at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, taking photos for the Daily News.

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