Pattern Pin-Up Tutorial

Hi. I’m Julie, and I am lucky enough to be another one of Caroline’s sisters.  Caroline asked me a couple months ago if I would guest post on her amazing blog and I couldn’t have been more flattered.  I couldn’t wait to get started on my next project, so I could share with all of you the excitement I get from sewing – while my husband likes the final outcome well enough, he doesn’t quite enjoy the process as much as we do. As I was contemplating what to make I was reminded of how unimaginative I am and that  most of my “creations” are knock-offs of what other talented people (Caroline) have already made and blogged about - thus, I am able to make it. While still flattered beyond belief that Caroline would want me to post, I felt severely unqualified.

While working on my next project (a t-shirt quilt for my husband), and killing my back as I laid out the pieces on the floor, my idea for the Pattern Pin-Up hit me. I got so excited, I stopped working on the quilt altogether so I could get started.  I hope you enjoy your Pin-Up as much as I do mine!

Pattern Pin-Up

First off, I should say that this project is 100% customizable. I made this to the dimensions I wanted and supplies I had on hand. That being said, feel free to make this as big or small as your specific sewing needs are. OK, here are the directions and dimensions for my Pattern Pin-Up.

Supplies:

1 1” PVC pipe

1 ½ - 2 yards sturdy fabric

2 yards crafting rope

Coordinating thread and ribbon

Cut List:

PVC -     one at 35”

                one at 32”

Fabric – 70” X 37”

Directions:

1.       Start by cutting your PVC pipe, not that it is critical to cut it first, but it’s nice to get this step out of the way.  Make sure to sand the edges of the freshly cut plastic.

2.        Iron and sew with a ½ inch seam allowance all four sides of the fabric, being sure to fold over twice so the rough edges are hidden.

3.       On the shorter sides (top and bottom) fold the fabric down 2 ½ “, leaving room for the PVC pipe, sew width wise only for top.  We’ll leave the sides open on the top so the rope can slide through.

4.       As I mentioned before, I used what I had on hand. Instead of ribbon for the next step, I used the edge of a kitchen towel that I had cut off when making a tote bag. Measure out the middle of the top of your Pin-Up (I just eyed this one). Fold the ribbon in half; sew in the center of the ribbon to the midpoint of the top of the Pin-Up.  This will hold the Pin-Up together when not in use.

5.       For the bottom, sew width wise and one end of the new hole. Slide the 32” (the smaller of the two if you are changing your dimensions) pipe through the hole and sew up the other end.

6.       Slide the 35” (larger piece) pipe into the top hole. Slip your rope through the pipe, adjusting length to your personal preference. Tie it off and hide the knot it the piping.

7.       Hang your Pin-Up on the closest free wall and get to work on your next project! Happy Sewing!

 Thank you to Caroline for the flattering invite to post on your amazing and inspiring blog. I had a great time!! And now I can get back to work on Scott’s quilt. J

The Button Up Bolero gets reviewed

Today April at wildflowersandwhimsy.com reviewed my Button Up Bolero pattern. I didn't pay her anything at all, just offered her a pattern and this is the one she picked. I love how she ignored the "required fabric" part (this pattern is meant for fleece) and made it with linen. She had to fuss with it a bit more than I would have patience for... but it turned out just lovely.

Read more in her review here and don't miss another chance to win your choice of patterns from carolina fair designs too.

Plus April is hosting another giveaway where you can actually win a handmade dress! Check out her whole site here:

Giveaway Day Winners...

Congrats to all the winners from SMS's awesome Giveaway Day! There were soooo many fantastic giveaways on those lists, I hope everyone who tried (like me) wins a little something.  Anyway, I had to think about a more practical way to select my winners since come to think of it, I was actually running 6 different drawings. So this is what I did: I printed out the long list of comments, cut them into strips, and then put each strip into one of six bowls based on which pattern the commenter wanted to win.

Since many of you mentioned more than one pattern and I couldn't enter you into more than one drawing (let's be fair, now) I just put you in the bowl with the pattern that you mentioned first. A couple commenters didn't mention any single pattern (just that they would like them all) so these people just got tossed into a random bowl by me.

So, (drumroll please) the winners are:

Sunny Day Frock - Anonymous Commenter (but she left her email)

Little Ruffle Skirt - Julie

Button Up Bolero - Living in La La Land :)

PJ Bottoms and Shorts - Carla

The Pretty Pinafore - Michelle

Cadie's Wrap Around Dress or Top - Jenilyn






Check your inboxes, girls cause there's a pattern waiting! As always, I love to see pictures of little creations made with my patterns and if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to email me.

Caroline

Yay! It's Giveaway Day!

Hey all you super-stitchers! I'm really excited about SMS's Giveaway Day today and you know I'll be blog-hopping to see what kind of great loot I can score. This is also your chance to win one of my one-pattern-piece tutorials to see how fast and easy sewing can really be. Maybe you'll pick the Sunny Day Frock...

I love this one because it's reversible.

Or maybe you'll want to make the Little Ruffle Skirt...

Yes, this one is also just one pattern piece unless you choose to add little bloomers or shorts underneath (which adds only one more pattern piece)!

Or you may pick the Button Up Bolero...

This one doesn't require a sewing machine at all.

Or there's my newest pattern for PJ Bottoms or Shorts...

Nothing fancy, just basic pants that can be stitched up in a jiffy.

Or of course, the Pretty Pinafore.

I had a lot of fun making a little one minute movie about this.

Lastly, Cadie's Wrap Around Dress...

Don't you love how you can make this look however you want?

And all of these patterns have only one pattern piece.  So, dear readers, I will be giving away one of each pattern. Just pick the one you want, and tell me in the comments. But one catch... please follow my blog! It really needs followers.

On May 25th (about 10 pm), I will use random.org to select numbers based on the number of comments and keep going until I have given away one of each pattern. Leave your email address in your comment too if you don't think I have it already. Thanks, and see you 'round!

UPDATE: I've closed comments on this post. Watch for me to announce the winners soon!

May 23rd is Giveaway Day!

Come back on Monday for your chance to win whichever carolina fair pattern you want most! And visit sewmamasew.com to see the hundreds of giveaways happening that day!  See you then!