How to make a 9-patch potholder and win a copy of Sew Retro along with a bunch of fabric!

Fabric and sewing junkies rejoice! A DOUBLE giveaway for you!

Craftside has the pleasure of partnering up with the wonderful on-line (and local) fabric store Sew L.A. to bring you 2 chances to win the new book Sew Retro:25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl & A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution and some beautiful fabric.

Leave a comment about "fabric" or "sewing" or "retro" here to win a copy of the new book Sew Retro and the 4 fabrics (1/2 yard each) pictured above.

(From top to bottom)

Canyon Flutter - Green Tonal

Fordwych - Mauve

Plumes - Green

Sewing - Oatmeal

 

and

pop on over to the Sew L.A. Blog and leave a comment there to be entered to win a copy of Sew Retro and the 4 lovely fabrics (1/2 yard each) pictured below:

 

Gallo- Tea Dye

Rabbits & Race-Cars Traffic - Yellow

 

Rabbits w/Waves - Indigo

Mossy Floral - Cream

Leave your comments here and there for 2 chances to win by Midnight ET Thursday July 29, 2010 and you will double your chances to win!

Now onto the fun 9-patch potholder project from Sew Retro I made with all the fun fabrics from Sew L.A.!

Click on the image and enlarge to read these easy to follow directions for sewing a 9 patch potholder.

Here is what I did:

First I gathered everything together and decided I actually was going to make a bunch because you know Christmas is just a few months away and it's never too soon to start making gifts!

So I cut 3-inch strips of all the fabrics. I stacked the strips and then I cut those into 3-inch squares.

I arranged my squares as randomly as possible but I do have to admit I did rearrange a few times; I just can't help myself.

 

Following the directions I stitched one all up! Only 3 more to go. I think I will make it by Christmas. :)

If you like sewing and reading about other sewers you will love:

Sew Retro:

25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl & A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution

By

 Judi Ketteler

Sewing never goes out of style, and today it is more popular than ever!  Sew Retro offers twenty-five stylish, vintage-inspired sewing projects—beautiful bags, essential skirts, unique pillows, and more—that are a pleasure to sew, thanks to easy instructions, helpful diagrams, and a pocket of ten full-size patterns.

 

This fun, inspirational book also uncovers sewing’s colorful history, from the introduction of the sewing machine to the modern DIY movement, and features interviews with today’s hottest fabric and pattern designers, including Amy Butler, Betz White, Barbara Brackman, Emma Brennan, Judie Rothermel, and Kathy Miller of Michael Miller Fabrics. Filled with gorgeous project photography and quirky vintage illustrations that bring the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, and beyond to life, Sew Retro celebrates sewing yesterday and today.

 

Learn more about  Sew Retro  and enjoy bonus projects and tutorials at www.sewretrothebook.com!

Judi Ketteler is never happier than when she’s merging her two passions: sewing and writing. Judi is a regional contributor for Better Homes & Gardens and has written about sewing, decorating, and other inspiring DIY projects for magazines including Creative Home, Decorating, Do It Yourself, and Quilts & More. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband, son Max, two cats, and a basement full of fabric and glue guns.

 

Learn more about Judi at www.judiketteler.com.

 

Comments

[wendy]

Your patchwork potholders turned out fab! This looks like a wonderful book, and those fabrics are too cool! Although I have made a few articles of clothing for myself (and lots for my son when he was a baby), I prefer making smaller items like purses. Just took a peek at the Sew LA website - I'm off to shop now! Thanks for the chance at the book and fabric!

[Melanie K.]

I am wanting to get more sewing projects in ... and that fabric is beautiful! I hope I win!

[Kate]

The retro book looks excellent and the fabrics are beautiful. I like a lot of the retro patterns and dress cuts more than some of the modern ones

[Nancy Lefko]

I've been sewing for 38 years...and sewing never goes out of style!! My new love is retro aprons !!

[Dawn]

I have been on a vintage kick lately, vintage fabrics, vintage patterns, this would be perfect to keep me going

[Courtney]

Those retro fabrics would be great to work with. So pretty.

[Sandra]

I've loved hunting for vintage clothes since I was in high school. Now that it's hard to find them, it's great to be able to make my own treasures. Looks like a great book!

[Toni Van B]

I love anything retro or vintage-inspired. Can't wait to see the whole book!

[Susan Edwards]

This book looks so great. I have been collecting retro fabrics for over 15 years! Last weekend for my wedding shower my friends threw a sewing party for me and we used all my retro fabric to sew table runners and napkins for the wedding. They look quite a lot like the potholders you made here. It was a blast and the wedding decor is going to look so great with all this retro fabric! Now I need to win this to restock my collection!

[E C Chaikin]

Oh, lovely! I adore the retro look, and the knowledge in this book would be great. My Master's thesis is on the intersection of design and craft (sewing, any fabric or textile crafts, things like that.) I am so in love with this book!