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

[Erin K.]

I think I might have just pee'ed myself a little when I saw this book.
I love sewing and I love vintage sewing even more.

[Jacinta]

WOW! love the potholders! Found you from Sew LA and I heart all things retro so would definitely put this book to good use. Thanks for the great giveaway :)

[Heather]

Fantastic looking book. Just started sewing and i'm in love. Those fabrics are to die for!

[Kristina]

I love sewing and retro looks! I've been sewing more lately and the new fabrics would make lovely additions to my stash of things to play with :-)

[Ana B.]

So cute, I am so gonna make a million of these, great to use up all the extra fabric, and great for stocking stuffers or office gifts! Maybe pair them up with a cookie recipe and some ingredients. Ooh! Luv it! Gonna check out your tutorials.

[CRobson]

Looks like a great book.. FUN FUN FUN. And wonderful fabric.

[nicole]

Super cute...i see myself making some potholders in the next few days. I just snagged some bright, floral, retro pillowcases at a yardsale that would be perfect for this sewing project:)

[corabelle]

I just finished Retro little boys pajamas, using a 1950's vintage thrift cowboy fabric and zig-zag seam finishes for authentic feel. I also pressed with starch and pants creases to the cuffs. You can almost see the uncomfortable cutie in them, they are so stiff!! I am bucking for a prize at the Jefferson County Fair- now that is retro sewing!
Thanks for the exciting give away- and a way to use my patchwork squares!

[ValariAnne]

These fabrics remind me of my Grandmother's house!! When I was a kid (early 60's) my Grandmother did all kinds of needlecrafts, her own baking, canning - you name it she did it. She started teaching me to sew when I was about 5 - she had me sew napkins together with yarn and a blunt tapestry needle. Having gone through the depression Grandma was great at recycling way before it became popular. I remember her ripping up old shirts for rags and cutting off the buttons to use on a new shirt. She always had scraps of fabric for me to make doll clothes or use for funky patches on my jeans when I got older. I can't wait to get my hands on some of this stuff ;-)

[SJ]

I'm definitely going to try this with some new retro fabric I picked up on the weekend!

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