Forest Fables blog hop (+giveaway!)

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I actually have two baby quilt tops to show you today, both made out of this great new in-house line from Hawthorne Threads, Forest Fables. I’ve been aware that Hawthorne Threads have been designing and printing their own fabrics for some time now, but I had yet to have a chance to use any, so when they asked me to take part in their blog hop, I took a quick peek at the prints and then said yes!

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The prints in this line are inspired by two fables – the Three Billy Goats Gruff and Chicken Little, and I love the details included in all of these prints. The kids, in particular, have declared the Billy Goats Gruff print as their favorite and pointed out every spot I used that print in my quilt!

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I selected a few prints from the Glade palette – I wasn’t sure what I’d make, but I selected more of the basic prints, which are what I’m drawn to for quilting.

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As the fabric is digitally printed, it does have a different feel than what you may be used to with regular quilting cotton. Hawthorne Threads recommends prewashing, which will soften the hand, and they also recommend using a sharper needle due to the higher thread count (I didn’t do either, as I’m no good at following directions, but didn’t have any problems while sewing).

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The first quilt I made uses just a bit of the fabrics, paired with Robert Kaufman’s Essex yarn dyed linen in indigo.

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It’s based on a pattern I saw on a floor once, and I drew up my own paper pieced pattern piece, though afterwards I realized it’s also similar to the Arkansas Traveler block, so you could use that template if you wanted to make something similar.

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Once I realized how much fabric I had left (I started with a fat quarter of each of these prints) I decided to make up a second quilt top. I opted to use one of my older free patterns, Rectangle Squared, and was able to make up a second baby sized quilt. I was reminded at how quickly this quilt comes together. I had all the blocks made in one afternoon, so if you’re looking for a quick project, you might give this one a try!

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I think at least one of these quilts will have this fun print on the backing – hopefully I can get that finished up so I can report back on how this quilt washes up! Five more weeks till baby #3 though — we’ll see how much I can get done before his arrival!

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Bundle Image

Have you made it this far? How about a giveaway? Hawthorne Threads is generously offering up a fat quarter bundle of the Glade palette. Please leave a comment here and I’ll select a winner Friday evening! Giveaway is now closed

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Update! A winner!! Random.org selected comment #95, Lynn, who said “The Billy Goats is a fun fabric. Love the quilts. All the best for the impending arrival.”

Congrats, Lynn! Look for an email from me!

Catch up with the rest of the Forest Fables blog hop!

Monday, December 7th – Brooklyn Pattern Co.
Tuesday, December 8th – Clover and Violet
Wednesday, December 9th – Taylor Made
Thursday, December 10th – Film in the Fridge
Friday, December 11th – Hawthorne Threads

Posted in baby, Fabric, Posts about Quilts | Tagged , , , , , , | 245 Comments

turkey, then perhaps some shopping?

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends in the US! I’m writing this in advance this year, as I expect to be too full after my turkey meal later today to even think about composing a blog post.

As usual, I checked in with my fabulous sponsors earlier this week to get the lowdown on their sales over the weekend and I’m providing all the information here for you should you feel like doing a bit of online shopping!

Nido:

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I’ll start first with my local shop, Nido. They’re offering a sale for Black Friday through Cyber Monday – available both online and in their Brick and Mortar shop. Take 25% off all quilting cottons and cotton jersey fabric purchases over $50 (shipping is also free over $50!). Enter coupon code: shopsmall15
[If I were shopping, I might stock up on some Carolyn Friedlander – I like how Doe coordinates with her upcoming Carkai, so it might be handy to have some more on hand!]

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FabricBubb:

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FabricBubb will be offering 20% off all orders on Black Friday (11/27) with coupon code TURKEY20. (Does not include gift cards, sale or destash items. Cannot be applied to past orders)
[I think I’d go for Lizzy House’s Lovely Hunt FQ bundle]

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Jones & Vandermeer:

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Jones & Vandermeer are offering an additional 20% off items in their “gobble it up” bin with coupon code GOBBLEFILM20. Some fabrics are as low as $6/yard! Includes some Cotton + Steel, Liberty, Carolyn Friedlander, patterns and more! Always free US shipping over $60. Sale ends midnight EST on 11/30.
[My picks? Maybe some of Rae’s awesome corduroy (I just made Hazel a pair of lemon pants, and that corduroy is so soft!), or this C+S lawn (I have a quilt back that needs this for a backing!), or of course any of the Liberty!]

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The Intrepid Thread:

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Julie at the Intrepid Thread is offering 30% off with Coupon Code BLASTFRIDAY Includes all in stock items. (Does not include pre-orders). Sale in effect Midnight Eastern Thursday night through Midnight Eastern Saturday night.
[This one’s easy! I’d go for this Katie Jump Rope FQ bundle or maybe a color or two of the jersey knits by Alison Glass – I think it’d make for another great Linden sweatshirt!]

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Hawthorne Threads:

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Hawthorne Threads is have a Cyber Sale Event that’s not to be missed!
[You might sign up for their newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any details!]

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Pink Castle Fabrics:

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Really awesome deals ALL weekend at Pink Castle Fabrics:

20% off all fabric and notions with code BLACKFRIDAY (good through Cyber Monday)

20% off your first three months of any of our monthly clubs with code CLUB20!  Including our new Low Volume club and our popular Liberty of London club.

Special pricing on our Janome sewing machines!  Some include extra packages as well.  Including 48 months 0% financing for purchases over $3000!

 

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Fat Quarter Shop:

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The Fat Quarter Shop is offering 25% OFF all orders from Friday, November 27 until Saturday, November 28 at Midnight CST. Excludes purchases of gift cards.  No code necessary.
[I think I’d stock up on some solids, and maybe a bundle of Bonnie & Camille’s Hello Darling]

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Lady Belle Fabric:

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Brooke and Rob at Lady Belle Fabric are offering up to 40% off the entire store! You’ll also receive a 6 piece Sweet As Honey fat quarter bundle with orders over $50 and free US shipping. Sale starts Friday and ends Cyber Monday at midnight, no code needed.
[I’d wait to see what’s included, but regardless I’m mighty tempted by this awesome Liberty bundle – I think it’s time for another Liberty patchwork quilt!]

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Westwood Acres:

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Check out Westwood Acres for a great selection of your favorite quilting supplies, precuts and notions. Sale prices run through November 29th at 11:59 pm. Plus, for the next 24 hours, they are offering a stash builder bundle for just a dollar with any purchase of $75 or more!
[I could really use a new pair of scissors! and maybe a new colorful rotary cutter?]

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Stash Fabrics:

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Happy Thanksgiving from Stash Fabrics! We are thankful for our amazing customers!! Save now and save later Thanksgiving – Cyber Monday with us! 20% off your entire purchase with code THANKFUL. Doorbuster specials and free shipping over $50. Plus earn $10 in Stash Cash for every $50 you spend to use on your next purchase with us! Offer expires Nov 30 11:59 EST.
[Here I’m thinking about picking up some of the new Blueberry Park prints. I’m having a hard time picking favorites, so I like that Beth cuts as small as 1/4 yard cuts so I can get a wider variety!]

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Llama Fabrics:

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Chio at Llama Fabrics is still working on the details of her sale, though she says it will be a big one! The sale will start on Friday and will run through Sunday. You’ll find deals on precuts by the manufacturer, FQ Bundles and even sporadic sales that will be announced on IG (llamafabrics).
[I haven’t seen Anna Maria Horner’s Fibs and Fables in person yet, so I’d be mighty tempted by a FQ bundle of this line if it’s included!]

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Monaluna:

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Jennifer at Monaluna is offering 15% off from Friday through Sunday using the code HOLIDAYS2015.
[Monaluna has the nicest organic knits, which I’ve used for many a pair of kids pjs. Max loved (and wore to death!) his alphabet pants, so I’d buy more of this A is for Apple print to make the next size!]

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DuckaDilly:

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Over at DuckaDilly, you can enjoy 20% off storewide with coupon code “BlackFriday2015” (excludes subscriptions, sale items, and gift certificates). Valid through Saturday midnight EST.
[What wouldn’t I buy? It’s Liberty! Ok, if I had to choose, I’d probably pick up some of the Capel prints, as I always find myself reaching for them when putting together a Liberty patchwork quilt. Also, this print!]

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Thank you, thank you to all my wonderful sponsors!

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And yes, I know I mentioned this last year, but I think it’s worth mentioning again, especially if you like to shop online – Ebates, my favorite way to earn a bit of cash back while shopping! I’ve used it for a couple years now, and despite thinking there should be a catch, there really isn’t. You simply set up an account with Ebates, then click through to your favorite online shops through their website. You’ll see the % cashback offered for each online shop and then you’ll be redirected to the store’s website. They automatically send out checks, and I think it’s definitely fun to be surprised by a check in the mail for doing the shopping I was likely going to do anyway.
(the above link is a referral link, but of course if you don’t want to sign up using my link just go directly to their site!)

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And lastly, in case you’re in need of a finished quilt for a gift this season, I’ve decided to offer 20% off the items in my destash shop (IG – fitfdestash). There are several wonderful quilts in need of a new home, and a few fabrics left from my last destash! If you use IG, simply comment on the photo with your Paypal information to reserve it and I’ll send you an invoice (not on IG? Feel free to comment here instead!). Valid through Monday.

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diamond panes – a finished quilt

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I was so excited about this quilt that I immediately made it a backing and quilted it. As you’ve seen, that hasn’t been happening often these days! I love (love!) Carolyn Friendlander’s newest line for Robert Kaufman, Carkai (available in December), and I’m quite pleased with how it looks in this design. I won’t lie, I’m also pleased that I was able to draw out my own templates for this design and have it (mostly) work. I really had a hard time cutting into this fabric with my hand drawn templates!

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You can see my inspiration in the first photo above – those diamond panels on either side of the windows on this beautiful barn at Shelburne Farms. (I’m also loving those curved lines on the second panel – maybe that should become a quilt too?)

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So as to not waste any of these great fabrics, I used the small curved pieces I had left over from cutting out the diamond shape for this pieced section on the back.

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I used a print from Carolyn’s Doe line for the remainder of the backing – these lines pair so well together!

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(chicken photobomb!)

It’s quilted simply with straight lines — I’m sure it would look amazing to have a different type of quilting in the diamonds and something else in the low volume section to emphasize the secondary design, but I unfortunately don’t have time for that these days, so simple it is. Luckily I really like simple quilting, so this works for me. I think these lines are 3/4″ apart and give great texture but still keep the quilt nice and soft.

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I asked the kids who this quilt should be for and they immediately said ‘bump bump’ (as baby #3 is known) and I think that’s a good call. I know I’ll enjoy seeing this one on the floor as a play mat!

 

Posted in [search] Other Quilts, baby, Fabric, Finished Quilts, Posts about Quilts, Quilts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments