Sunday, August 22, 2010

Cabin Award Winner: Next Week

A quick reminder to sign up as a follower for Blogs from the Cabin. 

Look to the left.  Then scroll down.  There’s a list of names, some with photos (optional), of readers who follow this blog.  Weekly cabin awards are randomly chosen from this list.  If you haven’t registered… you’re missing out!

Become a “follower” by next Sunday, and you’ll be eligible for the next award.  That day, we’ll announce two new prizes:   each winner will be invited to choose five patterns from Wesley’s five dollar pattern sale category.  Click here to check out the possibilities.

Some of my favorites:

abacktoschool ahomewardbound anaturesway

Note: this category is constantly changing.  As patterns sell out (indicated by Quantity on Hand: zero), we add more to the promotion.  These patterns will be discontinued… when they are gone, they are gone!  So, if you see a few you like, please order soon!

Edyta Sitar~ A batik quilting goddess!

Edyta Sitar, one of our favorite quilt pattern & batik fabric designers, is also a very nice person.

If any of you have heard her speak, or taken a class from her, I’m sure you’ll agree.  She is very kind, charming, and exceptionally talented.  Her love of quilting shines through in everything she designs, including her newest batik fabric collection, “Let it Snow Favorites”.

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Click here to check out the complete fabric collection, and the quilt kits mentioned below.

A batik goddess?  Really?

YES!

Check out these beautiful quilts she designed with the “Let it Snow” collection.  She kindly sent us her quilts for display, to highlight her fabric & pattern designs.

Snow Sparkle:

On Eagle’s Wings snowsparkle1 snowsparkle4 snowsparkle2

Winter Lily:

On Eagle’s Wingswinterlily1  

winterlily3 winterlily2

The background print in Winter Lily is simply beautiful. All of the appliqué on Edyta’s quilt is done with fusible web and invisible thread, but the pattern is written to allow you to use your favorite appliqué method.

Batik goddess?

YES!

Check out some of my favorite art quilt patterns, designed by Edyta. (Click here to shop)

lbqclematis poinsettialbq

 lbqcatandbutterfly fallmemories

She is also a goddess of appliqué & thread, in my humble opinion.  Aurifil thread thinks so too, as they partnered with her to create a special thread collection.  Click here.

atedytasitar

Thank-you, Edyta.  We greatly appreciate the loan of your quilts.  We love your new fabrics and patterns.  You inspire us!

Cabin Award Winner: August 22, 2010

Yikes!  I’m a whole week late in posting the cabin award.  Blogging is like laundry… it can get away from me.

No worries, I’ll make up for it with an extra award later today.

First, the winner of Mary Ann’s Market Tote pattern & two packages of the new Wrap ‘N Fuse from Clover (3/16”x 2.2 yards, and 3/16” x 6 yards… enough to make the piping needed for the bag).  Total Value: $29.20.

clover9512 1maryannsmarkettote_thumb clover9516

Congratulations to Janiecetalbert!  I just sent you a message,  including a code that allows us to identify you as a winner.  Please include that code with your shipping information, and e-mail Tera at promotions@dakotacabinquilts.com.   She’ll help you redeem your award.

Okay.  Next, an unannounced cabin award to make up for missing last week.  Congratulations to Deb B. I just sent you a message,  including a code that allows us to identify you as a winner.  Please include that code with your shipping information, and e-mail Tera at promotions@dakotacabinquilts.com.   She’ll help you redeem your award.

The prize?

thequiltlifecoveroctober quiltmania

Two quilt magazines.  (combined value $17.95)

The new October issue of “Quilt Life” featuring Ricky Tims & Alex Anderson.  This issue also features a great article, written by Carl Rohr, “It was a guy thing!”   The story details the Men’s Round Robin Quilt project, with beautiful photos of the five quilts made by Carl, Brian, Wesley,  Ken, and Russell.  Click here to see the quilts. 

The quilts were also featured in the Quiltmania issue shown here.

Click here for the magazines.

Congratulations to Wesley and his Round Robin group… Pretty awesome accomplishment, I think!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Cabin Award Winner: August 8, 2010

Congratulations to catzcrazy!

You are the lucky winner of this week’s Cabin Award:

coffeetimecopyrightsunflowerquilt350

Two quilting patterns, “Coffee-Time” & “Sunflowers Quilt.”  Total value: $28.00.

I just sent a message to catzcrazy (via e-mail).  The message includes a code that allows us to identify them as a winner.  Please include that code with your shipping information, and e-mail Tera at promotions@dakotacabinquilts.com.   She’ll help you redeem your award.

The next Cabin Award Winner will be announced Sunday, August 15th.  The prize?

Mary Ann’s Market Tote pattern & two packages of the new Wrap ‘N Fuse from Clover (3/16”x 2.2 yards, and 3/16” x 6 yards… enough to make the piping needed for the bag).  Total Value: $29.20.

clover9512 clover9516

See the previous blog entry, “Clover: “Wrap ‘N Fuse” Piping Technique” to learn about this handy new notion.

Clover: “Wrap ‘N Fuse” Piping Technique

This spring, we posted a survey on the blog, and asked readers to pick their favorite market bag tote pattern.

Wouldn’t you know it… we had a tie! 

Click here for the results.

As promised, I made a tote with one of the winning patterns:

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Although it might not be obvious in the pattern photo, the directions call for piping.

Piping?  I don’t do piping.  I’ve never done piping…. Maybe I can skip that part….

Just in time to solve my piping dilemma, Clover notions released a clever new product, called “Wrap ‘N Fuse”, a new easy way to make custom piping.  This new product is endorsed by Nancy Zieman, of “Sewing with Nancy” fame.

Well, it it’s good enough for Nancy, it must be good enough for me.

Turns out Nancy really knows her notions, as this stuff is great!

Available in two diameters, and two lengths (Click here) :

  • 3/16” x 2.2 yards
  • 3/16” x 6 yards
  • 12/32” x 2.2 yards
  • 12/32” x 6 yards

The “Purse Strings” pattern called for 7 yards of pre-packaged covered piping.  So, I needed a small package & a large package for the project : 2.2 yards + 6 yards, with a little left over…

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Here’s how the piping accent was stitched into the bag handles.

Start with pre-measured bias strips,  and the  Wrap ‘N Fuse (3/16”).

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Set the “Wrap ‘N Fuse” along the wrong side of the bias strip, aligning the piping cord in the center of the strip. Fold the strip over (WRAP), aligning the raw edges, and pin to the ironing board. The raw edges are at the bottom of the photo, and the pins are through the piping cord.

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Using a warm, dry, iron, gently FUSE the raw edges together. Run the tip and edge of the iron up to but not over the piping cord.

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Work on small segments at a time, smoothing any wrinkles with your fingers, and repositioning as needed.

Once the piping is made, align the raw edges of the piping with the raw edge of the RIGHT SIDE of fabric handle. Stitch in place, using a zipper foot to sew right along the edge of the piping cord.

Yes, you probably own a zipper foot.  I didn’t know I did, but I was surprised to find one in my “tool box” of presser feet. I know it’s hard to see, but the needle is stitching thru the fabric right next to the left prong on the presser foot.

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Repeat on opposite side of fabric handle strip.

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Then, layer a second strip of handle fabric right sides together with the piece you just made.  Pin the layers together, with the stitched size on top, so you can see your stitching line.  Carefully sew on top of the previous stitching or just INSIDE it, to hide the first row of stitches.

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Turn the handle right side out and “TA-DA”:

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It’s beautiful!

If I do say so, myself :)

Proceed with the excellent instruction in Mary Ann’s pattern:

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Wow!  This is one of my favorite bag patterns yet.  (Click here.)

The piping accent adds a lot, and I like the gathered pocket with elastic & a button loop.  Sorry, no button yet… I’m still making up my mind.

I used the coated fabric for the bag body, durable twill for the bottom & handles, and regular weight cotton for the accent & lining. Click here for the Moda Freebird collection by Momo.

Here’s the supply list for the pattern:

  • 3/8 yard outer bag fabric
  • 1/4 yard contrasting lower band fabric
  • 1/2 yard contrasting lining fabric
  • 1/2 yard contrasting handle fabric
  • 3/8 yard contrasting pocket fabric
  • 1/8 yard contrasting binding fabric for top of tote
  • 7 yards pre-packaged covered piping
  • 1/4 yard 1/2” wide elastic
  • 3/4 yard 22” wide fusible woven interfacing (example: Form Flex) for back of outer bag
  • 1/2 yard 15”-22” wide sturdy interfacing for back of lower band (example: Stitch N Shape by Floriani or Timtex)
  • 1/2 yard fusible knit interfacing for back of lining (example: Fusi Knit)
  • 1” or larger button for pocket.

A note about the interfacing:

The above recommendations assume you are using regular weight cotton quilting fabric.  I wasn’t, therefore my interfacing requirements were different. I didn’t use any interfacing for the back of the coated fabric.  It is stiff enough without it, plus you can’t iron it or it will melt.  It does finger press nicely, and my sewing machine had no trouble stitching through the layers.  Also, twill doesn’t need a sturdy interfacing, as it is a heavier weight cotton fabric with more body. I backed the twill with a soft non-woven fusible, so it had shape without too much bulk.

Click here for our current selection of bag patterns, grommets, accessories, fusibles & more.  If you don’t see something you need, just ask.  Wesley can probably get it :)

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Christmas in July: Cabin Award Winners!

As Christmas in July draws to a close, it seems fitting that we celebrate by announcing  five cabin award winners!

Congratulations to:

  • susanH
  • perkins
  • sshel7784
  • bjgifford5
  • Marlene

I just sent a message to each of you (via e-mail).  The message includes a code that allows us to identify you as a winner.  Please include that code with your shipping information, and e-mail Tera at promotions@dakotacabinquilts.com.   She’ll help you redeem your award.

Each lucky winner will receive a “Poinsettia” pillow kit complete with cosmo embroidery floss, rick-rack trim, and the new “Northern Botanical” book by This & That.  Total value: $44.50 per person.

poinsettiapillowkit northernbotanicalthisthat

 

The next Cabin Award Winner will be announced Sunday, August 8.  The lucky winner will receive the new “Coffee Time” pattern by Melinda Snell & Sonja Taylor.  They will also receive the first pattern designed by the talented duo, “Sunflower Quilt.”  Total value: $28.00

coffeetimecopyright sunflowerquilt350

Click here to check out the patterns, and quilt kits for “Coffee Time” and “Sunflower Quilt”.

Cabin Award Winners  are randomly chosen from our list of blog followers. To become a follower, click on the colorful “FOLLOW” icon on the left side of this page, and proceed with the instructions.