Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Baby Gift Set

Look at all the baby stuff you can make with just 2 fat quarters and a half yard of double-sided terry cloth!


The internet is full of great tutorials on making baby items. So we realize we're not showing you something you haven't already seen. And we certainly think these items are adorable, but the primary purpose here is showing you how to get the most for your money. How can you beat 9 - yes nine! - items for such a small amount?

Friday, August 19, 2011

Always the last to know . . .

Does anyone else feel like they're always the last to discover an easier way to do something? Or come across a great project or quilt block, only to find out everyone else did it 2 years ago? I feel like I'm always playing catch up.

This little tip is probably one of those things, so I hesitate to even share it. But it's one I figured out on my own and I'm kind of excited about that!

I've always struggled with sashing when it's used horizontally and vertically around each block. I get the short strips on one direction. But then when I add the long strips the opposite way, things stretch or my blocks are off a little and when I'm finished, I have nice straight sashing one way and a jagged line of sashing the other! I'm always ripping out sections, repinning and trying to "ease" them in where they should have been.

I solved that this morning! Here's how:

I sewed my blocks together with the short sashing strip between each block into rows. Then, I added the long strip of sashing to the first row. Before I added the next row, I folded the sashing back down (right sides together) onto the blocks. Here I marked where each seam is so I can line up the seams in the next row.


Then when I pinned the next row, I had these little marks to line up with those sashing seams. When it was all done, all the sashing strips lined up straight in both directions!

Again, I suspect almost everyone does this. But if there's anyone else out there like me that struggled with this, please be kind-hearted and let me know so I don't feel so alone!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

More Kona Cottons (and a giveaway!)

Aren't these beautiful colors for this fall? What a selection! I can't wait to see what the designers do with them.        


This Pantone page was from Fashion Week in New York for Fall 2011. (The Orchid Hush - a light dusty blue washed out a bit in printing.) We matched Kona Cottons in tone and/or shade as closely as we could and put them in fall bundles for you. Get them in FQ's, half yards or one yards!

And, to get you started on a trendy fall quilt we're giving away a fat quarter bundle of these new colors!




You can enter up to 3 times by doing the following:

1) become a follower of this blog and leave a comment here saying you follow us;

2) "Like" us on facebook (www.facebook.com/sassypacks) and then come back here and leave another comment saying you Liked us;

3) mention this giveaway on your blog, facebook page or tweet it and leave a comment here telling us what you did and where.

We'll select a winner Monday, August 15, 2011.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Mug Rug Quickie

Flying Geese Mug Rug


This refreshing, citrus-colored mug rug was made with a flying geese ruler and a few scraps from my stash! I made 4 lime green and 4 lemon yellow flying geese that measure 3" X 1-1/2". Then I added a one-inch border onto each side to get a rectangle shape.

A one-inch yellow and green print border was added all the way around. Quick quilting and binding - finished at about 8" X 10"!

And then another comment from Tucker:
    "How many times do I have to tell you those are doggie treats, not props!!"