Sunday, December 12, 2010

My First Giveaway--CLOSED


If you just stumbled across my little blog via Sew, Mama, Sew's giveaway day, then welcome!  I'll be honest.  My blog is more about my boring little family than about sewing tutorials.  Feel free to read older posts to peek into my crazy life.  There are a few sprinkled here and there about my sewing messes and successes.

Now, onto what you came here for.  I found the pattern for these cute little birdies in Joel Dewberry's Sewn Spaces and have gone crazy making a flock of my own. 












Each bird is stuffed with a little lavender from my mother-in-law's garden, so they all smell divine!


The winner will have her choice of one bird and will also receive a bag of dried lavender to use in her next project.


To enter, leave a comment with your best sewing tip for newbies like me.  Or, if you are a non-sewer, share your favorite cooking or crafting tip. Winner will be chosen at random on 12/17/10 at noon.

Oh, and just for fun, I doing a survey about that silly automatic needle threader on sewing machines.  Do you use it or not?


169 comments:

Sew Flippin Cool said...

always wash and iron your fabric before sewing

SisterlyLove said...

Those are so sweet! :)

Sewing tip...sew what you love and you will finish more projects! :)

Genevieve
jenny(at)ykwc(dot)net

no longer working said...

I don't have any tips since I am just beginning. I'll have to come back and read all of yours. I love those little birds.

Lee said...

Thank you for the lovely giveaway. You have a nice blog!
sewing tip - read the entire pattern through before you start doing anything else (liking cutting out the pieces!)
thanks again!

Pameladawn said...

The bird's are lovely and lavender yuumm! Thanks for a lovely giveaway! And i agree sew what you love and it will work out fine. Merry Christmas!

Erin said...

I am a new sewer too so my only tip is that whatever you are making gets much easier the second time you make it so have patience and try again!! I can't wait to read more tips. Thanks!!

Erin said...

sewing tip: change your needle! I always sew until mine is horribly dull and everything acts goofy. then I change it, and ta-da! life is good again!

The Quilting Cat Lady. said...

Ohhh how cute, these are adorable.
My favorite tip to newbies is clean your sewing machine often, it collects a lot of fabric dust inside.
Happy Holidays.
Alda, Fl

Beth- the mama bee said...

sewing tip: When it gets late and you keep messing up, quit and walk away. Stop trying to fix things. Everything looks better int he morning.

Valerie C. said...

Always always have a sharp needle in your machine! Merry Christmas, I love your birds!!

vjcollins105 at gmail dot com

bmayer said...

PRESS your sewing as you go.....dont wait till the end of the project. Sharp needles, clean machine, good light, and if its not going well one day....walk away!!!. I've been sewing for over 40 years, and am a former Home Ec. teacher, and some days, it just doesnt work. Have some coffee, or a glass of wine (depending on the time of day!)

Kristy said...

always press your seams open! :)

needlegrrl at gmail dot com

Amanda said...

Those birdies would look great in my baby girl's bird themed nursery :)

Sewing tip....go nice and slow--it's not a race! and get a great stitch ripper ;)

Brooke Anna @ Mommy Does... said...

I can't sew but want to learn :)
So crafting tip- use what you have on hand, and if you must buy anything do it cheaply and use YOUR talent to make it look like a hundred bucks :)
brookeannaroberts(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Always use the highest quality thread you can afford - your machine will thank you.

Liz M said...

fun giveaway. are the birds kid friendly or decoration only? my favorite sewing tip that works for me at least is to skip the prewashing and ironing part unless your fabric pieces have to be super precise.

Thanks,
liz@mommysaidsew.com

janimal said...

Oh what a cute giveaway! I like it!

My tip is to sew with fabric you LOVE. We all get tempted by the clearance bin, but since for most of us our sewing time is limited we should get to really enjoy it with fabrics we adore. Life is too short to sew with cheap fabric!

Krista Lee said...

Really do what you like, practice, and save up for a good, solid and reliable machine. Don't necessarily go for all the bells and whistles, you may never even use them.

Lise said...

Change the needle on your machine; often! (I don't have a needle threader on my 1970s machine.) Thanks for the chance!

9patchnurse said...

Your are getting great tips!! (except about prewashing, I don't prewash unless it's flannel, use color catchers if you're worried about color running). Practice, practice, practice is my tip. And make friends with your seam ripper, it's a good friend to have. I just love those birdies, I have made some but mine don't have those cute wings.

Tina said...

No, I never use the auto threader. I can do it faster myself!

What a great giveaway. I love lavender!

Jingle said...

Well, I sew, but only by hand because the machine and I, well, we just don't get along very well! HA! As for my tip - try it! If you want to try something new DO IT! You will only learn from the experience, and who knows...you may find a new love!
jinglesells at gmail dot com

Michele said...

Your birds are so cute. Measure twice, cut once.

Lindsay Conner said...

Newbie sewers should start with something square, like a simple apron, curtains or pillows!

Good luck with your giveaway! Mine is at http://lindsaysews.com. lindsay.conner(at)gmail(dot)com

TJenn said...

Hi there! Glad to see so many folks today crafting and sewing and doing all sorts of 'hands-on' fun things with just about any medium.
Here is my great tip of the day; instead of throwing out those pill bottles-recycle them (vitamin bottles work too) and use them to keep your needles in or to put buttons in. I love them for my seed collecting as well for gardening; label them with Avery labels & store until spring planting time.

sewfuntoys at etsy

Willa said...

Only use pins that respond to a magnet. That makes picking up the dropped ones a cinch.

grandmarockton said...

love the BIRDS! change you needle

Stacy said...

I love these birds! My tip would be don't be afraid to use the seam ripper :)

Morgan said...

Tip: think about what part of the process you like the best, and then cater your projects to it. If you like the planning stage, or the feeling of completion, pick small easy to finish projects, eg. Thanks for the giveaway! The birds are adorable. And we're almost neighbors, by the way, just in Carrollton :)

dogwood said...

My best tip is to make sure you keep your machine clean. Lint can make for a big headache.

sallybway at suddenlink dot net

Katie Ringo said...

Keep all your batting scraps for small projects like these little birds!

I love this pattern. I've been wanting it for a while and I so hope I win!

MB said...

no tips here. hardly have time for a shower between homeschooling an 11 year old and taking care of our 3 month old.
fingers crossed,
Melissa B.
mbabecka@gmail.com
www.minimomentsoflife.blogspot.com

Kathleen said...

my tip, having a few bobbins ready before a sewing project...thanks for a great giveaway..

Emily said...

I'm a newbie too. :) I like to practice on cheap fabrics and find that using a rotary cutter helps with cutting straight lines.

Leigh said...

I never use the needle threader! And when I cut out patterns, I just cut them out loosely and do the detailed cutting after I pin it to the fabric! No sense doing the detailed cutting twice!

Rebecca said...

what beautiful birds!!! don't really have any tips yet- still new to sewing but I am LOVING all that I am learning... and making=)

nellana said...

hmmm tips. Do not leave your hot glue gun plugged in when you leave the room.

Sharon said...

use good lighting!

Unknown said...

Find a friend who knows how to sew and get together for sewing nights. My friend was my mom and she has taught me so much (but now we learn from each other!) I guess though the biggest tip I could give that has helped me a ton is just dig in and try out new techniques that you never thought you could do. You will always surprise yourself! Good Luck!

Becky McNeill said...

best tip...make friends with your iron:)
beckymac1@hotmail.com

barneyn said...

my best advice would be to always wait till the kids are asleep to sew!!

nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

Kendra said...

best sewing tip...as far as quilting and piceing don't skip ironing! :)

Love the birds...thanks for the fun giveaway!

Angela said...

my tip: don't forget to eat while sewing! lOL. I often do that and then crash with low blood sugar.

sarah in the woods said...

Love it! I don't sew, but I think adding your own creative twist to any project makes it more special.

Wobbly Bobbin said...

Sewing tip: Don't expect perfection.

Becky said...

Cute birds! Sewing tip: Iron as you sew. It will help you keep seams nice and straight.

Erica L. said...

Serge or zigzag the ends of your fabric before prewashing. It saves a world of headache and raveling ends. And press as you go as everyone has said.
Also, I've never used a machine that even has an autothreader, and I've been sewing since I was 9. Am I old at 26? or just poor?

Denise said...

To prevent color bleeding - I use vinegar, salt AND a few Shout Color Catchers! Haven't had an issue yet, apparently overkill works.. hahaha

A'n'G Johnson said...

oh my little birdies and lavender... both on my favorite things list! I too am just a beginner so I don't really have tips, but as a general rule don't rush and don't work when you are tired

Amy said...

I LOVE these adorable birdies! My sewing tip is don't bother basting if you can pin together neatly. Saves a lot of time, but the result isn't very different for most projects :)

sukie said...

Pressing is key!!!Thanks for the chance to win! (sukie80@gmail.com)

Desi @ Wee Share said...

I love the birdies and you are making me want to whip some up, too :)

A sewing tip-- don't point out the flaws. Only you will notice most of them, so just enjoy the compliments people give on things you make :)

Desiree
weeshareblog@gmail.com

EricandWendi said...

Sadly i don't machine sew! Too intimidating! A craft idea that a friend gave me and to what I use is when i have little ribbons left from a project i glue them to an envelope, a sales receipt, a business card, a gift bag. Love the birds!!!

♥Duff said...

Your birds are heavenly! I'd love to see one on my mantle!!
Tip: Buy a 1/4 inch foot if you're going to be quilting. It's amazing. Oh, and a chalk pen with different colored leads--I use it constantly!

Alyssa said...

Something I didn't know when I started...always leave a good half-inch extra fabric when you're cutting out a pattern or anything. It really comes in handy.-grin-
I love the birds, though. Thanks for the giveaway!
embyrfire(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jagels said...

spend a little time everyday sewing, either by hand or machine. practice makes perfect. make sure your scissors and rotary cutter blade is sharp. makes sewing more fun. thanks for the giveaway

BethK said...

Step forward boldly! Yes, you'll surely make mistakes but I can guarantee you won't make the same ones again. Look into classes locally to help give you more confidence.

And, yup, I'm a newbie Pfaff owner!

Katie said...

Read all directions before cutting out anything! Thanks for the chance!

Tracy said...

always leave time to finish your sewing project when you have two little ones napping!!!

Telly said...

Sewing tip: for turning long skinny things inside out, use a long knitting needle. It also helps to get the corners pointy when you turn things.

Thanks for the give-away and the cute blog!

Bonnie @ Hem Me In said...

Love your birdies! I'm right around the corner from you, just north of Dallas--this is me waving, Hello! Hmmm...a good sewing tip? I wash all my fabric as soon as it enters my home, that way when inspiration strikes, I can jump right in.

Marybeth said...

sewing tip: don't be afraid to try something new! I am also new at sewing... Thanks for the giveaway! mbkufen@yahoo.com

everyday inspirations said...

Love the birds and lavender - what a great idea!

Best sewing tip is practice, practice, practice. And always buy a good pair of scissors...and keep them ONLY for fabric use.

Thanks for the chance to win!

catherine s.
imaginethatdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com

Micmacker said...

Awww - sweet birdies! My tips: work with fabric you love. Make friends with your stitch ripper. Happy holidays!

Sara said...

Measure twice cut once!!! That's my best tip!!!

Love the birds - they are beautiful!

nhsarab at yahoo dot com

Jessica said...

Those little birds are so cute! My sewing tip is when you use the clear plastic in sewing make sure you put tissue paper over top. That way you don't break your needle. Trust me, I learned the hard way! :)

justenoughstyle.blogspot.com

Mary Beth said...

sew what you're passionate about. your iron is your best friend. sew as you're inspired!

noe said...

I'm a newbie too, but old hat in the kitchen. My favorite trick is to put a peeled potato in soup that is too salty. It absorbs the extra salt and save your pot of soup!

FlowerMomma said...

Love the birds! Yes I use the needle threader! So handy.

Amanda said...

The iron is your friend. Use it. Seriously. lol I learned this the hard way. hehe

MzKCKitty said...

Best sewing tip: Join a Bee and spend time with others that are doing the same kinds of things -- they will be a tremendous help and inspiration. And you'll have a lot of fun!

Anonymous said...

My best sewing tip is to keep your seam ripper handy!

littlebitty said...

My tip is make sure you have the right type of needle! It can make a world of difference.
dvdenter (at) gci (dot)net

Katie said...

If you love it, someone else will love it too!

Emily said...

I'm a newbie, too... my favorite tip is one I hold dear - never be afraid to (re)do a step four times... :)

Susan said...

general craft tip...save the flat part of plastic packaging cut it with heavy duty scissors, they make great see-thru stencils and many other uses, keep them in a safe place cause sometimes the edges are sharp.

I am very interested in the pink bird, or the green bird with pink in the top part of the picture. BTW, How did you KNOW I needed some Lavender? LOL
thanks for the opportunity.
Susan

Melissa said...

My best tip for sewing or cooking is this: Don't stress out about perfection! The whole point of handmade it that it is made by you. Trust me, whatever you create will be appreciated- imperfections will just give it more character:)

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Sonja said...

My greatest sewing tip and one that I have to constantly remind myself of is this...It is perfectly OK to sew for yourself...I am always giving my favorite items away. ;0)

Love this giveaway, lavendar is my favorite fragrance.
Thanks for the chance to win,
Sonja

Hannah said...

In any project, you'll have much better (more professional looking) results if you never sew over a seam you haven't pressed. It takes time and seems (IS) tedious, but the results are worth it.

April said...

My sewing tip would be you don't need a serger to finish seams. i found a great tutorial on Sew Mama Sew on different ways to finish a seam and it is great!

Unknown said...

my best tip is that the faster you sew, the straighter your seams will be.
btw, monica, cute blog!!

Caren said...

I just was given permission to "store" (ha ha) someone's serger for them. My advice? If you have one, do NOT pull on the thread. After you've sewn what you want, just keep it going (with no material in it) for a bit (maybe 2 inches?). Trust me - it's worth it to use up that much extra thread or you'll have to re-thread the machine (NOT FUN!!!!)

Krystina said...

Sewing tip... instead of cutting out the pattern, trace it onto tracing paper and cut your tracing paper. Thanks for the great giveaway, the birds are adorable and lavendar is my favorite smell!

Ms. Knitsalot said...

CUTE birdies and I love lavender. TIP: Don't be afraid to try any new medium. You never know what you might enjoy if you don't.

sandyandcosmo said...

Read through all the instructions first!

Vanessa at Rescued Goods said...

Sewing tip-keep trying! Love the birds!

Erin Vaden said...

These are precious, Monica! I love them!

Sewing tip--always press your seams (if you don't already)!!

Meghan Bialk said...

Love the giveaway! Thanks!

ALWAYS pin your pattern pieces to the fabric... you may *think* you'll get it right, but that's not the case!!

Jessica Jo said...

my best crafting advice: just do it. The only thing holding you back is yourself.

Unknown said...

Newbie sewing tip. Use that fusible hem tape for holding hems in place before sewing. It can gum up your needle a bit, but I just wipe it off afterwards. I love the birds!

Sarah said...

Love those birds!!! I want to give one of them a good home. tee-hee. My birthday is Dec. 17th, so winning would make the day even better!

Sewing tip- don't be too much of a perfectionist. When I first started, I ripped out every seem I sewed, and never got anything done, because I was afraid of mistakes. Looking back, I would have just gone with it, and let the mistakes add a little character to what I created.

merlinthecat said...

Wash your fabric...very important!

Jessica said...

I'm a newbie too! Sewing tip - make sure you have enough fabric - all the time... I've made that mistake a few times already =/ thanks for the great giveaway though :) My 21st birthday is on the 17th so I'm crossing my fingers to win something!

Cal said...

Cute birdies! I made some similar ones a few years ago to hang on the Christmas tree and to give away as ornaments. But I did not use lavender, so yours definitely smell better!
Sewing tip for beginners: Start small so you do not get frustrated and quit.

Kelly O. said...

my best sewing tip is: to build your stash when buying fabric for a particular project,buy extra:)
I think this is a GREAT giveaway!
Merry Christmas!

Tracy said...

I don't have any tips because I'm just getting started on sewing myself. I can sew by hand, but am just learning how to use my sewing machine. I guess, the best advice for any craft would be to do something that you enjoy doing and don't get too frustrated when things foul up. Just go with the flow and don't fret over perfection.

I love those birds! I want one for my Christmas Tree!

Thank you for your giveaway, it's lovely!

Lindsey G said...

Sweet birdies! Always hold on to your threads when starting to prevent "sewing undertow"...

grl_4_God at hotmail dot com

JuneBug said...

I don't have an automatic threader but if I did I would know how to use it (I think ;).

Sewing tip? Pin your projects! It makes a huge difference. (One exception being the purse pouches I just made - I didn't pin a thing on those) but for new sewers pinning is key!

MollyP said...

Great giveaway! I actually planned on making lavender sachets as gifts, but my lavender did squat this year. The dried lavender is a great add to the prize! Ironing before cutting fabric is always a must. Also, if you set a crazy goal for yourself, you'll never achieve it. Enjoy sewing and you'll be much more productive. Thanks!

Desiree said...

um... a tip. Clean up your sewing area. It will help when you go back in. It's so nice to start fresh. Thank you for the chance to win!

simply.simon.sisters(at)gmail(dot)com

Kathy H said...

The birds are very cute. A tip for sewing. Iron each step to keep the fabric flat.

The Branch Family said...

Very nice giveaway!

I have to say my tip is to be bold and just dive in with your sewing and feel free to experiment.

Brooke said...

Cute little birdies. I have recently been converted to pressing. I used to be a lazy presser and never did it unless absolutely necessary. Now I do it on every project and am glad that I found the error of my ways.

Aimee said...

Can't sew, Not too good in the kitchen either, Craft a little.... My advice: Be willing to give anything a try!

Love the birds!

Jessica said...

I am a newbie sewer too, so my tip is never be afraid to rip a seam ;) Thanks for the chance!

Barbara C said...

Cute birds! Cleand and oil your machine regularly.

TZel said...

I am very mcuh a newbie too, but I would say, have fun!
bridgestranslation at yahoo dot com

DangAndBlast! said...

You need another option! 4) my machine doesn't have one!

My tip: if you're making clothes, make sure you know what seam allowance is included (or not included!) in the pattern pieces!

Dreaming Monet said...

this is great! i love birds, and i'm pregnant and can't get enough of the scent of lavender. thanks for the giveaway.

tip - prewash fabric, and if you air dry, do not use clothespins - they will put it out of shape.

also, use a ruler to ensure you are turning / pressing hems up uniformly.

Tottery said...

Don't dwell over the imperfections. That's easier said than done.

(Is using the automatic needle threader silly? You should have seen me jumping up and down with excitement when I first used mine... =P )

thetottery(at)gmail(dot)com

smooze13 said...

I would say that one of the most important things in sewing is exact cutting. I just finished my first quilt and even the slightest error would trow off the whole row.
Also, consistent seam allowances and a walking foot is great!

Jerimi said...

So cute!

I would say the best tip I could give is to not expect a project to come out perfectly the first time. I'm still learning to do this. It's best to use some fabric you don't care about very much, the very first time you try a pattern. I've wasted more of my favorite fabric that way. :P


-Jerimi
jerimi (at) threecatlimit (dot) com
www.threecatlimit.com

Patty said...

thanks for the giveaway. My tip - don't worry about errors. nothing is perfect.

Just One said...

for a newbie, if you can afford it, get a "good" machine and learn to use it. It will make every part of sewing more successful and pleasing.

mab said...

My best sewing tip: Try it! If you see a pattern or something someone made, sit down and try to figure it out. If you're nervous about a technique, just try it! Once I let go of having to do everything perfectly and precisely, my projects took on more joy and actually look better. So, be courageous in your sewing!
Thanks for the chance to enter!

mab(at)onepost(dot)net

Sara @ Sew Sweetness said...

What beautiful birds, and what a great idea!!

My best sewing tip for newbies is just to do it. I know a few people who buy lots of fabric and/or patterns and don't do anything with them. Just start with the simplest thing you can do, finish a project, and keep going! It's the best way to learn and to build your confidence and make you want to sew even more!

Unknown said...

If you are a quilter, your 1/4" seam allowance is very important. I took your survey!

Kimberly said...

Find a book you love and do every project in it. It teaches you all kinds of techniques.

Theresa said...

Best baking tip -use a cookie scoop. They are so worth it - perfect, even cookies every tiem.

Pam said...

Adorable little birdies ...I love them!!!

My sewing tip is measure twice and cut once :) But most of all enjoy what you do!

K@ren said...

Sewing tip: Always buy extra of the fabric you LOVE when you purchase it for a project. I often regret not having more of the fabrics that I fell in love with lol

Thanks for a great giveaway! All the best to you and yours this season and always. xox

krencamp(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm surprised by how many people use the automatic threader! I guess my advice would be to pin, pin, pin until you are comfortable with pinning a bit less.

debbie said...

use a sharp needle and press as you go.
datepen(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

yes, i use the threader on my machine, but as I get older, it's necessary. Why did no one tell me about your eyes and close up work after 40?
beginner tip? patience, practice and never let your seam ripper out of hands reach.
deckerston (at) aol (dot) com

CMEH said...

Oh these are beautiful!!! Thank you for the giveaway. I am trying to think of a sewing tip and I have to say that the one thing that I can say is stay organized. It is hard for me and I notice a difference then I am not! Thanks for a great giveaway! I would be so excited to win it!

Hi, my name is Judy. said...

Love the blue one!
Not sure I have any great tips. I usually look at crafty blogs to find tips to use!

Amanda said...

Cute birdies!

Sewing tip... take it slow! I'm a beginner too and I seem to make the most mistakes when I get going too fast or don't read the instructions thoroughly enough!

Amber said...

I am a newboe sewist myself! I can't think of any better tip than to relax! I tend to stiffen my neck and shoulders, not only causing me pain, but the stress tends to show up in the stitching. Good luck to you!

Oh and I find it takes as long for me to figure out the silly threader as it does for me to just do it myself!

Holly U said...

Autothreader? Sewing machines have autothreaders? Huh, learn something new every day.

My tip: keep a seam ripper handy and don't be afraid to use it. The final result will be better all around.

Sharon said...

Cute birds! Since I am a new sewer too, my only advice is to not be afraid to walk away from a project for a few hours if you get frustrated. The more frustrated I get the worse things become, so sometimes I just need to take a break and refocus.

Lindsay said...

I am also a new sewer and my favorite thing that I learned is to keep an extra box by my machine t put pins in as I remove them while I sew.

Lindsay.forgette at gmail dot com

StephanieS said...

My best cooking tip is to try new things (especially from othercultures) and I try to use recipes that use only a small number of ingredients. It is just easier. Thanks for the chance to win. Happy Christmas. stephspitzer at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I have a strong magnetic pin holder that works great for gathering any pins that have hidden out as I finish out for the day. Love the birds!

Anonymous said...

Cute as a button birds!
sewing tip- a good sharp pair of scissors, they will last a life time if taken care of and never be afraid of to change something in a pattern.

Great giveaway, thank you

Anonymous said...

I don't sew yet so i don't have any tips. However I love to cook and bake. My tip would be to not worry about sticking to the recipe change it up and make it your own! Great giveaway I love the birds.

kellkell_ann@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

ALWAYS finish what you start. I love your birds. Thanks for sharing. Alaska/pj

Crystal Hendrix said...

My sewing tip is to be accurate with your seam allowance. Be consistent :D

I am having a giveaway too, so if you have time feel free to stop by! http://hendrixville.blogspot.com/

Nanbon44 said...

I love your little pink bird, they are so cute and I would love to make some...
Tip... if you need to thread a needle, use those flossing loops for your teeth, they go through the eye of the needle and there is a big loop for your thread so easy.
Please enter my name in your lovely drawing
thank you
Bonnie in Florida, USA
ladycolmn(at)aol(dot)com

Lynda said...

I'm just learning to sew so my tip is to be patient!

This is so nice, thanks!

lmr3683 at hotmail dot com

flatlakegirl said...

1flatlakegirl@gmail.com
So the lavenders a good idea!! Cute!
I scrapbook and Want to sew...anyway My only tip off the top of my head is be thrifty with your crafts! If you like cool buttons, go to a trift store bag sale and buy clothes for the buttons or material that you can take apart to make something new...once its laid out it your craft area it doesnt matter where it came from!

Emily Elizabeth said...

my machine has an auto-threader?

tip: go slowly! don't expect perfection!

Joanna said...

My sewing tip would be to not let your kids anywhere need your case of pins - you will be finding those pins in not a very nice way for the next year!! Ask me how I know ;) Onto other things, your birds are beautiful, made all the more special by having your mother's lavender in them!!

Just One More Thing said...

Hi -- love the birds and lavender smells like my gradmothers house. I think its the best smell in the world. My tip works for any craft type thing -- finish one project b4 you start another. Do I follow my own advice -- what do you think?

Victoria said...

My best sewing tip is to stop worrying if it will work and just do it. Really. The best way to figure something out is to actually give it a try, learn from your mistakes, try again and then ask another sewer how she does it. Stitch and learn!

Anonymous said...

Get to know your seam ripper. It will become your best friend.

Kari said...

How adorable are those birds?! My best sewing tip for newbies is use high quality needles and thread. It will save you all kinds of headaches. Thanks for the chance to win.
kbiermann(at)gmail(dot)com

Cammie said...

Follow the carpenter's creed, measure twice, cut once.

mcheaston {at} gmail {dot} com

Claire said...

love the birds....i haven't even won and i have a project for the lavender already.

my sewing tip for you...take you time and always read the directions first...I can't tell you how many times I start working on a project with without reading the directions and i always have to use the seam ripper at least several times.

Thanks for the great giveaway!!

Chiska said...

I'm a newbie too, but I'm learning sew with fabric that you LOVE. It makes all the difference in the world.

crazyestonian said...

Best sewing tip? Watch the fabric, not the needle.

kt said...

I'm a newbie too, so my only tip is to always measure twice, and cut once! Thanks for the chance to win!
ktyoung1(at)gmail(dot)com

Camille said...

Ahh I am not good at any of these things ... sooo maybe my tip on cooking is to follow the recipe :P usually works for me!
cam22190 at gmail

Jessica said...

Always read your pattern all the way through before you start... this goes for recipes and knitting too!

.hil. said...

I'm a newbie sewer too, but I think that washing and ironing fabric first is the best advice

Shelly said...

Hmm... best sewing tip. Seam ripper is your best friend. :) Don't take yourself too seriously. Relax and enjoy it. When you get frustrated it helps to have a dear friend or grandma you can call!

Robyn said...

sewing tip: If you are tired, set your project down and go back to it when you have rested. There is nothing worse than seeing all the mistakes you made when you were too tired to catch them (or care!)

Thanks for the giveaway! Robyn (dot) Geddes (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

have an organized and designated space for sewing, otherwise it'll drive you crazy!

please take a peek at my giveaway, if you get the chance...
http://crissybell.blogspot.com
crissybell17(at)gmail(dot)com

Susan said...

cute birds!,Thanks for the chance to win one. My best sewing tip.Keep your fingers out from under the moving needle on the machine. Learn from experience!

deserae said...

Be patient, and take your time so that you don't have to do it again! :)

Deb said...

I just saw this tip on a blog that featured an interview with a quilting book author. I thought it was a good one and decided to pass it on. She said to invest in an ergonomic seam ripper. To be honest, I'd never heard of an ergonomic one...and now I want one because there's one at our local quilt shop. Who knew? And I definitely use those things! Anyway, I'd love to win one of your birds! Thanks.

Marcia W. said...

Tip: cut, sew, and press straight seams. Birds are favorites of ours and yours are cute.

Anne said...

No family is boring, and I love to read about family life! Thanks for participating in Giveaway Day!

My tip is to use a thin skewer to help guide fabric as it travels under your presser foot. The wood "grabs" the fabric.

Paper Tiger said...

I'm pretty new, too. The sewing tip I learned was, no matter how tempting it is to use every inch of the fabric, take off the selvedges because they don't stretch or work the same as the rest of the fabric.

Garilyn S said...

For quilting, I never (well rarely), wash my fabric before piecing. I use one of those color catcher sheets. They quilt up nicely.
blessed.mama4 at yahoo.com

joyce said...

Do not get too many ufos. Unfinished objects. Buy what you will use. The birds are cute.

Jen B said...

Freezer paper is wonderful! Trace pattern pieces onto it, then iron down and trace and cut or just cut the pieces out!

Sarita said...

measure twice, cut once... but if you end up doing it wrong anyways, no sweat; nobody will notice.
honestly.
the quilt police are really quite imaginary.

happy holidays, and thanks for the opportunity to win! :)

sarita0818 at comcast dot net

Anne said...

Universal machine needles are never the best choice! Read up on the various kinds and their best uses; it will improve your life. I love lavender and I like the green birdie with the pink wing!

Montessori Bee said...

Don't try to keep at something once your tired. Go to bed and it will be so much easier with some rest!

Love those birdies