Momma Quail Pattern Tour - Hobbes Jacket

Hello everyone! Another blog tour?!? Yes! And this one I am super excited about.  Today is my day on the Momma Quail blog tour and I can't wait to show you what I made.  But first, a little bit about this fairly new designer, Amy McDonald.  The main thing you need to know is Amy is a freaking genius! Her patterns are so unique and different that I can't even believe what I have created at the end of the day.  I have been lucky enough to test for her on multiple occasions and I am always pleased with working with her.  Here are a few items I have made but this isn't all by far.  Momma Quail has definitely made a fan out of me!

But enough of my fan girl-ing for right now.... On to my selection, the Hobbes Jacket.  I tested this jacket for my daughter before (the red jacket above) and I used a prequilted red fabric that she loves but it is too thick for our pre-winter weather so she is sweaty while trying to wear it.  If you have seen my Bug's fashion style at all then you know that she is punk rock and super fashionista while being comfortable to run and play.  I decided that denim would be a great choice for my blue loving beauty and I had a great chance to use her favorite outer space fabric as the lining.  

The first thing about this pattern that is going to make you stop and question my wisdom in suggesting it to you is the number of pattern pieces.  There are A LOT! But don't be deterred because every piece has it's own use and amazing things result from it.  So don't fret.  And keep everything together... I lost more than one of the small squares that I needed.  So the details right???

Of course, she was super picky and we ended up in Hancock looking for pink denim topstitching thread and she was wayyyyyy too impatient to let me put on the snaps where they belong on the cuffs and the tab at the bottom of the zipper so you will have to pardon the slightly unfinished look.  But it is perfect for her.

If you are scared of jackets or separating zippers (like me) this is the perfect pattern for you.  There are extensive instructions for shortening zippers and inserting them properly.  I didn't even break a needle this time! My favorite detail is the pockets... they are so fashionable and sit so well.  Bug says they look like a real store coat pockets... sigh.

There is a knit cuff inside of the outer cuff that creates an additional bit of warmth and is soft and the fully lined hood guarantees that this coat is perfect for those of us spiraling quickly into the winter months. 

So now you are wondering, where do I buy this pattern and how do I see more of these great creations?  Fear not! I can guide you to the Hobbes Jacket Pattern, the Momma Quail Shop and the Momma Quail Pattern Group! But before you head out don't forget to grab your favorite pattern and use the code "MQPATTERNTOUR" for 30% off of your purchase.  And as always scroll down and enter to win things because who doesn't love winning?  Thank you so much for stopping in and feel free to leave me a comment!  Or head over to my fellow blog tour members and see their creations!  See you very soon!

11/16:

Sew Thrifty • Willow and Stitch • The Wholesome Mama

11/17:

Create 3.5 • Lulu & Celeste • Pear Berry Lane

11/18:

The Berry Bunch • Paisley Roots • Call Ajaire • Falafel and the Bee

11/19:

House of Estrela • Adventures with Bubba and Bug • Swoodson Says

11/20:

Rebel & Malice • Knot Sew Normal • Sew Thrifty

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Swoodson Says - Little Explorer Backpack!

So I am back... so soon you ask? Yes! I am participating in another blog tour and this one I am super excited about.  The amazing Stephanie from Swoodson Says was kind enough to let me sew up her new pattern, the Little Explorer backpack!  First a little bit about Swoodson Says... She has six wonderful patterns in her shop and I will eventually sew them up but I just have to find a reciepient!  They are whimsical patterns that include softie toys, a backpack and even a cape for your ltitle one's stuffed friends!  My two are too old and too cool for such things so I got a little creative with my pattern.  

So is everyone familiar with those purse backpacks that women carry?  Here is a $300.00 example from Coach:

Well I love those things... but not the price tags or the grown up look of them.  I am way too silly and fun to be held to those grownup bags.  So I used the Little Explorer backpack to create myself a purse to carry around when I am "momming" all weekend long.  

First thing I love about this pattern: there are only 2 pattern pieces and not a million little pieces to cut out.  I really appreciate patterns that make cutting quick and painless.  So I pulled out the last of my beloved minions fabric and decided to use some on myself.  

I love the little details of this bag.  I didn't feel like it was childish at all.  I did not use mesh for my bottom as the pattern called for and instead I used a woven with a stiff interfacing to hold up my hoards of things I carry with me regularly. 

I found some fun colored velcro a while ago at Hancocks on sale that I had been waiting for a fabulous chance to use this was what I had been waiting for.  I also misread my supplies list and had nothing to use as a tie.  Therefore using a method I learned on another pattern I cut a fairly thin strip of yellow knit and used that as my stretchy tie.  

Now you are wondering about space right?   How much can you find in a child's backpack?  Well as a few of you know I am determined to figure out crochet and make wonderful things that I find on Pinterest so I was able to find my large water bottle, a novel for those long playdates, a skein of thread, my crochet needle, my wallet and my super sized phone in it with space to spare.

If you count the price of fabric and the few supplies I had to buy, I think I still came out well on top of Coach's price and I have a backpack purse that is all me!  So if your children are giants like mine and you still want to sew yourself something cute by this amazing designer go grab a copy of this pattern.  And spend a few minutes and check out my fellow bloggers on this tour! They are all so talented and amazing I feel like a little kid at the grown up table!  I have listed a coupon code below to save you a few dollars.  But wait! Go enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win all of the patterns included on this blog tour! That would be so much better! And then come tell me about your adventures in sewing!  See you all soon!!!!

Use coupon code 'SewAllTheSofties' for 40% off all patterns, expiring Sunday 11/16 -  valid both on Etsy & on Swoodsonsays.com

Check out the other amazing bloggers on this tour with me if you missed them before this!

Monday, November 9th: Friends Stitched Together / Sew Happily Ever After / The Crazy Tailor Tuesday, November 10th: Felt With Love Designs / Sew Not Perfect / House of Estrela Wednesday, November 11th: Lulu & Celeste / Handmade Boy / Rebel & Malice Thursday, November 12th: Rebel & Malice / create3.5 / Free Notion Friday, November 13th: Paisley Roots / The Wholesome Mama / Amazing Adventures With Bubba and Bug / Thread Riding Hood / Hugs are Fun

A giveaway running all week, to win all 4 Swoodson Says patterns: a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Vision To Remember Easy Peasy Rag Quilt Blog Tour!

Hello all of my lovely sewing friends! ! I am so excited to be celebrating my one year anniversary of my blog! I have not been the best about blogging regularly but I have a few blog tours lined up to force me to stay active.  First up is a tour by one of my favorite designers who doesn't do clothes!  I sew for my daughter so much that I love making something and not worrying about fit or hems.

So I sewed up the Easy Peasy Quilt  by the amazing Bobbie Stucki or A Vision to Remember!  This goes in the record books as my first official quilt finished... Ha! I knew it would happen eventually!  And boy did I have a good time doing it. This pattern is for children and my daughter is too big to use it on her bed but she loves lap blankets while watching movies or playing outside with her stuffed animals.  The model stuffed animal for today is tiny zebra... yes he is named "Tiny Zebra".

Western Washington has slid into it's rainy cold season so I used a layer of batting in between my two layers to make sure my little lady stayed warm.  And she thought it was super thick and great for playing outside in the cold grass!

I used a random fat quarter pack that she fell in love with at Walmart for my squares and an Autism Awareness jelly roll for most of the strips.  I didn't have enough strips for the quilt in one jelly roll so if you are planning on using a roll, buy two!  But they work perfectly because they are already the perfect height and anything that makes cutting easier is my type of solution. Now if I could only find precut 12 1/2" squares...

Since Bug was so gracious and helped Mom cut all of those seams, I let her do some wild hair modeling! She has always loved playing outside so having her own blanket brought up picnic dreams and adventurous plans!

Overall, I can honestly say that this was absolutely easy peasy and I loved making it! I look forward to making more and I will probably attach 2 together to make a larger one for my son to have.  Have you made a rag quilt before? Drop me a comment and let me know what you thought.  And don't forget to enter the rafflecopter to win a prize.  Oh and use the coupon code to buy ANYTHING from A Vision To Remember!  I can't wait to sew more quilts!!!!



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You can get 25% off the pattern using easypeasyblogtour coupon code Here

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11/12/15

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