****This giveaway now closed.****
This very entry marks my 100th post here at Greenleaf Goods! I’m so thrilled that I made it this far– I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I started blogging, and this really came about because I wanted to share what I was working on with family and friends. Now I’ve found I’m becoming part of an online crafting community, and I couldn’t be happier with all of the inspiration and support I’ve received from you all! As a way of saying thanks, I decided to mark the occasion with my very first giveaway!
When I began sewing about a year ago, one of the first designers I fell in love with was Heather Bailey— I’ve loved nearly everything she’s released, and I stocked up on her Freshcut line of fabric, as it is now out of print! I still love all of these prints, and have used them in a number of quilts and projects. (like this. and this. and this. I also quickly decided that the jellybean print from the freshcut line was perfect for bindings, and so I used it as a binding again and again and again. I wanted to share the love, so I’m offering up a quarter of a yard of the following prints, from the Freshcut and Pop Garden lines:
As well as a half yard each of the Jellybean print in green and pink. This should be enough to bind your next quilt (or two), if you choose to use it that way!
Here’s the catch: I am amazed at how much I’ve been able to learn from tutorials and instructions and advice I’ve found online since beginning to quilt, and I love when people share their own insights! If you’d like to enter the drawing for the fabric, leave me a comment and let me know something you’ve learned lately– it can be about sewing or quilting, or life in general– all information is welcome! And, I plan to follow up with a few posts about things I’ve learned lately, so stay tuned for those!
The giveaway will remain open until Thursday night, and I’ll announce the winner on Friday!
congratulations on your 100th post! Yesterday I learned about scant 1/4 inch seams and how important they are when trying to make lots of blocks the same size (unfortunately I learned the hard way!)
Hooray for the giveaway! I’ve recently learned to knit on circualr needles – not so flash perhaps, but I didn’t know how before, and now I do!
Sorry, ‘circular’!
Hmmm…. I learn things every day about quilting. The most recent is that flannel makes a lovely batting. I just used it in patchwork quilt my sister asked me to finish for her. I had to tie it, a first for me also, and didn’t want to use a batting that needed a lot of quilting. The flannel worked perfectly and the quilt has a nice drape. I may use flannel more often as a batting!
i’m a beginner quilter so i learn new things everyday! probably the most recent one is how tiring it is to baste a quilt!!
Congrats on the 100th!! I have been learning how to make my binding corners look a little more professional and not lumpy. And I have been learning to use my new IPhone, no small feet for this techno-phobe! (did I spell that right? that’s something I need to learn too!)
Something I just learned was that if fabrics are slipping when you are stitching them that spraying one with starch and then lining them up and ironing makes for a perfect seam. When you feed them through the machine the starch is stronger than the slippery fabric.
Congrats on your centuri-blog! I’ve just recently organised my first quilting bee, so I learnt a lot about the inner workings of a bee hive! Also, in looking for inspiration for my month (its october, so I may be slightly ahead of myself here), I found a great site for block tutorials, http://modifytradition.blogspot.com. You should check it out 🙂 Thanks for the great giveaway, I love those prints. So versatile!
Congrats on your 100th post, Natalie, and thanks for the giveaway! I have learned sooooo much over this past year about quilting. My favorite tip? Check You Tube. They have demonstrations for just about every step of quilting, plus I have used it to teach myself to knit! I also learned how to make some easy half square triangles there for my latest quilt-in-progress 🙂
honestly… my most recent learning experience… get enough sleep! i am a better mom, wife, and sewer when i do!
I just found your blog from Ruth…what beautiful things you make. As for something I learned recently, I just sewed my first pair of underwear. Definitely a learning experience. Congrats on your 100 posts!
I am learning to free motion quilt! I really don’t do it very well yet but I keep trying.
I just learned how to do a blind hem for my daughters Easter dress.
Congratulations on 100! You have a lovely blog 🙂
Now that I have gone back to work, I have learned that even little bits of time can work together to finish a large project like a quilt. I feel fortunate to have a space to leave my machine and supplies all set up and ready to go for when I have a few minutes for sewing. Gone are the days of all day sewing, but I’m still accomplishing my creative goals, although more slowly.
Thanks for the chance to win some beautiful fabric!
Congrats on 100 posts! Last night I learned how important it is to sew on the binding evenly…. and then I learned how my boyfriend will snuggle under any quilt I make… no matter how ugly the binding!
congrats on your 100th post! something i find i have to continually learn is to not be afraid to try new things. 🙂 seriously, i have to just tell myself that i can buy more fabric & if not, then the mistake is destined to be a part of the art.
Congrats!!! I’ve learned to not take life so seriously (Okay, a lesson in progress)…AND I learned to knit recently 🙂
I have been following your blog for the last six months or so and really enjoy seeing your posts! Good job 🙂
One new little tip I have yet to try out, but sounds so simple, is to make small diagonal cuts on each corner of your fabric prior to pre-shrinking. It is supposed to really cut down on that twisted mass of theads when you pull your fabric out of the washer and dryer.
Though I don’t often pre-shrink my fabric, I look fwd to this working @ those times when it is necessary.
I’ve recently learned that pressing seams open can make a huge difference in the accuracy of my piecing! What a revelation! : ) Thanks for a wonderful giveaway, I love this fabric and don’t have any of it!
Congrats on having such a successful blog! I enjoy every post! I recently learned about having a leader fabric when chain piecing so that the first stitch on your project is smoother. (Hope I said that right) Thanks for the giveaway!
Great Giveaway!! I love tutorials too- I just learned how to do needle felting from another blog. Its so easy and fun. I also have learned almost everything I know about quilting from tutorials.
I’m a relative beginner and I’ve just learning the ins and outs of using my rotary cutter and some various rulers. So far so good. Next step, facing my sewing machine. EEEK! My mantra is “do not be afraid … do not be afraid …”.
I’m also enjoying all the tips here and have made note of several! Love these fabrics you’re so generously sending out to a lucky fan!
Congratulations on your 100th post! You seem to have the same taste in fabrics as I do as Heather Bailey was the first fabric designer that I discovered which led me to blogging eventually. The most recent tip that I have read about and am now using is with regards to pressing seams rather than ironing backwards and forwards which can distort fabric especially edges cut on the bias. I think I picked it up on the blog ‘In colour order’.
I’ve learned recently that the safety pin closer tool thingy (its official name I believe) makes basting so much easier and less painful. And quicker! It’s well worth the $8.00.
Sigh. I learned, just this past Sunday, that just because *I* don’t want to line my daughter’s dress and therefore don’t buy fabric for it doesn’t mean that I *can* leave out the lining. Or, you could look at it as that I learned that if I”m cutting and sewing along and the pattern seems strange–like a step or two is slightly different than what I would normally do, I should trust myself. I’m actually starting to know what I’m doing. Had I learned either of these lessons before Sunday I could have 1) bought lining so when I constructed the dress the seams would work and be hidden or 2) changed up certain instructions so that the seams would be finished and hidden. Double sigh.
I’ve been meaning to comment on your blog for awhile. In fact, your bridesmaid’s quilts inspired me to finally make an overnight quilt for my best friend’s newest child. So thanks!
I learned flannel must always be washed and dried. Thanks for the giveaway!
Congratulations on your 100th post! What I’ve learned lately is that I’m actually more happy with my quilting if I step out of my comfort zone. Embrace new colours and colour schemes, be more liberated with my piecing, try things I don’t immediately love. It’s been liberating, educating, and fun.
I recently learned how to put a binding on a quilt and connect the ends to make it finish as one piece…not sure I am explaining this too good..but it makes the binding so pretty. Thanks for the giveaway and congrats on the blogging! Lisa in Texas
I just stumbled upon your blog…cograts on 100 posts!! I have hand quilted and hand stitched all my quilts so far…all 4 of them 😉 So I’ve recently tried machine quilting and machine binding on a baby quilt I’ve been working. It’s such a different look than the hand work. It’s been fun to learn and mess with 🙂
Congrats on your 100th post! I’m a fairly new follower, and have really enjoyed your creations. What I’ve learned lately (this week, to be exact) is that booting my 9 and 7 year old daughters and their mess out of my sewing room is much harder than I thought it would be, but necessary for my sanity. Hopefully we can all creatively flourish in our own spaces. 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win this lovely fabric!
Congrats on your 100th post! I have just recently learned about all the amazing quilting blogs and creative quilters there are. Specifically, I’ve learned how to make corners with my bindings…I think I still may need some practice.
Congrats on your blogging milestone! I am learning every day, mainly by my mistakes. I recently learned to do a decent job at sewing curves without fear.
I recently discovered that one stray tiny plastic thread-thing that attaches price tags to clothes can make a huge mess of your iron, pretty ironing board cover, and anything else that iron touches! On a more positive note, I also learned about blind hems and how easy they are to make. Thanks!
Congratulations on your 100th post and thanks for thinking of us with this giveaway! Since I started checking out blogs, I’ve fallen in love with modern fabrics and new twists on traditional blocks. Thanks for helping us step out of our comfort zones.
After quilting for about two years, I have recently learned about proper pressing! I took a 4 hour class just on pressing. Who knew there is was so much to learn? It is so important and makes such a difference, but I had no idea. I still refuse to iron clothes, but my ironing board now stays open by my quilting table.
Congratulations! I am glad that I found your blog a few months ago. I have learned so much about sewing. I am a beginning quilter and there are so many tricks like chain sewing makes my projects go so much faster! I love the fabric combination you are giving away!
Comment, comment, comment. I want to win the giveaway. : ) Love, your mother.
Great giveaway-What beautiful fabric. I have learned that sometimes sewing projects can take a turn for the worse when you suddenly realize that you have put the entire pattern on backwards-(after you have already cut it out annd began sewing it together) aahhhh! Live and learn.
Congratulations on the 100th post and I wish you (and us) many more.
I’m a beginning quilter so I learn new things almost every day. Most recently I’ve discovered how much easier it is to baste a quilt if the pins are slightly curved 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway, I agree that the Jellybean print works perfect for binding.
Hi Natalie. Congratulations on 100 posts. I love to celebrate milestones. Those fabrics are gorgeous. I love all the bright colors.
I just learned that when you make your own clothes tags, you should use 100% cotton seam tape or the poly blend will not hold the ink.
Thanks for letting me enter your generous giveaway.
Hugs…Tracy 🙂
cottonpickincute(at)hotmail(dot)com
P.S. I’m also having a giveaway and would love to have you come by and enter.
Yayy for 100th post!
2 days ago, I learned that open seems looks wayyy much better ! I tried this for the 1st time and was very please with the result, even though it is a little longer to make !
And the fabric is so cute and fresh !
This year I bought some cute quilt labels from Sweetwater Creek and love them. However, I recently came across a wonderful tute on Jaybird Quilts on using Spoonflower to create your own labels on fabric. Then you can actually sew them right into your quilt. Excellent!
I have learned something new with each quilt I make. Reading bookmarked blogs has been so helpful.
the best is to zigzag stitch very close to the edge of a quilt before binding, it has save me many a sew ripping day.
Congrats on your 100th Post Natalie! What a great giveaway 🙂 I haven’t been keeping up with my google reader so I almost missed it… glad I caught it! I have a few guest posts on other sites coming up which is new for me so lately I have been learning about guest post etiquette and just the nuts and bolts of how to send someone else your post in a way that works for them to post it.
I’m fairly new to the quilting world… so I’m learning things all the time! Two big ones recently – press your seams open! (thanks goes to Elizabeth Hartman for this one!) & spray basting. omg, I love it for baby quilts! I just washed up a quilt my 9yr old niece helped me with (for her new brother or sister) & not having to quilt around pins was crucial to her success.
I have just started free motion quilting.. love it but still have a ways to go before I’ll be comfortable with it completely.
Oh, also…you can make a zig zag quilt without piecing triangles! I’m sure you know this, but when I found out, I was pretty excited! I should still give triangles a try I guess too 😉
Congrats on your 100th post!
I have learned you need to follow directions to the T. Probably simple to some but I always thought I cut corners and my project is wasted. I also was taught to pin everything and while it takes longer the results are just so professional.