Baby Girl Gift Set with Babyville Boutique!

 I had so much fun creating these sweet "Cowgirl" sets to be delivered as part of our November Project donations! They are super cute and simple to make, so I thought I'd share a tutorial for those of you that might like to give it a try. Ready? 

I've started with some of the adorable new Babyville Boutique Ruffle Elastic and Ribbons.

 If you are making these for your own child, you will want to start by measuring her head, otherwise, a quick google search for "baby headband measurements" will provide some averages for you to work from. Once you've determined your size, cut the Ruffle Elastic accordingly and sew the cut ends together to create your headband. 

Next, you will make your bows. For mine I have used THIS TUTORIAL and made 2 bows for layering.

  

 Once your bows are secured together, cut an extra piece of the Ruffle Elastic 3-5" in length, and use this to tie the bow to the headband, covering the stitching. 

Now you are all set! Quick & easy huh? And fun to make! Find a little model to show off your creation and enjoy making another. :)

 Here's the second headband I made following the same instructions above. 

 Using some of the remaining ribbon and Ruffle Elastic, I also made a sweet security blankie to complete my donation sets. 

I rolled the little blankies and used the stretchy headbands to wrap around them. I hope the little Cowgirl Princesses that receive these, and their parents, love them! :) 

Find out how you can join in and be part of our November Project, "Baby Love" HERE!

*****BONUS!!!!*****
Babyville Boutique is providing you with the chance to win your own surprise bundle of  their new ribbons and Ruffle Elastic so you can make your own adorable headbands! Simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to enter! (Open to US entrants)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winner announced and emailed 11/15/13 and provided 48 hours to respond and claim prize or alternate winner may be selected. Thanks!

See the great selection of Babyville Boutique elastics & ribbons at BabyvilleBoutique.com !
Thank you Babyville Boutique and good luck to you all!

Quilt Panel GIVEAWAY for November Project!

Melissa & I have teamed up to offer those of you interested in sewing along this month a special giveaway! We each have a quilt panel that would be perfect to make a quick baby quilt with this month, and we'd like to send them to 2 of you! :) 

Fabric Outlet provided me with several panels to use for our project this month, and this is one of them. Isn't it darling!?!?!
Thank you Fabric Outlet!

If you'd be interested in sewing up one of these sweet panels for a donation to our November Project, then follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to enter. US shipping only please due to the time limits of our project. Thanks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be announced this FRIDAY, November 15, 2013. Please respond within 48 hours so we can get the panels on their way to you, with time enough left to sew them! :)

Get all the details about our November Project HERE! 

Oh!! And stay tuned! Melissa will be sharing a quilting tutorial later this week using a panel! 

Purple Panda Quilts - Simple & Modern Baby Quilt Tutorial

The creative and generous Lyanna of Purple Panda Quilts has created a special, modern baby quilt in support of our November Project and is sharing the tutorial on her blog!

Go check it out here!!!

Thank you so much Lyanna! It's beautiful!

Hopeful Threads - What, Why & How???

To try and sum up what Hopeful Threads is can be kind of difficult for me. While at Quilt Market, I was asked many times to do so, and the truth is, I never perfected my "elevator speech". This frustrated me a little at first, but the more I have pondered it, the more appropriate it seems.

I went to Market to help my friends and have the chance to meet in person and say thanks to so many that have supported the sewing outreach of Hopeful Threads. I was not there to intentionally promote Hopeful Threads, though was grateful for each opportunity to share. But the fact that I was unable to compartmentalize this community and the work we do each month...while awkward in the moment, actually makes me smile now. :) 

There have been several posts I've written around here highlighting the "WHY", but I think this one does a great job of expressing my heart and desire for the impact of Hopeful Threads.

In addition....

Hopeful Threads is a community effort. While my family & I personally pour a lot into the outreach each month, we could not do all that we are able to do and give all that we've been able to give without the support & participation of so many of YOU!

 Hopeful Threads is a choice. I do not sew out of obligation, it is my pleasure, and I hope the same for each person that participates in our Monthly Projects. It is a dream come true, a prayer answered. 

Hopeful Threads is growing. We are rounding out our third year of sewing to give and each month I am blown away by the continued generosity and enthusiasm surrounding our projects. 

I am reminded and inspired when I receive comments from participants about the positive impact that sewing along has had on them.......when a tutorial I have shared helps someone create a comforting or practical gift for a friend or loved one......when I receive pictures or messages sharing about our sewn items in action as they were made for. It matters. Every Stitch Matters. 

Hopeful Threads....STILL a place to share your creativity in a way that helps another. 

You can read more about how it all began on my "About Me" page and if you are interested or ever need a reminder yourself about the "WHY" of Hopeful Threads, you can always get a perfect glimpse on the "Recipients" page too. :)

Supernova Quilt Pattern GIVEAWAY! with 3 WINNERS!!!

 So excited to share this special treat with you!!!

My friend Sarah from Fabric Seeds has just recently released her very first quilt pattern called Supernova. It is absolutely gorgeous and can be made in 5 different sizes!!!

This is one of those quilts that you just want to stare at. The design offers so much movement and a different perspective just by the angle from which you look at it. 

In support of our November Project, Sarah is offering 3 of you the chance to win this beautiful pattern! Simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to enter. Giveaway generously open to all eligible! This is a paper pattern and will be mailed directly to the winners once address is verified. Winners announced/emailed 11/11/13 and expected to respond within 48 hours to claim the prize or alternates may be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't want to wait to see if you win? You can purchase the Supernova pattern for 20% OFF now through 11/16/13 using discount code "supernova". Find the pattern in the Fabric Seeds shop HERE!

Thank you Sarah! We look forward to seeing more of your beautiful designs in the future and appreciate your support of Hopeful Threads sewing to give!

Good luck to all!

November 2013 Monthly Project Announcement!

Like many of our Monthly Projects, this one has been in the works for a long while now. Melissa and I started talking about it months ago, and it's been especially interesting to watch it all unfold in ways we could never have expected or planned for. 

For November's Project, we will be making quilts, blankets and lovies for the babies of the NICU at my local Children's Hospital. 

This has been a long time dream of my friend Melissa from Sew BitterSweet Designs ever since her sweet daughter Anne received the comforting gift of a quilt during a hospital stay. Melissa shared that Anne was very sick, and they had to leave for the hospital without time to prepare and pack, and having a quilt waiting for them was such a blessing and comfort. 

Being a quilter herself, she wanted to find a way to give back in this special way. 

I have a local friend that is a NICU nurse, so together, we have designed the November Project to be one that will allow us to use our love of sewing and quilting to provide these comforting gifts.   

For the November Project I will be collecting and delivering the following....

Newborn/Preemie Quilts

Sewn, Knit or Crochet Receiving Blankets

Security & Sensory Lovies like Tag Blankies

***SIZE UPDATE***

There are 2 sizes that would be great. 26x30 and 1yd square. Those would fit their 2 most common beds.Thanks!!

My nurse friend, not knowing our plans, just posted on Monday how great a need they currently have for these items. I am looking forward to delivering a BUNDLE of our fabric love that will provide the babies this special handmade comfort and hopefully encourage their caregivers at the same time! 

Being that December is always a R&R month around here, this will be the final "official" project for Hopeful Threads' 2013 year. We've tried to include a way for anyone that would like to participate to be able to. Will you join Melissa & I for this project? We gladly welcome any and all participation! 

I've updated our Project Badge and have created a November Project flickr album specifically to share our donation pictures. 

Melissa and I have also been gathering ideas for tiny baby quilts, and you can find our "Baby & Preemie Quilts" Pinterest board here. There are also a variety of ideas for lovies in my "Soft Toys" board here. 

Stay tuned for lots more inspiration and surprises to post throughout the month! 

Are you ready for some Baby Love sewing??? Hope so!

October 2013 - Project FINALE!

Today is the FINAL DAY of our October 2013 "Hat's Off!" Project!

I want to offer a special thanks to all of you that have sewn and kept this rolling while I was out of town. YOU ARE SUCH A BLESSING! I know each and every one of these hats will be welcomed and enjoyed!

Be sure and check out the great collection of hats that have already been made for donation to this month's project and add pics of your own to our October Project flickr album HERE. 

While my current intentions are still to have the November Project ready to post in the morning....bear with me if it's delayed at all. In addition to getting back in our groove around here from mama being out of town and lots of sick littles, the kids are all excited about tonight's dressing up fun and tomorrow is my Hubs birthday, so lots of things going on right now. :)

More soon...