Tuesday 26 May 2009

Giveaway Day!

I recently found a very easy way to make my own bias tape. I don't have one of those bias maker and was considering buying one when I came across this great tutorial from Creative Little Daisy (you might also want to read her Public Service Announcement for a little laugh).
I tried the technique and loved it, it is so easily adjustable to the desired width. Looks like I will not be buying a bias maker after all!

Now, ok, I am getting to the point, the Giveaway. After making loads of bias tape - it was that much fun! - I thought I could give some of it, along with buttons from my vintage collection and a small cross-stitched flower appliqué that I made last weekend when I was meant to be cleaning the house ;-)

The bias tape is 2.50 cm (1 inch) wide by 4.50 m (almost 5 yards) long. Buttons are different shades of blue and the appliqué is 6 cm by 4 cm (2 1/4 by 1 1/2 inches).

So, if you would like a chance to win this little blue package, please leave a comment here. I would love to learn a few more sewing DIY techniques if you have one to share, but this is not a requirement to participate. I will be taking entries until May 31st at 7 PM ET and will randomly pick one comment. The winner will be announced on my blog on June 1st. Everyone is welcome in this giveaway, anywhere you live, I will happily ship it to you.

Best of luck to all of you!

Sylvie

133 comments:

  1. The best part of giveaway day has been discovering so many great blogs :)

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  2. Great blog and giveaway. I'm doing a giveaway as well and hosting a fabric swap. Come and check it out :)

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  3. Nice bias, great giveaway.

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  4. So pretty! Homemade bias tape is so much fun. I bought a bias tape maker a while back but I have yet to use it.

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  5. Pre-made bias tape? I AM IN LOVE. One of the banes of my existence is binding, adn I have yet to really figure out the art of bias tape.

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  6. I LOVE bias tape, but I HATE making it. Premade bias tape is so wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway!
    millkara [at] gmail.com

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  7. Cool giveaway!!!!

    Thanks!

    nhsarab at yahoo dot com

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  8. Very cool about the DIY bias tape! Great job with it. :)

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  9. Lovely buttons! And handmade bias tape!

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  10. Oooh, I love me some bias tape! And patterned tape is SO much more fun! Thanks for the chance to win. (Sorry I have no tips for you. I have a couple of tutorials on my blog though.)

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  11. I make xbags and since I usually use purchased bias (too lazy to make my own) I would love to use your bias for a nice finish.

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  12. I DO have one of those bias tape making thingies, and still haven't actually made my own. :) Sign me up! For some great tutorials you should check out Keyka Lou patterns - I'm actually doing a giveaway for one of her patterns on my blog for the May Giveaway Day. Check it out!

    flip_em8@hotmail.com

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  13. I'm a beginner at sewing and don't have any good tips to share, but thank you for that link!

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  14. What a lovely prize! Thanks for the chance to enter.

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  15. What a lovely gift - the bias tape idea is so good - thanks...

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  16. The best part of Giveaway Day is finding so many wonderful new blogs to read! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  17. What a neat giveaway. The bias tape is very pretty and would be fun to find a use for!

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  18. Man I hate making bias tape but I also hate the store bought stuff. I should turn my house into a sweat shop and make my kids do it.

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  19. Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance.

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  20. I love that bias tape! I spent hours yesterday turning bias tape into piping. There is something about the repetitive nature of the task which is almost meditative!

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  21. Haven't yet tried my hand at bias tape so I would gladly get some already made. Thanks for the giveaway.
    jmhamlin826 AT yahoo DOT com

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  22. I love your bias tape. Isn't it fun to make it from scratch?

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  23. Great giveaway!

    More DIY tips? Try www.sewingmamas.com, a sewing forum. There are TONS of free patterns and tutorials there for the DIY sewer. :)

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  24. Thanks for the giveaway and the link. I was thinking I need to buy myself one of those doomaflotchies as well, but now I'll just try this technique. :)

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  25. I'm sure you already know about this, but it helps alot when you press and spray starch your fabric. =)

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  26. Very cute blue package. I have been using vintage buttons on the pin cushions I make and am going to check out the bias tape tutorial.

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  27. What lovely give-aways! I love old buttons .. .and the bias would be fun to work with (love the criss-cross fabric print:). Pretty little embroidery might end up as a jewelry piece (broach?)

    I have a bunch of links on my shop site to tutorials and such (www.seminolesampler.com). Try some!

    :) Linda
    quilter at lhsdesigns dot com

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  28. I love, love, love vintage buttons. I also am one of those people who do not have a bias tape maker so thanks for sharing the tutorial.

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  29. I, too, recently used the same tutorial for making bias tape. I'm a new convert!

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  30. What a great giveaway - i love the fabric for the bias tape!
    lucy(at)alittlebitofsugar(dot)com

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  31. I am a big fan of tutorials, but don't have any of my own tips to share. But I have learnt the hard way that it is easier to make a mock up outfit in calico before cutting into expensive designer fabric, that is my tip!!!

    Thanks for the giveaway. I love blue.

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  32. What a great giveaway. I have several tutorials on my blog :) for quilting and some clothing techniques too. http://sewinspired.blogspot.com

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  33. Oh how pretty! I love blue. I think Amy Karol's "No Swearing Bias Tape Method" was an appropriate one for this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fEv3VXPUEs&feature=channel_page

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  34. I wish I had some tips to share, but I am still trying to pick some up myself :) Great giveaway!

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  35. I actually think it's easier to make bias tape without a maker - I use a pin in my ironing board to run the fabric under. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  36. woohoo blue vintage buttons!!!

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  37. I just learned to make my own bias tape and will never use store bought again. It is so much more interesting.

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  38. thanks! i hate making bias tape!

    jzuchows at princeton dot edu

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  39. Oh, I'm a button-aholic - your giveaway looks great.
    kareno369(@)hotmail(dot)com

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  40. Thanks for sharing, I will have to check out that tutorial! Not sure I'm skilled enough to have many tips. I guess my only tip is finish what you start (not that I follow this very well!).

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  41. NO ONE wants to clean the house. :)

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  42. What a fun give away collection. Thank you!

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  43. I just thought I would share a sewing tip with you - always prewash your fabric, and if you the fabric is likely to run add 1/3 cup of salt in with the wash to set the colour.

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  44. Sadly my knowledge of sewing is bereft of tips at this stage! That bias tape is nifty - I will need to learn how to make it sometime!

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  45. hi
    thanks for the give away!
    and nice dias tape!

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  46. Please count me in! Thank you so much for your generosity! samjerus[at]yahoo.com

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  47. It is a great package, and I'd love to have it :-).
    as for techniques, I don;t have much. I am still in the phase when I learn something new from each project!

    Thanks!
    Michal

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  48. Ooh! Buttons! I love getting knew buttons. Thanks!

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  49. What a nice gviveaway. my best tip would be to fold fabric nicely first time, its easier to handle store and see.

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  50. that's so useful, to make your own bias tape. I need to watch and do it, too! Thanks for the giveaway.

    maisiesmom at gmail

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  51. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! If you don't want to prewash your fabrics, (I never do), buy the Shout Color Catchers and throw in the wash the first time you wash your quilt. Keeps the colors from running/bleeding!

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  52. I need to start making my own bias tape. So much better than the store bought stuff ...

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  53. I love the package. I also love homemade bais binding. Thanks.

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  54. Those buttons are so sweet! I love that you picked up a cross-stitch instead of doing homework...I am known to start a new knitting project in lieu of almost anything housework-related!

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  55. thanks for the giveaway goodies! they're so cute! join my giveaway too

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  56. WOW. I am going to check that tutorial out. I use a lot of bias tape and never thought to make it myself. Thanks for the tip.

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  57. Not that I hate making bias tape...but WOW I think it would save some time!!
    I would love it.

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  58. That bias tape is so pretty!

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    www.craftyheidi.wordpress.com

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  59. How generous and cool!

    Thanks for a chance to win! :)

    hootie364@gmail.com

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  60. I don't think I know any, but I need to try that biastape thing myself, so thanks for linking!

    You can contact me via a comment on my blog or the email provided there.

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  61. What a great give away I LOVE the buttons! I'm new to sewing so I don't have any good tips yet!
    merlin the cat at gmail.com

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  62. Ohh...buttons! Am always looking for beautiful buttons, and blue is one of my favorite colors. Thanks for the giveaway. Sorry I dont have any DIY tips, but you have inspired me to try my hand at bias tape making....

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  63. I love blue and buttons. If i win I have plans for those buttons...I have never USED bias tape. if i win, i will.

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  64. What a great, and personal, give-a-way. You put a lot of thought into this one. Thanks!

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  65. Hello from Toronto *waves*! What a great giveaway; I've seen some good bias tape making tutorials but I've been little afraid to try them. Maybe if I win and see how nice your looks I'll take the plunge. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  66. I really love making bias tape the hard way. It kind of slows me down though. I'm excited to look at the tutorial!

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  67. I keep saying I am going to make my own bias tape...you made me really want to try now!

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  68. while i have no sewing tips, i would love to learn to make my own bias tape. so thanks for sharing the link!

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  69. Thanks for participating in the giveaway. Bias tape is a wonderful thing.

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  70. Wow, what a great tutorial! Thanks for passing it along! And your give-away goodies look lovely too!

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  71. Wow - I'm just discovering the magic of bias tape, and I'm going to check out that tutorial so I can make my own. I would love to give a good home to yours, too! If I win this package of goodies, I'll use some of it to make an object to give away as part of the next Giveaway Day.

    (Hello from Newfoundland!)

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  72. Well I don't know if this is a tip, but I finally learned that the indentations on the tip of the iron is for going around buttons!

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  73. Love bias tape, but I don't like to make it. Thanks for including me in your giveaway.

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  74. Thanks for a neat giveaway. I may check out that tutorial! Many thanks. Jenny
    krousegirl2@aol.com

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  75. Love your prize! The best DIY thing I can think of is making a neckline using fold over elastic. I actually used this to make my own lingerie and I found this tutorial incredibly useful: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/19131/how-to-use-fold-over-elastic

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  76. That cross-stitch is so gorgeous . . . I wish I had hints to share but I am a crazy newbie sewer, so no go.

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  77. I love the colors in the fabric and buttons!

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  78. very nice bias tape, i like it!

    gordandalisa at gmail dot com

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  79. Blue is my favorite color.
    My tip-- extra hold hair spray works well as a spray baste--- much cheaper than official spray basting stuff when you are putting a quilt top together

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  80. Love that fabric with those buttons.

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  81. Great fabric, best set of tutorial links that I have found is at www.quiltinggallery. My favorite tip is use an acid free washable glue stick instead of pins for zippers or bias tape when going around corners like a bib or a scallop. Just put some glue every couple of inches, set your bias tape, check postion, keep going. When it's all perfect, hit it with a hot iron, then sew. Have fun.

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  82. Great bias tape! You have inspired me to try making it myself!

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  83. Lovely bias tape! I'm just a novice sewer so I'm always learning new things!

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  84. super giveaway - pls count me in :)

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  85. Thanks for the heads up on the bias tape tutorial. I'll be doing this!

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  86. Thanks for the link to the tute. I love learning something new.

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  87. This is cool. I will have to try it. I unfortunately don't have any good tips... if I come up with any I will come back and comment :)

    Thanks for doing this giveaway!
    Cassie
    cmdoduck(at)gmail(dot)com

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  88. I love blue ! Please count me in !

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  89. I wish I had some DIY tips, but I am a newbie. Thanks for this great tip, and this great giveaway!
    yehudim[at]aol[dot]com

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  90. Thanks for the tip on bias tape. Thanks for including me.

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  91. What a great giveaway. I thought this might be helpful to your luck winner of that bias tape: http://thequiltingdiaries.blogspot.com/2009/05/finishing-quilt-tutorial.html

    thanks for sharing
    xo

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  92. hey Sylvie, I would love to be include in your giveaway.

    I teach sewing to kids between the ages of 11 and 19. If you ever need to teach someone to use a sewing machine I find the best way to get them to remember which way up to put the bobbin case is "E.T Phones home" the "finger" on the bobbin case look's like E.T's finger and must always point north (just like E.T did in the film when phoning home)

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  93. Thanks for the link, and for the chance to enter!

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  94. Thanks for linking to that tutorial. I'd love to be included in the drawing, I looooove buttons!

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  95. This give away would be great for an apron design I've been thinking about for my 3 year old

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  96. I would love to have this prize! Bias tape can be so daunting to make when your iron is not that great (like mine!). Thanks!

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  97. Bias tape is so great to have! Great giveaway!

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  98. Please enter me in the draw - don't forget to enter mine!

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  99. i love bias tape! i was just thinking about buying a maker, so that's for sharing that tutorial i will have to check it out! yr bias tape looks great btw! i love putting prints on the bias.

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  100. love the blue theme. So cute!!!

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  101. thanks for giveaway. Hopping to win. Love the applique.
    anmol2ca@yahoo.ca

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  102. its great to hear someone likes to make bias after reading so many negative comments about it ;)

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  103. That bias tape looks lovely! I'm going to have to try that.

    corvus.melloriATgmailDOTcom

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  104. that bias tape method is fantastic!! so simple yet looks effective, thanks so much for sharing!!

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  105. Great giveaway. Thanks so much!

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  106. I love buttons and blue! What a great giveaway. :-)

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  107. Love it!
    Greetings from Germany!
    Tina

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  108. What a nice idea for a giveaway. I hate making bias tape - I think I just need to get a new blade for my rotary cutter though and that might solve the problem!
    Thanks for the giveaway

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  109. You are my bias tape hero!
    I always buy premade bias tape as I cannot stand making it.

    Not really a technique, but it certainly comes in handy: I keep a strong magnet in a little pouch with my sewing supplies. This way, when I drop pins or needles on the floor (all the time!), I can easily find it before my feet do!

    heidig@gmail.com

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  110. What a great giveaway! i would be so happy if I won!

    ajoyfulnoise@live.com

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  111. Gorgeous binding. Thanks for a fun giveaway!

    jessierey@msn.com

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  112. How did you know that BLUE is my favorite color? I will be reading the tutorial on making the binding, but i would love to win some that is ready to use!

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  113. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway. I always need more binding!

    ugli.tangelo.fruit at gmail dot com

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  114. Lovely, blue is my favorite color! Thank you for participating! Stop by and enter my giveaway as well!

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  115. Beautiful!! I'm off to check out the tutorial now... thanks for the great giveaway! ❤

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  116. I'm new to sewing, so would love to win some supplies :)

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  117. i love the bias - would be so cute on a baby quilt!
    i saw this tutorial and am so grateful i found it!
    http://www.daciaray.com/?p=38
    camille
    camilledawnphoto AT gmail DOT com

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  118. Oh, so pretty! I love it all!

    I'm really not so great with the sewing tips...um, this might count: I always use glass-head, long, silk pins for pinning. They work great on every fabric, lightweight to heavy, and if you run an iron over them on accident, they won't melt. The glass heads are also easy on the fingers, and the length makes them easier to work with. They're just the best!

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  119. What a unique and lovely giveaway.

    I don't really have any special sewing tips but I find when chain piecing it really helps to have a starting and ending scrap.

    Sue Cahill (sbonetsue at yahoo dot com)

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  120. I love your banner! If you come over to my giveaway, you'll see that I have bluets in mine, too! They're almost as sweet as your darling cross stitch.

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  121. Nice giveaway. I can't think of one sewing tip in particular, but there are lots of tutorials on Craftster.org and about.sewing.com with Debbie Colgrove.

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  122. What a lovely blue giveaway prize. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Brina
    blrohloff@aoldotcom

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  123. Cute! Sign me up! I don't have any techniques tho, I am still not a very good seamstress (sewer?) haha

    megan.nadalet at gmail dot com

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  124. I just LOVE your giveaway package! The bias is gorgeous!
    Thank you for the great giveaway and the chance to win!

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  125. i must go check out this bias tape tutorial--i was just thinking this morning how i should buy a bias tape maker. maybe i won't have to! i really need to increase my button stash.... :)

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  126. I've been meaning to buy one of those nifty bias tape makers, myself, but maybe I'll be okay without it now. Thanks for doing this giveaway!

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  127. Just in the nick before drawing time. I'd love to be entered.

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  128. my daughter is a huge fan of blue!! rather obsessive, i'd say! so, always handy to have a little more blue around for projects i make for her! thanks for the opportunity! ;)

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