Blog Hop and Quick Holiday Potholders!

Another Give-Away! Yahoooo!

I am participating in the Quilt Gallery Birthday -Blog Hop Party w/ Give-Away. (link to the right)
In the last blog hop I offered the following give-away:  

I’ve been collecting fabric seriously for more than 20 years.  So here’s my give away.  TEN - Fat Quarter’s (that’s a $25-$30.00 value) selected from my stash tailored to the request of the winner!   I’ve pretty much got it all; batiks, repro’s from the 1930’s and 1800’s, all colors, kids fabrics, bugs, food, flowers, oriental, flannels, plaids, etc...  The winner can request a smorgasbord or all of one kind.  Fun for you to make a wish list, fun for me to tailor a collection just for you.

Based on the comments people seemed to like that a lot!  So I'm going to offer that again as my Grand Prize.

But since I had soooo many visitors the last time I thought I'd better add a few secondary treats for 4 runners-up. Since it is the season to be jolly ( and I have a lot of Holiday fabric...)

Give away #2- 5 fat eighths of contemporary Christmas fabric.

Give away #3 = Olivia in Xmas red and green with coordinating  fabs.  5- fat eighths

Give away #4 = Olivia Xmas stocking print, set of two.

 And for people who celebrate Hanukkah...

Give away #5 = A misc. selection of Hanukkah fabric about a yard all together.  ( If the 5th winner is not a celebrator of Hanukkah I will substitute Xmas fabric)

What do you need to do?  Leave me a comment about my blog at the end of this blog ( please, just one comment per visitor) and a way I can contact you if you are one of the lucky winners.  I will even cover over seas shipping! 

And just to make things a little more interesting I'm giving out one more gift to:  My favorite comment, Kind of like a Judges choice award.  Flattery is nice but astute observations are even more appreciated, that's how I learn. It does not have to be long just something that you've observed about my blog, this one or a previous one that you think would be helpful.  And I will make it worth your while.  A gift similar to the Grand Prize, Yup, 10 Fat Quarters of your choice.  Of course if you don't want to play this part of the game you can just leave a generic comment and you will still be entered into the regular, random drawing for the other prizes. Happy Holiday Hopping!  Cheers, CW

And now...Did I mention Quick Holiday Potholders?!

I like making potholders for holiday hostess gifts etc.  but I'm not a big fan of putting on bindings so I've developed this quick way to finish potholders.  It's really just a variation of the old quick turn method with a little refinement. 

I mostly just make scrappy tops with holiday fabric, with a border strip to frame it.  

 I pick backing fabs that kinda match but aren't holiday fabs so the backside can be used all year long if desired. Cut a backing about an 1" to 1.5" longer and the same width as the top.

Then cut the batting.  In this case all I had on hand was thin batting so I cut two layers.  One to-size and one about a 5/8" trimmed smaller so as not to have too much bulk in the edge seams.

When all the layers are cut and ready to go I cut the backing in such a way that the cut will more less correspond with one of the top's seams.  Probably easier just to look at the next picture...

With right sides together simply iron a fold in the backing to overlap with one of the seams on the front then lay the raw edge side of the backing over the folded edge.

Don't forget to put a loop in one corner if you want something to use for hanging your potholder.  I like double sided satin finish ribbon.  1/4" or 3/8"  it's pretty, strong and does not add a lot of bulk to the seam.

Lay the first layer of batting under the top, pin baste all three layers together and sew 1/4" seam all the way around the edge using a walking foot.

Trim the corners to decrease bulk. Be careful not to trim into the seams (see lower edge of photo above).  Quick turn the first half of the backing to the right side.  Work the edges of the seam and corners with your fingers to get them to lay down flat (but don't iron yet).  Take the smaller piece of batting (if you are using one for extra thickness) and work the corners into the end of the pocket.

 Quick turn the other end of the backing.  Repeat the finger work around the edges and getting the second layer of batting straightened into place.  Give the center and edges a good press and pin baste for the quilting.

I generally quilt  in the ditch with a few x's where needed. Making sure that the folded edge of the opening on the back gets sewn down when the corresponding seam on the front is quilted.  When you quilt the strip around the edge in the ditch it's not precisely a binding but it does give the potholder a more finished look.

Of course potholders travel in pairs, another reason this technique is so convenient.  I know,  they don't match.  Like I said, I mostly just use scraps, the one on top just got lucky 'cause I had some QSTs lying around to make it a little fancier.  I mostly just make the tops in between other projects when I need a quick diversion.   You can really crank these puppies out once you get the rhythm of it.  I made 5 pairs = 10 potholders this week while I was doing a bunch of other stuff in my sewing room (Which looks like a tornado hit it)!  ahhhh the Holidays!  I hope you all have Fun on the blog hop and have a wonderful Holiday season full of Joy and Light!  Cheers, Claire W.