It’s Giveaway Day!
Giveaway has ended! A winner will be announced very soon!
I absolutely LOVE Giveaway Day! If you’re visiting from Sew Mama Sew, Welcome! If you’re a regular here and haven’t popped over to SMS this morning, you simply must set aside some time to surf the world of crafty blogs and enter the hundreds of giveaways that will be offered by bloggers all over the world all week long: Craft Supply Giveaways & Handmade Item Giveaways.
It has been such a busy year for my little design business — I’ve released 18 new patterns this year! A large portion of those new releases have been part of a series called “Jersey Love”. I have had so much fun working with the amazing designer stretch jerseys that are on the market these days! This Giveaway Day, I thought I’d share the jersey love with you!
There are two prize sets to choose from — a girl set and a boy set. The girl set includes one yard of Riley Blake Rainbow Chevron Jersey and 1/2 yard of RB Navy Dot Jersey, along with your choice of any of my patterns (paper or pdf) and five sew-on tags for that perfect finishing touch!
The boy set includes one yard of Riley Blake 1/2″ Gray & Yellow Stripe and 1/2 yard of RB 1″ Gray & White Stripe, along with your choice of any of my patterns (paper or pdf) and five of those Fishsticks Designs sew-on tags.
Entering is really simple! All you have to do is comment on this post. If you do sew with knits, tell me what is your favorite thing about sewing them. If you don’t sew with knits, what is holding you back? Be sure to include your email address so I’ll know how to get in touch with you if you win. (Email addresses are never shared.) The drawing will run through December 13th at 2 p.m. eastern, a winner will be drawn at random from all entries, the winner will receive their choice of the boy set or the girl set, and this giveaway is open to US and international entries!
While you’re here, be sure to check out my growing list of free tutorials here on my blog, and all of my sewing patterns in the Fishsticks Designs Pattern Shop.
Designer’s Challenge: The Hide ‘n Go Seek Hoodie
It’s my turn to reveal my Designer’s Challenge pattern — meet the Hide ‘n Go Seek Hoodie! The challenge put out to the participating designers was to really strive to design something new and unique. I have had the idea for this pattern floating around in my head for quite some time, and this was just the push I needed to actually bring it to life!
Many of my faithful followers have asked for a zip-up hoodie pattern, and since outerwear is one of my favorite things to sew, I knew I needed to add one to my collection.
My first goal was to make the hoodie reversible to give you two looks in one. Outerwear tends to get more wear than other clothing between washings, and it’s so nice to be able to flip this hoodie inside out to reveal new fabrics.
I also loved the idea of mixing cotton woven fabrics with knit fabrics to give you the fit and look of a traditional hoodie with the myriad of print options that are available in your favorite quilting collections.
That woven placket at the zipper has the added advantage of making it much easier to sew in the zipper, too!
Finally, I designed the pockets, placket and back panel with a modern curve.
The lower panel on the back is a perfect spot to feature a fussy-cut fabric, too. (This one makes me smile every time I see it!)
This pattern covers sizes 12 months to 14. Other features include fold-up cuffs for extra growing room and the option of the elasticized or standard hood. I hope this one becomes a favorite for you and your little ones!
The Hide ‘n Go Seek Hoodie PDF Pattern is available for $2 off of the regular price today and tomorrow only: Click Here to Purchase, and you can enter to win a free copy in the Rafflecopter below. (If you purchase and then win, I’ll be happy to refund you or let you choose another pattern!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Christmas 2013 Advent Activities
I’ve sort of made a tradition of sharing my list of Advent activities each year to help inspire you to make your own. I’m a bit late this year, but you know what? As busy moms, sometimes things just don’t happen on a perfect time schedule. That doesn’t mean, though, that we can’t find time to make memories with our children and teach them about the important things in life while we’re doing it. The season of Advent is the perfect time to slow down a bit and do just that!
On to this year’s list:
1. Decorate the Christmas Tree
2. Make Handmade Cards for Grandparents
3. Check Out Christmas Books from the Library
4. Make Ornaments
5. Visit the Zoo
6. Attend the City Christmas Tree Lighting
7. Act in a Christmas Play
8. Visit a Craft Show
9. Shop for the Local Food Pantry
10. Enjoy a Family Game Night
11. Shop for Toys for Children in Need
12. Bake Cookies Together
13. Walk Through a Living Nativity
14. Watch a Christmas Parade
15. Host a Cookie Exchange
16. Shop for Sibling Christmas Gifts
17. Drive around Town to See the Christmas Lights
18. Ring the Salvation Army Bell
19. Have Ice Cream in PJs at a Local Ice Cream Parlor
20. Visit Family Out of Town for the Weekend
21. Eat Out for Dinner
22. Go Caroling
23. Watch Christmas Movies Late into the Night
24. Bake a Birthday Cake for Jesus and Sleep in New Christmas Pajamas
We’re very flexible with our list. Other opportunities will likely pop up during the month and plans will change. I keep this list handy in case I need to switch out activities before the kids pull them from their pockets each day. 
I would love to hear what your favorite activities for Advent are! And, I’m on the hunt for a great Christmas ornament project, too. Do you have any suggestions?
The Cyber Monday Sale is Underway!
It’s Cyber Monday and all Fishsticks Designs Patterns are on sale for 25% off right here: The FD Pattern Shop. Just add the pattern to your cart to see the discounted prices, and don’t forget that great Buy 4/Get 1 Free Deal!
Just click on the photos below to find each of today’s new releases!
I’ll be back this afternoon to share our annual Advent Activity List! I just have to finish it up . . .
Three New Patterns & a Cyber Monday Sale!
I am so excited to share with you more details about these three new patterns and Monday’s sale (and I’m so sorry that I made you wait an extra day)! First, the sale details:
From 12:01 a. m. to midnight eastern on Cyber Monday (12/2/13), all PDF and paper patterns will be discounted in the main Fishsticks Designs Pattern Store by 25% — no code needed! In addition, you’ll be able to use the code “Buy4Get1” to get one free pattern when you purchase 4 of equal or greater value. The Buy 4/Get 1 deal is always available for PDF patterns, but you’ll be able to use it Monday for paper patterns, as well. This is the last sale of the year, so be sure to grab what you need for Christmas gifts, holiday gatherings and Christmas Eve PJs!
Now, more about these three new patterns!
The Essential Boxer Shorts pattern is the latest addition to my collection of clothing basics that everyone should have in their sewing room! In sizes Small to X-Large to fit mens’ sizes 28 to 42, the Essential Boxer has all the same great features that you’ve already come to love in the Oh, Boy! Boxers. The comfortable fit and three fly options — traditional, faux or no-fly — make these boxers perfect for all the guys in your family. Wouldn’t they all love handmade, one-of-a-kind boxers for Christmas?
Next up is the first of two new Jersey Love patterns, the Riverwalk Skirt & Faux Wrap Skirt in Misses sizes XS (2-4) to XXL (20) and Preteen & Teen Sizes (7-16).
This comfortable and quick-sewing skirt has two options — the traditional skirt and the faux wrap skirt. Both styles are sewn with a cotton/spandex stretch jersey fold-over waistband. You can choose to wear the waistband high on your waist for a shorter length or low on your hips for a longer hem.
The “wrap” on the faux wrap is sewn into the side seam and the waistband to give you the look of a wrap skirt without worries that you might come unwrapped with a wind gust!
The body of the skirt can be sewn with your choice of stretch jersey or 100% cotton jersey, and both the hem and edges of the wrap are left unfinished for that fun, modern rolled look.
Finally, the Playhouse Dress is the long-awaited modern replacement for my very first (and now retired) pattern, the Emmy Dress.
Like the Emmy, the Playhouse Dress allows you to sew with all knit fabric . . .
. . . or to combine the knit bodice with a cotton woven in the skirt and sleeves. In sizes 12 months to 12, both versions can be sewn with either short puff sleeves or long sleeves.
The modern curve in the front carries over to the back, as well.
And the joining of the front and back creates this sweet “V” along the side seam for added interest.
The PDF versions of all three new patterns will be available on Monday, and they’ll be included in the sale! You’ll be able to find them and all of my patterns right here in my main store: The Fishsticks Designs Pattern Shop.
New FD Patterns are Coming on Cyber Monday!
There are three new Fishsticks Designs patterns almost ready for you! All three will be released on Monday, December 2nd, just in time for a Cyber Monday sale. Here’s a little sneak peek of each one:
The Riverwalk Skirt & Faux Wrap Skirt (Preteen/Teen Sizes 7 to 16 & Misses Sizes XSmall to XXLarge)
The Playhouse Dress (Girls’ Sizes 12 Months to 12)
The Essential Boxer Shorts (Men’s Sizes S to XL)
I’ll be sharing all the details about the new patterns and the sale right here on Friday Saturday afternoon, so you’ll have plenty of time to plan for Monday. Until then, I hope each of you here in the USA enjoys a Happy Thanksgiving and that all of you are looking forward to a joyful Christmas season!
The Designer Challenge Week 1
Week 1 of the Designer’s Challenge has been so exciting! Have you seen the new patterns released this week?
From Candy Castle Patterns, The Mini Bubblegum & Mini Bubblegum Swing Dress
From Peek-A-Boo Patterns, The Lily Knit Blazer
From Everything Your Mama Made, Kenzie’s Party Dress & Skirt
From My Taylor Made, The Tyler Overall
From NimblePhish, Madame DePoppet the Marionette
From Blank Slate Patterns, The Super Skinny Pants
From Dandelions ‘n Dungarees, The Perfectly Pleated Pants
A Kitchen Gift Set Tutorial & a Huge Giveaway
I am over at Skip to my Lou today with a tutorial for a Kitchen Gift Set for the Holiday Bake Craft Sew Along.
I think you are going to love this gift set! It is perfect for any of your holiday hostesses. The set includes these sweet fold-over, oven-mitt pot holders . . . 
. . . and this pair of pretty, but practical dish towels.
It’s a little early Christmas gift from me to you! But, wait! That isn’t all! I also get to treat you to a SEW Amazing Giveaway as part of our crafty series.
This is one AMAZING giveaway!
We are giving away a fabulous Prize Package worth more than $1000!
One lucky winner will receive…$600 JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores This will get your sewing room stocked and ready to create! Can you imagine?
This singer professional serger will bring your sewing to a whole new level. True to SINGER you will enjoy…
- 2-3-4-5 stitch capability-provides more stitch variety
- 1,300 stitches per minute-professional speed for faster results
- Fully automatic self-adjusting tension system-keeps stitches balanced and even
- Easy threading diagram-easy threading saves time
- Stitch width adjustment-keep seams strong and prevent bunching on any type of fabric.
Simplicity Deluxe Felting Machine Simplicity 12 Needle Deluxe Felting Machine creates felting with ease. Removable needles & foot pedal allow felting with greater speed and precision. Includes: power supply w/ foot pedal, 2 allen wenches, needle shaft with 12 needles inserted (sz 38 needles), 3 replacement needles, tweezers, lint brush, needle guard, instruction book. So cool!
Simply wait for RaffleCopter to load and enter there!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to check out all the fabulous sewing projects shared this month for this Holiday Bake Craft Sew series going on all month long!
Fall Quilt Market 2013 Recap
Finally, huh? I’ve been so busy since I got back from Quilt Market, I’ve just found the time to sit down and go through all of my pictures. In case you missed it, though, you can find the tour of the Fishsticks Designs booth a few posts back, right here: The FD Fall 2013 Market Booth.
I think the above picture is a great overview of what Market was like . . . busy, busy, busy! We managed to make it through, though, with a whole lot of this:
I loved having Samantha there with me this time! She had a blast — I kept telling people that it was “the ultimate homeschool field trip”. She and Kristy from Hopeful Threads set a goal to walk the floor and see every single booth, and they totally did! She did a great job of demonstrating products in the Fishsticks Designs booth, too.
One of my favorite things about Market is getting to visit in person with creative friends that I usually only get to chat with online. Getting to make new creative friends is great, too! I tried to do a better job this time of grabbing photos, but I still missed a whole list of people.
These two ladies, Shasta and Jana, from Izzy & Ivy are two of my favorite people. I was so blessed to get to hang out in their adorable booth with them one afternoon and to go to dinner with them one night. This pair is not only incredibly talented, but they are two of the most generous people that I know. They’re also great at making you laugh until your face hurts!
My friend, Lindsay, The Cottage Mama, had her first booth at Market this year, and it was amazing. She has all sorts of exciting things going on, from beautiful new patterns to her new book, Sew Classic Clothes for Girls! If you have little girls, you have got to add it to your sewing library!
I stepped away from my booth for a bit on day 2 and came back to find the amazing Emily Herrick from Crazy Old Ladies just hanging out . . . in my booth. How cool is that? You might remember that I met Emily at Quilt Market in spring of 2012 when I decorated my whole booth with her fabric! Emily has a way of designing fabrics that I always love, and her quilt patterns are pretty incredible, too. She has a whole new set right here: New Quilt Patterns from Crazy Old Ladies.
Vanessa from V & Co was my next door neighbor at Market, and I loved getting to chat with and get to know her. She is so, so sweet, and so well-loved by everyone! It took me until the last day to find her alone in her booth long enough to snap a picture. I teased her that she was the most Instagrammed designer at Market. (Really, go scroll through the #quiltmarket hash tag and see if I’m right!) Vanessa has a beautiful new line of fabrics with Moda called Color Me Happy and a whole series of patterns to go along with it. Samantha has demanded that I make her the Braided Pillow from Vanessa’s Textured Pillows Pattern.
The fabulous Pat Sloan was stationed right across from me, and getting to know her a bit was a huge highlight of Market for me! I was a whole lot starstruck when I first realized who was setting up there, but Pat has a way of making you feel like you’ve known her forever. Talk about being busy . . . she was going non-stop the whole time, from chatting with people and showing off her new fabric line, Bobbins & Bits, to teaching classes and filming tutorials. I love that Pat’s new fabric line includes batiks and cottons! I’m not usually one that is drawn to batiks, but she had a quilt in her booth sewn with batiks that I could not stop drooling over!
There are so many other people that I was thrilled to see and meet at Market and didn’t get pictures: Robin Hill from Pattern Revolution, Melissa Mora from Melly Sews & Blank Slate Patterns, Heather Valentine from The Sewing Loft, Caroline Critchfield from Sew Can She, Sarah Markos from Blue Susan Makes . . . oh, I know that I’m going to forget someone! I always enjoy getting to catch up with the shop owners that I get to see year after year, too. I can’t wait for spring in Pittsburgh!
The Designer’s Challenge Starts Today!
Have you heard about the Designer’s Challenge yet? I am so excited to get to be a part of the very first one! Over the next month, each designer in the challenge will release a unique new PDF pattern that is somehow outside of her normal comfort zone. As each new pattern is released, you’ll be able to read all about the pattern, the designer’s challenges with it and have a chance to win that pattern on the Pattern Revolution Blog.
Each Friday of the challenge, I’ll share the patterns that were released that week here on my blog. It’ll be a great re-cap for those of you who don’t have time to check in at PR each day. (Really, though, if you don’t check in there each day, you won’t have a chance to win since the giveaways only last one day!) I’m up on December 4th with a new pattern that I think you are going to love! I wish I could give you a little hint, but I’m sworn to secrecy until my release date. I promise that it’ll be worth the wait!
Want to get to know the designers? You can check out each one’s Facebook fan page by clicking their links below:
Candy Castle Patterns | Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop | Everything Your Mama Made & More! | My Taylor Made | Nimblephish | Blank Slate Patterns | Dandelionsndungarees | Terra’s Treasures | Swoon Sewing Patterns | Ellie Inspired | Rabbit Rabbit Creations | Sew Country Chick | Ladybug Bend | Go To Patterns | Lily Bird Studio | Fishsticks Designs | Heidi & Finn | Sew Like My Mom | Pickle Toes Patterns | Little Kids Grow | Sewing Geek Patterns | Cali Faye Collection | Muffin Head Patterns | Kitschy Coo | Monkeysbug | Oh Boy! Patterns | Image Map
