spring fabric giveaway

Ah, Spring!  The days are noticeably longer now and the sunshine makes such a difference, doesn't it?

So does pretty new fabric in Spring-inspired colours.

Simply Sweet Fabrics has done it again with these gorgeous new Atsuko Matsuyama fabrics.  I love love love this print with bouquets spilling out of hat boxes and little love letters. 

And these ... darling little wreaths. 

I decided to make a simple bag to show off the hat box print to it's best advantage.  Three fabrics (plus lining), a bit of lace and a label.  Done, done and done! 

I made this bag for my daughter's music books, but instead of walking the 10 steps from my sewing room to the piano to actually measure a book, I just used a craft book that was within arm's reach to make my template.  Unfortunately, this bag ended up just a smidgen too narrow for said music books.  Guess I'll have to keep this pink one for myself and make her another one.  It's just as well.  She prefers the blue.

Simply Sweet Fabrics would like to give one of you ALL SIX of these Atsuko Matsuyama fat quarters (these and these).  To enter for a chance to win, leave me a comment describing your most favourite/successful craft project ever.  This giveaway closes Sunday April 13th and I'll announce the winner shortly after.  Happy Spring!

Comments

[Linda June]

Needed a compact folder to hold my new smartphone and my new calendar/pen. Made my own design and whipped it out in one morning. Love it still and it's my favorite! New fabric makes my heart beat!!

[Mary L.]

My all-time favorite thing to make is dresses for my new grandaughter from vintage Simplicity patterns. These fabrics would be adorable for her.

[Linda pawlak]

My useful/successful project is my Collapsible Craft Container. It has so many uses! Thanks for the chance to win!

[Wendy]

My favourite project is a EPP hexagon cushion cover I made for my friend for her birthday this year inspired by one I found while browsing. As my husband was so reluctant to left me give it to her I made him one too and gave it to him for valentines day and though it is made up of very girly scraps of fabric he actually uses it on his chair. Double success for one one idea. Lovely fabric, the little letters are so sweet.

[Rita]

My favorite project was my lunch bag! It was my first patchwork and I was lucky enough to do everything very upright. This encouraged me to make more patchwork! These fabrics would be wonderful for new craft projects!

[Fred]

My favourite project is a reader cover, for my husband and I, two reader covers!
Love these fabrics, thanks for the chance to win

[m]

I made batik, reversible yoga bags in bold contrasting colors. They are light, hold everything for yoga, craft class or carrying kiddies stuff. The large base and shoulder straps make for a multipurpose tote.

[Mikhaila]

Wow, what pretty prints! I think my favorite craft project of all time was my first pair of fair isle mittens that I made for a friend. My most successful project was an cute owl style bag for a young girl at my church. It is the most successful because it has been the most loved. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Glyn]

Without a pattern I made ruffled backpack with zippered compartments!
It was too cute!
Love the prints!

[ina]

My most favorite? That's too hard! however, i do love my Vintage Halloween embroidered quilt a lot! pattern is by Crabapple and it was so fun to stitch. ;p

[Jenny]

im hoping moving my sewing room into our new house will be my best craft endevor ever!

[Melissa Miller]

I love to sew and do needlework, but I think it's what I've made with glass that I'm most pleased with. Your bag is absolutely lovely. Those fabrics are delightful.

[Fitri]

My favorite craft ever is my last quilt, I used 'economic block pattern' - it was in my to do list for long time and took a long time to finished . I happy with the result , and sent that quilt for my daughter's teacher as her Christmas present. I definitely will make another one ... it's a great way to using scrap fabrics.. :))

[carolyn]

I think one of my favorites that was successful was back in college. I decided I wanted one of the backrest pillows with arms that were all the rage in the early eighties, but I wanted mine to be made of quilted yellow gingham fabric with eyelet trim. I made up my own pattern, and it worked perfectly on the first try! Now that I have much more sewing experience, I'd be afraid to even try something like that without a pattern. Oh to be young and brave again!

[Linda]

My most successful project was a rag quilt. Not because it was perfect, but because it opened up the world of quilting. I sew and quilt just about every day.

[BillieBee]

It is most definitely a hexies/pat shirk pillow I made on a QAL.

[Archiethewonderdog]

It could be the bag (https://flic.kr/p/9GAsrp) I made to go with an outfit for a wedding - I scoured Etsy to get an idea of what shape I wanted, drafted a pattern, added beads to some gorgeous blue Oakshott and saved myself the hassle of going bag shopping!

[Hildy]

I have a really, really useful shopping bag pattern I've designed myself and already made a few times. Not just for myself but also for my parents as shopping bags (my dad is using his for the trip to the bakery every saturday and was asked to sell it;-). It finish at 16"x16" and has a zipper. I'll send you the pattern!
Love the fabrics, Atsuko Matsuyama has some really great ones, love the strawberry ones:-)

[Lynne Tilley]

Oh my. It's hard to pick a favorite. My best would have to be the first large quilt I ever made which was for my husband, made of Moda flannel charms I bought while we vacationed in Alaska. It's big and soft and cuddly all in flannel charms, with a fleece backing. He loves it! Thanks for the great giveaway; I'm drooling over these sweet sweet fabrics, and I love your blog so much! Love your little bag, too!!!

[Patty]

The throw sized quilts I made for each of my four kids...let them pick out all of the fabrics themselves.

[Paula]

Those fabrics are so pretty and you showcased them beautifully. Are you sure you didn't mis-measure those books on purpose? ;-)

I don't know that I can pick a "favorite" project, but one of my most challenging were the three years that I had to make dance (ie: sequined) dance costumes for my kids (and some of their friends) for recitals every year. Those sequins can really gum up a needle! Now I've recently started quilting, so it's a whole new ballgame and a whole new list of options I cant' pick a favorite from.

Thanks for sponsoring the giveaway!!

[Super Mom - No Cape!]

Oh my that's a difficult one to pick. But I think my most favorite craft project ever was from three Christmases ago when my husband and I made stuffed Christmas elves for our children for Christmas. I had made ones years before and those were always part of our Christmas decorations, so when our children all moved away from home and starting having their own Christmases, they asked for their own set of elves. It was fun making them with my husband and having their gift be a team effort.

Thanks for the giveaway of those lovey fabrics and the chance to win!

[Elizabeth]

I love quilting and sewing but I'm most proud of my embroidery (Miribilia patterns done on linen).

[Stacey]

My current project - I'm making a crazy quilt 'album' of pages reflecting different ancestors. I have a real urge this spring to work with pretty florals - these would be perfect! Thanks for the chance to win.

[Susan]

My most favorite I think, (hard to choose) but I designed a quilt that has our family tree, grampas church and their home on it.
Thanks for sharing your creativity with us.

[Anita]

My favorite is the lap/twin size quilt I made for my husband. This was the biggest quilt I had made at the time, I was a newbie quilter then. This was the very first time I free-motion quilted on my domestic sewing machine, and I really struggled with the meandering and the small throat space of the machine. After a lot of sweating and muscle pain, I won the battle and the quilt was finished and actually looked good!
My FMQ has improved a lot since that time, and now I am willing to take up on new challenges.

Thanks for the giveaway!

[Ania Sroka]

These fabrics are just adorable!
As for my favourite craft I definetely choose my latest pillowcase with a crochet trim. I succeeded to combine in one my love for beautiful fabrics and new passion for crocheting :-)

[Amy]

My favorite project is the first quilt I ever made - it ended up becoming my daughter's quilt, and she loves it.

[sharon gibson]

Love your bag, such pretty fabric. My favourite sewing project was my first patchwork quilt, used paper piecing, started off as a cushion , enjoyed it so much it ended up as a double bed quilt. The fabrics are pink roses with duck egg accents. Regards Sharon

[Joyce Mitchell]

My favorite is the lap quilt I made for my Dad for his 90th birthday. Thanks for the chance to win.

[Lynn H]

Love, Love, Love these fabrics!
My most successful craft project was a pink backpack sewn for my daughter - she carries it everywhere! It is so satisfying to sew something kids actually love and use!
Thanks for the giveaway!

[Amy T]

My most recent favorite craft was making the Maggie Rabbit pattern from wool felt with the Liberty Lawn dress with the knitted over dress. It was the perfect hand sewing project for the winter cold. I could work on in while sitting bundled under warm blankets. And she turned out beautifully. She now sits nestled on my book shelf and I imagine that when I leave for work she reads the day away.

[lisa w.]

Just recently I completed a queen size granny square quilt for my bed. It's the biggest quilt I've made and I love it. Thanks for the chance to win!

[Sandra :)]

Thank you for a lovely giveaway - those fabrics are yummy :) I'm so sorry (NOT!) that your bag was too small for it's intended purpose - I'm sure it's a hardship to have to make another cute bag :D

Last year I tried out a quilt as you go technique on disappearing 9 patch blocks. I loved the look, and made 6 toddler sized quilts for Christmas gifts (5 QAYG D9P quilts). This year I've already finished one more, and I have another one well underway :D Love the technique, love the look, love using it to get quilts done and gifted!

[paula]

My biggest accomplishment is to have learnt patchwork & quilting. Coming from a place where patchwork is almost unknown, and admiring this art since i was a little girl, i take it as my dream came true. Thanks fir the wonderful chance! Xx

[Jacque Dunn]

My favorite and most cherished is the quilt I made for my son. He picked out all the fabrics himself (a log cabin variation). Unfortunately he passed away before I got it completed. We all use it as our comfort quilt when we are ill or having a bad day. It is a symbol of his arms wrapped aroound us.

[Anita]

Hum, it is probably the Union Jack quilt that I made for my English husband. He uses it a lot, he has to battle with one of our cats for it.

[Delaine]

My favorite (and most successful) project has always been flannel rag quilts. I have made about 10 of them for family and friends, and I enjoy making them, and the recipients love them. Thanks!

[Wren]

My most successful craft/sewing project has been the holder for my iPad. I needed something to carry it, my calendar, and my daily workbook for the house. I am going to be making another one soon, as I want one more soft and pretty, as this one was more utilitarian in nature.

[Paula]

Although I have crafted so many items both large and small I think my favourite is perhaps the cufflink holder I recently made for my husband because it's just something a little bit different. Thank you for a beautiful giveaway

[Tara]

My most favorite craft ever? Wow... this is a very hard one. I think it might be the hankies I make and give to family and friends.

[jojo]

My all-time fav was my miniature red/white 1/4" hexagon quilt I made thinking it would be fun, fast, and easy. LOL It was fun, fun, fun to make. It wasn't horribly difficult but not an easy project. Fast is was not, and I still laugh at myself for originally thinking it would be.

P.S. I've decided that if you were to wear the colors in your blog on your person and I was walking down the street and was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of you that I would immediate shout -- HEY, PRETTYBYHAND, how are ya today! I say that because I can be flipping through hundreds of blogs and all I have to do is see 'your' colors and immediately I know it's you. :) Of course, I can't help to stop by and see what you've been up to.

[Kay]

My favourite project is a craft bag made with EPP hexagons from the book Sew by Cath Kidston. I have made 7 of them so far as they are fun and gorgeous too. Thanks for a lovely giveaway. xx

[Michelle @ needle and nest]

My favorite project ever has to be the Darth Vader costume I made for my daughter's bear when she was just a wee one. I made it at her request just before a family trip to Disneyland and it holds so many wonderful memories for me. Here it is: http://needleandnest.blogspot.com/2011/05/darth-bear.html?m=1

[Marca Fritzemeier]

My favorite is usually the one I'm working on at the time! I successfully made my wedding dress, though which was probably the most high pressure project. A pastel log cabin quilt is one of my all-time favorites. These fabrics would have looked great in it. They are gorgeous!

[DebrafromMD]

My favorite project is usually the one I have most recently finished. I get the biggest kick out of making things for my grandson.

[Zafira]

Thank you for the chance to win those amazing fabrics!
My favorite craft for this year is making little fabric house that are filled with lavender! I have literally filled my home with those cuties!

[Ayelet]

I made a ruffled teepee for my girls last summer...15 yards of fabric went into it and it took 2 days! They love it though :)

[Vickie ludiker]

I made corn bags for Christmas gifts and made cute

[Janie]

A quilt I just finished for my sister it took me 3 months! Thanks for the chance!