Monday, April 01, 2013

Spring Showers - Tutorial and Give-aways!

Welcome to the opening day of Soma's Spring Fling Blog Hop!  I am honored to be the first facilitator here on April Fool's Day!  But I am not foolin'!  I have seen some of the designs and you are going to have fun this month.
This little girl is walking in the rain right after a spring shower.  I could not locate a green solid for her boots, so I  simply decided to let her totally 'rock the dots' (like a little girl might dress herself.)

For complete instructions and tutorial for this block, click on the rainbow below, download and print the .PDF:

  • In the .PDF file, on Page 2&3, I've included some changes or "short cuts" you might use to simplify  making the design (just FYI, the design won't be quite as definitive, but works just fine). 
  • Want to try a new paper-piecing method?  This is the one I use with freezer paper.  You can reuse your pattern because it's not torn up!
  • Here are a few tips that might help you as you go:
this tip also works when aligning seams, as well
  • Here's how to make the girlie's braids from embroidery floss.
    1. Select a skein of embroidery floss that is the color you want for ponytail(s) and remove wrappers. Untwist the floss.  
    2. At one end, snip though all threads of the skein. 
    3.  In the middle of the strands, lay the threads out flat. Find the middle and sew across the flattened threads ½” from the center spot. 
    4. Cut the two sections apart between the two sewn spots to make to pieces. 
      • To braid, divide the threads in three even strands of floss. 
      •  Braid them loose at the top (near the seams) and tighter toward the end. 
      • Line up the block's Umbrella Section and Girl Section.  Hold your braids up to the block to decide how long (or short?) they should be. 
      • Put a dot of glue at the spot you will be tying the bow.
      • Tie your ribbon on the end of the braid in your preferred fashion 
      •  Trim the ends of the pony tails. 
      • Position your ponytails in the seam between the finished umbrella and girl block sections.   
      • Carefully pin the fabric and braids in place. 
      • You are ready to sew these two sections together, with the braids sandwiched between them.
I hope you enjoy piecing this little block!  It was fun picking out the "rock the dots" prints for the rain attire.  The cloud background is a little busy and dark.  Next time, I might use a slightly mottled aqua, blue or light gray batik.

The rainbow lets us know that the clouds are parting and the sun is beginning to shine... shine all the way past the May flowers to warmer weather and summer!

If you have ANY problems at all with this design, please email me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
===========================================================
There are at least TWO GIVE-AWAYS! this month...

PART ONE--MY Give-away: Today, you have three chances to win this prize:

from Jenny at Sublime Stitching
  1. Subscribe to my blog, then leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about spring or paper-piecing (I know some of you have allergies *ah-choo!* and bless you!)
  2. http://www.whimsandfancies.com/category/spring-fling/
  3. Post the Button and a link to the Soma's Spring Fling  Blog Hop on your blog, then leave yourself another comment HERE.
  4. Tweet, tweet tweet about my blog and my block kicking off the Spring Fling Blog Hop. Add a 3rd comment and chance to win!
    TeriEmerson.com
On Monday, April 8, Randy N. Generator will choose a winner for this spectacular kit from Sublime Stitching.

But WAIT ~ That's not all!  Soma's having other drawings (I know this bundle will be offered at the end of the month.
Hello from Alexander, Anna Maria, Tim,
Valori, Rashida, and Denyse... oh, wait, is that
Riley saying hello with .5 yd. B&W Chevrons?
Right above Robert's Charm Square pack.
Russell says hello with chocolate and
an antique sewing machine scissor fob
Pop over to Soma's place to see what's happening there.  You can also see the list of bloggers that will be bringing you free paper-pieced patterns and other goodies throughout the month of April.
HappSewing!
HappSpRiNg!!!

61 comments:

  1. Hi, Teri. I love, love, love paper-piecing. You just can't beat the accuracy. The girl with umbrella pattern is darling! I am a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, I also love paper-piecing. This is a wonderfull action.
    Grit from Germany

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello from Minnesota! I love the way a paper-pieced block comes together like magic. I'm following you on Bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh - and I added a Spring Fling button to my blog: www.andchips.blogspot.com Looking forward to more paper-piecing fun!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Honestly I think this is my favourite pattern ever! How fun for a pillow for a little girl's room!

    So... what do I like about Spring... the fact that winter is over, and the sun comes out to play again LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your little block - thank you!
    I love spring - the colours, the sunshine - bring it on!!
    I'm a new follower!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a perfect block to start the blog hop with!! Thank you for everything, Teri!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your little block is so cute and perfect for spring. I love to see green and all the beautiful spring flowers that come each spring. Nancy: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a neat block! I love spring because I can work out in my flower beds and.....sneeze...but I still do it. I am a new follower, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the block! I'm also following on bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love your block! I am following you via email.

    Janet

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am following you by email and GFC.
    Love your spring showers block! She is sooo cute... and the pig tails are to die for!
    I love the flowers blooming from bulbs in early spring!
    I do sneeze a lot!!

    Susie
    legato1958@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am now following you by email. I love your little girl paper pieced pattern. She is so cute. I love to paper piece because every point is so precise and it is so much more accurate than regular piecing. Thank you for the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Teri
    I subscribed to your blog.........and oh boy do I love paper piecing!!! I even teach it! Nothing beats those crisp lines and sharp angles! best technique in the whol world! lol

    Lish
    sewwunderful@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. can't seem to get the link to soma's to let her know I posted the link on my blog lish'sstuff.blogspot.com so I'll just let you know here!

    off to send my tweet for the third entry... I love give aways... almost as much as I love Paper piecing!

    Lish

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lish! BTW, I updated Soma's link to the most recent post (which wasn't there when I anxiously posted so early, LOL!)

      Delete
  17. I like paper piecing because you don't have to worry about whether or not you are accurate in your seams.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love paper piecing - especially with freezer paper, so I don't have to tear paper out and can reuse the original template multiple times.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love this pattern--it is so springy!! I love all the colors of spring, everything new! Refreshing! Thanks! Rose in IN

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love the block! I'm a bloglovin follower, from the Pirate.. forgot I had it.. I need to make it for my grandson..

    ReplyDelete
  21. I posted it on my blog.. but not sure what you meant about HERE?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love the little girl in the rain! So very cute. And thanks for the tutorial on the braid making! I am a bloglovin' follower.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the pattern.Really love paper piecing and thanks also for the great tutorial.
    Razzemtaz@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love that you can make a picture with fabric... hurray for foundation piecing!! Super stoked to try out your pattern. Thanks for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a wonderful and creative block! I love the 3D effect of the braids in her hair. Great ouch!! I subscribe to your blog - yay!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I placed the Spring Fling button and link on my blog
    www.SusiesSunroom.blogspot.com

    Susie
    legato1958@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love your little braids! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love that sweet little girl--thanks for sharing her with us. I'm following you on Bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Terri,

    I signed up for your blog! I absolutely LOVE paper piecing!!!! Thanks for sharing!

    Kim Johnson - your quild member

    ReplyDelete
  30. Such a charming pattern! I love paper piecing and can't do enough of it!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love your cute pattern. I'm going to make it as a wall hanging for my granddaughter. I'm a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  32. What an adorable block!!! I love the braids. I follow on gfc.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have posted the button and the link.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I tweeted! https://twitter.com/sj423/status/319203877817823232

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am a new follower. I don't have a blog and don't tweet so can't do those. But...I LOVE your block and look forward to sewing it. Thanks so much for the extra tips and the pattern. I look forward to lots of fun things on your blog; if this is an example, it's going to be fantastic! :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi, it's me again. I've been trying to add Handiwerx to my Reader and it keeps telling me that I've subscribed to "Crackpot's Spots"; I've tried several different ways. Do you have any ideas as to why this might be happening. If this post came up, I'd not be concerned but Crackpot's Spots last post was April 13, 2011.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi LJ, I changed that GC feed address to Handiwerx (Craktpot's Spot is the old name.) It wasn't active around here for a while so it slipped by. Thanks for noting this and it's updated now! ;)

      Delete
  37. I love paper piecing and this pattern is so cute I am a new follower by email and gfc

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have a new blog and I posted the button on it
    http://kolorfulscraps.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  39. I tweeted; https://twitter.com/schind67/status/319281220829724672

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your block is wonderful! Love the braids!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I would love a chance to win. I like the looks of PP, and always admire the work of others. mr.dustincecil@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. hi!!!! your block is wonderful... i like it so much!!! i'll made it so soon. so i'm a happy follower. but i don't have an account with tweeter. so, i can't tweeted.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I LOVE MADE PAPER PIECING BECAUSE IS BEAUTIFUL AN EASY...

    ReplyDelete
  44. I LOVE SPRING, THE FLOWERS, THE COLORS AND THE SUSHINE... I'M A NEW FOLLOWER FROM ITALY... THANK YOU SO MUCH

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am a new email follower at louster388@....
    My favorite thing about spring is the rain:) It washes the winter pollens away, helps the bluebonnets and other wildflowers bloom, and washes away the winter blues:)

    ReplyDelete
  46. following via gfc. My spring thing is the renewal of all things green. It is amazing to see the crocuses come up, then the tulip trees, bradford pears, the daffodils and now the dogwood and azaleas are showing signs of coming around too.

    Your umbrella girls is amazing too!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I have had the button on my side bar when it first came out. Looking forward to some Spring fun as we are still having winter weather.

    ReplyDelete
  48. That is just darling. I love paper piecing for the accuracy in those small pieces. I am your newest follower.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I live in Alaska - my favorite thing about spring is the daylight coming back! We're now at 13 hours of daylight in a day & it's just gonna get longer :D (I'm a follower).

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi Teri I am new to paper piecing but I am going to try....I am a new follower and you have a great blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also I forgot to tell you my favorite thing about spring and believe it or not it is the fact that all is new again.....like a rebirth and it could be of anything, the flowers, yourself, oh just everything.....

      Delete
  51. My favorite thing about spring: SUNSHINE! No more gray, cloudy, foggy winter days! Love the little girl in the rain!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Amazing, Teri! She's adorable!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Can't believe I'm not a follower already, but I am now:)

    ReplyDelete
  54. I have just learned how to paper piece and am excited to give this a try! Thanks for this whole blog hop!

    ReplyDelete
  55. I am a new follower. Via bloglovin. I am still fairly new to paper pieceing. But have high hopes of learning it. Hexi's is as adventurous as I have been yet. I lucked upon your blog today. looking forward to following you.

    ReplyDelete