Giveaway Time

We have spent months getting the patterns designed,

tested,

printed,

and shipped.

Now, it is time to spread the love!

It is time for our very first Giveaway!

We will be giving away 4 big prizes

3 of you will win a set of 6 of our new patterns.

(If you haven't seen our patterns yet, click on the links to the left. )

One of you will win a Penelope Ruffles bag made by Lola!

(Not this exact bag, but one that is equally fantastic)

To Enter the drawing-

1-Leave a comment on this post for one entry.

2- Become a follower of this blog for another entry.

3- Blog about this giveaway, and link back for 3 more entries.

4- Twitter, and link to us for 1 more entry.

Come back and comment for each of these things you do. We will announce the winners on December 28th, just in time to start sewing for the new year!

Rolled Hem Tutorial

~Rolled Hems~

Three Easy Methods

1- Serger or Overlock Machine- These machines automatically trim, roll, and stitch your hem in one quick step. Follow the instructions for your specific machine.

2- Sewing Machine Rolled Hem Foot-

This foot is built to roll the fabric edge into a tube right before it is stitched. There is a great video tutorial by Singer.

3- Making a Rolled Hem with your regular Presser Foot -

A- First, fold the edge of your fabric 1/4" to the wrong side. Press it as you go

B- Fold the edge up another 1/4", so that your edge is encased. Press it as you go.

C- Now you can choose what kind of stitch you would like to finish the edge with

* A straight Stitch gives you a more crisp and tailored look.

* A zigzag gives you a fun, ruffled kind of look.

* Be daring and try one of your machines decorative stitches in a contrasting thread!

Helpful links- Crafstylish, Hand rolled hem, Vintage sewing info

Christmas Ornament Tutorial

I am a total Christmas junkie!

We start decorating our house before Thanksgiving so that we can enjoy the season longer.

I am so excited to share one of my ornaments with you today. It is very quick and easy to make!

The Button Wreath

You will need-

Craft Glue (I used jewel glue), or a hot glue gun,

Ribbon for the hanger,
and Buttons!

Step one- Trace a circle on some waxed paper.


Step 2- lay your bottom layer for the wreath.
Step 3- Start your second layer. Overlap the two of your bottom layer buttons until all of the spaces are covered.....

......like this.

Step 4- Keep layering buttons!

(don't worry! The glue dries clear!)

Step 5- Make another one....and another....

Step 6- If you used craft glue, let it dry!

Step 7- Tie it up with ribbon.

...and hang on the tree!!!

These are also great to tie onto the top of your packages!

Don't forget to gome back on Monday to see the Giveaway-o-rama!
Have a fantastic Christmas Season everyone!

Jana Nielson aka Lola

Gathering Tutorial

~Gathering~

Two easy ways

..

..

#1-This method is great for gathering large pieces, or heavy fabrics. You will need heavy thread, or kite string.

A- Set your zig zag stitch to its widest, and longest setting

B- Put your fabric under the presser foot set to sew at 1/2".

C- Set your thread on the fabric so that it will be in the center of the zig zag stitch.

D- Begin stitching over the thread. Make sure you don't sew through the thread.

E- When you are ready, pull the strings to gather the fabric easily.

.

.

#2-This method works best for smaller pieces, or light weight fabrics.

A-Set your straight stitch to its longest setting.

B- Starting at a seam, stitch 1/4" from the top edge of the fabric to be gathered. Don't backstitch at the begining, or the end.

C- Sew another row of gathering stitches 1/2" from edge.

D- When you are ready to gather the fabric, gently pill the top threads of upper, and lower line of gathering stitches.

E- Pull thread tails from both ends until the gathers are even.

Christmas Ornament Tutorial

I love sparkle at Christmas time...

Heck! I love sparkle all year around.

Here's a quick tutorial for the Sequin-tastical ornament of all times.

You need seed beads,

dressmaker pins,

Sequins,

and a Styrofoam ball.

Stick one or two (I used two) seed beads on the pin,

add a sequin,

then stick it into the ball.

Continue until the ball is covered.

Tie a knot in some silver cord, stick a pin through it, and stick it in the foam ball.

Hang it on the tree baby!

This is NOT a hard ornament to make, but it does take a few minutes.

I made mine while watching T.V. (30 Rock! Love it!)

Go forth and Bling!

Wanna Cookie?

I don't know about where you are,

but the weather at Izzy & Ivy Designs Corporate Headquarters is

SNOWY!!

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Winter has hit Utah Valley with a vengance. This is not a problem for me because I happen to like snow...in December.

Other months, like April, I don't like it so much.

.

Since we are snowed in, I decided that it is almost time for The Biggest Giveaway we've ever had.

(the first Giveaway we've ever had)

But first, I want to get the blog all prettied up.

.

If you are a store, or ecommerce site that carry our patterns-

send me a quick email so that I can include you in our list of

"Where to find us".

.

If you are one of our readers,-

leave us a comment letting us know what you'd like to know about Izzy & Ivy,

or what you'd like us to give away,

or...what your favorite snack is (random!)

.

Come back Monday, Dec 14th to enter the

Fantastic Giveaway-Orama!

.

now...pass me a cookie and the Hot Chocolate. It's cold outside!

Jana (Lola)

Woot!

We're being featured on Jolly Jabber, Fat Quarter Shop's blog.

Check it out!