Zakka Style Sew Along: Week 6 - Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets

Hi! Welcome to Week 6 of the Zakka Style Sew Along!! If you're new, this Sew Along is the brain child of two friends, Lindsey and Amy. They rounded up a team of bloggers and together we are sewing through the book, Zakka Style by Rashida Coleman-Hale, one project at a time. Oh, and  there are prizes when you finish up a project and link up! You can join anytime.

If you are already following along, are you having fun with your projects? So far I've only managed to make the Zigzag Tote, but I can't wait to make the Orchard Path Tweed Pouch and the Patchwork Pot Holder.

Today I'm going to show you my version of the Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets by Nova Flitter from the blog a cuppa and a catchup. I remember when I first saw these cuties pop up on flickr. Nova made a batch for a swap she was in and I was smitten immediately. I mean come on! They are so cute!!

MATERIALS: 

• Essex (a cotton/linen blend) by Robert Kaufman in Medium Aqua, Sunshine, Carrot, Grey and Hot Pink
• Cosmo Embroidery Floss by Lecien

I started with one block to test out the pattern and I quickly made two more. They were like chocolate kisses, I couldn't get enough. One thing I cannot overstate. When they say Itty Bitty, they really do mean teeny tiny! The finished size is 1.5" x 1.5". That is shorter than your pinky finger. The best advice I can give to you is to follow the pattern as written. It's laid out very well in the book. Some of the pieces you cut are smaller than 1".  Eep!

My kids were home with me the day I worked on these and they really wanted to help. They are 4 and 6 and it took a minute to figure out their jobs. I printed off some over-sized graph paper so they could color the patterns in.  While they colored, I cut squares of fabric for them to arrange. Then I sewed them together. Both of them were really into it and it was fun to work on it together.

Before you get started on your blocks, I have a few tips to share with you.

Tip #1: Starch is your friend. Seriously. You will be working with itty bitty pieces of linen. If you stretch your pieces even a smidge, it looks like a lot. I used Essex (a cotton/linen blend) and starch and it was still tricky getting things lined up.

Tip #2: Lock those stitches. I popped more than one flipping these right-side out in the final step. If this happens to you too you can mend it with a hidden ladder stitch like I ended up doing. I won't tell! ; )

Tip #3: If you make the string block and you use a paper foundation (as recommended in the book) shorten your stitch length. Every machine is a little different. I changed mine from 2.5 to 1.2. This step will make it much easier to tear off your paper pieces. 

Tip #4: This is actually in the book, but I am repeating it. Test you magnet to make sure it works and is facing the right way BEFORE stitching it closed. Before! Ok, I feel better. Now I know you won't sew it backwards like some people I know. Ahem. 

 It's such a sweet little project and useful too. Great for holding up your most important notes. ; )

GIVEAWAY
**This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered!**


Yup, that's not all!  Aurifil generously gave me five packs of thread to giveaway to my readers!!!  Five winners will be randomly selected on Friday, May 11, 2012.  Winners will be contacted by email, so if it is not visible in your profile, please add it to your comment. International entries are welcome.

TO ENTER:
1) Please leave a comment below
2) If you are a follower please leave a second comment.  I love you guys!!!

Thank you so much to Lindsey and Amy for putting together this fun sew along!  And a big THANK YOU to all of the sponsors for making it possible.

Zakka Style Sew Along

Come and sew along with me!!  Lindsey of LR Stitched and Amy of Don't you Know Who I Am have put together a really great sew along based on the book Zakka Style by Rashida Coleman-Hale.  This book is full of fun, small projects to sew for you and your home.  Some of my favorites are the zig zag tote, patchwork pot holders and the zakka pincushion.


They have gathered 24 bloggers to sew through all of the projects in the book and you are invited to sew along with us! Come on over and join the flickr group.


There will be lots of sharing, tips, inspiration and prizes.  It doesn't start until April 2nd so you have time to get the book if you don't already have it.  I bought mine through Amazon and Rashida has signed copies on her site.


I'll see you on May 7th with my version of Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets!  I have loved these since Nova first posted them and now I get to learn how to make my own... and maybe a couple for gifts.  Yay!


DETAILS: 
The sew along starts Monday April 2nd with the first project in the book and will continue through Monday September 10th with a new project  introduced each Monday. Each blogger will sew a different project and will be sharing their finished project and inspiration with you.

• April 2nd :: Zig Zag Tote with Sew Fantastic
• April 9th :: The House Pouch with During Quiet Time
• April 16th :: Zakka Pincushion with Pink Penguin
• April 23rd :: Sewing Kit with Monkey Do
• April 30th :: Patchwork Pencil Case with VeryKerryBerry
• May 7th :: Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets with Little Bluebell

• May 14th :: Raincloud Mug Rug with Quilt Dad
• May 21st :: Zakka Block Quilt with I like Orange
• May 28th :: Stem Messenger Bag with Sew Sweetness
• June 4th :: Zip Organizer with Spotted Stone
• June 11th :: Orchard Path Tweed Pouch with Don’t Call Me Betsy
• June 18th :: Happy Couple Handwarmers with A Cuppa and a Catchup

• June 25th :: Patchwork Potholder with Sew Take a Hike
• July 2nd :: Water Bottle Holder with One Shabby Chick
• July 9th :: Elephant Bookmark with Cut to Pieces
• July 16th :: Patchwork Ribbon with {House} of A la Mode
• July 23rd :: Delightful Linen Bag with Sukie
• July 30th :: Bread Basket with Patchwork Notes

• August 6th :: Sweet Sugar Cookie Sack with BettyCrockerAss
• August 13th :: Little Pocket Pillowcase with Freshly Pieced
• August 2oth :: Sweet Memories Photo Frame with Noodlehead
• August 27th :: Pleated Coin Purse with Shape Moth
• September 3rd :: Happy Garland Message Board with Maureen Cracknell Handmade
• September 10th :: Nesting Boxes with From the Blue Chair

There will be some lovely prizes offered each week and we are so thankful to have the support of Stash Books, Aurifil, Zipit, Robert Kaufman and Timeless Treasures.