Christmas In July 2016 Blog Hop for Benartex

Welcome to Day 1 of the Benartex Christmas in July Blog Hop 2016.

Disclosure/Disclaimer: 

Fabrics for the penguin pillow, quilt top and binding along with the fq bundle giveaway are supplied by Benartex for the purposes of the blog hop and at no cost to mbCD, all other materials are my own.  In all other respects, this post is for informational purposes only and no payment or commission is received on click-throughs to links shared.

If you haven't visited Benartex's Sew in Love {with Fabric} blog yet today then let me introduce you to the Jolly Penguin fabric collection by Mitzi Powers for Benartex.  The collection is available in 100% cotton and also in flannel.

I've worked on two projects for the blog hop, both using the flannel version of this collection and can confirm it's very soft before and after washing.  The flannel washes beautifully with no colour run and there is no pilling on the fabric surface - if you've worked with flannels before you'll no that's not always the case.  I did pre-wash the flannels because of the shrinkage involved and this was particularly important when I made the quilt as the backing is minky which doesn't shrink at all.

My first project is the Jolly Penguin Pillow (approx 16-1/2" tall).  Click here to head over to the Benartex Sew in Love {with Fabric} blog where I'll guide you through making up the pillow from the panel with tips for stuffing cuddlies and closing openings.  We'll learn one of my favourite stitches - Ladder Stitch - which has so many uses from closing openings to binding quilts - and yes, it's invisible too.

How cute is he?!!! There have already been squabbles over who's having him, it's a toss up between Flicky or the dogs!!!

My second project is my Hand Tied Snuggle Quilt (47" x 47"), click through to the full quilt pattern here.

The quilt has a patchwork square flannel top using 9 fabrics from the Jolly Penguin collection and a whole cloth minky back, though you can also make it from cotton with batting.  While making the pattern we'll talk about working with that dreaded fabric - minky - and hopefully when you discover my 5 Steps To A Perfect Minky Backed Quilt tute you'll rethink anything you've heard or experienced using it previously.  

In the pattern tutorial, I'm also covering: an accurate way to match open pressed quilt seams; spray basting techniques; how to match a binding pattern so you can't see the joins; hand tying a quilt; and caring for your self-healing cutting mat and other mbCD tips - WOW, that's a lot!

  

And now for a giveaway - everyone loves a giveaway right?!

7 Chances To Win a Jolly Penguin FQ Bundle!

(open to US residents only, apols to everyone else) 

Here're 7 chances to win a Jolly Penguin collection fq bundle - you need to leave a separate comment here on my blog for each chance to win:

1:  Leave a comment below telling me your favourite Christmas song.

2: Follow the made by ChrissieD blog via email or blog reader then leave a comment below letting me know where you're following via.  Existing followers can join in too :D

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3: Follow made by ChrissieD on Facebook and leave a comment back here letting me know.

4: Follow made by ChrissieD on Instagram and leave a comment back here letting me know.
5: Subscribe to the twice monthly made by ChrissieD newsletter and leave a comment back here letting me know.

6: Head over to Sew in Love with Fabric, sign up to follow their blog by email or blog reader then leave a comment back here letting me know that you did so.

7:  Follow Benartex on Facebook and leave a comment back here letting me know.

NOTE: Please be sure I can access your email.  

If you're a WordPress, Google+, no-reply or anonymous commenter, or maybe you're just not sure, please add your email address to each comment.  If I can't find you I'll immediately draw another winner.

This giveaway is open to US residents only and closes on Monday, 1 August 2016 at 10.00 am (EST).  A winner will be chosen from the comments using a random number generator, contacted via email and shared at the bottom of this post and on the Benartex Sew in Love {with Fabric} blog.  Giveaway bundles will be mailed directly from Benartex to the winner.

Best of luck!

AND THE WINNER IS!!!

The winner of the Jolly Penguin fat quarters is lindak21 who shared with us that Joy to the World is one of her favourite Christmas songs - though she found it difficult to pick just one!  I hope you find it easy to decide what to make with the Jolly Penguin FQ bundle that's heading your way direct from Benartex along with the other bundle too.

Many congratulations Linda,  I've sent you an email asking for your snail mail address so be sure to check your junk folder if it isn't in your inbox.  You'll have to let us know what you make with your new fabrics too :D

Here's the Benartex Christmas in July Blog Hop schedule - 25-29 July 2016:

Monday: Chris from made by ChrissieD featuring Jolly Penguin and Friends

Tuesday: Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts featuring My Little Chickadee

Wednesday: Alison from Little Bunny Quilts featuring Sparkle

Thursday: Cynthia from Quilting is more fun than Housework featuring Holiday Cheer

Friday: Benartex Sew in Love {with Fabric} blog featuring Joyful

 

And finally a recap (there's so much going on I'm concerned you might miss something!):
1) if you're looking for the pattern for my Hand Tied Snuggle Quilt, click through here; and
2) head over to the Benartex's Sew in Love with Fabric blog today to see my Jolly Penguin pillow tute;
3) enter the Jolly Penguin fq bundle giveaway detailed earlier in this post; and
4) pop back to Benartex each day, through to Friday, 29 July 2016 to check out that day's new tute and for a fresh chance daily to win a different Christmas fabric bundle at each blog on the schedule.

Related Posts:

Clicking on an image will take you to a new page of crafty goodness :)

Disclosure/Disclaimer:  

Fabric for the penguin pillow, quilt top and binding along with the fq bundle giveaway is supplied by Benartex for the purposes of the blog hop and at no cost to mbCD, all other materials are my own.  In all other respects, this post is for informational purposes only and no payment or commission is received on click-throughs to links shared.

Click to follow Chris Dodsley of made by ChrissieD on Bloglovin'

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Linky Parties This post may be linked to some great Linky Parties, always a great source of inspiration too.  If you click through to my 'Fave Linky Parties'  page you can see where I like to share my work.