Monday, December 27, 2010

A Pocketful of Sky -A Summary and A Giveaway


I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! We were away for the weekend with family, and we're now home again, marveling at the ridiculous amounts of snow everywhere. Our deck, for instance, is about 3 feet deep in snow. Grrrr.


Well, our series on pockets is finished!

25 posts full of them!


Some easier than others, some more exciting than others.
But all blue. And all sewn on the same thready, quilty white fabric.


Was I actually making something?

Yes, I was -


I call it A Pocketful of Sky -

A (faux) quilt full of pockets - 26 different ones:

Top row:

Second row:

Third row:

Fourth row:

Fifth row:

Bottom row:


Here are links to the other commentary posts in this series:


Back to the quilt - I made two, actually.


The first was for me and the kids. I meant it as a sort of inspiration wall for myself, but we ended up using it as an advent calendar with two extra pockets for candy wrappers. The kids loved playing with all the different pockets, even when it was yet half-finished and full of pins. Had to shoo them away just so they'd be safe. I finished mine the traditional way - with a backing and binding.

The second one is for you. Well, one of you - I'm giving it away as a Happy New Year present!
You can use it as an advent calendar, too - for Christmas or to count down to Spring 2011.

But I finished yours differently - the backing is only buttoned on

so you can unbutton it, peel it back, and examine all the innards of 26 pockets. I made it to be a teaching tool as well as a reference guide-cum-inspiration wall - to let you study pocket construction to your heart's content.

If you would like to win the Pocketful of Sky teaching quilt, this is what to do:

Blog about the pocket series and the teaching quilt.


It doesn't have to be a long post - the point is to spread the word so other people can come here to learn about pockets. If you'd like some visuals, go ahead and use 1 or 2 photos from this blog. If you don't have a blog, you could also post about it in a public group forum - only please make sure viewers don't need to register/become members to read it.

Then come back here and leave a comment with a link to your post.
I'll check all your links, and pick a comment at random.
I can ship internationally, so anyone in the world can enter.

I'll leave the giveaway open till bedtime of 1 January 2011 and pick the winner the next day.

Good luck, everyone!



85 comments:

  1. http://kravitzing.blogspot.com/2010/12/id-like-to-win-this.html

    I love blue and white - hope I win!

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  2. Thanks for all your hard work creating all these pocket tutorials! Today is the first day I venture into pocket territory, fingers crossed they turn out like they look in your photos!

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  3. That is absolutely fabulous! The tutorials were wonderful on their own but taking them all and putting them into one quilt is brilliant! Congrats!

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  4. I love blue and white for Advent colors, but really I would love to learn how to make more pockets for my two-year old daughter. Here is the link: http://susiquetzalli.blogspot.com/2010/12/see-these-beautiful-quilts-one-of-my.html

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  5. Hi,
    For Talent and hardwork there is no match for you, Lier.It is appreciated. Good luck to you and me.
    http://activity-kids.blogspot.com/2010/12/everyday-that-i-am-online-i-make-it.html

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  6. Wow! You've given so much already of your time and knowledge to help us all, and now the quilt too! Thank you so much. I blogged about this today. I can't wait to try out several of these techniques!

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  7. Love it, I'm still struggling with some pockets you explained.

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  8. This summary is really a big surprise! I've been reading all the tutorials but didn't see that coming. Nice work!

    http://craftby.wordpress.com/2010/12/28/ikat-bag-a-pocketful-of-sky/

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  9. Awesome idea to use as an Advent Calendar!

    http://lifewithoutmanual.wordpress.com/2010/12/27/so-many-pockets/

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  10. I recently found your blog so I have some nice reading (and sewing) to do in the new year.

    http://ravenorakan.blogspot.com/2010/12/ikatbag-visar-hur-man-syr-fickor.html

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  11. Hello!

    I read your pocket-posts with large interest.

    So I told it to my readers, to read it too:
    http://ladysibyll.blogspot.com/2010/12/hosentaschen-rocktaschen-hemdtaschen.html

    Greetings from Germany
    Kirsti

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  12. WOW!! What a wonderful quilt!!
    Your Blog is part of my iGoogle - Home Page.
    I love your great instructions & Tutorial
    Hope I'll Win:-)

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  13. All of this is wonderful, first the tutorials, then the quilt idea, and now the giveaway!!!!!
    I think is just perfect!!!
    http://orlosubito.blogspot.com/2010/12/bolsillos.html

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  14. Oh wow, how cool is that! I linked to your blog from in post about developing new techniques on Stitchers Guild as I'd love other people to also be able to make all those great pockets. Please don't remove any of the posts as I really want to be able to come back and read them all later.
    Stitchers Guild http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php
    Sew Ruthie http://ruthieksews1.blogspot.com/

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  15. What a good job making all these tutorials, tank's a lot! I've posted link and picture in my blog and also putted a link in my "good tut's" in the sidebar :-)

    My blog: http://veleblogg.blogspot.com/2010/12/tips-pa-olika-fickor-och-tavling.html

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  16. You are amazing and so generous! This is a fantastic giveaway and since I don't have a blog (yet)I posted about it at my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=lf
    Thanks for the chance!
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

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  17. My kids would have so much fun with your teaching quilt. I've read every post of your pocket series -- great work!

    http://mel-mel-o.blogspot.com/2010/12/pockets-pockets-and-more-pockets.html

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  18. thank you for all the pockets tutorial. which makes me very impressed that you collect them into one and make it look very beautiful

    http://griyahobifitriaa.blogspot.com/2010/12/belajar-membuat-kantong-pada-ikat-bag.html

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  19. Awesome job on the series! I've followed all the way through. I'd love to win the quilt. Here is my link:
    http://www.myneedlecrafts.com/2010/12/need-help-making-pockets.html

    Thanks for the chance to win!!!
    (cherylsneedlecrafts at gmail dot com)

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  20. Completely fabulous pocket quilt!!! I love it!!!
    Here is my post:
    http://dirtundermynails.com/2010/12/28/pockets-of-all-shapes-and-sizes/

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  21. Great idea! I homeschool and my mom (all 69 yrs of her) teaches sewing and knitting to a 4H group. Your teaching pocket blanket is an excellent idea. Thanks!

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  22. I´m in! Though you have to use googletranslate to read my post:)

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  23. You are so creative. What a beautiful way to teach and learn about sewing. It reminds me of the button/zipper dolls that help children learn to do all sorts of fasteners. Thanks for all the hard work and time in putting together the tutorials.

    http://justsewyouknow.blogspot.com/2010/12/pockets-pockets-pockets.html

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  24. What a wonderful gift that keeps on giving. I would love to win.

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  25. Great giveaway! Please count me in!

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  26. Oh my that is such an amazing blanket! I have never tried pockets myself before so have been refreshing your blog everyday waiting for the next post about them.
    I actually blogged about your tutorials back at the beginning of December :) http://toastiestudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/pockets-tutorial.html

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  27. Well I'm not going to include myself in the giveaway because I think it should go to someone who would actually use it. But I did want to say it's fantastic! And if I ever get around to sewing something with pockets I will certainly come back and look through your archives.

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  28. Oh my goodness! Aside from being a guide to learn how to make some of those incredible pockets, my little girl would totally use it! She LOVES pockets...probably more than most other things.
    Linked to my post here:
    http://www.falafelandthebee.com/?p=4552
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    ~Michelle

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  29. Thanks for providing so much great information! I posted about the pocket series on a sewing group on ravelry:

    http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/sew-obsessed/1453535/1-25

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  30. I love the idea of a teaching quilt! I would love to win it to pour over but if I don't I can come back and look at all the pockets here.

    My blog post is at:
    http://betulaloo.blogspot.com/2010/12/learn-about-pockets.html

    Thankyou so much!

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  31. I've not sewn pockets on clothes before and your tutorials have been so inspiring!! Thank you for sharing and for this opportunity!

    http://melo-jo.blogspot.com/2010/12/there-aint-nothing-like-pockets.html

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  32. Hi!
    Love it! Love it! Love it!
    My favorite color, been meaning to sew a pocket for a pair of lazy day pants I'm sewing, thank you to the tutes....

    http://mkjuan.blogspot.com/2010/12/pockets-here-pockets-there-oh-my.html

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  33. I wrote an article about your great job (in French, do you mind ? if you want me to translate on my blog, just tell me !) :
    http://laraignee-fauchee.blogspot.com/2010/12/inspiration-admiration-6.html
    thanks a lot for sharing your talent !

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  34. I am a 'silent' reader of your blog. Thanks for the great tuto's. i madea blogpost about the giveaway.

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  35. It's so beautiful! What a great idea for an advent calendar, or just a pretty storage area. I've posted at http://www.lindsaysews.com/2010/12/quilty-giveaway-from-ikat-bag.html

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  36. Great idea, thanks for sharing. You have created a place for all the samples we have not only sewing but knitting as well. Happy New Year.

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  37. I don't have a blog to blog about your quilt, but it really is wonderful and I love the idea of using it as an advent calendar.

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  38. Hello from Sweden! This is such a beautiful quilt and what a great idea that you just buttoned on the backing. I would soo love to win this! Your blog has really inspired me, thank you!
    My link: http://www.lerolai.se/2010/12/jaha-da-var-det-sista-dagen-pa-detta.html

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  39. The quilts look awesome! :D It's so generous of you to give one away, too. I posted a link on my public Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aneesahs-Hideaway/149386798413782 .

    Have a wonderful new year!

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  40. The pocket quilt is so cool. Great idea.

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  41. I don't have a blog either but I wanted to tell you how great I think this quilt is. Since 2011 is going to be my "clear the stash out" year I'm going to be using this tutorial a lot. It's clear and a great reference! Thanks so much for taking the time to make it for us!

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  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  43. Great giveaway! Please count me in!
    Very cute!!!
    Thanks for the chance to win!!!

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  44. What a super giveaway!!
    Would like to be in the rafflw : o) I need to practice pockets......

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  45. I love this quilt!!! Such great tutorials. I will have to try some of these pockets. I wanna win this!!!!

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  46. WOW! i love this quilt and all the pockets. i just found you from whipup and will definitely be scouring your blog and all the pocket tutes. my blog is private and includes only my non-sewing family, but i will share this with my sewing buddy. does that count? :) either way, thank you for sharing!!!

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  47. http://l3designs.blogspot.com/2010/12/pocket-tutorials.html

    Thanks for all your hard work and tutorials. What a wonderful resource

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  48. I linked to you in my Twitter. http://twitter.com/#!/kimisen I truly LOVE this quilt!

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  49. Pretty sure winning this quilt would make the list for the "Top Ten Happiest Days of My Life." Not even kidding.

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  50. Oh wow. You are too goood to be true and do you ever sleep?
    I would love to win this.

    Joy xxx

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  51. Yeah, I made it!
    I just read this post yesterday but did not have the chance to write a post as little one is sick again. But he is napping now and I squeezed in some writing time ... :-)
    And here is my blog post:

    http://muffinsnmore.blogspot.com/2011/01/wanna-learn-how-to-sew-pockets.html

    I totally love the teaching quilt! Amazing! It would be so helpful - and fun to look at! Love all those blues! And I could rest my eyes from all that pink in the girls room. ;-)

    Wishing you and your family an amazing 2011!!!

    Btw, the tutorial list - 100! - is up, too, if you want to check it out.
    http://muffinsnmore.blogspot.com/2011/01/100-free-tutorials-and-patterns.html
    It is not really pretty as I have really trouble formatting my posts in blogger at the moment - but it is up! I included a link to your blog, too!
    If you want to you can share a link to the list on your blog. It was quite some work to copy it all together so it would be good if many people get to enjoy it! :-)

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  52. Brilliant piece. I love your artwork.

    Here is my post:
    http://daydreamingdreamer.blogspot.com/2011/01/pocketful-of-sky.html

    I have also followed you via gfc as quinieleong. I love what you are doing. Do update often! :)

    quinieleong@yahoo.com

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  53. I love the pocket quilt. It's such a great idea. I don't have a blog but I did tell all my sewing friends about your beautiful work. Happy New Year!
    Robin

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  54. http://makejanemake.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-of-my-inspirations.html

    [...] and am still spellbound with her latest tutorial on pockets. As soon as I get some time in my sewing line-up, I'm definitely going to run through this series one pocket at a time. [...]

    Thanks so much for all the great posts on everything! :)

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  55. hi Lier,

    What a wonderful tutorial series and teaching tool. Even if I don't win I am more than happy to post about this. http://wp.me/pkcUM-xw

    Thanks so much for doing this!
    Emily

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  56. Wow. I missed the giveaway, having just discovered your blog---however, THANK YOU for a really inspirational resource. I teach apparel construction and fashion design and will definitely send my students to your blog for the tutorials!!!

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  57. Hi, Thanks so much for all of your tutorials, they really are awesome. I would like to make the quilt and was wondering if you could post some brief directions about the size of your quilt and some basic directions on how to begin? I know it sounds demanding but I would love love love to do this but am a little overwhelmed by it.
    Thanks again, Katie

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  58. Hi Katherine,

    Couldn't find your email address so am hoping you'll be back here to read my response.

    The quilt is a small one - 26" x 36" and is essentially a big piece of white fabric that has pockets sewn onto it. Then you cut a backing piece exactly the same size, and sew that to the back of the white piece (that has all the pockets sewn on). I just attached the two pieces around their edges. I didn't actually do any quilting stitching on it - which is why I call it a faux quilt. It's small enough to not sag in the middle. Then you bind the quilt the usual way. Sewing on the pockets is quite easy - you prepare each individual pocket and sew it onto the quilt as if the quilt were the garment you were sewing the pocket onto.

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  59. Oh Lier, this quilt is darling! I'm saving all my pockets now. Love love love the concept. And could be a fun learning tool for little kids too :)
    Thanks for the inspiration!
    - dana

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  60. Thank you so much for your wonderful patch pocket tutorial. I'm a new seamstress and was looking for directions for basic patch pockets when I found your blog. Your directions are easy to follow and your designs have inspired me to get even more creative. Thanks!

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  61. thanks a lot, this post is very interesting!

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  62. I am so in love with your page.. beautiful work and wonderful instructions.. thanks

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  63. This is awesome. Thank you.

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  64. Aaaah... I was hunting for an advent calendar tutorial that had unusual pockets. Think I'll make this for next year... perfect. thanks!

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  65. Some many ideas in your web!!! I will need to read a lot!!!

    Is so good that you share THANKS!!!

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  66. What an excellent series of tutorials! I linked to it at http://ajewintherain.blogspot.com/2012/01/sewing-resources.html
    Thank you for your many helpful posts.

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  67. Hi, I discovered your blog this days and I loved it! I tried to sew your pocket tutorial and they are amazing! I bought my first sewing machine last year because I want to learn how to sew. Thanks for sharing your skills! Here is my lesson done:
    http://diariodenaii.blogspot.com/2012/02/bolsillos.html

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  68. Thanks for posting this. I needed some new ideas for pockets and this sure foil the bill

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  69. ME HA ENCANTADO , CON TU PERMISO PREPARO UNA ENTRADA EN MI BLOG PARA QUE TODOS PUEDAN APRECIAR TU TRABAJO

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  70. This is a brilliant idea. I am going to pin it so that I can keep coming back to refer to it for pocket inspiration and instruction. You can be certain that I will give credit where ever I refer to your tute. I m in the planning stages of making my first pair of jeans and I will make good use of your jeans patch pocket and one of the front pocket options.

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  71. Love all of these pockets!! I will definitely have to try a few of them soon. Thank you!

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  72. Just wanted to thank you for sharing this site on pockets...I've been making dresses for the needy and this is wonderful ...I posted your page on my pinterest for others to find your site. Hope that is ok....they will be directed to your site. Thanks again...Patsy

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  73. I wish I were accomplished in sewing! Your pocket quilt is so charming! Imagine it as a child's blanket with teeny stuffed or felted creatures tucked into the pockets waiting for discovery?

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  74. Thanks, this is a really helpful post!! I won't comment on every tutorial, but I've read several. :)

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  75. Thanks for the many tutorials! I won't leave a comment on each one I've read, but I've read several. :)

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  76. Hola!, mil gracias por compartir tus ideas, publique este tutorial en mi blog, me dices si no te parece bien. http://bitacoradecostura.blogspot.com.ar/p/blog-page_5.html

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  77. Awesome tutorial! Shared on Facebook and Pinterest.

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  78. Pocket Mania Indeed! Had never thought about a variety of pockets as these I'm awaiting my grandchild and to sew some for it.

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  79. Hi. am I allowed to share this in my facbook group for advanced sewists. They will love it.
    live😊love😍laugh😄 Caroline

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  80. Just want to say how useful this is. I bookmarked it and refer to it often.

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  81. I have typed the URL to your "Pocket Full of Sky" summary page in the Facebook group, Sewing 4 Beginners, as an example of different types of pockets for embellishment. Your quilt is great, your pockets are named, and you've got tutorials for them.

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Thank you for talking to me! If you have a question, I might reply to it here in the comments or in an email.