Some of you on Facebook got a sneak preview of today’s post, but for the rest of you… (Cue drum roll and trumpets!) It’s Thread Riding Hood’s One Year Blogiversary today! I think that is cause for celebration and a BIG thank you to all of my followers! I was going to do a “year in review” and “thank you” post – but I covered off most of my (sentimental) thoughts in this post – Dear Wonderful Reader {that’s you} – I’d love it if you would read it, I mean every word. I can’t say enough how thankful I am for all of you that journey along with me as I am on this sewing adventure!

To start off the fun, I am giving away a fat quarter bundle that I picked up from Fabric Spot and am excited to pack it up with a little surprise so I can ship it to one lucky reader. (Entry details for the giveaway are at the end of this post. UPDATE: The giveaway is now over.) 

I would love to give the fabric to each of you, but since I can’t, I am going to give you the only thing I can – more posts! Today is the beginning of a two week series filled with 14 things that I love to use when I sew. I’ll be posting a new Tip, Trick or Notion every day until the end of the giveaway. I sincerely hope you find them useful.

All that done… on with the show!

I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and when I see instructions to fold the edge of your fabric 1/4″ and then 1/4″ again to hem I go a bit crazy! I used to get out my sewing gauge and inch my iron along the fabric edge until the fold was perfect. Then I discovered the Scientific Seamstress! Carla thinks like me – and she has provided all of us with a really easy way to iron a perfectly measured fold. Head on over to her website and download her free Printable Folding Templates.

She has included a straight folding template and a curved folding template – for those pesky curves on dresses that we all hate hemming! The templates are included in a handy downloadable e-booklet that includes both templates + the instructions on how to use them. Now you can be so much more precise! Happy folding!

I LOVE Tula Pink’s fabric designs, and you’re supposed to gift what you would want to receive, so… here’s your chance to win some of my favorite fabric! I’m giving away one fat quarter bundle of The Birds and the Bees in the Sunset Colourway. This giveaway will run during the Sew Essential Series – from Friday July 12th (today!) to Thursday, July 25th at 10 pm. The winner will be posted on the Sew Essential Round-Up post. The giveaway is open to everyone, worldwide. UPDATE: The giveaway is now over.

Photo Credit: Fabric Spot

Here’s how to win: (Make sure to leave one comment per entry on this post so we can count them all properly.)

  1. Leave a comment  on this post. Let me know what you would be interested in seeing on Thread Riding Hood in the coming year.
  2. Optional Extra Entries: If you would like more chances to win, you can have one giveaway entry for each of the following: (1) Like Thread Riding Hood on Facebook and/or (2) Follow on Twitter and/or (3) Follow on Bloglovin’. Leave a comment on this post for each extra entry to say that you did.
  3. Free Entries: If you already like Thread Riding Hood on Facebook or follow on Twitter or Bloglovin’ you get one free entry for each! Please leave a comment for each way you follow to let me know.

Again, thanks for reading, without you, there would be no reason to blog. And, an extra big thanks to those who comment, here and on Facebook – You know who you are, I so appreciate the conversation! I’m super-excited to see what this next year will bring. See you tomorrow for Sew Essential #2!

Disclaimer: I am not being paid by Fabric Spot, I just really like her store!