Tamara Kate, Origami Oasis & a Giveaway!

Hello! I’m delighted to be back here doing another guest post with you all today. My fifth collection with Michael Miller, Origami Oasis, started shipping to stores over the past week or so and I have been posting sewing projects galore over on my blog. I have a number more lined up over the next few weeks, with links to other talented bloggers’ creations as well. From kids’ clothing to accessories to quilts, there is something for all the young spunky animal lovers out there that we love sewing for so much, and even a little something for us too.
 

Here is a sampling of projects already posted about, as well as a few peeks into a couple of the upcoming posts:

From the Flower Field grouping, there is the pretty Shandiin Tunic and a young gentleman’s bow tie (and don’t forget the Lined Tote Bag Tutorial I created for the MMF Craft Camp last month).

From Grassland, a button-up boy’s shirt and a quilt detail, along with the Stand Tall Dress.

 

And from the fun, graphic Starry Sky grouping, a detail of the Starry Migration Quilt and another bow tie for the well-dressed lad.

Today I want to share a simple, cute project with you, to add a bit of pizazz to your little one’s plain sweater or long-sleeved t-shirt.

The ROAR! Elbow Patches

These lion heads are a favorite of mine. In designing them, I wanted them to be proud and strong, yet gentle, hence the flowery manes.

All you need is a fat quarter of Pride. This print comes in three versions: a white background with primary pops of color, a midnight navy ground with similar coloring, and a more feminine version on a white ground.

Choose the background color accordingly, based on the sweater color (and, by the way, I think this would be an equally charming project for a girl’s sweater as it is for a boy’s).

What You Will Need:

- A fat quarter of Pride in your chosen color

- Sewing thread to match the background color

- Needle & scissors

Fussy cut two lion heads from the fabric, leaving about a quarter inch ground all around.

Carefully iron about an eighth inch of fabric to the wrong side, all the way around.

Have your child try on the sweater so you can accurately locate the elbow center on each arm. Mark this point with a safety pin, or with a fabric marker.

Place the sweater so that the sleeve is flat on your work surface and place the center of the lion head over the marking. Pin in place. Repeat with the other arm. Stitch all the way around with an invisible stitch (there is a great tutorial here).

The result: clean-edged patches with personality that are ready for action!

Since you’re on a roll, why not make use of some more of the fabric. These peacocks, found just above the lions, would also make sweet patches.

Happy sewing!

And now for the Giveaway!

To celebrate Origami Oasis’ release into the world, we wanted to offer you the chance to win some fabric as well as a little something extra. Some of the Oasis creatures have found their way onto delightful paper prints and canvases at CC Art Children’s Decor, a company that reproduces Canadian artists’ work to promote creativity and wonder in children’s lives.

Michael Miller is offering two fabric bundles, one in the Flower Field group and one in Grassland. And to coordinate with each, CC Art is generously including a corresponding print (8” x 10”, unframed) to add some colorful artwork to your child’s environment.

 

To enter, let us know below which fabric group you would prefer to win and what you would sew with it. We will randomly choose a winner for each

Best of luck,

Tamara

And, the winners are.....

OhioLori
"Beautiful Fabrics...& Prints! So hard to choose! But decided on Flower Fields...would make something Special for my Grangirlie, will let her help choose what it will be. Am teaching her to sew this year...she is 7 now."

and

 Barb in Mi
"Great prints! Love both but if you need to know: I would love to make a kids quilt out of Grasslands. Thanks so much"

Congratulations and Happy Sewing!!