Make Some Cases, Make Some Smiles!

September is quite a busy month this year!  It’s National Sewing Month, it’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and our friends at Ryan’s Case For Smiles (formerly Conkerr Cancer) are delivering their one millionth pillowcase this month!  We thought we’d have a little contest that combines all three, and will bring some smiles to kids that need them.

As you may or may not know, Ryan’s Case for Smiles mission is to deliver fun and cheerful pillowcases to children who have been diagnosed with a life-changing illness or injury.  Unfortunately, that means they need lots of fun and cheery pillowcases.  We’d like to send them a big stack to help them with their mission, so we’re having a pillowcase contest!

To enter, all you have to do is make two pillowcases per the specifications on the Case for Smiles website: http://caseforsmiles.org/sewingpreparing-pillowcases/

Once they’re done, send them to us here at Arrow. When the contest is over, we’ll draw a random name from all of the entries and send them one of our adorable thread caddies!

  

We have listed the complete rules below, please read them over carefully, and if you have any questions, email us at rebecca@arrowcabinets.com.

With your help, we know that we can make lots of smiles for some sick kids!

The Rules (please read carefully):

1.  Make two pillowcases following the guidelines posted here on the Case For Smiles website:  http://caseforsmiles.org/sewingpreparing-pillowcases/  Remember, these are for kids, so they should be bright and cheery (you may think that rose print fabric is the bomb, but trust us, the kids won't)!

2.  Wash your cases in unscented detergent (and please don’t use dryer sheets), seal them in a ziploc bag, and mail them to us at:

Arrow Cabinets

PO Box 307

Delavan, WI 53115

Please make sure you include your name and return address!  Pillowcases from pet-friendly homes are great, just make sure you bag them immediately after they are washed and dried.

3.  Cases need to be received by Wednesday Sept. 30th, 2015 to be eligible.

4.  We will select a one random winner from the eligible entries to receive a thread caddy.

Please feel free to share this contest with all of your sewing friends, we'd love to send a big stack!

If you'd like more information on Ryan’s Case For smiles, please visit their website at http://caseforsmiles.org/

Arrow Show N' Tell - Quilted Beach Bag

You know how you see a cute project idea somewhere and say to yourself, "What a cute project, I'm going to make that!"?  Well, that's what happened when we saw this quilted beach bag in the latest issue of Fresh Quilts.  

We (Hether, Jo, Joy & Jessica) gathered our supplies and scheduled a few sessions to work on it.

The first thing we had to tackle was cutting the fabric - and there was a lot to cut! 

Then we had to piece it all together on the batting that was cut to the shape of the bag to make our patchwork "fabric" for the bag.  Lots of sewing (and yes, some swearing at this point)!

Once we had the patchwork pieces together, we then did some additional straight-line quilting, and sewed the bag together.   Almost done.... 

Voila!  Our bags are complete!

We love that this project challenged all of us in different ways and allowed us to use our cabinets in the freearm position to access our freearm on the machine and in flatbed position with the insert to create straighter-ish stitches.  With all the cutting and ironing our cutting tables also got a work out!  The project taught quilting, binding,  the importance of ironing for sewing and following a pattern and also when not to.

Joy’s thoughts (red and blue bag 2^nd from left):  During this project I learned how important it is to sew fabric all the way to the edge or beyond.  It is hard to fix it after.  I learned that clips can be used during the binding process rather than pins. Pins poke.  On this pattern when using scraps to quilt there was no pattern you needed to follow.  No wrong or right way to piece them. Quilting takes patience.

 Hether’s thoughts (lime and pink bag third from left): This was the first project we did that I learned a lot of new techniques.  My two new favorite things are my ¼” foot and a quilt guide on my machine.  I will always use them.  I also learned in a group project it is best to be the one lagging behind as I learned from all their mistakes, one of which was using the pattern to cut the fabric, the reverse side needed to be flipped over to match perfectly.  Ooops!  I would also make sure you have lots and lots of thread on hand!  Quilting uses a ton and we had to run to the store twice.

 Jessica’s thoughts (orange and green bag first one on left):  One of the things I learned while making our beach bag is that quilting takes a lot more patience than I ever imagined! Just breath, you will make it through! One tip while making this particular bag would be to measure your bottom fabric against the pattern you created for your bag otherwise it seems to end up being a little short with the measurements given. Also, when cutting out the pattern for your lining fabric, make sure your fabrics are facing each other. That way when you come to the part where you put the lining inside the bag and sew it together, it lines up better. One more thing… you might want to think about using clips instead of pins for the binding. There will be a lot less bloodshed :)

Jo’s thoughts (blue bag and 4^th on from left - Jo is our expert quilter and the teacher to us sewing novices): My most enjoyable part of making the beach bag was watching how the straight line quilting enhanced the random fabrics in the bag. I used a variegated burgundy thread that showed against the lightest fabrics and disappeared on the purple batiks. Using the free arm of the cabinet made it easier to sew the binding around the arm holes and top opening.

One thing that we all found was important was having some good lighting!  We happen to have an extra Might Bright Light on hand, so we're going to give one away to a lucky winner!

Just leave a comment here on the blog by Sunday, June 21st at 11 pm EDT.  And if you have any questions about the project, feel free to leave those in the comment section as well.  We hope you enjoyed our Show N' Tell!

Miss Blue is Here, And You Could Win One!

We've added a new member to our chair family - Miss Blue!

Doesn't that lovely shade look great with the new Riley Blake fabric?  We think so!

To celebrate Miss Blue's arrival, we're giving one away.  All you have to do is send us a picture of yourself doing the yoga "chair" pose!  Our wonderful Jo was nice enough to demonstrate.

Now, we know you all hate pictures and think they're a  lot of work, but we love seeing them and we think Miss Blue is worth the extra effort!  Since her MSRP is $220, think of it like getting paid to strike a pose.  Madonna would be proud!

Here's the scoop:

1.  Take a picture of yourself doing the chair pose.  If you don't have help at home, run next door and ask your neighbor - we're giving you plenty of time!  BONUS:  If you're also holding a sign that says "I Love Arrow!", we'll throw in a little bonus prize.  :)

2.  Get your picture to us by 6/30/15.  Email it to rebecca@arrowcabinets.com with all of your info, along with a statement that you give us permission to post your photo on our Facebook page if you win.

3.  We'll choose a winner, and they will get a chair!  We'll also choose a runner-up, and they'll get a rolling tote!

4.  The contest is open to residents of the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska and Canada.

That's it, easy peasy!  If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at rebecca@arrowcabinets.com

16,000 Fans Means It's Gidget Time!

Hello Everyone!  We went over 16,000 fans on Facebook, so that means it's time for a Gidget Giveaway!

(table only - sewing machine and other accessories not included)

Since we have so many new friends, we want to make sure that everyone understands how the giveaways work.  In order to be included in the random drawings for our weekly swag giveaways and the giveaways we do when we gain fans on Facebook, you must be registered.  However, you only have to register ONCE.  If you have registered with us since our big "Sewing Suite Giveaway" when we hit 10,000 likes in April 2014, you don't have to register again.  If you haven't registered with us, you will need to sign up by clicking on the purple "Sign Up for Our Giveaways" block located on the left side of our Facebook page.

If you're only able to check-in on a mobile device, visit this link instead:   http://on.fb.me/XzJzcV  This will also give you a chance to update your contact info so that we can reach you when you're a winner. 

If you can't remember if you've registered or not, just try to enter your info.  If you have already registered you'll get the following message:  "An entry with this Address/Email has already been recorded".  That means you're all set!  Please note - do not try to register with multiple emails.  As we have done in the past,  duplicate entries will be deleted.  Our giveaways are open to residents of the United States and Canada.*  We'll be drawing a name  on Monday, 3/31/15, so make sure you're signed up!   Good luck everyone!

*Due to the prohibitive cost of shipping internationally, registration is only open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

Kiss The Blarney Stone and Win a Florie!

Nothing says "St. Patrick's Day" like something green! We'd love to add a little St. Paddy's Day cheer to your sewing room, so we are giving away a beautiful green Florie!!*  There's only one catch - you've got to get a little silly and kiss the Blarney Stone (or a convenient rock).

(*sewing desk only - machine and all other accessories not included)

If you want to get in on the fun, here's what you have to do:

The Rules 
1. Dress up in your best leprechaun-inspired outfit (remember, we like silly).

2. Make a sign that says "I'd kiss the Blarney Stone for an Arrow!"

3. Find a big rock (the bigger, the better).

4. Get a friend to take a picture of you kissing the big rock while you hold up your sign!

 5. Email your picture to rebecca@arrowcabinets.com no later than Monday, Mar. 16th at 11 pm Eastern time. Please include in your email that you give us permission to post your picture on our blog & Facebook.

 6. All the pictures will be posted on St. Patrick's day, and the winner will be chosen by Arrow staff. REMEMBER - creativity counts!! Good luck everyone!

Make Some Cases, Win A Florie!

Once again, we are sponsoring a pillowcase drive for our friends at Conkerr Cancer!  Conkerr Cancer's mission is to provide provide smiles to children with life changing illnesses and to make them feel special.  They do this by donating bright and cheery pillowcases to hospitals nationally and internationally! 

The recipient of this drive will be the Conkerr Cancer chapter in Milwaukee, WI. To enter, all you have to do is make two pillowcases per Conkerr Cancer's specifications, and send them to us here at Arrow.  A winner will be chosen at random to receive a beautiful green Florie!

(sewing desk only - accessories and machine not included)

Our second prize winner will receive a cute apron!

We have listed the complete rules below, please read them over carefully, and if you have any questions, email us at rebecca@arrowcabinets.com.

With your help, we know that we can make lots of smiles for some sick kids!

The Rules (please read carefully):

1.  Make two pillowcases following the guidelines posted here on the ConKerr Cancer website:  http://conkerrcancer.org/pillowdirections.html    Remember, these are for kids, so they should be bright and cheery (you may think that rose print fabric is the bomb, but trust us, the kids won't)!

2.  Wash your cases, seal them in a ziploc bag, and mail them to us at:

Arrow Cabinets

PO Box 307
Delavan, WI 53115

Please make sure you include your name and return address!  Pillowcases from pet-friendly homes are great, just make sure you bag them immediately after they are washed and dried.

3.  Cases need to be received by Friday, March 27th 2015 to be eligible.

4.  We will select  one random winner from the eligible entries to receive a green Florie, and one random winner will  receive an apron!

If you can swing it, we'd love to get some pictures of you with your finished pillowcases to post on our Facebook page ( this is not a requirement for entering).  Please feel free to share this contest with all of your sewing friends, we'd love to have to rent a truck to deliver these!  

If you'd like more information on ConKerr Cancer, please visit their website at www.conkerrcancer.org.

New Years Resolution: Learning to Quilt Pt. 1 - Piecing

At the beginning of the year, we shared with all of you some of our sewing New Year's resolutions.  As you may recall, Hether, Jessica and Joy wanted to learn how to quilt.  A few weeks ago, with some help from our own Jo, they started off on their quilting journey!

For their first lesson, they concentrated on piecing.  They each pieced two blocks, which are all now framed and hanging proudly here in the Arrow offices.

Now that they have had some piecing practice, their next project will be pieced and quilted.  They'll be working on this cute beach bag, which can be found in the spring issue of Fresh Quilts.  Isn't it cute?

If you love the project and would like to join us, the spring issue is out now.  You can pick it up at your local quilting/sewing shop, Wal-Mart, CVS, Barnes & Noble, and many other places.  We may even give one away as swag, so keep watching our Facebook page!

And please, feel free to keep us posted on how you're doing with your New Year's resolutions.  We love hearing about them!