What's Your Favourite Tipple?

The bundles section on the website had started to get a little sorry looking. But sorry looking it is no longer!

I have added 13 new tonal cocktail bundles. Go and take a look and tell me which is your favourite.

If you head over to this post on Katy's blog right now you could even win your favourite bundle!

Do you like Elephants?

I have had some VERY good elephants just in.  In fact this whole line is super.  I don't normally buy nursery ranges as the designs are usually too twee for me, but this one is a cracker.  Bungle Jungle by Tim and Beck for Moda Fabrics.  Rebecca and Tim are a husband and wife team living in California, and this debut collection for Moda is brilliant... I'm going to put it down to all that sunshine and rollerblading.

The colours are bright and great for girls or boys, and the animals are simple and graphic.  And, did I mention the elephants?!

We have nine prints from the collection, the best nine of course, and you can buy them as a fat quarter bundle here.  I also went crazy and got in some charm packs... brilliant if you want to whip up a quick cot quilt for a gift.

Would you like to win one of these bundles?  Well get yourself over to Ali's blog as she is hosting a giveaway for me... Hurrah!

Simpatico Giveaway

Another giveaway?  I know, I'm going nuts.

This week you can head over to Karen at Blueberry Park and win yourself a full Simpatico bundle from Cloud 9 Fabrics.

All you have to do is comment on her blog post, and you can get extra entries for following this blog and signing up to the Backstitch newsletter (which you want to do anyway, right?)

Go, go, go!

Lucky Rainbow - Win a bundle!

Just a quick one to say that we have a new bundle called the 'Lucky Rainbow'.  I know, a sickly sweet name, but an AWESOME bundle of fabric.

Ten prints spanning the spectrum to create a rainbow of goodness.  Each bundle is unique and so is a fantastic surprise... AND...

You can win one right now over on Katy's blog.

Quick, go enter!!

Win a Hurricane Bundle!

Hurricane Berry

Have you had your eye on one of our tonal Hurricane bundles?  Then get yourself over to Lily's Quilts where she is running a giveaway to win one... Christmas might just come early!

A competition! Win patterns from the shop!

We're running a competition along with The Sewing Directory.  We are providing two winners with a pattern of their choice from the shop.  All you have to do is choose a pattern, go to The Sewing Directory, fill out the form, and cross your fingers!

Good luck!

Christmas book wishlist and a giveaway

Who still hasn't finished their Christmas shopping?  Well, I certainly haven't... and I'm not panicking quite yet.

I have three new book reviews on the site which would all make great gifts for a crafter. Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts, The Bag Making Bible by Lisa Lam, and Nancy's Favorite 101 Notions by Nancy Zieman.

The lovely people over at Charles and David have also given Backstitch customers an additional discount on these books in their shop, making it possible for you to purchase these books at better than half price with free P&P... can't say fairer than that!  The links and discount codes are at the bottom of each review in our articles section.

And, how would you like to win a copy of The Bag Making Bible and Nancy's Favorite 101 Notions?

How do I win a copy of these books?

There are two ways to enter the competition:
1. Follow Backstitch on Facebook
2. Leave a comment on this post telling us which of our bundles you would most like to recieve under the tree this year, and what you would make with it.
You can enter two times into the draw. One entry via each method. Once the competition closes, at 12:00 GMT on Sunday 19 December 2010, we will pick one entry at random from all valid entries.


Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
1. Entry to the competition is restricted to two entries per person please.
2. You must be a follower on Facebook to enter via that medium.
3. Prizes can only be sent to a valid UK address.
4. Winners will be chosen at random from all valid entries.
5. Winners will be contacted via blog/ Facebook names displayed on our website.
6. The Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to.
7. The competition will run from 12 December 2010 11:00 GMT until 19 December 2010 12:00 GMT.
8. Backstitch is compliant with the data protection act. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent.

We have 3 winners!

Thank you all for entering the giveaway.  We had a great response and I particularly enjoyed learning about your favourite fabrics... in hindsight it was a bit of a mean question asking for just one favourite!

We have three winners picked by random: @magpiemeadow and @honki25 from Twitter and craftyjemima from on the blog.

Could you guys contact me here with your postal addresses please, and I will mail out your books.

Fast Fabric Gifts: Review and Giveaway

The latest book that I have reviewed from publishers David & Charles is 'Fast Fabric Gifts' by Sally Southern, and again I am giving you the chance to win my copy.  This book has a number of cute projects that encourage trying new and varied embellishment techniques.  You can read the full review in the articles section of the website.

From the book I made the ‘Pretty pencil case’, a zip-up case with an appliqué bird using Amy Butlers Wild Flowers in Navy. I found the appliqué and embellishing really very enjoyable. The book encouraged me to try something a little different to what I would have done without instruction, and for me this was a pleasant surprise. I’m really pleased with the end product and use it in my handbag.

How do I win a copy of the book?
There are two ways to enter the competition:

1.  Follow Backstitch on Twitter, and tweet the following text: 'Do you sew? @backstitchshop is giving away craft book 'Fast Fabric Gifts' over here http://tinyurl.com/sew-fff RT and follow to win'

2.  Leave a comment on this post telling us what the last fabric gift you made was.

You can enter two times into the draw.  One entry via each method.  Once the competition closes, at 12:00 BST on Mon 12 July 2010, we will pick one entry at random from all valid entries.

And, if you don't win a copy of this book you have the chance to purchase it at a reduced price: David & Charles are offering Backstitch customers the chance to purchase the book at the special price of £6.99 (rrp £14.99) with free p&p (UK only), click here and quote code R11235 at the checkout.

Related Products
Amy Butler Wild Flowers
Klona Cotton Purple

Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
1. Entry to the competition is restricted to two entries per person please.
2. You must be a follower on Twitter to enter via that medium.
3. Prizes can only be sent to a valid UK address.
4. Winners will be chosen at random from all valid entries.
5. Winners will be contacted via blog/ Twitter names displayed on our website.
6. The Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to.
7. The competition will run from 05 July 2010 09:00 BST until 12 July 2010 12:00 BST.
8. Backstitch is compliant with the data protection act. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent.

Competition! Win fabric & patterns

Running all this week we have a competition running with The Sewing Directory.

We have donated 2 bundles of fabric and 2 bag patterns as prizes.

In order to enter you need to follow either Backstitch or The Sewing Directory on Facebook, Twitter or our blogs (links below) and then let us know which bundle and bag pattern you would like to win.

We will be picking 1 lucky winner from people who reply on The Sewing Directory's Facebook, Twitter or Blog, plus 1 lucky winner from those who reply on the Backstitch Facebook, Twitter or blog. Each of those winners will get the bundle and bag pattern of their choice.

If you want more chance of winning then you can enter on both of ours, getting a maximum of 6 entries if you enter on all 3 methods for both companies.

How will winners be chosen?

All replies to Backstitch will be put into a spreadsheet; all replies to The Sewing Directory will be put into a separate spreadsheet. A random number generator will choose one lucky winner from each spreadsheet.

Terms and Conditions

Friends and family of The Sewing Directory and Backstitch are excluded. There will be a maximum of 6 entries per person. Only one prize per person, if someone happens to win both draws another winner will be drawn. You must be a follower in order to enter. Prizes will only be posted within the UK. All entries must be received by 6pm on Tuesday 18th May 2010.