Late for a Date :: Garden Girls Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway!

9.28.2016

 late for a date
We recently moved to central Florida, a place full of beauty and wonder (and a few scary creatures), far away from our old home in Indiana. I knew right away that I was going to love it here, with all the gorgeous lakes, water birds, and Spanish moss-covered trees. It's a little bit alien to me, but fascinating just the same. So it seemed appropriate, and timed perfectly, that my friends at Blend Fabrics asked me to make an Alice in Wonderland doll for Market this fall.

With. This. Fabric. *heart eyes emoji* *brain melts*

 Late for a Date fabric from Wonderland by Blend Fabrics
When I laid eyes on the Late for a Date print (by the mad-talented Josephine Kimberling) I immediately knew I would be designing a doll with some new features.

She required blonde yarn hair...

 Retro Mama | Alice doll
...a puff sleeved dress...

 late for a date dress
...and of course, a white, ruffle-sleeved pinafore apron.

 Retro Mama | Alice doll pinafore

 Retro Mama | Alice Doll

 Retro Mama | Alice doll detail
This darling blue card suits print was perfect for her hair bow and apron trim.

 Retro Mama | Alice doll
It's been a long while since I've been able to devote time to designing patterns, but this project was the perfect mix of challenging and just "playing in my sewing room". I'm really looking forward to writing up these patterns to share with you!

Tea, anyone?

 Retro Mama | tea time
 photo retro flowers
Now for the giveaway portion of this post...

I also got the chance to play with some fabrics by Cori Dantini. Cori's art is so delicate and dreamlike--it's simply gorgeous.

And...

I happen to have a fat quarter bundle of her new fabric line, Garden Girls, to give away (details below)!

 Retro Mama | Garden Girls tomato pincushions
I whipped up some tomato pincushions with these gardeny prints. I love projects that require me to dig into my vintage button stash.

 Retro Mama | Garden Girls tomato pincushions

 Retro Mama | Garden Girls tomato pincushions

 Retro Mama | Garden Girls tomato pincushions

 Retro Mama | Garden Girls tomato pincushions

 Retro Mama | Garden Girls tomato pincushions
Courtesy of Blend Fabrics, I will be giving away a FQ bundle of five Garden Girls prints, and I'll be adding in some vintage buttons and a pincushion to boot.

For a chance to win, leave a comment below telling me about your sewing plans for this fall. It's still super warm here in the south so I'm not quite ready for hot cider and s'mores (who am I kidding, I'm always ready for s'mores!), but I'd love to hear about your cozy autumn projects!

Entries are open until midnight on Wednesday, October 5th, 2016 and the winner will be announced soon after. The giveaway is over, thank you!

Good luck!
Kim

71 comments:

  1. Love the fabric and those pincushions! May have to add them to my fall sewing list. Today I'm finishing coasters that I embroidered.

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  2. Love your pincushions I am making little gifts for the women in my family these would be so cute for my one fellow sewer, also would make darling pot holder sets

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  3. I love your blog. I'm recently retired and getting back into sewing. I have been making knitting projects bags, book nook pillows and pincushions. I would love to win your give-a-way.

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  4. Those pin cushions are just beautiful. I have two Fall quilts cut out and ready to take with me to a Quilt Retreat in October at The Linck Hill Inn in Morris, PA

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  5. Oh, Kim, I love everything you do! Those pincushions are the sweetest! I'm trying to catch up on quilting - and get some Christmas sewing done.... XO

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  6. EEEP! Such a cutie and those pin cushions, *drool*! Simply love this fabric. Aaah Fall sewing, working on hand piecing a clamshell quilt which will take me through the winter season, and a maple leaf table topper.

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  7. On my Fall list is a set of placemats. They are traditional blocks in Fall colors. I need to get them done since I've had the fabric and pattern for a couple years. Thank you! peterstankovich@comcast.net

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  8. Love your Alice, so sweet! This Fall I want to sew a 60 degree Triangle quilt for my sister :-) Thanks for this giveaway.

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  9. I am currently making 7 Christmas stockings for my grandchildren! Love these fabrics and you pincushion!
    satterfieldfamily@sbcglobal.net

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  10. I'm furiously working on making DPN holders for knitters! They are popular right now. Thanks for the chance to win these goodies! Lee_gifford@hotmail.com

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  11. I purchased a rug loom a few months ago and have been waiting for cooler weather to put it together and try it out

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  12. Do you have a pattern or instructions for the pincushions?

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  13. Current working on the usual list of eleventy-billion things, but I have to finish the big-girl bed quilt for my sweet Tiny Wonder and have two other quilts in the works that I would love to finish up as well. Maybe some s'mores would help? 😘

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  14. I make Haloween costumes for my grands every year and this year there is four! That should keep me busy for a while.

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  15. I ❤️ Your pin cushions! Dolly too! Would love to win thank you for the opportunity. I'm working on some Christmas tree quilts, baby bibs and aprons!!!! I need more hours for sewing!!!!😃

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  16. I'm intent on making a lot of placemats for Meals on Wheels. They deliver them in December to clients.

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  17. So cute! Thanks for the give away. My very first autumn project is sorting and tidying my fabric stash, after going on a personal fabric/quilting show crawl with my daughters. Then I'll start sewing the t-shirt memory quilts I planned and designed this past summer.

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  18. Love to collect pin cushions...have also knitted a lot of different ones.

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  19. I just finished a pumpkin pillow and bought more orange prints to make more. I do collect pincushions and love the ones you made. The fabrics are perfect for these pincushions. Thank you for a chance to win all the lovely things.

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  20. My fall sewing plans include flannel pjs for the whole family. Looking forward to cold Minnesota nights (and days)!

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  21. It's still super hot in Southern California too. I'd be so happy if it would just cool off to the 70s or low 80s. I have some Halloween projects lined up and am hoping to find the time to make some easy quilts for Christmas. If I don't find the time, then everyone in the family gets a mug rug! The fabrics are darling as are those pin cushions!

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  22. The pin cushions are adorable!!! My sewing plans this fall (after cleaning up my sewing room....right!) are to finally get rid of the scraps into some form of organization (double right there eh!) and a to FINISH a couple of quilts that have been hanging about for far toooooo looooooong!!! LOL

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  23. Well top on my list is this adorable pincushion because you can never have enough and then I need to get busy sewing for a rendezvous we participate in.

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  24. My sewing plans are to make some Christmas gifts for the grand kids and to make a new Christmas tree skirt. Love that pincushion - is that a pattern of yours that you sell?? I must make one of these!

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  25. My work schedule is insane right now so I am working on runners and mats, in warm autumn colors

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  26. I've been sewing like mad on clothes for my two littlest. They've outgrown everything!

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  27. The weather is really mid in Midwest, I can tell is fall but still pretty warm for long sleeves . I am about pull fall color fabrics for my next quilt, still can't make clear decision about pattern, thou .. either granny square pattern or maple leaves pattern quilt to make :) Thank you for the chance, Kim

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  28. Love the sweet doll and the pincushions in that fabric are a delight! I am in AR and it is cooling off a bit so once all my outdoor work is done (in the South I can only do outside work in the Spring and the Fall) I am planning on sewing for Christmas gifts....aprons for kids, pjs, some tunics for me and pillow cases and Sew Much More~! Thank you for the drawing!

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  29. These fabrics are me to a T! And the vintage-y pincushion? It calls out my name. This Fall I am completing a beautiful baby quilt using fabrics from the GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU book. Also reviving some long neglected UFOs. I should have some fabulous flannel fully quilted in time for the winter winds...

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  30. How nice a chance to win some beautiful fabric.I am hoping to get back to some long over do ufo's this fall.

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  31. I've got a whole lot of smaller projects I'm working on as Christmas gifts. This fabric would come in very handy right about now!

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  32. Just purchased some new fabrics to sew purses this fall. My sewing room is in the attic, so I don't get much sewing done in the summertime 'cause it's too hot. Fall sewing, here I come!

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  33. Sewing 3 gingerbread themed dresses and finishing Christmas quilts!

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  34. My fall projects include finishing a Christmas table runner and a lap quilt, maybe a couple of market bags. In between I may do a little crocheting!

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  35. Cute as s button pin cushions! It is Spring here in Australia so I am enjoying some sunshine - and a HUGE sewing Wishlist!! Fresh quilt, a few secret sewing projects and finishing up some bee block quilts. Plenty to keep me away from the dreaded weeding!

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  36. My fall projects include finishing numerous pillowcase dresses for girls in undeveloped countries as well as finish my donation quilt to be auctioned off for our granddaughter's Christian school fundraiser.

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  37. Love your projects, especailly those pin cushions, sew cute! Im stitching up wip's and then onto Halloween Decorations! Thank You for the chance to win!

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  38. I just drank some apple cider and it's not cool here either...89 for the past three days her in So. Utah. I've been dreaming of making a Pumpkin Seed quilt.

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  39. The weather definitely has a chill to it here in the Midwest! I am tempted to turn on the furnace, but I won't, I won't, I won't!!! This fall, I plan to start a throw-sized quilt for my son to give as a Christmas gift. I've collected blacks, golds, blues and need some red fabrics. I'm having a hard time finding reds that are "manly". Love the fabric bundle you're giving away!

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  40. Alice is adorable! Love all her details. The dress and apron you made for her are perfect. This fall, I am ambitious. I am making a felt advent calendar and may attempt the basic dress from Liesl Gibson's new book, The Building Block Dress. I have never made a dress before, but my little girl loves dresses and I am determined to learn. Wish me luck!

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  41. These are the cutest pin cushions I've seen Ina while. I love love the fabric combos!!! My daughter got married recently and I was blessed with 2 grandsons from a previous marriage. I'm going to make them each a quilt to wrap them in love. They are still 3 & 4 so they are still young enough that they can have them for a very long time. They love Ms Ham😂😂 don't know why they call me hat. Thanks for the chance to win!!!

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  42. what a lovelydoll ypu have designed and made, the pin cushions too look great. So many plans of what I want to stitch but I must try and get some of my flimsies quilted this autumn, problem is layering them up not enough floor space!

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  43. It will be great to win...
    I plan to sew some fall pillows for my living room and many pouches, bags, tinies... and so on... :-)

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  44. Your new doll and the pincuschions are adorable! And the fabric from Cori Dantini is really beautiful, thanks for the chance of winning this giveaway! I am planning to finish a quilt for my daughter, than I would like to make a bed runner and coordinated cuscions'covers for my bed.

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  45. Hello Kim! I love your pretty pincushions and your sweet doll! The Garden Girls fabric would be so adorable for the little kitten dolls I am intending to make. Thank you so much - this would be really wonderful to win!!! Blessings to you xxx

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  46. The falls plans are to design and create a quit with my daughter. I just love your pin cushions!

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  47. My upcoming project is to sew a cute little bear for our newborn nephew and a couple of baby towels to match with the softie bear!!! I think it will be a wonderful surprise (gift) for the baby shower party next month...

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  48. I might sew some halloween costumes... we'll see.

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  49. What beautiful fabric and pin cushions! I'm currently sewing a maple leaf mini quilt for fall.

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  50. Those pincushions are amazing! I love them! The doll is lovely too. :)
    I have a lot of fall sewing I need to get to. Mostly clothes for my kids... I have the fabric stashed, I need to get on it!!
    Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  51. Wow - I love your projects - the pincushions are wonderful! I am working on a couple of quilts for my nieces for the holidays - and a pumpkin table runner!

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  52. An art quilt for and exhibit in January. Theme: Trees.

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  53. What lovely things you make! My plans are to start a quilt for my fiveyear old grandson and one for a collegue who will start to enjoy some well earned pension at the end of this year. Ans hopefully I get to finish a longterm project: the actual quilting of a memoryquilt for my youngest daughter, it's only about nine years overdue!

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  54. Your pin cushions are sooo cute! I, currently am making some pumpkin pillows, Halloween placemats, and a surprise quilt for my son (he'll be graduating from a lineman college) so, my lovely daughter-in-law and I are doing this together from several states away. Thanks for the chance to win some lovely fabrics!

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  55. This fall I'm working on 2 quilt. One for my nephew Jonah and one for myself. Jonah's quilt is hand pieced and quilted. My quilt is paper pieced.

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  57. I'm working on my daughters' Halloween costumes (Toothless & Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon), a taggies blanket and receiving blanket for friends who recently had their first baby & a couple fall table toppers. As well as my very first quilt for my husband. So many projects so little time!!

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  58. Estou um pouco em modo Tilda, pois estou a fazer um quilt para a cama da minha filha com tecidos Tilda e uma boneca com roupa e acessórios do seu ultimo livro!!!

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  59. Thank you for the giveaway. I love sewing on quilts in the cooler months.

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  60. That doll!! My daughter dressed as Alice once upon a time for Halloween. Your pincushions are adorbs!! I'm trying to work on Christmas pillows for my family and friends.

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  61. Sewing plans for fall are limited . . . baby girl is due any day! I'm hoping to finish a few Christmas ornaments though.

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  62. Fall is my favorite season, and it's now very cool...33 degrees! I have a St. Louis 16 patch on my design wall to stitch together and quilt, plus a top recently completed for a granddaughter that also needs finished. Your blog is my new favorite, can't believe I'm just now finding you! Love the pincushions, especially! Thanks for the chance to win that gorgeous fabric!

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  63. I really love your projects. You have such a creative brain! :)
    I will be sewing some Christmas gifts, a wedding gift, and quite possible sewing my first real quilt! Wish me luck! :)

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  64. love these fabrics and the pin cushions are adorable! I am working on finishing up some wonderful quilts and am itching to do a scrappy Irish chain in fall color fabrics

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  65. pattern for the pincushion? linda gerig

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  66. The pincushions with the uttons are an inspiration for me to begin my re-entry into sewing! After a hectic career for 30+ years, I'm retiring this fall and am looking forward to baking apple crisp dishes, hunting for different colored gourds, and getting that sewing machine humming...all of which I have neglected! It's back to the basics!

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    1. Congratulations on your retirement, Linda! I hope your days are filled with lots of sewing and autumn-y adventures! xo

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  67. Those pincushions!!!!!!! Love it! My next project is a quilt out of Cori Dantini fall fabrics.

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  68. Love 5hose pincushions,great fabric choices.!
    At the mom?ent my project is making teddy beats,dogs and cats for hospice and homeless.it's been fun.

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