As many of you know, the fair is our most favorite time of the year. So, we are extra excited about today. We get to relive the fair again the moda blog hop way!
FAIR PROJECTS
We are a 4-H family and have many fond memories of the fair. First off the projects! We would spend countless hours completing our projects usually the night before they were due! Yes procrastinators we were (and still are!)
They were just lovely little outfits that we created ( I am sure my daughter is just waiting for me to ask her if she wants to borrow them! ha ha)
Pleated pants (not only in the front but the back too) and tapered !
Polyester dresses!
This one is the one my sister was most proud of! I can still remember her smile from ear to ear after she had completed all of the pleats on the front of her teal wool dress.
A few months ago we did an entire blog related to out past very fashionable 4-H projects. If you want a good laugh, you can check it out here.
We were enrolled in sewing, foods, and did a few knitting projects but our love was in the livestock barn. Our love of the livestock is still growing strong and has been handed down to our kids. My daughter Jordan is the only one old enough to show but the others are anxiously waiting.
Now when Moda announced that they were having a blog hop centered around the county fair we were excited. They said we were to come up with a project county fair-ish. My sister and I automatically start thinking livestock. What kind of project could we come up that would be useful at the fair? I got it
Sheep Blankets -
NO! They said. How about goat blankets???????
NO! to that one as well. What should we do??????? How about a kitchen towel everyone needs a kitchen towel.
I agree this is much better than the sheep or goat blanket pattern.
Here were are at quilt market talking about our project for the blog hop
The pattern for the towel will be shown at the end of this post. If you are wanting to make a kitchen towel like the one shown we will have kits available on our etsy site.
OUR FAVORITE FAIR FOOD
A fair isn't a fair without food, right??? When we were growing up, I remember the full course meals that we used to eat at the fair. We didn't buy them at the concession stand either. My mom would work her little tail off cooking us up fried chicken, cabbage pockets, pie, all sorts of homeade goodness. After we were done showing our livestock for the day we would all gather around and enjoy the feast! Only to do it all again the next day. Boy have times changed. Sorry kiddos, it is chilli fritos and pork burgers at the concession stand for you! But we do all love them! Who wouldn't like this -
And then comes our other favorite food at the fair -
Pork Burgers served every year at the pig show. I should have planned a little better and would have had a photo of them!
OUR GUILTY PLEASURE
Karla - said chocolate!!!!!
Lisa - The Bachelor
i think she has a secret crush on Brad Womack (Just Teasing!)
Susan - Potatoes!!!!!
What's On Our Bucket List
Karla - To travel to Martha's Vineyard
Lisa - To own a house like this
Susan - To help my kids to win the pig show at (the lamb, goat, or steer show would be fine too!)
What inspires your work?
We all 3 agree on this one - shopping!!!!
NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF
Do you want to win some pre-cuts of Hometown? Thanks to Moda!!!!
Leave us a comment about your favorite thing about the fair either the moda blog hop fair or your local fair. We will randomly select 3 winners. You have until October 3rd!
RUFFLE KITCHEN TOWEL PATTERN
Finished Size: 16 1/2" x 20 1/2"
What You Need:
Canvas Twill - 18" x 22"
Ruffle - 3 Prints 2 1/2" x 36" each
3/8" wide cotton twill tape - 1 1/2 yard
1. Cut Canvas Twill fabric 18" x 22"
Ruffles - 2 1/2" x 36"
2. On one long side of each ruffle turn under 1/4" and press.
3. Turn again 1/4" and press.
4. Machine topstitch the hem in place.
5. On the other long side sew a gathering stitch close to the raw edge.
(set your stitch length to the longest stitch)
6. Sew another gathering stitch close to the first row of stitches.
7. Pull up the threads to gather the raw edge.
8. Your ruffle will need to measure 18" across.
Ruffle Placement
9. Pin the bottom hemmed edge of the bottom ruffle to the towel positioned 1" from the raw edge of the towel.
10. Place the twill tape over the raw edges of the ruffle and topstitch close to each side of the twill tape. The raw edges of the ruffle will be under the twill tape and will not show.
11. Position the hemmed edge of the middle ruffle 1" from the bottom ruffle.
12. Sew the twill tape over the raw edges of the ruffle.
13. Position the hemmed edge of the top ruffle 1" from the middle ruffle.
14. Sew the twill tape over the raw edge of the ruffle.
Side&Bottom Hems
15. Turn under the sides and bottom edges of the towel 1/4" and press.
16. Turn under again and press.
17. Miter the corners.
18. Topstitch close to the turned under edges.
Don't forget to visit Kaari Meng with French General tomorrow for the next edition of the blog hop! And if you havn't already done so visit Kate Spain. You have to check out her pumpkin picture and her project is adorable!!!
P.S. We have a limited supply of the fabric kits to make the ruffle kitchen towel on our etsy site.
My favorite part of the fair is the excitement in the atmosphere. The lights the smells and the craft section hoping to be inspired with a new project or idea.
Posted by: Sybil Ryan | Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 09:26 AM
I love your kitchen towel idea. Where can I find the grey and white polka dot fabric that is canvas twill??? Love that pattern and can't seem to find it. Thanks for your help!
Posted by: Heidi | Friday, December 09, 2011 at 08:37 PM
Really cute towels!!
Posted by: Storyteller Mary | Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 10:56 AM
My favorite part of the fair is the sounds of people screaming in excitement and the rides all humming along and the smell of corn dogs and mini donuts!
Love this fabric line!
Posted by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 09, 2011 at 05:08 PM
4H, country fairs, fabric, pulled pork. I think I fell down Alice's Wonderland hole! I wish we were neighbours :) I want your fabric shop! Love your blog, it's after my own heart.
Posted by: Connie | Sunday, November 06, 2011 at 05:34 AM
I just found your blog and love it! My favorite fair foods are funnel cake! I also love the pure pleasure on my childrens faces when we ride the rides and eat "junk" food and people watch while eating ice cream! So many fun memories!!! ;)
Posted by: Jessica Noble | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 08:51 PM
I think the most fun things to see are the homemade items: clothing, quilts, needlework, home canned items, home baked items that have all been judged.
Posted by: mimisue | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 07:25 PM
I love this Moda blog hop and that its based on county fairs! I love the food at county fairs but I also love looking at the home made exhibits, artwork, etc.
Thanks for sharing your towel pattern- too cute!
Posted by: Sara M | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 05:19 PM
I love this Moda blog hop and that its based on county fairs! I love the food at county fairs but I also love looking at the home made exhibits, artwork, etc.
Thanks for sharing you towel pattern- too cute!
Posted by: Sara M | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 05:19 PM
We love to visit all of the animals at the real fair. At the Moda fair, I love looking at blogs I've forgotten about!
liz
Posted by: liz | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 03:34 PM
I love my local fair, and the animals are my favorite. This year I took my 1yr old son for the first time and it was so fun..he learned what a sheep says! Baaaaa!
Posted by: Kelly | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Food and People watching.....
Posted by: Eileen | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 09:56 AM
I have always loved the animals at the fair. The rides never held much interest to me because I have such a weak stomach. Trying all the different foods never bothered it though lol.
Posted by: Robin(RsIslandCrafts) | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 08:26 AM
I love your fabric. The livestock is always my favorite at the fair.
Posted by: Debbie Gallett | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 08:20 AM
My favorite thing about fairs is the food & people watching!
Posted by: Kelly Braund | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 06:43 AM
The best thing about any fair is the children, the excited looks on their faces to hear them laugh & the occassional cry of a lost child too. The smells of the food the noise of the crowds....... there's nothing better!
Posted by: Robyn of 'Robyns Nest' | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 05:26 AM
my favorite thing to eat at the fair is Cotton Candy I an still a child at heart I never get enough cotton candy and there is some on my table right now from last night; thanks.
Posted by: Donna R. Shelby,nc | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 04:33 AM
I love the handcraft fair, specially the quilts. I also like the petting zoo, my lilttle granddaughters love to pet all the animals!
Posted by: Sue | Monday, October 03, 2011 at 03:58 AM
My favorite thing about the Moda fair is the wonderful creativity of the designers. They are so generous with their ideas and make me want to get going on a new project! Thank you all!!!
Posted by: Pat Anderson | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 10:03 PM
i luv the Royal Winter Fair which is is November-the Horse Show and the Superdogs show are amazing and I love the food-FUDGE-YUMMY!!!!
Posted by: roccagal | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 07:55 PM
My favorite thing about the fair is the lights of the midway at night. Even at 40, it is still magical to me!
Posted by: Erin Hutchinson | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 07:32 PM
I haven't been to a fair in years. So I really don't have a favorite thing. But my favorite thing about the moda blog hop fair has been going to all the different blogs & learning new things about everyone.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Kell | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 07:06 PM
I love the people, the homemade food, and of course eating : ) Everything just tastes better at the fair.
Kate in Colorado
Posted by: Kate Linde | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Thank for this pattern and the change to win your fabric, just lovely.
Greetings
Yvonne
Posted by: Yvonne | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 03:04 PM
I love going to the animal barns and seeing the pigs and the cows and the goats and the chickens and the oh so cute baby chicks being born.
Posted by: Liz Tius | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 02:26 PM
I love going to the Fall fairs in our region! I love viewing the quilts, seeing the animals and enjoying the treats of the season! Would love to win--I really do need some more fabric!
Posted by: Barb | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 01:43 PM
I love the feeling of pure FUN at a fair... it is so different from other times :)
Posted by: Katy | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 11:16 AM
When I was a kid - my favourite part of going to the fair was knowing that we could spend the day with all our friends and neighbours. I wish we had a fair where we live now.
Posted by: Louanne | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 08:56 AM
I love the Colorado State Fair. Why? Mainly because it is in Colorado. Colorado is my favorite place in the whole world - every inch of it!! State fairs are state fairs, but Colorado's is the best.
Posted by: Mary Polensky | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 08:16 AM
I love the colors in this fabric line!
Posted by: DeAnn Oliekan | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 07:12 AM
I have never been on country fair. I see it is very fun to be there.
Posted by: Rosa | Sunday, October 02, 2011 at 01:54 AM
My favorite thing at the fair of course is the quilts but I always have to check out the cabbage weight in! This year 126 lbs! Oh and the livestock, I grew up on a farm and love the little piglets!
Posted by: Tammy in Ak | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 11:14 PM
I love looking at the bunnies and the chickens some of them are amazing.
Posted by: Regina | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 10:53 PM
My favorite thing about the fair is visiting the handwork, foods and artwork of everyone who enters. I am going tomorrow to enter my goods and look forward to see all of the exhibits starting Tuesday! The fair is a big event in our town and we take our children at least twice during the week.
Posted by: Michele Hester | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 09:03 PM
I just love the carnival games. A few years a go when my son was 10 he won me a giant stuffed toy. It was Really neat. He is 18 now and rarely sees me now. -Tanya
Posted by: Tanya Smith | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 08:42 PM
I just love the carnival games. A few years a go when my son was 10 he won me a giant stuffed toy. It was Really neat. He is 18 now and rarely sees me now. -Tanya
Posted by: Tanya Smithj | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 08:42 PM
my favorite thing about the fair is the horse rides my boys always love to take!! okay & the funnel cake, too!!
Posted by: Erica | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Dearest sweet sweetwater, it's very first time here on your gorgeous and very inspiring space! The fair sounds like such fun, the food and shops are amazing! We don't have many fairs here locally in malaysia and i wish i stay close to go for this one!
Oh my im loving that gorgeous towel lots and ruffles are my all time favorite! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you!
Posted by: Jacqueline | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 07:57 PM
My favorite fair moments,are the chickens, that's what we raise, the food, and the rodeo.
Posted by: Vanessa | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 07:32 PM
I have really enjoyed the Moda Fair because I got to meet new designers and see their work.
Posted by: quiltcookie | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 07:30 PM
I just love the whole atmosphere of a fair- the people, the food, the animals, the games- just puts you in a place of being young and carefree again! I love your Hometown collection and have all fingers and toes crossed! Thanks! :)
Posted by: Cindy | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 07:18 PM
I haven't been to a fair in years (and we don't really have fairs like this in the UK) but I do love roasted chestnuts from the stalls at Christmas
Posted by: Katy | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 05:50 PM
My fav thing about our local fair is the food, all that yummy goodness.
Posted by: Jo | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 05:34 PM
I enjoy the neighborliness at the fair and all the sights and sounds. Of course looking at the quilts and crafts is lots of fun, too! Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Janet Best | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 04:47 PM
I love the pigs, the quilts, people-watching, and my 2 favorite memories: watching my husband holding our daughter up high so she could see all of the animals, and winning first place for my oatmeal cookies when I was in 4th grade :)
Posted by: Eraina | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 03:28 PM
I think my favorite memories of fairs are the animals (always wanted, but never could have) and the food! Thanks for the giveaways!
Posted by: Kristie Michalowski | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 03:15 PM
My favorite thing about the fair is my son's face! Everything is so excitting! He loves the animals, the crops, the rides all if it and I love spending every minute with him!
Posted by: Jennifer | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 02:24 PM
My favorite thing about the fair is Indian Fry Bread. Oh man I love that fry bread
Posted by: Heather | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 02:15 PM
My favorite thing at our fair is the pies at our church food stand. Home made and wonderful---coconut creme my favorite!
Posted by: Dede | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 01:09 PM
My favorite thing about the fair is watching my daredevil 8-yr-old daughter try the rides. She rides all the scary ones!
Posted by: Sunni @ Love Affair with my Brother | Saturday, October 01, 2011 at 11:35 AM