Winner, winner, lobster dinner!

We have a winner! Congrats to la gatta che ricama! You are the winner of a free Seafood Platter pattern. Enjoy! Thanks to all who participated!

New Pattern and a Giveaway!

Here at Gulf Coast Cottage, we have been cooking up some softie seafood! To celebrate our newest pattern- we are giving one free Seafood Platter PDF pattern to a lucky winner. For details about the pattern, click HERE.

To enter: (Leave a separate comment for each chance to win)

1. Leave a comment naming a favorite toy from YOUR childhood. Don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner.

2. For a second chance to win, "like" us on facebook. If you already do- be sure to let us know. Let us know in a separate comment.

3. For a third entry- tweet this giveaway & post the link to your tweet. Leave a separate comment.



Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and don't forget to leave your email.

Giveaway closes at 11:59 pm EST February 6, 2011. A winner will be chosen randomly and notified by email. Winner will be announced February 7, 2011. Giveaway open to US residents only.

We have a winner!

The winner for our 10 pattern bundle is magpienight! Congratulations!! Thanks to everyone who participated! I had so much fun with this giveaway, I hope to have more in the future. Stay tuned.

New Year Giveaway!

The holidays are over, and I have a feeling there are plenty of play kitchens that need stocking! Perhaps the play workbench is in need of some tools? We are giving one reader a big ol' 10 pattern bundle of PDF patterns (winners choice)!

To enter: (Leave a separate comment for each chance to win)

1. Go to my Etsy shop and find your favorite pattern. Leave one comment here- letting me know which is your favorite. Don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner.

2. For a second chance to win, "like" us on facebook. If you already do- be sure to let us know. Let us know in a separate comment.

3. For a third entry- tweet this giveaway & post the link to your tweet. Leave a separate comment.


Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and don't forget to leave your email.


Giveaway closes at 11:59 pm EST January 11, 2011. A winner will be chosen randomly and notified by email. Winner will be announced January 12, 2011. Giveaway open to US residents only.

Whip Stitch Tutorial

This photo tutorial is for the whip stitch, useful in sewing two pieces of felt together. Start by threading your needle, and tying a knot in one end.



1. Put needle through felt, from in between pieces.



2. Next, pull needle all the way through and put needle through both pieces of felt- slightly at a diagonal.



3. Continue this process, always putting your needle through the same side of fabric. Evenly space stitches- for a neater look.



4. When ready to tie off with a knot- put needle through last stitch to make a loop.



5. Put needle through loop- and pull gently until a knot forms.



For a blanket stitch tutorial click here.

Blanket Stitch Tutorial

Finally, after many requests I have finished a couple stitch tutorials. Both stitches are great to use when sewing felt pieces together.

Blanket Stitch

The blanket stitch is a popular stitch, used to make a decorative edge. You can change the effect of the end product by changing the length in between stitches, and the depth of the stitch.

Here is a video tutorial for a blanket stitch- a picture tutorial follows.



Step by step photo tutorial:



1. Thread a needle with embroidery floss. Tie a knot in one end. Put needle through felt (from in between layers).



2. Put needle through both layers of felt, about 1/4" away from your first stitch.



3. Pull thread until you have a small loop left.



4. Put needle through loop, from behind.



5. Pull thread until your stitch is snug. Don't pull too hard, or your fabric will bunch.



6. Put needle through both layers again, the same distance (1/4") apart.



7. Put needle through loop from behind. Continue this process until you are finished.

For a corner- the stitch needs to be pulled, so the floss lays at a diagonal as shown:





When finished, tie a knot to one of the last stitches, and put needle in between layers of felt- clip excess floss.





For a whip stitch tutorial, click here.

Easter Pattern!

Here comes the Easter Bunny! Look what he has in his fun felt Easter basket! A tall sweet dark chocolate bunny, a cute little milk chocolate bunny, jelly bean sugar cookies, decorated egg shaped sugar cookies - and you can't forget the colorful marshmallow bunnies! Tuck it all inside the woven Easter basket- and play away!