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TERMS OF USE: All patterns shared on fandominstitches.com are derivative art created by fans and are free for your personal & non-profit use ONLY.  Patterns
 are not to be used for distribution, resale, or manufacture. That means no selling the patterns themselves, PHOTOS, physical projects made using these patterns (including but not limited to: commissions, custom work, no selling on Etsy, Ebay, craft shows, etc), or for-profit classes using these patterns. By downloading/printing these patterns, you agree to these terms. For more info, please visit our FAQ page. 

Monday, October 31, 2011

Science Fiction, Double Feature OR Happy Halloween!

a free 7" paper pieced pattern

Greetings, earthlings.

Today, those of us here at Fandom In Stitches would like to wish you a very Haunted, Horrible Halloween!

Beware of Witches, Ghouls, Goblins and Vampires!


A Happy Jack can lure you in...
100_1383
Jack-O-Lantern, pieced by Marissa, designed by Sonja Callaghan

Are these bats really what they seem to be?
Bats 2014 update

Bats designed by Jennifer Ofenstein


If you see this...then it is probably too late....
fangs
Fangs, pieced by Cat, designed by Jennifer Ofenstein

Unless, by some good fortune, 
you have a wooden steak about your person...
Mr Pointy
Mr. Pointy designed by Lilja Björk Sigurdórsdóttir

Do you have horrible, haunted quilts? We want to see them! Leave us a link in comments or post them to our Flickr Group!




Month 02 - November 2, 2011

Sunday, October 30, 2011

I'm a Super Hero, Mother

Captain America
Captain America free 5" (5 1/2") paper pieced patterns

You may remember that on Friday, Lilja provided us with a Watchmen pattern. 

Not only was it well-received, but it lit a fire in her designer's soul and she has gifted us with FIVE more super-hero patterns in honor of Halloween.

Five patterns. That she designed. And tested. Since Friday.

I said fire, didn't I?

Go on then, save the world.

Green Lantern
The Green Lantern free 5" (5 1/2") paper pieced patterns

fantastic 4
Fantastic Four free 5" (5 1/2") paper pieced patterns


Spiderman
Spiderman free 5" (5 1/2") paper pieced patterns

Avengers
The Avengers free 5" (5 1/2") paper pieced patterns
by Lilja Björk Sigurdórsdóttir

Find our complete collection* 
of Comic Book designs
on the Comics/Games/Tech page!

*We can actually call it a "collection" now, thanks to Lilja!




The first person to guess the origination of the subject line quote will win a free Fandom In Stitches button! Please leave your answer in comments.

Have you made cool fandom stuff from our patterns? Post photos in our Flickr Group and you might see them here on Fandom In Stitches!




Month 02 - November 2, 2011


Friday, October 28, 2011

Just the FAQs, ma'am

You all have had questions, and we have answers. This list is always available from the right sidebar menu under FAQ.

Please note this page is for general site and Block of the Month/Quilt Along questions. Please submit  pattern suggestions here.

General FAQ

IF THE MENU ISN'T WORKING
If you're using an Apple mobile device, some of the menus will appear greyed out. Use a long press on those menu items and they will work for you.

How do I navigate your site?
Here's a handy-dandy guide!


What is Fandom In Stitches (FiS)?
  • Fandom In Stitches is a not-for-profit, fan-run site that provides free quilt patterns based on multiple fandoms. All patterns are designed for fans, by fans, and are free for personal and non-profit use only.
What Does "Fandom" Mean?
  • A "fandom" is a fan-based community with a specific interest such as Doctor Who, Harry Potter, or Pokémon.
Who designs the patterns?
  • All the patterns on Fandom In Stitches are designed by fans. 
  • All designers are volunteers. 
  • You can see a list of many of our participating designers on our Designer Page.
How do you rate Skill Level?
  • 1/5 - Beginner. Very basic piecing. Anyone can make this.
  • 2/5 - Advanced Beginner, slightly more complicated, but still fairly basic.
  • 3/5 - Intermediate. More pieces/units, but not too intricate. 
  • 4/5 - Advanced Intermediate. More experience is required. Lots of pieces/steps.
  • 5/5 - Advanced. Intricate and complex, not intended for beginners.
How can I help?
Who Owns the Website?
  • Fandom In Stitches is owned and edited by Jennifer Ofenstein of Sewhooked
  • The FiS product sales & Ko-Fi Donations pay for our various accounts - domain name, and online storage, as well as the prizes we share for our events.
Can I use Fandom In Stitches patterns to make items to sell on etsy/craft fairs/etc.?
  • While we are fully aware that we can't stop you from selling items made from Fandom In Stitches' patterns, we ask most emphatically that you do not, unless it is for a fundraiser or non-profit (please see next question). As long as no one is profiting (profiting=making money, even if it is just to "break even") from our patterns, our use of fandom images, themes, etc., all of which are copyright, trademarked, or the intellectual property of the originators/authors/etc., we are relatively safe under the broad allowance made under U.S. trademark laws (we have this from a bona fide trademark lawyer!). By not selling items made from FiS patterns, we are in no way competing with or profiting from the fandoms we love. We would absolutely hate to lose our ability to share these patterns with you because someone decided to profit from them. One cease and desist letter would be devastating to our online community and could possibly shut down the entire website. Thank you for understanding and respecting our request to not profit from our patterns.
  • If you need more information, please see this post: Not For Sale
Can I use Fandom In Stitches patterns to make items for non-profits or charities? 
  • You may use Fandom In Stitches patterns to create items for schools, charities, or other non-profit* reasons.
  • *Non-profit implies you are making the patterns absolutely for free and if earning money, it is for legal charitable reasons, ie, for a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It does NOT mean that you are just trying to "break even" on your fabric purchase.
  • When using Fandom in Stitches patterns for this kind of work, please credit fandominstitches.com. Our designers are all volunteers, and this credit is all the pay they receive and it is much appreciated. #fandominstitches or @fandominstitches tags are also appreciated.
What about showing my quilt at a quilt show or fair?
I'm a designer who sells fandom-themed patterns, crafts, or projects. Can I submit and/or advertise here?
  • The short and long answer is always no. To protect our website and our designers, we cannot condone the sale of patterns or unlicensed merch that makes use of copyrighted, trademarked, or the intellectual property of others.
  • If you need more information, please see this post: Not For Sale
Can I reproduce your patterns to hand out to my bee/guild/sewing group?
  • As long as you are not selling Fandom In Stitches patterns, you are free to print and share. We do like it if you ask first and we ask that you ALWAYS give credit to the website and designer. Contact us by email - admin@fandominstitches.com.
Can I repost your patterns on my website/blog?
  • Unless you are the designer of the pattern, we ask that you not repost actual patterns, but share links to the original file, page, or post instead.
  • If you'd like to share photos please contact the photo's owner. If you can't find that information, you can contact admin@fandominstitches.com and we'll do what we can to help.
Why are so many of the patterns paper pieced? Do you allow any other style?
  • While this is not quite as true as it used to be, it's still a valid question. Fandom In Stitches grew from a group of designers that met on a Livejournal group called Harry Potter Paper Piecing.
  • We welcome any quilting style and have a growing collection of hand embroidery, pixel, and applique patterns. 
  • Due to legal reasons, we don't accept or share machine embroidery.  Because machine embroidery files can be easily reproduced, it's a legal grey area. The legal advice we've received indicates it's best to avoid sharing digital designs.
  • Read more about being an FiS Designer.
I'm new to quilting/paper piecing/applique, etc. Where do I start?
There's a pattern I really, really want but you don't have it and I can't find it anywhere else.
  • Make a suggestion using our Suggestion FormPlease note that all designers are volunteers and the patterns they choose to design as well as the technique are at their discretion. Not all requests are fulfilled, but we do our best. 
I love social media! Where else can I find/follow Fandom In Stitches?
  • Facebook (like us!)
  • Facebook Group (hang out with other FiSers)
  • Facebook Group for Designers & Pattern Testers (for those interested in testing patterns for our Designers) (this group is now invite-only - please email admin@fandominstitches.com)
  • Instagram (@fandominstitches #fandominstitches)
How do I win a prize and how are prizes awarded?
  • As of this writing, prizes are given away in a random participation drawings in our Facebook groups. Prizes are generally gifted from our Zazzle store or from the designer who created the event.
  • Unless otherwise stated, participation prizes are awarded by random drawing using Random.org
  • No purchase is ever necessary to win anything on FiS and we have no sponsors other than ourselves.
I have a question not listed...
Block of the Month, Block of the Week, Stitch-Along FAQ
This applies to events hosted here on Fandom in Stitches.

BOM=Block of the Month (Pattern Posted Monthly)
SAL=Stitch Along (embroidery patterns)
QAL=Quilt Along (quilt patterns)

I've never participated in a Block of the Month, Stitch Along, or Quilt Along, can you explain how it works?
  • A Block of the Month (BOM) on FiS will include a new pattern on a designated day every month that is part of a theme and works toward a full set of blocks to create an entire quilt.
  • A Stitch Along (SAL) on FiS works the same as a BOM, but the pattern is hand embroidered instead of strictly machine stitched.
  • A Quilt Along (QAL) is a general term we use for most of our events with the idea that participants quilt along with each other.
I want to participate, but I don't have time. Can I save/print/come back later?
  • Absolutely. You can start any of our events whenever it works best for you.
Are Quilt Along files available in a single download?
  • Large or ongoing projects are available as they were originally posted, that is to say, one pattern per month or week. You will need to print each pattern individually.
The blocks in a Quilt Along are too big/too small for my taste. Can I decrease/increase the pattern?
  • You are welcome to change the pattern size to a scale that works better for you, but please keep in mind that the BOM is designed with an overall quilt in mind, and changing the size of your block will require you to change the final layout.
  • We also do not encourage reducing patterns that are a 4 or 5 in skill level as they can become too complicated to make.
  • Tutorial to Enlarge & Reduce Patterns
My blocks are coming out the wrong size, what do I do?
  • To prevent patterns printing at the wrong size, always check to make sure your documents are set to "no scaling," "no resizing," or that you do not choose "fit to page."
  • If possible, square up your block after all the individual units are in place. It's not uncommon for patterns to print slightly off due to differences in printers, software, paper, etc.
  • We recommend that you wait until you have all your blocks and are ready to proceed with the layout until you make any changes. You may be able to correct your block size at this point by making adjustments to individual blocks, like adding additional background fabric.
I'm stuck, lost, or frustrated, what do I do?
Where can I go to talk about my project?
  • We have several Facebook Groups for our various quilt alongs. You can find those links in the respective QAL posts. Join our Fandom In Stitches Facebook Group to ask for help with any project. If there is an active group or quilt along, we will point you in the right direction. You're also welcome to tag us on social media - @fandominstitches or #fandominstitches.
I think I'd like to host an event on fandominstitches.com, what now?
  • Everything you need to know to share a Quilt Along with the fandominstitches.com community is here.
Where can I find past events?
  • We have had MANY past events. To find them, scroll down on any page here on Fandom in Stitches, looking at the right-side menu for "Projects Past." Past events are also saved in their relevant pattern archive (for example, The Office Quilt Along can be found under TV, Movies, Comedy, Podcasts, & People: The Office).
Why is your website so low-tech?
  • Fandom in Stitches was created in 2011 as a fun fandom project by Jennifer Ofenstein. It's hosted on Blogger and as of this writing has hundreds, if not thousands, of patterns created by dozens of passionate fans. All of our pages are handwritten and hand-edited. The website has grown so much that to try to move every pattern, image, etc, would be an unbelievably daunting task for something we share entirely for free and do in our free time.
What have we missed? What do YOU need to know? Let us know in comments!

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Watchmen logo
free 5" (5 1/2") paper pieced patterns

On Friday night, a comedian died in New York. 
Somebody knows why. Out there, somebody knows.

Lilja has been inspired by our Request List! Following Clumsy Smurf, posted earlier in the week, she brings us the Watchmen Logo.

Watchmen on Wikipedia.


Bat symbol
Bat Symbol, pieced by Shae, designed by Jennifer Ofenstein

X-Men paper pieced block
X-Men Symbol designed by Jennifer Ofenstein

More awesome patterns on Comics/Games/Tech!


Fandom In Stitches is looking for designers to help with our Request List. If you'd like to be part of the awesome fandomy goodness, you can read about being an FiS Designer right here. Please note: all quilt techniques are welcome; appliqué, traditional, embroidery, etc.

Have you made cool fandom stuff from our patterns? Post photos in our Flickr Group and you might see them here on Fandom In Stitches!








Month 02 - November 2, 2011


Thursday, October 27, 2011

What a lot of things you do use 'Good morning' for!

Month 2 - November 2, 2011

Gandalf
by LynetteCC

As we count down to month 02 of There and Back Again, Gandalf continues to appear in the Fandom In Stitches flickr group.
What can we say to that? We are honored that you would consider joining out little party!

Gandalf has visited Bilbo at Bag End and been invited to tea. On Wednesday, November 2, look for the Month 2 pattern to continue our story!


Gandalf-- my very first block!
by Dreamflower02

CIMG0186_2099
by walgal06

007
by midge817

006
by midge817


Did you know that we also have Lord of the Rings patterns?
Eye and Staff
"Eye and Staff" by kiteflyer532


Do you want to play along? It's never too late to start! 

There And Back Again
Block of the Month



You can join us on our adventure by posting your photo of each month's block to the Fandom In Stitches flickr group. The first Tuesday of each month, a winner will be chosen at random from those participants that contributed photos. That winner will receive the prize donated by our awesome monthly sponsors!



This months's sponsor is, foxwise. Our October winner will receive this gorgeous hand-stamped bracelet, created just for There and Back Again!







Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Dumbledore!

Potter Puppet Pals - Dumbledore!
5" (5 1/2") free paper pieced pattern
designed by Jennifer Ofenstein

Potter Puppet Pals was a little side project that I started during The Project of Doom. We all took a week off, as a group, both as a breather and to give those that needed it extra time to sew. I couldn't not post something on Harry Potter Paper Piecing that week. As I visited my list of HP ideas, Potter Puppet Pals jumped out at me. I drafted Harry first, and then of course, I had to draft them all!

Paper Pieced Potter Puppet Pals. Say that five times fast!

Please enjoy our fandom homage to one of Harry Potter fandom's greatest icons. We are, after all, fans of fandom!


Potter Puppet Pals: The Mysterious Ticking Noise


Potter Puppet Pals: The Trio
The Trio - Hermione, Harry and Ron

Potter Puppet Pals Quilt Layout 2
The Gang's All Here!





Coming next week: There and Back Again Month 2



Month 02 - November 2, 2011


Fandom In Stitches is looking for designers to help with our Request List. If you'd like to be part of the awesome fandomy goodness, you can read about being an FiS Designer right here. Please note: all quilt techniques are welcome; appliqué, traditional, embroidery, etc.

Have you made cool fandom stuff from our patterns? Post photos in our Flickr Group and you might see them here on Fandom In Stitches!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

We feel Smurfy!

Clumsy
Clumsy Smurf, by Lilja Björk Sigurdórsdóttir
10" (10 1/2") free pattern

Lilja has outdone herself in fulfilling the request for Smurf patterns! Clumsy is the first installment, but she promises more Smurfy goodness to come.

Clumsy Smurf joins the Animated Page with other great patterns like these:

Bob The Builder by Cat Magraith

Lightning McQueen
Lightning McQueen by Lilja Björk Sigurdórsdóttir


IMGP6147
Belle by Schenley Pilgram


Fandom In Stitches is looking for designers to help with our Request List. If you'd like to be part of the awesome fandomy goodness, you can read about being an FiS Designer right here. Please note: all quilt techniques are welcome; appliqué, traditional, embroidery, etc.

Have you made cool fandom stuff from our patterns? Post photos in our Flickr Group and you might see them here on Fandom In Stitches!






Month 02 - November 2, 2011



Thursday, October 20, 2011

Pigs and Pattern Designers


Gaya has added Green Pig to the Angry Birds family! You can find the rest of the family right here under Comics/Games/Tech.

Now that the Angry Birds have flown, let's talk about pattern requests! The Fandom In Stitches Request Page is a continually updated resource that includes all of the pattern requests that we receive here on FiS, organized by category, complete with information that indicates whether they are currently being worked on, patterns have been posted, etc. 

Our Designers are all volunteers, so patterns are drafted when and if a designer is interested or has the time. We're all fans here, but each of us is not a fan of everything. The diversity of Designers is what creates the awesome variety that we've assembled so far. 

Which brings me to...

Fandom In Stitches is looking for designers to help with our Request List. If you'd like to be part of the awesome fandomy goodness, you can read about being an FiS Designer right here. Please note: all quilt techniques are welcome; appliqué, traditional, embroidery, etc.


Have you made cool fandom stuff from our patterns? Post photos in our Flickr Group and you might see them here on Fandom In Stitches!