*UPDATE: Entries are now closed. Thanks to everyone that entered, and look for the winner announcement soon!*
Remember my post a couple of days back on how much fabric to buy, when you don’t know what you’re going to make with it? I have exciting news for you today. Gwen from GwynHug, creator of the original How Much Fabric? Reference Cards has kindly offered to do a giveaway for Sewaholic readers!
Many of you mentioned in the comments that you have and use these cards, which is great to hear. It’s always helpful to know which tools people use and which are nice, but don’t get pulled out to use that often. I was excited to see Gwen comment on the blog post with an offer to do a giveaway. She kindly sent me a set of the e-book version, which I immediately downloaded to my phone.
Things to note:
- There are cards for everyone! Women, toddlers, men – you name it, she’s done the work for you and created a handy set of reference cards. There are both Metric and Imperial versions, too. I have a copy of the Women’s sizes in Metric.
- I didn’t realize this but I think in inches for measurements, but in metres for how much fabric to buy. So when I looked at the sizing, it’s all in centimetres which is not how I normally think of body measurements. (This won’t happen to you unless you also think in both measurements, like me!)
- You have to figure out your size first, and then you can use the cards to figure out how much to buy for skirts, dresses, pants, tops, jackets.
- There are safety margins included, for you to factor in! So if you’re like me, and you frequently buy fabric when you’re out of town, or on vacation, it’s nice to know you can build in a buffer amount. Plus I like to know if numbers are actual numbers, or if someone has added in a buffer for me. These are actual numbers, the safety margins are suggested below to help you out.
- There are cute pictures to help you imagine what you could make, comparing a bolero jacket to a full-length coat. I like the visual aspect of these cards – it helps me to picture how much of a garment I’ll get from my yardage. (Will I cover only my shoulders, or cover myself from neck to ankle?) I personally like the pictures of the ‘minimum’ skirts and dresses – teeny mini, tiny slipdress!
My thoughts? I think this is super cool after seeing the cards. Before, I thought “I can figure out my yardage requirements on my own no problem and I don’t mind if I have extra fabric.” (Basically, what I said on Monday.) After seeing them, I realize how much research and work has gone into developing these cards, researching fabric requirements from 8,000 patterns and compiling the results to give you the most accurate estimate possible. I can see myself using these when I’m buying for an unknown garment, but don’t want to overbuy.
Want to win a set of The Original How Much Fabric? Reference Cards?
Gwen is offering two sets to readers: one for a US reader (in yards) and one for an International reader (in metres.) Your choice of electronic or physical versions, shipping is included if you choose the physical version. You can also pick which set of cards you’d like. Here are the options: women’s clothes, plus sizes, men’s clothes, babies & toddlers OR children’s clothes.
How to win:
- Leave a comment on this post, stating WHICH SET you would like to win (Metric or Imperial). Giveaway is open to anyone in the world!
- Entries will be accepted from now until Monday, February 25th.
- Gwen will pick the winners by random draw and I will announce it on my blog the week of February 25th.
Thanks to Gwen for offering this generous giveaway! Good luck, everyone!
Updated to add: If you don’t win, of course you can buy a set! Here’s the link to her site to buy.
Updated to also add: You can decide whether you want the E-version or the hard copy of the cards if you’re picked as a winner! I’m so glad to see so much interest in this giveaway!
And one last update: I’m approving comments as fast as I can, but I’ll be away from the computer on and off, so if you don’t see your comment right away, check back in a couple of hours!
Oh wow, I would love one of those measurement card sets! I’m in the UK, so metric is essential.
Metric women’s set for me! This would be so helpful as I’m terrible when buying fabric!
I have a give-away on my blog for two different sets until May 12th
I’d love to win a copy of the american version of women’s cards!
I’m from the US. I would choose the women’s size card. thanks for the chance!
I would love to have the Imperial set of these cards! I’m math-challenged, and they would be a huge help to me. Thank you, Gwen and Tasia.
I’d love to win the metric/international set for women’s clothes.
So excited for this giveaway – I haven’t actually seen these before, and they look just wonderful.
I would love to win one of these sets. I always have a tendency to buy more that is necessary. I would use the English version with yards/inches.
I could save money to spend on more fabric!
Theresa Lensmyer
I’ve never seen these cards before, and wish I had known about them sooner. I’d love to win the set of Imperial cards – might help me not end up with three shirts from the same overpurchased fabric!
these look great! i would love the metric ones (altho i think in inches for measurements too!) and women’s version. thanks tasia (and gwen!)
Fun! I would like the metric women’s set. Crossing my fingers!
Thanks, ladies!
I would love to win the Metric Woman’s size set as I normally buy either too much or too little fabric for specific projects.
Thanks Gwen (and Tasia) for offering us the possibility to be more economic while buying fabric, especially when I am buying more expansive fabric….
Renee, The Netherlands
I would love a set of imperial cards for women! Great idea.
Imperial!
Fingers crossed. :)
I would use an imperial set a lot. I like to do things a little backwards. I find the fabric that I love, then find a pattern that will make that fabric sing. This would save so much on over buying yardage!
Gosh, this is handy. I usually go with three yards when I like a fabric, especially when I have no project in mind. It would be great to have a guide!
Wow… What a great idea! I would love a set of Imperial!
Imperial please :) How very handy!
I would love to win the Imperial set!
I would love a set of the imperial cards. I never knew these existed! Thanks so much for the giveaway :)
What a great idea! I’d love to win the imperial, please :)
Imperial please! (e version)
Thanks Gwen and Tasia! I would love a set of the Imperial :)
I’m like you – I think in imperial for bodies but metric for fabric (although in my head I call it yardage, go figure). I think for these the metric cards would be most useful!
Wowzers; wat a splendid idea!
If possible i would adore a digital metric system version for ladies, svp.
Thanks!
Oh Goodie – I would like the electronic metric set :-) Wish I had these when I was younger! So much work to set up these cards. wow great job!
What a cool idea! Imperial for me please :)
barbi17west at gmail
I never hear inches and yards referred to as “Imperial” system, even though I know that’s what it is! It cracks me up. Anyway, that’s the version I would choose – Imperial, e-version, women’s sizes. These sound fantastic, especially for when I make a trip to the splendid discount fabric store and never know exactly what marvelous finds will be available – on those occasions it’s difficult to shop with a specific project in mind!
Neat! I’d like to win an imperial set!
I’ve been wanting to get these for awhile, and just haven’t gotten to it yet. Imperial, please! And thanks for the giveaway!
Ooh ooh. Pick me! Pick me! What a great idea. I’d love the metric set for women. Thanks!
That’s such a great idea! I’d love a set in imperial for women. Thanks’
I didn’t know these existed! I love them and they would come in very handy as I tend to always buy just too much or just too little fabric. So I would like to enter the giveaway and I prefer a metric set of cards.
You’re so wonderful for doing this!
What a clever idea! I’d love to win the Imperial set. Thanks for the chance to win! :)
I saw the links yesterday and thought they looked very handy, particularly for a novice like me! I’d go for the metric women’s set. (Although I think in both metres and inches too – inches are just such a handy length!)
these look so handy! I’m always caught in that situation and these would be so helpful. I live in US so the imperial version for me if I win please.
Cool! I’d love an imperial set!
What a great idea! I also think in inches, but buy fabric in metres. I guess metric would be best for me…
Awesome! I’d love to have the metric set.
wow – SO. USEFUL.
These would definitely come in handy!! I know I’m in Canada, but I’d go for the Imperial too – for some reason it’s easier to think in Imperial when sewing. . .
These are adorable! I had no idea such cards existed! I would love a set of Imperial cards, please.
Thanks for hosting this lovely giveaway. And even if I don’t win, thanks for letting us know about these cool fabric reference cards.
Thanks, Tasia for this great offer. I would love the metric set of cards.
That’s brilliant! I’m always buying fabric on vacation and getting the quantities wrong when I try to sew with it later.
Imperial set, I always seem to buy too much or not enough material.
It would be fantastic to win the imperial set. I NEVER know/remember how much fabric to get. I’m guessing that’s why I have an underbed bag absolutely bursting with scrap fabric…
Wow that would be super helpful. I’m in the UK so metric it is :)
I would love the Canadian women’s version. Fingers crossed :)
Imperial please!! Fingers crossed in the USA!
Card set #1 Women’s clothes, American version, please. :-)
Metric please! Such a wonderful idea.
I would love a set of imperial cards! This is genius!! Thanks for the opportunity to win something so helpful!
Thank you Tasia and Gwen for this give away… I will like imperial please!
I’d love the metric version for women’s sizes. Thank you so much for this! it’s such a cool idea!
How fantastic! I’d love a chance of winning the metric. Thank you so much.
I would love Imperial (US) women’s cards…maybe my stash wouldn’t grow by leaps and bounds since I always figure more rather than less..Thanks
Oh wow, I’ve never heard of these. I’m a newbie so that’s not surprising. What a great and handy idea. Please put my name in for the ‘imperial’ version.
Thank you!!
Those are awesome. I would get the women’s in Imperial ( I wish the US would move to metric!)
A metric children’s set would be great. I’m always over estimating for kids. Thanks!
So exciting! I’ve ben haunting the clearance section at my local fabric store lately (recently opened–a godsend!) and haven’t always known how much to buy. This conversation has been particularly appropriate! Anyway, I’d love to win the Imperial set. Good luck to all!
Count me in for the wonderful metric cards. Thank you.
I’d love the women’s imperial cards!
Oh, Imperial please! Thanks!
These sound amazing! I have often ended up with too much fabric (and I’m a penny-pincher, so it stings)! :)
Those are awesome! I would love a set!!! Thank you!
I would like the one for women’s clothing in American sizes. Thanks.
Put my name in the hat, please! I would like the cards for women’s clothing.
Wonens clothes in imperial would be awesome!
I like the metric set.
Thank you for the giveaway! I’d love to win a metric set for women’s clothes. :)
I would love the metric cards! I am always trying to figure out how much fabric and wandering around the fabric store in a daze!!!
What a fabulous idea for those times the perfect fabric presents itself to you even though came with other things in mind! I’d love the metric set. How generous-thanks!
That would be awesome as I travel A LOT for work– and can buy fabric in different cities. The women’s clothing set with Imperial measurements (physical cards) would be perfect!
This is super cool! Thanks to you both! I would love to win the Imperial set.
i’m all imperial and i’d love the women’s card :) thanks for the giveaway!
Very clever idea. I would love the women’s cards with Imperial measurements.
Oh I would LOVE one of these! I’m in the US so the one for women with yards would be best for me. Thanks for offering this giveaway!!
I’d love to win the imperial set, please! Thanks for the great giveaway, what a useful bit of kit!
What a useful tool! I could really use an imperial set for women’s clothing.
I am from the UK so i naturally think in both metric and imperial. When i measure a length it is always in metric, mm’s, cm’s and m’s, unless it is a long length, then i revert to miles. Also for hight i am 5″5′ i have no idea what this is in cm’s. For weights its always metric, unless i am weighing myself, then i revert to stone, i am 9st 3oz. I think stone is unique to the UK!?
For dressmaking i use Metric. I would love to win one of these cards for women in metric.
I’d love the imperial children’s set. I seem to over or under estimate how much I need, which can be very frustrating!
Winning a metric set of these would be great.
Congrats again on your Pattern Review Awards…. is it an award technically? oooh, I know, we’ll call it an industry award!
Mary in Thailand
I would be thrilled to win an imperial set of the women’s cards!!
Please throw my name in the hat for the Imperial Women’s cards! What a great idea!
that sounds awesome! i would like the imperial set if i won.
I’d love the metric set!
Oh my I did not even know these existed – I would love the women’s size for the US. Off to learn more about them.
I should love the womens metric set x
Great thinking, such cards. I’m doubting between the metric version of the women’ s cloths or children, hmm. Both me and my kids need to get dressed ;-)
If I keep up this rate, I’m going to be forced to change my name to Shannon Fabric Overbuyer. I’m in the US and would love to have that set!
Oooohhh I’d love this!!! I hope I win … I’d like the international version (meter) …
Thanks so much Gwen and Tasia …
I live in Switzerland and I would be happy to win a metric set. I should have known of those before, I often don’t have enough of fabric.
Imperial please! Those are awesome. Thanks for the giveaway.
Wow – these cards are great. I would love a chance at the hard copy of the women’s clothing card in the metric version. Thanks to you and Gwen for a great giveaway!
Genious idea! I would love to win an imperial set thank you ;)
Imperial, please! Here’s hoping!
What a great giveaway! I also order fabric in metres, but understand body measurements better in inches. I would love, love, love the children’s cards in metric. Thank you!
Awesome!! I would like to win the US version! Is that Imperial? I’m new to sewing! lol Thanks!
These look so useful! Set in yards would be wonderful.
I would love to have the Imperial set of these cards for Women’s :) thank you for the giveaway!
How cool! I’d love to have Metric set for woman<3.
I would love to get the Imperial for Plus Size.
These would be so useful! I’d love to win the Imperial set. Thank you!
US Women’s please! Thanks so much!
so useful! would definitely love a metric set!