Back to School + Organic '11 Freebie!

It's back to the books and time to jump into a new school year! Sew Mama Sew is helping people get ready by posting fun tutorials. I made a knit book cover tutorial that is being shared on their blog. Yay! I hope you will use it to get your kiddos back to school in DIY style.

To help even more with your cool school style, we have some fun things for you made from Harmony Art organic fabric. More YAY!

How about some organic cotton knit? To make your own book covers! Two lucky winners will get these stacks…
How about an organic lunch tote? Three lucky folks will win these. Handmade by yours truly. Harmony organic fabric inside and out, woven strap and magnetic closure…
And a freebie would not be that same without some Green Bag Lady bags! Seven lucky peeps will win these (also Harmony Art organic fabric)…
Here is what you need to do to enter this freebie:
•LEAVE A COMMENT, IN THE COMMENT LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THIS FORMAT: name(at)something(dot)com it is important to spell out dot and at so you don't get spam, if you DO NOT leave an email address, you will not be entered in the freebie.

•In your comment, hop over to Harmony's site and tell us something that you learn about organic cotton.

•DEADLINE FOR THE FREEBIE IS 10 PM (CST) Wednesday, August 31, 2011. (winners announced Sept 1)

•TWELVE LUCKY WINNERS WILL BE RANDOMLY CHOSEN FROM THE COMMENTS TO WIN!

Good Luck + a huge thank you to Harmony for the fabric and Sew Mama Sew for posting the book cover tutorial! Teresa

International entries OK.

Not familiar with Green Bag Lady? Click HERE.

Like us on Facebook to be updated on all FREEBIES! (there is another great one 
coming up next week!)

THIS FREEBIE IS NOW CLOSED, PLEASE CHECK OFTEN FOR FUTURE FREEBIES, THANKS!

92 comments:

summar ann said...

i learned that organic cotton is non-gmo. :)

summar evans
summarsoapsatyahoodotcom

Anonymous said...

I learned they use natural pigment in their printing.
Sally Hackney
sjhackney(at)yahoo(dot)com

adrianna said...

I learned that crop rotation promotes healthy soil and that organic cotton naturally defoliates in freezing temperatures:)
Love the lunch totes!!

Adrianna
solsmom(at)gmail(dot)com

Joan said...

The Lunch Tote is absolutely cute! I love it! Thanks for the chance for any of the giveaways.

This tip is interesting - Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures or through the use of water management.

Joan
jjplute(at)ckt(dot)net

Paskiaq said...

I learned that you can have healthy soil through crop rotation rather than the synthetic fertilizers normally used.

I love the lunch tote too! I'll have to make one for myself if I don't win ;)

paskiaq(at)yahoo(dot)ca

Samantha said...

I learned that Harmony Art's cotton warp fibers (not sure what warp fibers are, to be honest-assuming perhaps, that they are 'weaker' fibers?) are stabilized by double plying or using non-toxic cornstarch.
Thank you for the opportunity and a little more knowledge :)

samanthablomer(at)gmail(dot)com

tracyp said...

The soda ash bath, I didn't know about those in the finishing steps.

tracemclee at yahoo dot com

Jennyroo said...

I learned a lot! I didn't know that cornstarch was used to stabilize warp fibers. Thanks for the giveaway!

Pam said...

Initial cost more expensive. is very interesting did not know that.
pamela-4atlivedotcom

Anonymous said...

I learned that organic cottons are from natural untreated GMO free seeds.


angiemail99(at)yahoo(dot)com

harmony said...

Samantha - woven fabrics are comprised of warp and weft threads. Warp goes up and down and weft goes left to right. Here's a link to some more info and images on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warp_%28weaving%29

Nancy said...

I learned about how organic cotten uses low-impact or natural pigments with no heavy metals. That sounds good for the environment!

windybooks(at)hotmail(dot)com

Katrina said...

I didn't know it was so damaging. I know it's more expensive but maybe if we all start buying more, the cost will go down?

katrina_hertzer2000 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Brigette said...

I didn't know that chemicals were used even in the harvesting process. The lunch totes are so cute!
Brigette
trillium422(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sheila said...

Orangic cotton is grown in healthy soil that has rotated crops.
Thanks for the chance to win.
hduceg04 (at)yahoo (dot) ca

Suzee said...

Those tote bags are great! and love that fabric!
I learned from reading that we use way too many chemicals in our way of life and not just making of fabrics. If we take care of our mother earth, she will take care of us.
suezneal at gmail dot com

all you need is love said...

I love the idea of the printing. I do want to know what the pigments are.


Sara Miles
athena2minerva(at)yahoo(dot)com

Elinka said...

I learned that technologies used in production of the organic cotton prevent destruction of the environment.

flas1985(at)bk(dot)ru

Carol said...

Oh my gosh.. i didn't know that organic fabric was whitened with peroxide. makes sense since toothpaste uses it too.

thanks for give-away!
carol

maplecreekracing(at)comcast(dot)net

Green Bag Lady Teresa said...

@Katrina--I hope so!!!!!!

OneGirlCircus said...

Wow I learned a LOT.Most impressive to me was the pH of the finishing process - as a mom of super-sensitive kids, I'm all for making their clothing as close to second-skin comfortable as possible!

Karen LePage
ringmaster(at)onegirlcircus(dot)com

Lili said...

Wow, I didn't know that organic cotton naturally defoliates in freezing temperatures! What a great project - stumbled upon your blog thanks to the sew, mama, sew blogpost. What a cool tutorial, and what a great give away! (aureliewelcomme(at)hotmail(dot)com)

Oso said...

Well, I learned a lot, but what caught my eye as curious was that organic cotton naturally defoliates in freezing temperatures.

The lunch tote is awesome!

lauramdd(at)terra(dot)es

Kristy said...

Gorgeous! Love the fabric and your lunch bags turned out GREAT!

Thanks for the chance to win!

three4me_4now(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kristy said...

I forgot to include that I have one of these handy cards from Harmony I keep in my sewing room! It is such an easy reference guide!

Anonymous said...

I learned that they use natural untreated seeds as opposed to seeds treated with fungicides or insecticides. Your give away is a great way to use these fabrics. Thanks.

Pat K.
tkelley5(at)charter(net)

tricialee said...

I learned that Safe Peroxide is used.
tricialee22(at)hotmail(dot)com

Glenys said...

I learned that there are no organic metals used in printing the organic cotton.

GlenysLeeng(at)gmail(dot)com

Peppermint Mocha Mama said...

I learned that that safe peroxide is used to whiten it.

Amy Sessions
assessions(at)hotmail(dot)com

Hey ... I'm Lindsay ! said...

I learned that organic cotton is amazing! Some things so simple, yet the industry takes the chemical way :( I liked EVERYTHING I read about the comparisons of cotton ... and I thought it was just about no chemical fertilizers ... THANKS for the great insight!
savedsinnr(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I learned that Safe peroxide is used (which is nice when you have kids that put EVERYTHING in their mouths).
Would love to win!
Jess
jessmusumarra(at)hotmail(dot)com

LisaVH said...

I was also very suprised to learn that chemicals were used in the harvesting process.

vh(dot)designs(at)yahoo(dot)com

bookwraps by suz.com said...

that was very informative! and how much goes into producing the finished product....I will have much more respect for my cloth from now on ...grin...
organic cotton naturally defoliateing in freezing temperatures???? who knew !

such cute bags GBL....

suzstuff(at)gmail(dot)com

Maroesja said...

I learned that the printing is natural as well.

rebmara(at)gmail(dot)com

jqluo said...

I learned that weed control for organic cotton is using beneficial insects and trap crops...

chunchee dot loh at gmail dot com

Cathy said...

They whiten with peroxide instead of Chlorine bleach.

hueisei said...

I learned that cornstarch was used to stabilize warp fibers on the process of producing organic cotton.
Thanks for the generous giveaway!

serraking said...

I learned that crop rotation helps soil to retain moisture.

I think Harmony's fabrics are beautiful! I know my mom loves them too, and uses them frequently.

Serra King

serraking(at)mac(dot)com

mb said...

i've been stalking harmony's website for several years, and i still always learn something new about organic cotton. i learned about the toxic waxes used in stabilizing warp fibers (if i'm even saying that right!)
your lunch bags are beautiful, teresa! let it grow and e&j are some of my very favorites.
earth.huggy (at) gmail (dot) com

zakkalife said...

I learned no heavy metals are used in the printing.

Jessica
kawaiicrafter(at)gmail(dot)com

Pretty totes!

Persis said...

I learned that they use non GMO seeds.

Persis
pilgrim(dot)mommy(at)gmail(dot)com

Melissa said...

I love Harmony's fabrics:) Thanks for the tutorial and giveaway:) I like that the pigments are all natural and metal free:)
mgarrt at hotmail dot com

Sandryte said...

I learned that they use beneficial insects and trap crops. How harmonious that is!

sandra _ mitr at yahoo do com

Unknown said...

I learned that cornstarch is used in production!

ninachen44(at)gmail(dot)com

Crystal said...

I learned that warp fibers are stabilized using non-toxic cornstarch - very cool! Thanks for sharing.

Crystal
crystallkrueger@gmail.com

knittin' mama said...

The fabric comes in so many beautiful colors -- nontoxic!

jlherl(at)windstream(dot)net

Crystal said...

I found it interesting that they use peroxide instead of bleach. I had forgotten that peroxide could do that. Can you tell I've never bleached my hair?

Crystal
gnightstar(at)gmail(dot)com

Jessica said...

I didn't know that the crops were rotated to keep the soil healthy.

jessica (at) homfamily (dot) com

Mel said...

I learned that they use safe dyes and ink in their printing, I sometimes get itches from the dyes in my non-organic clothing!

hecate(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I learned that organic cottons are from natural untreated GMO free seeds.Organic cotton is awesome!

trollsandra(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I learned that safe peroxide is used.

liggies(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lea

Cecily said...

I learned that soda ash creates the balanced ph.

cecilyyoung(at)yahoo(dot)com

Maria Hessle said...

I learned a lot! A thing that I found interesting was that crop rotation really promotes a healthy soil and I wish this would be done more. We need to take more care of Mother Earth!

The In Full Bloom collection by Harmony is fantastic!

telisantis(at)hotmail(dot)com

Christine said...

They use non-GMO seeds, which is wonderful.

Christine
absolutelymaybe1(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancy S. said...

I learned that for harvest organic cotton plants are naturally defoliated via freezing temperatures or water management (I assume that means they let the fields get very dry so the plants lose their leaves) versus chemical defoliation being used on conventionally farmed cotton.
Great giveaway; thanks for the opportunity.
nseccia(at)fuse(dot)com

BeachGirl said...

I like that they whiten the fabric with peroxide instead of bleach.

linda gilbraith
lgilbraith(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jody said...

I love you bags. I learned that organic cotton uses Low-impact or natural pigments with no heavy metals. That's so much better than the harsh chemicals!

Jody Krueger
tandjkrueg(at)yahoo(dot)com

willywagtail said...

I hadn't considered the stabilising of the warp fibers before. I guess that using a soluble product like cornstarch instead of waxes would make a finished product that would be softer after use. Cherrie

mana.filipa said...

It's really nice to know that the organic cotton has a low impact regarding printing. The environment says thanks!
filipabmarques(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I learned that whitening organic fabric is safe because peroxide is used instead of bleach.

I love the lunch totes, they are awesome! =)

laura.mnplygirl(at)gmail(dot)com

Heather said...

I learned peroxide is a safe alternative to bleach used in organic cotton.

Amanda said...

Rotating crops is a great way to get healthy soil.

Amanda
Maswaney(at)gmail(dot)com

poptart13 said...

i learned that they use peroxide as a whitener as opposed to bleach.

disarminglyvulgar(at)gmail(dot)com

Deanna said...

Peroxide is useful for more than getting blood stains from pricked fingers out of quilts. Good to know!

Thanks for the giveaway chance.

czereyna(at)yahoo (dot) com

Patty said...

I learned about the benefits of crop rotation.
Thanks for chance to win. Patty from a.stitch.in.time.blog(at)gmail(dot)com

Ginger said...

I learned that they let nature take it's course when harvesting.

gingerc(at)gmail(dot)com

TransFarmer said...

I was a bit naive in my views of organic cotton. I thought the big difference was just in the application of pesticides and soil erosion. I had no idea so many chemicals were used in the process after it was picked.

please enter me
outofi(at)yahoo(dot)com

Andrea said...

Natural defoliation through freezing temperatures. Nature is too cool!

alhcampbell AT me DOT com

Amy said...

I did not know that there was a "safe" type of peroxide.

Just found your site. What a great project you have. And all those bags are super cute.

monoka(at)gmail(dot)com

Brenna said...

What a neat giveaway!
Jnbrenna(at)gmail(dot)com
I learned that organic cotton is lightened with peroxide.

Anonymous said...

I love the lunch totes. I learned how important crop rotation is.

Mel
mkjacquot(at)gmail(dot)com

Lynn said...

i learned that peroxide is considered a safe whitening tool. who knew?
lynscot(at)earthlink(dot)net

Wyldcat said...

I learned that safe peroxide is used.

wyldcat2u(at)msn(dot)com

tdr228 said...

I learned that organic cotton eliminates the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers.

theresa rice
trice228(at)verizon(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I didn't realize about the low impact and natural dyes and printing inks until I saw that on the Harmony Arts site.

Loved you knit book covers tutorial!

Lorelei
bbaker4(at)kc(dot)rr(dot)com

Christie S. said...

Organic fabric is free of chemicals and good for the soil.
cstoops(at)cox(dot)net

CJ & Mel said...

Love this!

m_opel{at}yahoo{dot}com

CJ & Mel said...

I learned plenty - and still encourage organic everything.

Now a FB fan.

Melanie

m_opel{at}yahoo{dot}com

Anonymous said...

Keeping an open mind about price difference is very important. Even though organic may be a bit pricey, in the long run, we all benefit. Thank you for the chance to win a wonderful prize. charcoll_98(at)yahoo(dot)com

Safranit said...

Nice to know that organic cotton uses non-toxic methods of processing.

Katrina Van Walterop said...

Katrina Van Walterop

vanwalterop@sbcglobal(dot)net

What I have learned is that I should only be letting my children wear organic cotton as much as I can. Especially undergarments.

I am shocked at the amount of chemicals used in making printed cotton fabric.

Elyse Hutchinson said...

eandvhutch(at)msn(dot)com
cornstarch is used to stabilize warp fibers - who knew. makes me think what else I can do with cornstarch?

Sonja said...

Natural pigment in thier printing. Interesting
sonjamawson(at)yahoo(dot)com

Olga Becker @ Coffee+Thread said...

I especially liked the last sentence. It made me think that even though it is more expensive, in the end it is so much better for us and the environment that it makes it trully priceless.
becker.olga(at)gmail(dot)com

Sundays Child said...

Ewwww!! I learned that "sometimes formaldehyde" is used in the finishing process of conventional cotton fabrics. No wonder the smell of new, unwashed fabric sometimes makes me gag, especially when ironing. Eww, what have I been breathing in?!?! Thanks for the information and for hosting this give-away.
Julie Andrea
sundayschild1966(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Anonymous said...

Organic all natural got to love it!!
Ann
moilulu02(at)gmail(dot)com

Dawn said...

Initial cost more expensive. Long term advantages priceless........Which makes it all worth the money.
dawneaton(at)rocketmail(dot)com

KLMunoz said...

I didnt realize how many chemicals and metals in traditional cotton

kimberlywm(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mary said...

Wow, I learned lots of things including that the fibers of organic fabric is stabilized with cornstarch versus toxic wax in other fabrics.

marij4 (at) gmail (dot) com

jbp said...

I would really love to win one of these beautiful bags. Thank you
jbpitcher at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Fibres in organic cotton sometimes stabalized with cornstarch. I'll have to think about this for family allergic to corn (sigh). Interesting!
Mama Martin
jdkrmar(at)telus(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Dear Green Bag Lady; I was so excited to see that Harmony Fabrics uses materials that are natural pigments for printing and low pesticides in production because my son has always been allergic to pesticides and he would love a free bag. Keep up the great work. You are a hero, and your helpers are little hero-ettes. Pobox889(AT)Gmail(DOT)com