SewPINK! - Fabric Countdown Chain Tutorial

Friday, October 11, 2024

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I'm joining ByAnnie for the SewPINK blog hop! There is a whole month of PINK projects to share with you - and to urge you to schedule a mammogram!


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I immediately knew what project I wanted to make for the blog hop, because it was something I've already made for a friend facing breast cancer. A fabric countdown chain!

A pink fabric countdown chain

This is a quick project that can really encourage someone that's going through cancer treatments. One link of the chain can be removed with each treatment so they can see the progress they're making!

Supplies to make a fabric countdown chain

I've made this a couple different ways, so I'll tell you both ways so you can make your own!

Supplies to make a fabric countdown chain

For the most recent one I made, I used ByAnnie's Soft and Stable foam for inside the fabric chain links, about 1/2 yard of pink Island Batik fabric from my stash, and Aurifil 50wt thread in color #4660 Pink Taffy.

I cut the fabric pieces 2 1/2" x 10", and cut two for each chain link I wanted to make. Then I cut the Soft and Stable pieces to be 2" x 9 1/2".

Supplies to make a fabric countdown chain

For the previous scrappy fabric countdown chain that I made, I cut different pink fabrics into the 2 1/2" x 10" size, but I also cut scraps of batting into the same 2 1/2" x 10" size as well.

Sewing the links for a fabric countdown chain

For the foam version, I laid two pink fabrics right sides together, then sewed around the edge leaving an opening for turning like the photo below. 

For the batting version, I put the two pink fabrics right sides together, then laid a batting piece on top before sewing around the edge.

Sewing the links for a fabric countdown chain

In both versions, I clipped the corners before turning right sides out.

Sewing the links for a fabric countdown chain

For the foam version, this is now the step to insert the foam. I used my Hera marker to help me push the foam into the fabric, making sure the corners were positioned well.

Sewing the links for a fabric countdown chain

Now it's time to sew the opening closed!

Sewing the links for a fabric countdown chain

For both versions, I folded the fabric at the opening to the inside then stitched right next to the edge to sew it shut.

Sewing the links for a fabric countdown chain

For the batting version, I only stitched around the outside edge of each fabric chain one time. But for the foam version, I added three quilting lines (a middle, then one in-between the middle and edge on each side). This helped the foam not be as stiff and made it easier to bend into a loop. This added quilting could definitely be done on the batting version too!

Quilting the links for a fabric countdown chain

The last step is to add snaps to the fabric links!

Adding snaps for a fabric countdown chain

I just poked the first part of the snap through the layers of the link on one end, then added the second part before squeezing with the pliers. 

Adding snaps for a fabric countdown chain

It's quick and easy!

Adding snaps for a fabric countdown chain

Then you just repeat for all the links!

Adding snaps for a fabric countdown chain

I should mention that you have to be careful when putting the other half of the snap on the other end of the link. It has to face the other way so that the two snaps can be joined when it's made into a loop. One should be face-up, and the other should be face-down.

A fabric link for a countdown chain

Once all the links have snaps, then you can snap them together to make a chain!

A pink batik fabric countdown chain

I suggest making one link for each treatment or for each week of treatment. 

A pink batik fabric countdown chain

Then the links can be removed to show how much is left - and also how far they've already come!

A pink batik fabric countdown chain

Here's a look at the scrappy one I made for a friend!

A pink scrappy fabric countdown chain

I actually just had my very first mammogram ever last week because I just turned 40! Please call and schedule a mammogram for yourself so we can have many more years to sew together!

A pink scrappy fabric countdown chain


The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection and support for those affected by breast cancer.

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.ByAnnie.com/SewPINK

To find screenings available near you:
Hop to the other SewPINK blog hop participants to see what they made!

#SewPINK Home Page Link: https://www.byannie.com/sewpink


Oct 1 ByAnnie.com: https://www.byannie.com/blog/byannie-s-blog-1/152


Oct 1 Shannon Fabrics: https://blog.shannonfabrics.com/blog/video-breast-cancer-heart-pillow-sewing-tutorial-how-to-make-a-mastectomy-pillow


Oct 1 Fat Quarter Shop: https://blog.fatquartershop.com/sewpink-and-sew-full-of-heart-woven-hearts-sew-along-kick-off/


Oct 2 Quilting Elissa: https://quiltingelissa.com/blogs/sewpink/byannie-sewpink-2024-breast-cancer-awareness-initiative


Oct 2 LIVE with Annie: https://youtu.be/gnftpeJm2pc


Oct 3 Carolina Moore: https://alwaysexpectmoore.com/zippered-pocket-quilt-quilt-as-you-go-byannie-sewpink/


Oct 4 SEWFinity: https://sewfinity.com/blogs/sewing-blog/sewpink-drop-zone-zippered-trays


Oct 5 Art Quilts by Design: https://www.artquiltsbydesign.com/post/supporting-breast-cancer-awareness-with-sewpink-the-rose-moon-sewing-collaboration


Oct 6 Lizard Creek Quilting: http://meanderingsalonglizardcreek.blogspot.com/2024/10/out-to-lunch-20-in-sewpink-initiative.html


Oct 7 Emerald Falls Quilts: https://emeraldfallsquilts.com/blogs/blog/sewpink-blog-hop


Oct 8 TerifiCreations: https://terificreations.com/2024/10/08/sew-pink-a-byannie-event/


Oct 9 Pat Sloan: https://www.ilovetomakequilts.com/2024/10/sew-pink-tour-block-wed-week-5-.html


Oct 9 LIVE with Annie: https://youtu.be/yrKrQBjE3bw


Oct 10 By Hilary Jordan: https://byhilaryjordan.com/2024/10/sewpink-with-patterns-by-annie-got-your-back-2-1/


Oct 11 Slice of Pi Quilts: https://www.sliceofpiquilts.com/2024/10/sewpink-fabric-countdown-chain-tutorial.html


Oct 12 Stacey Lee Creative: https://www.stacey-lee.com/2024/10/10/sew-pink-sewing-project/


Oct 14 Sallie Tomato: https://sallietomato.com/blogs/blog/crafting-for-a-cause-sew-the-galaxy-travel-wallet-for-the-byannie-sewpink-initiative-2024


Oct 15 Inquiring Quilter: https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/byannie-sewpink-blog-hop


Oct 16 Sew Mariana: https://www.sewmariana.com/blog/sew-pink-breast-cancer-awareness


Oct 16 LIVE with Annie: https://youtu.be/4DzBu6bOdVQ


Oct 17 Clover & Violet: https://www.cloverandviolet.com/2024/10/sewpink-sewing-projects-on-the-go.html


Oct 18 Knot & Thread: https://knotandthread.com/blogs/blog/sew-pink-2024


Oct 19 Chris W Designs: https://www.chriswdesigns.com/2024/10/sewpink-initiative-plus-free-pouch-pattern.html 


Oct 20 Mx Domestic: https://mxdomestic.com/a-place-for-everything-2-0-sewpink/


Oct 21 Kathy’s Kwilts & More: https://kathyskwiltsandmore.blogspot.com/2024/10/sew-pink-initiative-byannie-blog-hop.html


Oct 22 Bobbin w Brittany: https://bobbinwithbrittany.com/2024/10/21/a-place-for-your-everything-sewpink-blog-hop-with-byannie/


Oct 23 Sookie Sews: https://www.facebook.com/share/4W47xYMmLW23MzM5/


Oct 24 Rustic Horseshoe: https://rustichorseshoe.com/sewpink-2024/


Oct 25 Sew Cute & Quirky: https://www.quirkyb.com/post/by-annie-sewpink-initiative


Oct 26 Beyond the Reef Patterns: https://beyondthereefpatterns.blogspot.com/2024/10/sewpink-initiative-blog-hop-2024.html


Oct 27 Penny Spool Quilts: https://www.pennyspoolquilts.com/blogs/blog/sew-pink-2024


Oct 28 Kissed Quilts: http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com/2024/10/sew-pink-bosom-buddy-and-project-bags.html


Oct 29 Patchwork Breeze: https://patchworkbreeze.com/sewpink-a-tote-bag-to-sew/


Oct 30 OklaRoots: https://oklaroots.com/2024-byannie-sewpink-breast-cancer-awareness/


Oct 31 Crinkle Dreams: https://www.teresacoates.com/sewpink-and-take-care-of-yourself/


Oct 31 ByAnnie.com: https://www.byannie.com/blog/byannie-s-blog-1/187


Nov 6 LIVE with Annie: https://youtu.be/TSl_E33Z7MY

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5 comments:

  1. Love this idea. Thanks so much for sharing. I have a friend who will really like it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is SUCH a great idea — what a wonderful way to "count down" to anything. It could be used for other occasions as well. I can see a little one loving it to count how many days until Christmas (or a birthday). And, once the countdown is finished, those loops could be used to control cords, hold necklaces from a coat hanger, etc. Thanks so much for being part of our #SewPINK initiative and for sharing this fun project.

    ReplyDelete
  3. how clever, thank you so much for sharing this <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this idea! Congrats on your first mamogram, my annual is coming up next month.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

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