2.27.2013

Work in Progress Wednesday - Hexie Love







Quite a few months back I was searching for vintage feed sacks on ebay and came across these wonderful pot holders.  The photo on ebay was not great but I thought what the heck.....
I was so pleased when I received them and couldn't wait to make my own version!!



I made these for my mom's birthday......
 
 
I finished the hand stitching on this one while watching PBS lastnight.
 
This one was started lastnight and  I think it is my favorite.  I love the yellow, brown and red combo!
The center print is a reproduction of a vintage feed sack.  The teapot and two brown prints came from vintage feedsack and the yellow prints are from the soon to be realeased Moda line Glamping.
 
Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise
 
 

2.21.2013

Learn to paper piece with me!

I'm so excited to announce I will be teaching a paper piecing class at Drygoods Designs in Seattle!!!
Drygood Design is an amazing fabric store and sewing boutique located in the historic neighborhood of Ballard.  Keli has created the most beautiful shop.
 
If you are in the area on May 25th and have wanted to learn to paper piece, this is the class for you.  We will be making a paper pieced apple and incorporating it into a frame pouch.
 


It will be held on  Saturday, May 25th 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can find the details for the class here.
 
She has lots of wonderful classes including quiltmaking classes from Katie Pederson, author of Quilting Modern.
 
And be sure to check our Keli's amazing online shop
 
I am off to get ready for an Art Docent Lesson with my son's Kindergarten class.
We are going to study Allen Crite's Parade on Hammond Street.  Looking forward to hanging out with all 28 of them - they are a hoot : )
 
xo
Charise 

2.20.2013

Stitch Magazine Summer Sneak Peek



I was so excited to get an email from Stitch saying the Summer '13 issue is available in digital format!  It is hard to think Summer when we in Seattle are still in the midst of Winter!
The picture above is the prototype for "Petal Nesting Bowls" which you can find in the issue.

This is a great all year round project.  Lots of hand stitching so it is a good one to do in front of the telly : )
 
 The nesting bowls that I made for the magazine are made with Denyse Schmidt Shelburne Falls.
It is a beautiful line of fabric and you can find it at Pink Castle Fabrics.
 
I'll post pics of the nesting bowls that I made for Stitch in mid March along with the other project I designed which is a fun summer dress!
If you want to take a peek or purchase the digital issue now - Click Here.
You can take a peek inside by clicking on table of contents where you can see my nesting bowls!
 
xo
Charise 

2.14.2013

A winner!!!





Congrats Maureen - you won the Stitch Magazine and Fabric Bundle from Sew Me a Song!
Maureen said "Congrats on the magazine cover! How cool to see your hard work front and center! My Spring plans are to continue my BOM's (4 of them, I have quilting ADD Lol) and I'd love to make a Spring quilt with all of your other patterns! I've ordered fabric from Sew Me A Song recently and even looked at this bundle! Thanks for the chance to win it!"
 
How serendipidous Maureen that you admired that fabric bundle  : )  And I totally understand about the quilting ADD! 
 
 
 
  I will be emailing you shortly for your address.

Tks everyone for playing and sharing your fun Spring sewing plans : )

xo
Charise

2.13.2013

WIP Wednesday

 
 
 
Happy Wednesday!!  I have been working on a pattern for a group of paper pieced dresses.
The pattern portion is done and now I'm sewing them up!! One down and two to go.
I'm envisioning a quilt for myself with 3 x 4 blocks!!!
 
 
 
 
I have a bit of a production line going.  I'm making a bunch of Pomme Potholders as gifts.
 
 
 
Be sure to Link up your WIP on Lee's blog - Freshly Pieced!
 
xo
Charise

2.11.2013

Monday Stash

I got the cutest fabrics from Sew Me a Song - I just had to share : )

I love a good text fabric!  There are some wonderful images and text for fussy cutting!

The top fabric is:Seed Catalog in Cream and Black from Sewing Seeds by J. Wecker Frisch
The bottom fabric is: Quilting News from Sewing and Knitting Novelties for Timeless Treasures



Love all these prints!  Left to right:
1 & 2 - Ledger in Multi and Ivory from Architextures by Carolyn Friedlander
3 - Handwriting Paper in White by Sugarpixie
4 - Tone on tone small dots from Riley Blake in Aqua
5 - Via Airmail Stripe in Ivory from Airmail 1930's by Clothworks (LOVE!)


And these lovelies will become a gathered clutch!!!

Dot - Tone on Tone Small dot in Red from Riley Blake
Sewing Print  - Sewing from the Live Life Collection for Yuwa of Japan

xo
Charise

2.08.2013

Spring '13 Give-Away

Thanks everyone for letting me share my new projects in Stitch Spring 2013.
I'm going to do a little give-away : ).
 
I'm giving away a Spring 2013 issue of Stitch magazine and a lovely Springy bundle of fabrics from Sew Me a Song
 
 

 Beca from Sew me A Song is donating these lovely fabrics.  Aren't they just scrumptious?!  Perfect for the Pomme Potholders or any of your Spring sewing projects!
Fabrics include: Small Floral and Dot, Yellow Floral Vine, Cherries, Strawberries and Cherries, Strawberries and Red Check all from Lecien and Yuwa. 6 fat quarters, 1.5 yds total
 
Leave a comment on this post telling me if you have any plans for Spring sewing projects.
I will pick a winner Wed, Feb 13th.  Good Luck!
 
xo
Charise

2.07.2013

Stitch - Day 4 - Rainy Day Purse

 
 
 
Imagine my excitement opening an email from the Sew Daily Blog showing my purse on the cover!!!
It was pretty darn exciting : ) 
 
 

 
This purse uses an easy paper piecing technique to make the border.
I used some of my favorite vintage inspired aqua scraps.
The handle and umbrella tip are appliqued.
 
 
 
The back of the purse has a gathered pocket to hold your compact umbrella!
 
The text print is from Sweetwater and is now out of print.  Their new "Mama Said Sew" line has the exact same print with different text.  You can find it in a few different colors at Sew Me a Song and Pink Castle Fabrics.
 
Stay tuned for a give-away tomorrow!
Happy Sewing!
 
xo
Charise
 
 
 

2.06.2013

Stitch Week - Day 3 - Uptown and Downtown Skirts

 
 
One of the themes for the Spring 2013 of Stitch is Simple Skirts. I worked in the corporate world of design for over 20 years designing women's clothing for Eddie Bauer, Union Bay and Nordstrom.
I had forgotten how much I love designing clothes!!  The downtown skirt is a fun and easy project.  It is made from knit fabric and has a flattering fold over waistband and four panels.  If you haven't made clothing before, I highly recommend starting with an easy project like this.  It would be great in a solid or print and I think it is super flattering in the bias cut stripe!!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The uptown skirt uses the basic pattern but incorporates a fun knot and gathered detail at the waist.
I will be wearing my "Uptown" with a tank top and sandals this summer.  I've already worn the "Downtown" with tights and boots!!!
 
Happy Sewing!
 
xo
Charise

2.05.2013

Stitch Week - Day 2 - Cozy Slippers




Welcome to Day Two of My Stitch Magazine Spring 2013 Week!  We are a no shoes house and I wanted to design slippers that are as fun to look at as they are cozy to wear!  This patchwork pair is made using a paper piecing method and is a great way to use up some favorite scraps.    The strap is made by encasing narrow 1/4" elastic to give it a cute gathered look that is functional too!



There is a pattern to make them without the patchwork uppers as well!
 
Happy sewing
Charise

2.04.2013

Stitch Week - Day 1 - Pomme Potholder

 
 
I'm excited to share the projects I created for Stitch Magazine - Spring 2013.
This project was the very first one I submitted way back in December 2012!  I've admired the magazine for ages and I am a regular reader.  It is truly an honor to be in the pages of Stitch!!
 
 
 
The first apple I made I use as a mug rug on my sewing table.  The size is just perfect for drinks and of course is great to use as a hot pad or potholder!
 
 
 
I have been making more as gifts and discovered another way of attaching the binding.  This is opposite of the original method in the magazine.  Instead of stitching the binding on the front and turning to the back, this method incorporates attaching the binding on the back and stitching on the front.
Both methods work well - the method I used for Stitch magazine has a cleaner look on the front.


1) For this method I used 3/4" bias binding - You can also use 1" bias binding.  The binding will be folded in half.
I like making my binding with a bias tape maker.  Clover makes a great one.
 
2)  Place the binding right side to the potholder right side back. If you are using 3/4" binding, stitch with a 1/4" stitch. If you are using 1" binding, stitch with a 3/8" stitch.
 
 
 
3) Change you bobbin to match the inside apple color on the back.  For this potholder I changed my thread to yellow.
 Fold the binding to the right side and pin, make sure the binding extends over the previous stitching.
Edgestich in place.
 
  Stay tuned this week for more projects.  I'll share one project a day and then I will have a give away this Friday February 8th!
 
xo
Charise

2.03.2013

Sunday Stash

 
 
I purchased these lovelies from Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics. I  Love them all!!!  The florals and plaids are from Riley Blake and the Bubble Girls are a feedsack repro. Link Here.
 
Brenda is having a sale all weekend - it's 15% off everything in the store with the code MOVING15.
  In the US all orders over $50 get FREE shipping.
 A great time to stock up!!!!
 
 
Have a lovely Sunday!

2.02.2013

Letha's Electric Fan, Vintage Block Quilt Along #4








Here you will find block #4 in the Vintage Block Quilt Along!

This is one of my favorite depression era blocks right up there with the Rose Dream block!
It is made from 4 arcs and 1 appliqued circle.



Block #4
Letha’s Electric Fan, Kansas City Star, circa 1938
by Charise Randell

This pattern is for a 12" finished / 12  1/2" unfinished block

 Supplies:
Fabric:
F8 background fabric
4” square fabric for center circle
20 - 3” squares - different prints.  This is also a great project for scraps.  The pieces should be at least ¼” bigger that the individual wedges on Pattern Piece B - Arc.

 Other Supplies:
Card stock
Light weight copy paper or Vellum
Freezer paper
Spray Starch
Matching thread
C-thru ruler
Fabric marking pencil or pen

 Notes
*Change your stitch length to 18-20 stitches per inch when paper piecing the arcs
*Make sure your test square on the pattern page measures 1”

Download the Pattern HERE
Cut 4 Arcs from lt wt copy paper or vellum
Cut 1 circle from freezer paper or card stock
Cut pattern pieces A & C from card stock

Cut the Fabric
Cut 4 Pattern Piece A Background Fabric
Cut 4 Pattern Piece C Background Fabric
Cut 1 Circle from your desired print fabric for the center circle

Mark the notches
Mark the notches on pieces A and C

 Lay out the block

1)  Arrange the arcs as the finished block.  Pick the fabrics and arrange in a layout to your liking.

 Paper piece the arcs
I paper pieced the arcs to insure accuracy and I find this is the easiest method for me.  ***If you’d rather create these from a template, photocopy an arc (B) onto card stock.  Add ¼” seam allowance to one of the wedges and cut out as your pattern piece.***


1)  Place one of your fabric squares or fabric scraps on the wrong (unprinted side) of the arc making sure to cover the first wedge.  The fabric right side will be facing you. Make sure there is at least ¼” fabric around the perimeter of the wedge.  Hold the paper arc up to the light to help positon the fabric.

Pin in place.
2) Place the next fabric square right sides together with the first and pin in place.
3) Flip the paper arc over so the printed side is facing you.  Stitch on the first line.
4) Finger press the seam.  Fold back the paper arc on the next line and trim the second square to 1/4" beyond the line.  This is your seam allowance.
5) Continue steps #2 - 5 until the arc is complete.
Repeat this process for the other three arcs.



You should have 4 arcs.  Mine are created with scraps thus the scraggly edges : )
6) Using a water soluble fabric pen or pencil, mark a 1/4" seam allowance around the arc and cut out. Repeat for the remaining three arcs.
Sew 1/4 of the Block



1) Place one of your arcs, inside curved edge, to the curved side of piece C, right sides together.  Match the notches on C to the seams on the arc.
Pin at the seams.  Notice how the convex edge, which is bias, is placed on top.  This makes it easier to stitch since you can slightly stretch the edge as your are sewing. Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seam toward the arc.


2) Place the  curved side of piece A to the outside curved edge of the arc, right sides together.  Pin at the seams matching the notches on A to the seams on B. Stitch with a 1/4" seam. 



Press the seam towards the arc.
Repeat for the other three sections of the block.


Stitch the Block together

1) Referring to the picture above, place the individual sections as you would like your finished block to look.

2) Place the top left to the bottom left portion, matching the seams on the arcs as the picture, right sides together.  Pin in place.  Stitch with a 1/4" stitch.

Continue around the block in the order as the picture above.

Create the Center Circle

1) Iron the freezer paper circle to the center of the back fabric circle.

2) Hand stitch a gathering stitch around the perimeter of the circle.

3) Turn the fabric circle over and pull up the gathering stitch.
Place a q-tip or small brush in the starch.  Apply the starch to the seam allowance.
Carefull iron the seam allowance over the edge of the freezer paper circle.

4) Loosen the gathering stitch and remove the freezer paper circle.  You should have a perfect circle!
Turn to the right side and press.

5) Position the circle on the center of the block using the template as a guide.
Stitch in place.

Yay!!!  You have completed Block #4 - Letha's Electric Fan



If you make this block, please add it to my Vintage Block Quilt Along Group on Flickr!