7.23.2018

Lavender Sachet Tutorial

It's lavender harvesting time of year in my garden.
I have lots of plants and love to make sachets with the dried buds.
They are great for scenting closets and drawers, and also make fun gifts.


Years ago I created a tutorial to make your own lavender sachet.  The pattern uses 2 1/2" squares and is a great way to use up your fabric scraps.  I used some favorite Liberty fabrics and text prints.
I also use some buttons from my stash.   Some of the buttons are vintage and others are new.

If you'd like to make your own sachet tutorial, you can find it [HERE]

Happy Sewing!
xo
Charise




7.13.2018

Summertime Fruit ~ a new paper piecing pattern!



Hello and Happy Friday the 13th!



I found this cute lemon slice  when I was cleaning out my sewing studio.
It was intended for a coaster......
so I made one!


The lemon is part of my Jam Jars and Fruit Pattern but it is such a cute stand alone pattern!

Sometimes it is fun to refresh a pattern that was released years ago!

The pattern include two sizes for the citrus slice - 3" x 3 3/4" 
and a much larger one that measures 6" x 7 1/2".


The pattern includes a strawberry which comes in three sizes - 2 1/2" square, 4 1/2" square and 8" square, all charm pack and layer cake friendly!
 I'm thinking the 8" strawberry will become a pillow and maybe even a quilt for myself.


The lemon is such a fun pattern for fussy cutting!


Those "sassy lemon ladies" are pretty darn cute.  The fabric is from Lake House and has some really cute motifs.

You can find the pattern in my Etsy shop.

Happy Sewing!
xo
Charise

7.01.2018

Baby Patchwork Zipper Pouch Tutorial

  

My pencil pouch is a bit "worse for wear" so I decided to make a new one! 
This design requires 80 - 1 1/2" squares so I thought it would be a good time to raid my scrap bin for some patchwork squares. 

I am calling this pouch the "Baby Patchwork Zipper Pouch" because the 1" finished squares are as tiny & as cute as a baby : )


Materials  

80– 1 1/2” squares assorted print fabric1" x 1 1/2" print fabric
for zipper end
1/4 yard  Print fabric for the liningMatching thread
1/4 yard muslin or solid cotton backingPins
1/4 yard batting9” coil zipper 
Zipper FootMarking Pen,  pencil, or Hera Marker (for quilt marking)
Cut

2 - pieces of Batting 6” x 9”
1" x 1 1/2" print fabric for zipper end
2 pieces of muslin or other cotton (it will be hidden) 
6” x 9”
2 rectangles lining 5 1/2” x 8 1/2"
80 – 1 1/2” squares assorted print fabric
Zipper Pull (optional)                                        I found the cute flower pull at SunnyDayFabric.com

Notes:
~All seam allowances are 1/4" unless otherwise noted
Finished Size:
4" tall x 8" wide


1) Arrange  the 40 print squares that make up a panel in 5 rows of 8 across. 
    Stitch each row together.
    Press the seams in opposite directions.



 2) Stitch the rows together, nesting the seams in each row.  
     Press seams open.
     Repeat for the other side side of the pouch.

3) Make a quilt sandwich:

Place the backing fabric wrong side up.  Place the batting square on top.  
Place the top panel right side up at the very top.  
    Baste all layers together. 

4)  Quilt diagonal lines on the patchwork panel:
     The outside quilting lines should start 1/4” in from the edge. 
     Mark the stitching lines with a hera marker or removable pen or pencil.
     Trim the panel to 5 1/2” x 8 1/2”.  
     Repeat for the other side.

5) Shorten the zipper to 7 1/2" measuring from the top of the zipper head to 
     the bottom of the zipper.

6) Fold under the 1" side of the zipper tab 1/4" to the wrong side. Press.
    Press in half wrong sides together.


7) Place the bottom end of the zipper so that it is against the folded edge of the tab.
    Pin in Place.
    Stitch the folded edge with an edge stitch.


8)  Fold back the zipper tape on the top edge of the zipper to the wrong side.
     Glue baste or machine baste in place.



9) Place the zipper to the pouch right sides together with the top edges of the pouch
     and zipper tape matching.
    Center the zipper on the pouch panel.  Stitch the top edge with
    a 1/4" seam allowance   back tacking at ends.

10) Place the lining right sides with the pouch panel matching the top raw edge.
      Pin in place.



The zipper will be sandwiched in between the pouch and lining panels.
Stitch the top edge with a 1/4" stitch back tacking at ends.


11) Press the pouch and lining panels away from the zipper.  Press.
     Top stitch 1/8" away for the seam line starting and stopping your stitching 3/8"
     from the raw edge.

~Repeat for the other side~


12) Separate the lining pieces from the pouch pieces.
     Place the pouch pieces right sides together, matching seams and raw edges.  
     Pin in place.

     Place the lining pieces right sides together, matching seams and raw edges.  
     Pin in place.
     The zipper teeth should face towards the lining.
     Make sure the zipper is open.
     Sew around the perimeter  leaving a 4" opening on the bottom lining side.

13) Box the corners:
      Place the bottom and side seams right sides together at the bottom corner 
      with seams pressed open.
      Mark 1" up from the bottom corner.  Stitch on the marked line back tacking at ends.
      Trim the seam 1/4" beyond the stitching.  Repeat for the other bottom corner.

Repeat for the lining.

14)  Turn right side out and press.
        Machine stitch or hand stitch the opening in the lining closed.

Congrats!   You have made a "Baby patchwork zipper pouch"

Happy Sewing.
xo
Charise