The Fussy Cut Sampler Quilt Along

I cannot resist a fun new project - especially a sew or quilt along!

When I saw the blocks appearing on Instagram for The Fussy Cut Samper Quilt Along I knew I had to join in!

I ordered the book, it never arrived, and then ordered it again!

So I am a bit behind.......

My blocks start with week 3 and I will catch up making the blocks for week 1 and 2 when I get a chance : )

If you are reading this then you are probably familiar with my work : )  

I love to fussy cut motifs and think it adds such a special element to my projects.

The book is broken down by techniques and is an excellent way to learn

some new techniques for fussy cutting.

You can find more info at TheFussyCutSampler.com

If you are on Instagram, also look for the hashtag #TheFussyCutSamplerQAL

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Macaroon Pouch in Improv Fabric by Amy!

Amy of During Quiet Time and I have been friends for years.

We first met when we joined the online paper piecing quilting bee - Cocorico.

It has been so much fun watching her career grow.  She designs patterns and has authored two lovely books for Lucky Spool.  She is so incredibly talented!  

Fabric Designer is her latest accomplishment and I had the pleasure of working with her beautiful new fabric line - "Improv" by Benartex Fabrics.

The colors are gorgeous and the prints are fresh and modern.

I just had to make a Macaroon Pouch - in the Cinnamon color way which I think is my favorite.  

Improv is available in July and you can see the entire, gorgeous, fabric line [HERE]

You can also find a beautiful free quilt pattern Amy designed on the Benartex site!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

SaveSave

Bella Skill Builder ~ Half Square Triangles

Happy June to you!

I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Today is the reveal for the fifth block in the Bella Skill Builder Sew Along hosted by The Fat Quarter Shop.  The lovely quilt is designed by Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life.

This month the block consists of half square triangles.

Fat Quarter Shop has some nifty paper to help make these.

I opted for this tutorial to make mine

I decided to do an ombre effect for my half square triangle block and I love it!

Be sure to click on over to the Fat Quarter Shop Blog to get the pattern and a link to a video to help you make the block.

And, don't forget to tag your pics with #BellaSkillBuilder !

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Macaroon Pouch Pattern in my Etsy Shop!

Hello and Happy Sunday.

We are having a lovely warm and sunny day here in the Pacific Northwest in Seattle, WA!

I'm heading outside to play in the garden,

 but wanted to share the release of my new pattern - Macaroon pouch!

You can find it in my Etsy Shop.

It is a fun zipper pouch that measures 11" x 8 1/4" which is the perfect size for carrying makeup, sewing supplies or art supplies!

The pouch has a nice curved shape that I was able to achieve with curved seams,

 and creative shaping.  

Being comfortable sewing curved seams is helpful, but I did include very clear instructions and tips to help make it easy.

You can personalize yours by adding a custom made  ribbon trim loop.

Instructions are include in the pattern.

Adding a fun zipper pull is another way to add a personal touch.

I find my zipper pulls online at ETSY, Superbuzzy, and Sunny Day Supply as well as Joann Fabric Stores and Michaels stores.

This yellow leather trimmed version is one of my favorites!

If you want to try sewing with leather, you can find a few tips [HERE]

If you do make the Macaroon Pouch, be sure to share it with the hashtag #MacaroonPouch.

I love to see what you make!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

100 Days of Stitching Arts

Happy Friday Lovelies.

I have been busy working on a few different sewing projects.

I joined The 100 Day Project as an impetus to get some of those projects moving forward and it has been working well!

The best part of moving back into our house is going through my work in progress projects that I haven't seen in over a year.  Most I have been excited to continue working on and moving towards FINISHING!   I'm trying really hard to finish things....... which isn't a strong suit for me!!!

Anyhow, I though I would share a few more things I have been working on!

This patchwork project was a sew along hosted and created by Chase of Quarter Inch Mark, which I started years ago.

I added a few more 12 patch blocks and sashed the blocks in Essex Natural Yarn Dye linen.

The hand quilting will be done in Finca size 8 embroidery floss.  I love to have a hand project to work on at night while watching the telly!

Ok...I did join a new sew along.  I couldn't resist.

The Minimal Day Sampler is hosted by Bespoke Outlaw for the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild but anyone can sew along!

You should head over to this post and read about the inspiration behind the blocks.  It is a very cool story!

More progress has been made on my new pattern ~ Macaroon Pouch.  I am fine tuning the pattern and instructions, and hope to release it in a week or two!

The center print is an older Melody Miller Print and the border is a yarn dyed indigo linen I had in my stash.

I unearthed my Liberty Kaleidoscope quilt project and have added a few more blocks.

You can find the pattern on the Sew Mama Sew website [HERE]

Yesterday,  I finished a few new pillows for our living room.

I love the way they turned out!  I used [this tutorial] from Seamstress Erin to add piping with an invisible zipper closure.  Since the zipper is hidden, they are reversible!

Have a lovely weekend!

xo

Charise

Bella Skill Builder ~ Flying Geese

Happy May Day to you!

I can't believe it is already May ~ the days seem to fly by!

Today is the reveal for the fourth block in the Bella Skill Builder Sew Along hosted by The Fat Quarter Shop.  The lovely quilt is designed by Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life.

Though I have always admired Flying Geese blocks, I have never sewn one!

Well, after using the "Quilt in a Day" flying geese ruler, I am hooked.

There is definitely a flying geese quilt in my future.

The ruler is brilliant and makes the blocks so easy to stitch up.  

I think it took me a little over an hour to make the three units you see above.

I chose the sunny yellow with ivory background for these blocks.  The simplicity is so refreshing.

And yellow just happens to be my favorite color.

Be sure to click on over to the Fat Quarter Shop Blog to get you copy of the pattern and a link to a video to help you make the block.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

      

The 100 Day Project

                                          I get so much more done when I have a deadline.

That is exactly why I joined the 100 day project.

The idea is to do one thing for 100 days straight.   You can read more about it [HERE]

Basically you choose an action - something you want to do for 100 days.

I chose #100 Days of Stitching Arts.

For me, this will include the entire process - from choosing fabrics, to designing a project and including process shots as well as my finished projects.

This is turning out to be the "Finish my Works in Progress" as well as "Making things that have been in my head forever" Project!

Day 1 I worked on my Flowering Snowball quilt.

Day 2 was dedicated to finishing a block for the Splendid Sampler Sew Along.

This block is Wishful Garden by Krystine of Pretty By Hand.

Day 3 & 4 was all about finishing my petals pillow.

I used Fat Quarter Shop's Impressions Orange Peel Template.

The edge is finished with a package of purchased bias piping and an envelope back.

And the past few days I created the pattern and sewed up my design ~ "Macaroon Pouch".

I love the shape and have another version on the cutting table!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise