* Ruffle Clutch Tutorial on the Liberty Craft Blog *

I can't even begin to tell you how excited and honored I am to have a tutorial on the Liberty Craft Blog!!!  I created a sweet ruffle clutch using Liberty Lifestyle Stile collection. It is a fun little project - perfect for summer when you want a smaller purse to hold all you essentials.   Please head on over and visit the blog.  They have some great tutorials and patterns there!

 

 

You can find some of the Stile Fabrics I used here at Drygood Design and Pink Castle Fabrics.

Happy Sewing!!!

xo

Charise

Super Online Sewing Match - Challenge #2 * Rollerskate Dress *

[Ella the Model]

 

[Dress Front]

 

[Dress Back]

I'm so excited to share my garment in the Sew Mama Sew - Super Online Sewing Match!  The challenge was to make Liesl + Co's, Oliver + S Rollerskate dress!  I don't have girls - so I was really happy to have the opportunity to sew a little girl's dress!!  My model is Ella!

[My Inspiration Board]

The inspiration board is filled with ideas and fabrics for the dress.  I love yellow and pink and thought it would be a perfect combo for a little girl's summer dress! 

 

 

[Grandmother's Flower Paper pieced pattern]

 

The jumping off point for the design was this Grandmother's Flower paper pieced pattern. I design paper piecing patterns and thought this one would be a perfect addition to the dress! 

 

[Pocket Detail]

 

 I created two flowers for the pockets in some of my favorite japanese fabrics.  It was fun to fussy cut the motifs for the petals!

 

My version of the dress called for a contrast waistband so I created 1" bias strips and stitched them to the front and back of the dress.  I wanted the shirring detail so elastic was added under the casing.

 

The back closure is three self fabric covered buttons + loops.  The pattern calls for one loop but I thought the three bird buttons would be perfect!

 

 

I spaced the loops about 3/8" apart rather than stitching them right next to each other.  This  way I could stitch the buttons closer to the edge.

[Hem Facing Detail]

 

Instead of twice turning the bottom edge to hem the skirt, I made a hem facing.  I love this detail since you get a nice clean finish with the option of adding a fun pop of contrast fabric. 

I overlocked all the skirt seams - CB, and side seams for added durability since children's clothes are washed - a lot!!!!

. 

To add a Hem Facing to your pattern:

1. Trace the bottom of the front and back pattern pieces and measure up 2" from the bottom on the contrast hem fabric.  Cut out the hem facing pieces.

2. Stitch the CB and side seams together with fabric right sides together. 

3.  Fold under 1/4" on the top edge. Press.  Stitch the bottom facing to the bottom hem, right sides together. (I used a 1/4" s.a.).

4. Press the facing to the wrong side of the bottom skirt.  Roll the facing slightly up so you can see just a bit (about 1/16") of the outer fabric. 

5.  Edgestitch the facing in place.

 

The pattern calls for a full lining.  The fabric I used for the dress was heavy enough without the lining (I used quilting weight or mid weight cotton) so I decided to create a bodice facing to finish the neck and armholes.  The bottom of the facing is overlocked. The facing is machine tacked at the side seams at the bottom of the facing.

 

* A few notes about the pattern *

First I have to say - I loved the pattern!  The instructions and illustrations are wonderful. I would definitely use Liesel + Co patterns again.

*Be sure to measure your model as instructed in the pattern!  I was not able to measure Ella prior to making the dress, so I made the dress one size smaller since she is a petite six year old and the size 5 pattern was still a bit too big.  Hopefully she will be able to wear it next summer too!

*Once you pick your size and cut out the pattern, measure the pattern to figure out your fabric requirements.  I only needed 3/4 of a yard for a size 5 in 44" wide fabric.  I was able to do this since I flipped the back pattern piece.  If you use a directional fabric, you would need the amount of fabric advised in the pattern.

 

 

Happy Sewing!!

xo

Charise

Grandmother's Flower Paper Pieced Pattern and a little Sunday Stash

Hope you have been enjoying the summer.  It has been beautiful here in Seattle!

I've been sewing - lots!  Currently working on the 2nd challenge in the Sew Mama Sew - "Super Online Sewing Match."

Today I stitched my Grandmother's Flower pattern.  I developed this pattern as a paper piecing alternative to the grandmother's flower hexagon flower.  It is nice to have a way to make a hexagon flower without hand stitching.  I love the way it turned out in the yellow/pink version!

 

[Left to Right: three on left-Diamond Patch by Clothworks, Daiwaboo Berries on Red, Daiwaboo Berries on Mint, Daiwaboo Flower Baskets, Lecien Luggage 80] 

 

On another note, I received these lovely fabrics from Beca at Sew Me A Song.  Love, love, love them all and can't wait to cut in to them!!!

 

xo

Charise

Vintage Floral A-Line Skirt - Super Online Sewing Match Challenge #1

Welcome to my first post in the "Super Online Sewing Match" hosted by Sew Mama Sew. 

The first challenge was to make and design an A-line Skirt

with the help of Deborah Moebes' Craftsy class. 

 

I sketched many ideas but settled on a skirt that I would wear - a lot!!  I have two fairly young boys so summer days are spent in sandals and tank tops.  I wanted a skirt that was easy and flattering with some sweet vintage inspired design details. I love 1940's and 1950's vintage styles.  I have been collecting vintage feedsacks since I started quilting a few years ago and collecting vintage sewing pattern for years!  Both became the inspiration for this challenge.

I decided to use a lightweight floral printed dotted swiss cotton fabric that has a sweet vintage fabric vibe and add piping to accentuate the yoke line and scoop pockets.

 

Deborah Moebes class in an excellent one for someone who has made clothes from commercial patterns and is ready to branch off into making a custom pattern to fit your measurements.  There is nothing like a custom made garment that fits your body perfectly!

The first step was drafting a basic skirt sloper (basic pattern based on your personal measurements) that I could use as a start for any skirt project I tackle in the future. Deborah does an excellent job helping you draft your own a-line skirt sloper.  My pattern drafting book from design school came in handy along with Deborah's tips from the Craftsy class.

 I then manipulated the basic skirt pattern, removing the darts to create a flattering, tummy flattening yoke and also added curved front pockets.  I love skirts with pockets!!!

  The piping accentuates the simple design details.

Adding a light weight cotton lawn lining was a must since the dotted swiss floral was slightly sheer.

The side seams on the skirt are overlocked and pressed open and the lining seam is left as a raw edge.

I decided to add a soft rayon hem tape to finish the hem.  I eased the bottom edge of the skirt hem on to the tape since the bottom hem is just slighty larger than the hem line.
The hem is hand stitched with an invisible blind hem.  I then added a french tack or swing tack to attach the lining to the skirt body.

I am very happy with the invisible zipper!  Deborah's tips for adding an invisible zipper are fab!

To make sure the horizontal piping lines matched, I stitched one side of the zipper in place, marked the yoke placement on the opposite zipper tape and then hand tacked the opposite side to the skirt so the piping would match perfectly!



Here are a few more photos of the finished skirt on Mabel the mannequin!

[Skirt Front]

[Skirt Back]

 

I'm really looking forward to making different versions of this skirt for my summer wardrobe!

 

xo

Charise

The Super Online Sewing Match

 

 

Have you seen the Great British Sewing Bee?  If you haven't -I suggest you do!  It is wonderful!!!  You can find it on YouTube.

Much in BBC style, it is very educational with sewing tutorials and sewing history in each episode. 

I heart British television!!!

 The contestants are from all walks of life and bring different experiences to the show.

So, in case you haven't heard, Sew Mama Sew is hosting their own online version - The Super Online Sewing Match.  I read about it and thought that would be fun - lots of work - but lots of fun.  After deliberating for a few days I decided to enter.  And guess what -  I'M IN!!!!! 

I'm super excited and to be honest, a bit nervous. 

I love sewing clothes so this will be a fun challenge.

The first challenge is designing and sewing an A-Line skirt.  The instructions are via a Craftsy class that teaches you how to draft your own skirt based on your measurements.  I have my skirt sloper (basic skirt pattern) from design school in 1990 - but doubt it fits any more : )  Boy, I wish it did!    Yesterday I spent most of the day adjusting to the idea of being a contestant, and pinching myself : ) 

I also did some sketching, gleaned some inspiration from fashion magazines and pulled some fabrics. 

Today I drafted my sloper or basic skirt pattern and start on the design.

I hope you will follow along and keep your fingers crossed I make it beyond Round 1!!!

xo
Charise

 

Sunday Stash and some random bits : )

For the ladies that are sewing along with me in the Vintage Block Quilt Along - thank you for your patience!  I have been working on the pattern for the latest block and should have it done soon.  The original pieces were not measuring correctly so I redrafted the pattern.  The block is "Bluebell" from the Kansas City Star and you can see my fabric pull in the pic above.  It is a sweet floral block and I think it will look smashing with the others : )

I couldn't resist these lovely fabrics from Riley Blake.  They are Lori Holt's newest line, "Bake Sale".

Aren't they adorable?

I also purchased these fabrics from Pink Castle fabrics.  They are Melody Miller for Kokka, "Ruby Star Polka Dot".  I cannot wait to cut into these!  Pink castle is having a sale for 25% off all fabrics with the code Fourth!

This week I was running errands and couldn't resist stopping by a favorite thrift store in Seattle - Value Village.  I found this adorable nightie pattern from 1979.  It was on sale for 38 cents and all the pieces are there!!!

I have 5 yards of the Anna Maria Horner Voile I think will be adorable for this style!

Stay tuned......I will have a very fun announcement tomorrow.  Lets just say I hope to bee a "busy bee" sewing all summer!!!

 

xo

Charise  

Craft if Forward

I'm very happy to announce that all five lovely ladies that signed up for

craft if forward have received their packages. 

I made Pomme potholders for everyone with a little extra in each package.   

I know how exciting is is to receive a little something in the mail - just like Christmas opening a special package!

 

It was a fun experience for me and I love the whole idea of this! 

Thanks to Mette for sending me this lovely package last year!

 

A busy day in the yard and hopefully I'll sneak in some sewing, too!!!

xo
Charise

Work in Progress Wednesday

Thought I would share a few WIP's.  This one is a sneak peek of a submission I'm working on for Stitch Spring 2014.  The fabric is Melody Miller's Ruby Star Vinyl which I adore!!!! Becca at Sew me a Song still has this print in Stock!

The project is a bit of a departure for me - very sleek and modern : )

Last night I worked on some hexie hand sewing.  I always forget how much I enjoy it.  Nice to have something to work on late at night or outside during the summer!!!  I'll be doing some more hand sewing this evening while watching the first two episodes of Season 2, Game of Thrones!

 

 

 Happy almost 4th of July my North American friends. I think we may actually have a sunny Fourth here in Seattle, Wa. It pretty much always rains on the 4th of July in Seattle so I am over the moon!

 

xo

Charise