7.29.2015

Work In Progress Wednesday ~ Modern Hexagon Handbag


RJR Fabrics sent me the loveliest bundle of fabric - the new line from Amy Barickman "Vintage Modern Centennial Collection" 
It is a sewing inspired fabric with vintage images and some great text and geometric prints.  It is available in stores in September '15.


I thought it would be perfect in my new design ~ the Modern Hexagon Handbag.


The line comes in a turquoise/fuschia color way and a black/cream/blue gray color way.




I decided to add a thicker stabilizer - a foam stabilizer that adds a lot of body and a bit of thickness.  It is from Pellon ~ Pellon Flex foam, and I purchased it at my local Joann fabric store.  



If you prefer a bag that stands up by itself and you want to add foam stabilizer to yours, cut 2 pieces 1/4" beyond the "Fold Line" on the LINING pattern piece.  Baste the stabilizer  to the back of the interfaced front panels with a 1/4" basting stitch.  Cut 1 piece of stabilizer from the GUSSET Pattern piece.  Baste to the Outside gusset with a 1/4" basting stitch.
Continue sewing as per the instructions.

Be sure to head on over to Freshly Pieced for some inspiring Work In Progress Projects!

Happy Sewing!
xo
Charise




7.17.2015

Kettle's On! ~ My stop on the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along




Hello and Happy Friday.    Farm Girl Friday that is : )
I am excited to share my block from the new book by Lori Holt of a Bee in my Bonnet, "Farm Girl Vintage".


The book is fantastic and has 45 adorable quilt blocks and patterns for quilts,
potholders and table toppers.

Each block has a pattern for a 6" or 12" block.
Lori shares her farm girl past with adorable pics of her family
growing up on a farm in Utah.

Check out this fun video from the Fat Quarter Shop for a clever way to bind a potholder using backing fabric [HERE]

I made the Kettle's On! block and chose an aqua, red and pink theme.

The blocks are labeled alphabetically so I used my Alphabitties to mark all the pieces.
I love the way they coordinate with the fabrics : )


I thought My Kettles On block would make a perfect little purse and even had the red handles in my stash!

Be sure to check out the other bloggers and their blocks and projects.  
You can find the schedule [HERE]
If you Instagram, check out the hashtag #FarmGirlFridays for more inspiring creations.

Happy Sewing!
xo
Charise



7.14.2015

The Modern Hexagon Handbag - a New Pattern!


I am so happy to announce a new handbag pattern that I designed ~ The Modern Hexagon Handbag!
You can find the pattern as a PDF download [HERE]

The design is a hexagon created with Six triangles, stitched in such a way that you will get a perfect
point in the middle!  I love the wooden handles and the fussy cut motifs.
The purse is a beginner pattern for sewists with some sewing experience.

The pattern comes in two sizes - the Small Handbag is a perfect smaller handbag  -  which fits all your essentials including an iPad mini.
The Large Handbag is a shopper size - perfect for sewing and knitting projects or shopping.
I actually like a big purse for my everyday purse : )


The Apple Fabric is from Cotton + Steel.  You can find it at PinkCastleFabrics.com [HERE]
The text print is a Kei Japanese fabric from Sew Me A Song on Etsy [HERE]

I purchased the text print in every color way.  It is such a versatile print!


This version uses a print from Melody Miller by Kokka called "Ruby Star Vinyl" which you can find at Sew Me a Song [HERE]


The handbag has a side gusset for extra roominess and a nice shape
as well as an inside pocket.


This version uses the same text print in a gorgeous mustard yellow with a Pear Print from
Cosmo Textiles in the pattern, “Scandinavian Woods”.

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise





7.05.2015

What is a girl to do when it is hot outside? Turn up the fan and Sew!!!




Happy 4th of July to all my U.S. North American friends.  I hope you had a good one!
It has been unseasonably hot here in the Pacific Northwest - in the 90's!   So what does a girl do when it is too warm to go outside (well, if I'm not at the beach with my rascal boys!)  Why sew, of course : )


I have always loved Pucci prints and when I received this fabric in a Girl Charlee Knit Fix assortment  I knew a dress was in order!  To clarify, Girl Charlee Fabrics sells a special assortment of 2 yard cuts of knit fabric - a surprise bag every month.  Lets just say, I need to be sewing up all that knit fabric I've ordered : )

If you want to see some vintage Pucci prints, click [HERE]


The pattern is Simplicity 1804.  I lengthened the shortest version to make more of a midi length.
A versatile pattern,  I can see wearing it to the beach as a swim suit cover up or it can be dressed up for a night out!



Happy Sewing!
xo
Charise