Happy Holidays to You!!

My goodness!  It has been over a month since I posted here.  

It has been super crazy dealing with our house remodel.  

We moved last week and we still have the final move into our house. - hopefully by February. 

We found a two bedroom basement apartment that is cozy and comfortable, but I am seriously looking forward to being in our new house!

In the meantime I have found a bit of time for Christmas sewing.

If you are looking for some gift sewing ideas, check our my gifts to make page [HERE]

I made these open wide pouches designed by Noodlehead.  

If you are looking for an easy last minute gift to make, this is also a good one.

The pouch pictured in front has a leather bottom which matched nicely with the Cotton and Steel canvas print.

Find a tutorial for sewing leather or suede [HERE]

The large pouch is perfect for smaller knitting projects.

You can find the tutorial [HERE]

I saw some adorable Petal Pouches on IG made by the talented a__l

The pattern is also from Noodlehead and is a fun and easy make.

I couldn't resist making a patchwork version and raided by scrap basket. 

OK... back to Holiday sewing I go  :)

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

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Heartland Blog Tour

Hi There!

Today is my stop on the Heartland Blog Tour.  

Heartland is the newest fabric collection from designer Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabric.

After browsing the collection I had to make something with the Owl print!  Hus Hoot Gul  is offered in canvas and knit fabric so a garment and purse were in order.

I have been wanting to make a granny style purse for ages and this print was perfect.

The fabric is the star of the show with this style of hand bag.

A trip to my local leather store, and I had the perfect leather for the handle.

If you haven't worked with leather before, check out my tutorial [HERE] for tips on how to sew leather on your home sewing machine.

Art Gallery knit fabric is lovely and incredibly soft. 

 I decided to make a tee that is perfect to wear now under a cardigan,

 and in the Spring and Summer by itself.  

The Mabel Flutter Sleeve Tee is a pattern I am currently working on.  

Expect to see it later this year just in time to make for Spring  : )

I hope you enjoyed seeing my makes.  Thanks to Pat Bravo and Amy Friend for inviting me to participate.  It was so much fun working with Pat's beautiful fabric!

I look forward to seeing what you make with Heartland too!  If you make something, please tag it with  #PatBravoDesigns, #HeartlandFabrics, and #ArtGalleryFabrics.

Be sure to also tag @PatBravo so she can see what you make!

***   And last, but not least, Be sure to stop by to see the other bloggers fantastic makes:   ***

November 7 Debbie
November 8 Jess and Charise (me : )  (twice as good today!)
November 9 Jade
November 10 Amanda
November 11 Kari
November 14 Stephanie
November 15 Christopher
November 16 Kerry
November 17 Nichole
November 18 Krista

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Sewing Planners ~ My New Love

I am the poster child for having oodles of projects that I want to make.  Whether it be clothing, bags or quilts,  my biggest problem is trying to organize all those ideas in one place so I can keep track of everything on my "to sew" list.

When I saw that Colette Patterns was offering a Sewing Planner for sale, I had to give it a try.

I already have a Fashionary, which I love. This one I purchased a few years ago at the Victoria and Albert Museum which makes it extra special!
 I use it for sketching on the go and I really like the crocus style, which are the outlines of the figures to create fashion sketches.

What the Fashionary doesn't have, is the space to record all the extras one needs to finish a project.

The Sewing Planner is really the next step in the creative process to take your ideas to fruition.

Check out this blog post on the Colette blog to see how a sewist used hers.

Well...now that I have a way to organize all my garment sewing "to dos", I started searching for a planner for all my quilting projects.
To my surprise, I received a package this week containing all the goodies you see in the picture!
 
Fat Quarter shop sent me the complete Scrappy Project Planner designed by the talented Lori Holt of a Bee in My Bonnet.
It was like Christmas came early.

It is the most adorable planner and the accessories are super cute. You can purchase gingham washi tape, fine tip markers, bookmarks, stickers and a "today is the day" planner pad to go with you Scrappy project planner.

Being a visual person, the graphics and design are important to me.
I really look forward to using it - it is so cute.
I have already started filling the pages with my many unfinished quilting projects.

I'm having fun filling it up with all my projects:

My Vintage Block Quilt

My Log Cabin Quilt

And my Scrappy Trip Quilt - and that is not all of my unfinished projects!

Happy Sewing!
xo
Charise

More Secret Sewing

Life has been busy at Casa Charise.  I am patiently waiting for our house to be ready to move into.

More sewing has been happening on my secret project,  and today I spent the day creating pinwheels.

This is a small part of a larger project and I have enjoyed it immensely.

Since most of my studio is in storage, I picked my most precious fabric to have with me until I move back into our house.

My favorite fabric used in these pinwheels is the cream ground floral which is from the Lighthearted collection by Kokka.  Designed by the ever talented Ayumi of the Pink Penguin blog.

Fabrics used:

Red/Pink Scallop - Ruby by Bonnie and Camille for Moda Fabrics

Red Strawberries - from Yuwa fabrics

Red Trellis - Hello Betty by Chloe's Closet for Moda Fabrics

Pink Birds - Minny Muu by Lecien

Mini Aqua Gingham - Minny Mikes by Michael Miller Fabrics

Aqua Ground Fruit and Flower Print - Bandana by Me & My Sister Designs for Moda

The Chartreuse apple bowl is a vintage Hazel Atlas piece.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

  

Sewing for myself ~ Magyar Kimono Blouse by Vera Vintage

Hi and Happy Thursday!

I managed to find a bit of time to do some sewing for myself.  This blouse is a vintage 1940's style by Vera Venus.  The pattern is a free PDF download from her website.

I loved the easy style and keyhole neckline and I just happened to have the perfect Swiss Dot Chambray fabric from Robert Kaufman I recently purchased from Imagine Gnats.

I think it will be adorable with a 50's style button up cardigan, jeans and boots.

The pattern is one size and it fits me perfectly - I typically wear a Medium or 8/10.  

This is actually my fitting muslin and it fits well!

I shortened the sleeves a bit and stitched two tucks in the front and back instead of four.

The keyhole and neckline are bound with 1/2" single fold bias tape which I happened to have in my stash.

If you need a tutorial on creating and sewing binding, you can find mine [HERE]

There is an adorable tie neck version of this blouse, which is definitely next on my sewing "to do" list!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Secret Sewing #SecretSewingCharise

Hi Friends!

One of the reasons I have been blogging so infrequently is because I have been doing lots of Secret Sewing.  I will be busy with my secret project until Mid November.

I will be sharing sneak peeks along the way and you can find the pictures on IG with the hashtag #SecretSewingCharise.

You can also see my progress here on the blog.

The project I'm currently working on has one of my favorite color combos - pink and yellow.

The sweet bird fabric is an older Minny Muu print from Lecien.  You can find some newer Minny Muu prints at Pink Castle fabrics [HERE] and Fat Quarter Shop [HERE]

The strawberry print is from Yuwa and is also an older print but you can find similar strawberry prints [HERE] 

The Petal nesting bowl pattern can be found [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

Oldies but Goodies ~ Apple and Pear Pattern

I can't believe it has been over three weeks since I last posted!

I've been working on a project that I cannot share now ; )

as well as overseeing a house remodel.

Both are coming along nicely and I cannot wait to share them with you!

I thought this would be a good time to share some of my favorite patterns.  

The apple and pear pattern is a perfect Autumn make and today is the first day of Fall!

This pattern has lots of possibilities - coasters, tote bag, pillow to name a few.

The apple measures 4" wide x 4 3/8" tall

The pear measures 3 1/4"" wide x 5 3/8" tall

The pattern is free and you can find it [HERE]

If you'd like to make the round hot pad you can find the tutorial [HERE] 

I also have a pattern for a smaller apple which measures about 3" tall x 2 5/8" wide 

I made this fun hot pad with the apple pattern.

As well as these cute little pouches.

Isn't it fun as a coaster?

You can find the mini apple pattern [HERE]

Happy Sewing and Happy First day of Fall!

xo

Charise

Moving my Studio

Hi All and Happy Monday!

I don't often post on my blog about personal going ons, but our particular status affects my sewing space.

We are in the middle of an epic remodel.  Well...it is really like we are building a new house!

We have moved once and I was able to purge a bunch of stuff - clothes, fabric....

Now we are moving again!!!  Yikes.

I purchased those lovely fabric boxes from Target and they are a great way to organize my fabric.  Organizing by color works best for me and my creative process.

I'm trying to keep a positive outlook especially knowing that we will have a brand new house

and I will have a dedicated sewing space.  I haven't had a sewing room for seven years!
Six more months (fingers crossed).

Do you have any tips for keeping organized?  I'd love to hear them!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Our house before the remodel : )

The Plan and progress so far.

Lingerie Sewing

I have been on a lingerie making tear these days!  

There are some wonderful pieces on Instagram and had to give it a try.

In design school, I sewed almost everything - jeans, tailored jackets, ski jackets - but had never tried sewing Lingerie.  

I am Hooked!!!! Lingerie is surprisingly easy to sew.  All you need is a sewing machine with a zig zag stitch, a stretch needle and polyester thread or polyester blend thread.

This set is made from a Girl Charlee Bolt Fabric I found at my local fabric store.  They have some bargain lots on their site HERE.  I only needed 1/2 yard for both the bra and undies.
The bra is self fabric lined.

The Bra pattern is the Watson bra from Cloth Habit and the fit it perfect! 

The undies are Butterick B6031.

More Girl Charlee Cotton Spandex prints are on order so I can make more : )

The laces and elastic trims were found at my local fabric shop.  

You can also find supplies on Etsy and The Tailor Made Shop. 

This fun lounge set is my second lingerie making project.

The bralette is the Florence bra from Seamwork Magazine.

The Tap Pants are the Alice Flutter Knickers from Ohhh Lulu on Etsy.

This is another Girl Charlee fabric in a super soft rayon spandex jersey, which

is perfect for this lounge set.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Along ~ Sylvia

It is hard to believe that one year ago I signed up to share my Farmer's Wife Blocks for Kerry's Quilt Along!  

I started making farmer's wife blocks 5 - yes that is 5 years ago when the first quilt along group was formed on Flickr.  

Today I am sharing my last block for the quilt along ~ Sylvia.

It is an easy block to paper piece though I don't think I would want to make it any other way.  The pieces are small and paper piecing allows for incredible accuracy!

The fabric used for the center is Rise N Shine by Yuwa.  

The fabric has been out of print for some time.

The dot is from Lecien.

The floral border is also a Lecien print I found at Sunny Day Supply.

I think I am pretty close to having enough blocks to finish this quilt.

One more row of four blocks and I will be done!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Craftsy Block Party featuring my block "Secret Drawer"

I just received an email from the folks at Craftsy letting me know my block "Secret Drawer" is featured along with 24 more blocks on a blog post called "Block Party"!  You can find the Craftsy

post and all the free blocks [HERE]

"Secret Drawer" is a perfect block to practice your Y seams.  I share an in depth tutorial with step by step photos [HERE]

I created the pattern for my Vintage Block Quilt along.  You can find all the free patterns [HERE]

There are 12 blocks in all, 12" square and a perfect set to make your own vintage quilt!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Splendid Notions 50 block celebration!

Hello and thanks for joining me at the top of the Hill!  

A celebration of the first 50 blocks in the Splendid Sampler Sew Along.

Pat Sloan designed a block to celebrate called  ‘Top of the Hill’ for the celebration.  You can read more about her inspiration and get the Free pattern [HERE]

I haven't been able to keep up but I am happy with the 20 blocks I have made : )  Remember, it isn't a race!  And if you don't finish all the blocks in the next sixth months, there will be a book available for purchase next year, that includes each and every block!

I thought I would take the opportunity to share a few patterns during this celebratory event.

I recently finished this Vintage Sewing Machine and Notions Pattern.

You can find it in my Etsy and Craftsy shops.

I will be offering a 20% discount on all purchases of at least $6.50 in my ETSY shop until August 15th, 2016 with the code ThankYou20

This is another fun paper piecing pattern ~ Hello Spring ~ and it is FREE!!!

You can find it in my Craftsy shop.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Vintage Sewing Machine and Notions Paper Piecing Pattern

Today I am so excited to announce the re-release of my paper piecing pattern, 

"Vintage Sewing Machine & Notions".

Originally designed for a sew along years ago, this new version of the pattern includes full size,
full color patterns

as well as detailed instructions on how to put the block together.

I have also included my best paper piecing tips - three pages in all.

I am extending a discount coupon in my Etsy shop which expires 8-15-16.

Use code ThankYou20 for 20% off a purchase of $6.50 or more.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise