Cottage Charm Tote Bag and a "Large Log Cabin Sketch Book Cover"

I had the pleasure to work with the new line of fabric - Cottage Charm  designed by Kenzie Elston for Poppie Cotton fabrics.

The line consists of a super cute cottage print as well as an adorable stripe, florals and a butterfly print.

A patchwork tote seemed like a perfect project to show off the cute prints.  You can find the tutorial for my "16 Patch Tote" at the bottom of this post.

I also created a Scrappy Log Cabin Sketchbook Cover that also highlights the prints in the collection.  

The sketch book is bound with Poppie Cotton "Gingham Picnic". 

The inside fabric is Poppie Cotton "Barnyard Bandana".

The sketchbook cover holds a maximum size 7 1/2" wide x 10" tall notebook.

The inside has a roomy zipper pocket, slots for six pens or pencils and a notebook flap.

I used a 7" x 10" inside journal which you can find online here at University bookstore: SKETCHBOOK

Or on Amazon: SKETCHBOOK

You can also use a Moleskin 7 1/2" x 9 3/4" sketchbook.

I love the vintage button for the closure.

You can find the pattern for the Large Sketch Book Cover HERE

Please share your projects made with "Cottage Charm" on social media with the following hashtags:

• #cottagecharmfabric
• #cottagecharmfabrictour
• #poppiecottonfabric
• #poppiecotton
• #lovepoppiecotton

Happy Sewing!

xo 

Charise

16 Patch Tote Bag

Materials

Assorted Prints for Patchwork Panels:  32 - 3 1/2" squares from  12 different prints 

Gingham: Gusset-  36 1/2" x 3 1/2", Straps-  2 - 24" x 4 1/2" (20" x 4 1/2"),        Tabs:    2-  1" wide x 2 1/4" long

Lining:

    1 - 36 1/2" x 3 1/2" (gusset),  2 - 12 1/2" squares (body)

Fusible Batting:

    1 - 36 1/2" x 3 1/2" (gusset),  2 - 12 1/2" squares (body)

Medium Weight Interfacing:

    Straps: 2 - 24" x 4 1/2" (20" x 4 1/2")

*Apply the interfacing to the wrong side of the Straps, and the Batting to the wrong side of the Gusset following manufacturer instructions

*All seam allowances are 1/4" unless otherwise noted

1. Create the patchwork purse panels

a.  Arrange  the 16 print squares that make up the panel 4 across in 4 rows..

Stitch each row together.  

Press seam allowances in one direction, each row in alternating opposite direction. 

Stitch the rows together, nesting seams. 

Press horizontal seams open.

 Make 2.

b. Apply the batting to the wrong side of the patchwork panel.

Quilt a diagonal pattern corner to corner.

Repeat for the second patchwork panel.

2. Attach the gusset

a. Quilt the gusset in 1/2 inch rows along the length of the strap.

b. Mark the gusset at 12 1/4" from each raw edge.

Stitch a horizontal line 1/2" on either side of the marking 1/4" from the raw edge.

  Clip at the marking just outside the stitching.

Repeat for the other side.

c. Place the gusset right sides together with the patchwork panel matching raw edges.

Match the corners to the markings on the gusset.

Stitch around the perimeter.

Repeat for the other side.

3. Create and attach the straps

a. Fold under 1/4" to the wrong side of each long edge of the strap.  

Fold in half wrong sided together.

Edgestitch each long edge.

b. Mark the finished strap 6" from the edge.

Fold that strap in half.   Edgestitch between each 6" marking.  You will stitch 8" in the middle of the strap.

Repeat for the second strap.

c.  Place the strap on the top of the purse panel matching raw edges.  Place the inside edges of the strap matching the inside seam of the first and last square on the top tote panel.  Baste in place.

Repeat for the second side.

4. Create the loops

f.  Place the loop centered on the top edge of the gusset on both sides.  Baste in place. 

5. Create the Lining

a. Follow instruction 2b and 2c to construct the lining.  Leave a 4" opening on one bottom edge for turning.

b.   Turn the lining wrong side out.  Place the outside tote inside the lining, right sides together.  Match seams and top raw edges.  Stitch the top edge.  Press seam open.

6. Finish the Tote

a. Turn right side out.

Top stitch the top edge 1/4" from the seam catching the loops.

Add a cute charm to the loops.

You can also attach a shoulder strap to the loops if you want!

 Find more photos of projects at Charise Creates Instagram

Bee Vintage and Bee Ginghams – Summer Sewing Projects

 

I had such fun working with Bee Vintage and Bee Ginghams designed by Lori Holt. I love all Lori Holt fabrics! The basics line offers a rainbow of colors, but I decided to stick with the very Summery palette of turquoise, pink and sand.

The projects include my “Home Sweet Home Zipper Pouch”. The zipper pouch has a zipper closure and a boxy shape. The focal point is a Summery quilt block – my Berry Basket pattern.

I used the adorable selvage to make the cute little label for the second side of the pouch.

Bee ginghams in coral trims the top zipper closure and the berry basket is also made with bee ginghams.

Berry Basket Pattern 

Home Sweet Home Zipper Pouch Pattern

Since Summer has arrived in the Pacific Northwest, I wanted to make a beach bag – big enough to hold all my beach essentials. The Log Cabin tote bag is the perfect beach bag. I had such fun choosing fabrics for the design! The log cabin panels include both Bee Vintage and Bee Ginghams. 

The Log Cabin Tote also has D-ring loops if you’d like to add a strap.

You can find the Log Cabin Tote Pattern HERE

I Love to see your projects.  Please tag you photos on social media with the following hashtags:

#ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns #BeeVintageFabric

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

The Tale of Peter Rabbit ~ Cute Zipper Pouches : ) and a free "Fussy Cut Frame Zipper Pouch" tutorial

I've always loved "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" books and movies.  

We watched the animated series when my boys were wee ones : )

I had the opportunity to sew some projects with the new fabric line, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit",  and loved how the projects turned out!

This fabric line has so many fussy cutting opportunities so I chose two zipper pouch projects that highlight the adorable Peter Rabbit motifs.

The first pouch I made is my "Macaroon Pouch".  I added a hexagon flower made with 1" hexagons to the inside panel.  I added hand embroidery around the hexagon flower in a deep coral.

The border and center of the hexagon are the lovely gingham print which comes in three colors. 

The back of the pouch features the cutest Peter Rabbit print!

You can find my Macaroon Pouch [HERE]

I also created a new free pattern!  The Picture Frame Log Cabin Pouch is the perfect pattern for  fabrics that have fussy cut motifs. 

The center is framed to highlight the fussy cut print of Peter.

The back uses the Peter Rabbit text print. 

You can find the tutorial at the bottom of this post!

If you use "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" fabric, please be sure to tag your photos with the following hashtags:

#TheTaleofPeterRabbitFabric #ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Fussy Cut Frame Log Cabin Zipper Pouch Tutorial

6" tall  x 10" wide finished

Supplies

5 total F8 (9" x 22") 5 different prints for logs (strips), 1 print for back of pouch

1 - 2 1/2" fussy cut square for center of log cabin block (1)

1/4 yard lining fabric

1/4 yard Fusible Batting

10" or longer coil zipper shortened to 9 1/2", measuring from top of zipper pull to bottom edge of zipper. (See step 8)

Cut:

Print #1:         4 - 1" squares, 1 - 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" (2),  2 - 3 1/2" x 1 1/2" (3 , 4),  1 - 4 1/2" x 1 1/2" (5)

Print #2:       1 - 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" (6), 2 - 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" (7, 8), 1 - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" (9)

Print #3:       2 - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" (10, 11), 1 - 1 1/2" x 8 1/2"  (12)

Print #4:       2 - 1 1/2"x  7 1/2"  (13, 14),  1 - 1" x 2" tab for zipper

Print #5:       1 - 10 1/2" x 7 1/2" for Back Pouch Panel

Lining:          2 - 10 1/2" x 7 1/2" 

Batting:        2 - 10 1/2" wide x 7 1/2" tall  batting

Notes:

~All seam allowances are 1/4" unless otherwise noted

1) Place the 1" squares on the corners of the 2 1/2" fussy cut square. Mark the squares from one corner to the opposite corner. Stitch on the marking.

2) Trim 1/4" beyond the stitching.

3) Press towards the outer corners.

4) Make the log cabin pouch panel:

Using the diagram as a guide, add strips to the center 2 1/2" square made in steps #1-3 as indicated on the pattern.   Make 1 Log Cabin Panel.

5) Fuse the 10 1/2" x 7 1/2" batting  to the  log cabin panel.  Quilt as desired.

Cut a 1" square from the bottom corners of the panel.

6) Fuse the 10 1/2" x 7 1/2" batting  to the 10 1/2" x 7 1/2" Back bag panel.  Quilt the panel as desired.

Cut a 1" square from the bottom corners of the panel.

7)  Cut a 1" square from the bottom corners of each 10 1/2" x 7 1/2" lining  panel.

8) Shorten the zipper to 9 1/2",  measuring from the top of the zipper head to the bottom of the zipper.

9) Fold under the 1" side of the zipper tab 1/4" to the wrong side. Press.

    Press in half wrong sides together.

10)  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.

11) Fold back the zipper tape on the top edge of the zipper to the wrong side. 

     Glue baste or machine baste in place.

12)  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 stitching at ends.

13) Place the lining right sides together with the front pouch panel matching top raw edges.  The zipper will be sandwiched in between the panel and lining.  

Stitch with a 1/4" top stitch.

14) Fold the lining over the zipper.The pouch front and lining will be wrong sides together.  Press both pieces away from the zipper.

Top stitch 1/4" away form the seam, back stitching at the ends of the seam.

15) Repeat steps 12 - 14 for the back of the pouch.

16) Separate the lining pieces from the pouch pieces. 

Place the pouch pieces right sides together matching the side seams and bottom edges.

The zipper (*Be sure to open the zipper) should face the lining.  Pin in place.

Stitch both sides and bottoms,  leaving a 4" opening in the bottom lining.

Press seams open.

17) Fold the pouch corners right sides together, matching the side and bottom seams. Press the seam allowances open. Repeat for the other bottom corner and the lining corners.

18) Turn the pouch right side out, Press.

Stitch the lining opening closed by hand or machine.