Vintage Block Quilt Along

In 2012 I had an idea to do a quilt-along using vintage quilt block patterns.
It took a little over two years and 12 patterns were done!

You can find all the patterns and tutorials [HERE]

I have all the blocks sewn but have yet to make them into a quilt.

My next project is to decide the sashing for this quilt, which I will share soon!

I decided to put pictures of my unfinished projects on a cute bulletin board (I found the bulletin board at Joann fabrics) so I don't forget which projects I need to finish.

It helps me to have a visual reminder : )

Looks like I will need a few more bulletin boards for all my projects!

Summer is coming to an end so I hope to have time to finish lots of my unfinished projects when my boys are back in school.

I hope you are enjoying these last days of summer!

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

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

Sunday Stash ~ Lakehouse Favorites

A few years ago Lakehouse Dry goods fabric produced the cutest line called Annie's Farm Stand.

My favorite prints are the text prints called Annie's Seed catalogue,  which came in white, black, red and yellow.

They are adorable and versatile and I love to use them for quilts and small fabric projects!

The print made an appearance in my block for the quilt in the book "Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects."  It is the text print in the apple on the left.

You can find them in My Vintage Block Quilt Along.

And most recently, a free paper piecing pattern.

I was so excited that Lakehouse decided to reprint them ~ and in new colors!

You can find the prints at Fat Quarter Shop.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Vintage Block Quilt Along ~ Petal Circle ~ Block #12

Today I am sharing the last block in my Vintage Block Quilt Along.

It has been a longer journey that I planned - thanks for your patience : )

I'm very happy with the way all the blocks have turned out!

If you are quilting along, don't forget to share your photos in my Flickr group and tag your blocks with the hashtag #VintageBlockQAL if you are sharing on Instagram or Twitter.

I wanted the last block to have a flower feel so I though this block called "Petal Circle in a square" from the Kansas City Star was just perfect.

Petal Circle

adapted from a Kansas City Star Block a tutorial by Charise Creates

Download the pattern HERE

Materials - a F4 (18" x 22") or large scraps will work perfectly

A - Yellow Print

B - Light Ground Print

C - Light Ground Print

D - Red Print

E - Light ground print or solid

Notion and Supplies

Fine sewing pens

Scissors

Fabric marking pen or pencil

Spray Starch

Sewing Machine

Light colored Thread - I like 100% cotton
Acrylic ruler for truing up the block (I like a 12 1/2" square ruler)
Rotary Cutter  

Cut:

8 - A - Yellow Print

8 - B - Light Ground Print

4 - C - Light Ground Print

1 - D - Red Print

4 - E - Light ground print or solid ** Cut the straight outside edges about 1/4" larger than the pattern to give you a little extra which will be trimmed when the block is finished.

Notes:

~All seam allowances are 1/4" 

Finished Size:

12" finished / 12 1/2" unfinished

Sew the outer circle together - A to B

1)  Lay out A and B as the finished block.

2) Place A right sides together with B.  Pin at the top matching points.  Pin at the bottom 1/4" up from the bottom curved edge of A.

3) Gently pull the edge of B to match A and pin in place.

4) Stitch the seam.  Repeat 1 - 4 for the other side.  Continue around until you have a circle made up of pieces A and B.   Press.

Sew the inner circle together C to D.

5) Fold C in half and crease.  Fold D in half and crease.

6)  Place the C to D right sides together matching crease.  Pin in place with D facing you.  Pin each end.

Pin again between the center and end pin.  Stitch seam with D wrong side facing you.  Repeat for the other sides.  Press.

7) Fold the center circle in half as pictured making a crease line at the end of each fold line.  Place the creases to the outer circle as show with right sides together and pin in place.  Match the center of the red "X legs" to the center of the petals as shown, right sides together and pin in place.

With the wrong side of the outer circle facing you,  stitch around the circle. (See pic in step 9)  Press.

8)  With right sides together, stitch the short end of E together.  Repeat for the other 3 sides.  Fold the inner circle in half than half again marking creases at the edges.  Fold the outer circle in the same way creasing at the inside edges.  
Match the creases on the inside circle and border with right sides together.

9) Pin at the crease marks and again between each pin, gently pulling the border E to meet the raw edges of the inner circle.  Stitch seam.  Press.

True up the block to 12 1/2".

Yay! You have completed the last block in the Vintage Block Quilt Along!

Friday Favorites and a little peek of Vintage Block #12!

1. image, 2. Look who's back from the long-armer..., 3. 318 Patchwork Patterns, 4. Huggy basket for a wonderful teacher. Fully handsewn and so satisfying., 5. 20141107_141448, 6. Blocks for Jenna @jennaappleton #muststashbee

I hope you are having a good Friday!  

With the invent of Instagram, I visit Flickr less and less.  Today I decided to head on over to Flickr and discovered that they have redesigned the site.  I like it so much better!  I even found a group of wonderful projects to share with you!  All the photo credits are listed above.

My focus lately has been to finish projects and clean up my sewing space.

I have finished the last block in the Vintage Block Quilt Along and look forward to sharing it soon!

xo

Charise

Vintage Block Quilt Along ~ Spring Butterfly ~ Block #11

Happy Spring!  We have had a few sunny days here in Seattle.  I actually spent some much needed time in the garden!  I love this time of year ~ seeing the beginnings of new life and my garden coming to life.

  I made four butterfly quilts blocks for my quilt - one for each corner.  Two of the blocks are reversed so that all the butterflies are traveling towards the center of the quilt.  
The blocks are fast and easy to put together once you get all the pieces cut out.


Spring Butterfly Pattern

                   

12” finished / 12 ½” unfinished Block

The butterfly measures approximately 6 3/4" x 7 1/4"

Find the pattern Here

~A few tips ~ 

*Read through all the instructions before proceeding.

*Start with a sharp new sewing machine needle.

*For best results, print the pattern templates onto card stock 

Fabric for one block:

~ Background Fabric - approximately 1/3 yard

~ Grey Fabric - Large Scrap or F8

~ Print Fabric - Large Scrap or F8

~ Coordinating Print Fabric - Large Scrap or F8

Fabric for four blocks:
~background fabric - approximately 3/4 yard
~Pink Fabric - F8 or large scraps
~Pink Fabric - coordinating print -F8 or large scraps
~Yellow Fabric - F8 or large scraps
~Yellow Fabric - coordinating print -F8 or large scraps
~Blue Fabric - F8 or large scraps
~Blue Fabric - coordinating print -F8 or large scraps

~Red Fabric - F8 or large scraps
~Red Fabric - coordinating print -F8 or large scraps
~Grey Fabric - F8

Other Supplies  

~ Cardstock

~ Fine Sewing Pins ~ my favorites are these from Clover which are .45 mm

~ Chalk for marking ~ I like Clover Triangle Tailor’s Chalk or Clover Chalko liner

~ Matching Thread
~ Black embroidery Floss (optional)
~ Hand sewing embroidery needle (optional)

Cut   

Cut A1 from Grey text fabric

Cut B1 and D1 from the same print fabric

Cut C1 from a coordinating print fabric

Cut A2, A3, B2, B3, C2, D2 and D3 from background fabric

** If you are making four blocks for your quilt, flip the pattern when marking the fabric for two of the blocks**

~Sewing Instructions~  

***Tip ~ Stitching curves ~ Showing C1 stitched to C2***

 Fold the fabric piece right sides together and mark the center point with a crease.

 Showing the fabric unfolded and the crease marked

Place right sides together matching center crease.  Pin in place.  Place pins at each edge.
Stitch the seams with the concave piece facing you.

1) Stitch A, B, C, and D together separately.

2) Stitch B, C and D together.

3) Stitch A to B/C/D.  True up your block.

4) Stitch a 2 3/4” x 8” strip to each vertical side (sides).  Press. Trim top edges.

5) Stitch a 3” x 12 3/4” strip to each horizontal side (top and bottom). Press.

6) Trim the block to 12 1/2”

7) If desired, embroider the antennae to the block using the artwork as a guide.

Yay! Your block is complete!

For the rest of the blocks in the series, check out the Vintage Block Quilt Along Page.

I would love to see your version of this block or any others in the Quilt Along.  Please use the hashtag

#Vintage BlockQuiltAlong
#ChariseCreates
#ChariseCreatesPattern

Spring Butterfly ~ Vintage Block Quilt Along ~ WIP Wednesday

It is a cold and rainy day in Seattle so it has been nice to work on a cheerful project.    Hard to believe that Spring is just one day away!

These butterflies are the 11th block in my Vintage Block Quilt Along.  They are an Alice Brooks pattern and I've decided to make four - one for each corner of the quilt.  They are surprisingly easy to put together!

The pattern is coming soon : )
Find the pattern HERE!

I played around with the quilt layout  and  I'm thinking about adding white sashing with aqua cornerstones.  The quilt needs a bit of order so I thought the butterflies at each corner will be just the ticket.

What are you working on?

Link up over at Freshly Pieced to share your Work(s) in Progress.

xo

Charise

Vintage Block Quilt Along ~ Spring Blossom #10 - Find me at Sew Mama Sew!

  Happy Wednesday!  I have finished block #10 in the Vintage Block Quilt Along - Spring Blossom.  You can find the pattern and the tutorial at the Sew Mama Sew Blog!

This block has been referred to as Jig Saw Puzzle, Nonesuch and Love Ring in various vintage quilting publications.   

I have revised the block to have solid corner squares so 

that the center Flower is the star of the show.  

The block is made from 12 identical pieced squares with the addition of 4 corner squares..

Each individual square is 3 ½”.   Curved piecing is involved in the construction of this block, but it is not difficult if you follow the tutorial!  

These are all the blocks so far.  If you'd like to quilt along, you can find links to all the patterns and tutorials here.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Vintage Block Quilt Along ~ My Progress so far

I am in "full throttle" gift sewing mode here at the Randell house but did take a moment to make a collage of my blocks so far in the Vintage block Quilt Along.  I started the Quilt Along about this time last year with the goal to have all 12 blocks complete.  Well....I am a little behind but will provide free patterns and detailed tutorials for three more blocks over the next few months.

I just love these vintage blocks.  I imagine quilters in the 1930's hand piecing these lovely blocks with well loved clothes just like my great grandmother did!

I hope you will join in.  There is no pressure and they will be up on my blog for you to create at your leisure : )  Click on the "Vintage Block Quilt Along" tab in the top bar for a link to each block.

Take a peek at the Vintage Block Quilt Along Flickr Group - you will find some seriously gorgeous blocks!

Happy Sewing
xo
Charise

Secret Drawer - Vintage Block Quilt Along #9

Hello!  

Below you will find the instructions to make the next block in the Vintage Block

quilt Along - The Secret Drawer from the Kansas City Star, circa 1930.

I love this block and I think it is my favorite so far, thought I feel that way about each of these vintage blocks : )  After completing this block you will be a Y seams expert!  The are not as hard as they look and I will give you tips for success!

OK....lets get started:

Pattern for piece B can be found [Here]

Fabric: all pieces include a 1/4" seam allowance
Cut 1 - A  4 3/4" Print Center Square
Cut 8 - B Background Fabric
Cut 8 - B Spool Fabric
Cut 4 - C  2 5/8" squares for center spool
Cut 2 - D  5 1/8" squares background fabric, then cut these squares diagonally to make 4 triangles
Cut 2 - E  3 7/8" squares background fabric, then cut these squares diagonally to make 4 triangles

Materials:
100% cotton thread
Marking pencil or pen
See thru ruler
Rotary cutting supplies

Notes:
All seam allowances are 1/4"

Tip for Cutting Piece B.
Cut 1 9/16" strips and lay piece B on the strip cutting the diagonal seam with you rotary cutter.


Create the spools:

1)  Mark the center spools C 1/4" from each edge and 1/4" from raw edge.   I like to draw a seam line and make marks for the 1/4" point.
Place B spool right sides together with C inside spools.  Pin in place
***In order to make sure both pieces are centered, I fold both pieces in half and create a crease mark.  Match the crease on B to C to insure they are placed correctly***

2) Stitch the seam, stopping 1/4" from beginning and end of seam.  If you go over the mark (like I did on the top left) use your seam ripper to remove the stitches.
Repeat for the other side.  Press seams open.

3) Place piece B - background fabric to Piece C right sides together.  Pin in place.

4) Flip over the spool and stitch the seam starting and ending at the previous stitching, 1/4" from edge.  Start 1 stitch inside the previous stitching line.  Again, if you stitch into the previous seam, use your seam ripper to remove the stitches.
Repeat for the other side.

5) Place the diagonal edges of both B pieces right sides together and pin in place.
Start stitching 1 stitch away from the previous stitching back tacking at ends.  Repeat for the other side of the spool.

6)  Press seams towards the dark pieces.
Repeat for the opposite side.

7) Your finished Spool with look like this.  Repeat steps #1-6 for the other three spool blocks.

 Assemble the block

8) Lay out your block as pictured.
Stitch together Row 1.  Stitch together Row 2.  Stitch together Row 3.
Stitch row 1 to 2.  Stitch Rows 1/2 to 3.  Attach the top and bottom corners.

Yay!!!!  you are done!!
Easy, peasy, lemon squeaky - as my 6 year old would say!  : )

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will answer your questions!


Happy Sewing!

xo
Charise