Amy's Maker Quilt

This week has been all about finishing projects. 

Amy's "Maker" quilt was close to being finished but needed a few finishing touches.  

A little background on the quilt ~ Amy, Melinda and myself decided to do a round robin quilting bee.

Amy sent the Zipper and Sewing Machine block to Melinda who added the needle, stitch and thimble blocks.  She then sent it to me to add my blocks and send it back to Amy.

*** I have added links to the blocks that are available at the bottom of the post ***

I made three blocks for Amy - the scissors, "SEW" and the iron.  I'm not sure how Amy

is going to assemble the blocks, but I wanted to fill up the last bit of space in the quilt.

After a bit of ruminating on the layout, I decided a trio of notions jars would be perfect.  I used the jars from my Jam Jars and Fruit pattern and enlarged them to fit Amy's Quilt.

The yellow print is one of my favorites -  An out of print Japanese fabric by designer Kumiko Fujita.  It was fun to find the perfect text to include on the jar. 

The Buttons fabric is a Japanese print from Suzuko Koseki.

The labels were made by designing them on the computer and then printing them onto printable cotton fabric sew in fabric.

It was fun to collaborate with the very talented Melinda and Amy.

xo 

Charise

Links to Blocks:

Zipper block and all the block from the Sew Out Loud Quilt Along

Sewing Machine Block

SEW block

Work in Progress Wednesday ~ Cocorico Traveling Bee

I have been so fortunate to have met some wonderful ladies when I joined the Cocorico Bee on Flickr.  

We are just wrapping up the second round and it has been a wonderful journey!

Having seen so many wonderful traveling, round robin quilts on the internet, I really wanted to start one.  After a bit of coordinating, three members from the original Cocorico Bee created a Traveling Bee.

Amy's theme is "Maker" and she started with the sewing machine and zipper blocks.

I received Amy's blocks as well as Melinda's additions a few weeks ago.  The blocks have been up on the design wall and I have finally added my designs. 

 The first block I made was the iron.  The pattern is part of a quilt I designed for Quiltmaker Magazine a few years ago.

The SEW letters are from Kumiko Fujita's book, "Patchwork Patterns 318".

I added my signature style by fussy cutting the word fabrics, isolating my favorite parts of the text.

My last addition was the scissors block - a pattern I drafted this week. 

It has been nice to have all the blocks up on my design wall.  

It is really quite amazing how seeing the quilt ~ all day, every day ~  

helps to inspire the design process.

I am not done yet : )  That upper left section that is blank will be filled with a trio of blocks that will balance out the quilt.

Be sure to head on over Freshly Pieced to see some inspiring WIP Wednesday projects!

Happy 

Sewing!

xo

Charise 

Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes

I love movies.  Before having kids I would go to the theatre weekly as a way to unwind and escape!  

One of my favorite movies of all time  is The Sound of Music.  I've seen it over a dozen times and cry every time I watch : )

We are wrapping up the second round of the Cocorico Bee.  It is a quilting bee I joined a few years ago.  Amy is the last recipient in round 2.  Needless to say, I was thrilled she chose "My Favourite Things" from The Sound of Music for her theme. 

I chose "Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes". I used my Vintage Dresses Pattern as a starting point and made a few revisions to make it look a bit more like a little girl's dress.

The white on white dot I have had in my stash.  The yellow dot is from Lakehouse Drygoods "Lake House Favorites".  The scallop is from an older Lecien Print.

Enjoy your day!

xo 

Charise

Let's Take a Trip ~ Work in Progress Wednesday

Happy Wednesday to you.  I have been working on a few bee blocks for a new - well kind of new - quilting bee.  The Cocorico Bee was one of the first online sewing bees I joined.  It is a paper piecing bee and that is where I found the technique of paper piecing.

Months ago I thought it would be fun to start a spin off bee with the ladies from the Cocorico Bee to start a traveling bee.  It is a round robin where we send the start of our quilt to one person in the bee.  It makes it's rounds and ends up in our hands again as a finished quilt top!  There have been some great traveling quilt groups started and I have been admiring their pics on Instagram and Flickr.

The first block I made is the girl going on an adventure (Adventure girl) - something I'd love to be doing right now : )

The second block was made today - a camera block - since every adventure girl needs a cool camera to record her adventures.  I think she has already traveled to Paris - I spy the Eiffel Tower in the lens!

The text and floral fabric is from a new line from Kokka called Lighthearted designed by Ayumi from the Pink Penguin blog.  I think the floral is my new favorite fabric!

Check back tomorrow for the next installment of the Anna Blouse Sew Along - Putting the pattern together.  We will start sewing her up next week.

Be sure to check out the other fab WIP Wednesday projects over at Freshly Pieced.

xo

Charise

a few finishes during a crazy, beautiful summer ; )

It has been a wonderful summer so far!  The weather has been beautiful and I've been spending lots of time in the yard gardening.  We even made it to the beach on Wednesday - I love Seattle in the summer!  With the boys out of school, and the distractions of summer, I have not been sewing as much lately.

But there is a bit of Progress ~ I have mailed some bee blocks!  It is so nice to be caught up!  We just started round 2 of the Cocorico - the sewing machine is for Erin and the berry basket is for Melinda.
The dress is for Penny in the Ringo Pie bee.
You can find patterns for the sewing machine and the strawberry basket in my Etsy and Craftsy shops!

I have found some time to create a larger version of my twelve patch pouch - it is made with 3 1/2" squares so it measures a nice and large 8" x 12".    You can find the tutorial for the smaller version [Here]

 I added the small tabs to attach a shoulder strap or wrist strap.

This project is a request from my mom for a smaller bag that she can use to carry her wallet for walks to nearby shopping destinations.

I put together this stack of fabrics while organizing my stash - they just look so yummy and summery! 

I'm thinking a parasol quilt - umbrella blocks similar to one adorning the bag I made for Stitch Magazine last Spring.  Or a simpler half square triangle quilt to show off the beautiful fabrics.

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise  

"In the Studio" ~ My Featherweight

[My Featherweight Fabrics: Sewing machine Blue Bow ~ 30's collection by Atsuko Matsuyama, Text Fabric on sewing machine ~ Suzuko Koseki, Pink thread fabric ~ Riley Blake Apple of my Eye, Background Fabric ~ Riley Blake Little Red Riding Hood by Tasha Noel, Red Tablecloth check ~ Flower Sugar by Lecien]

When Erin posted her theme for the Round 2 of the Cocorico paper piecing bee on Flickr,  I was thrilled.  She asked for paper pieced sewing machines.  Well it just so happens.....I designed a Singer Featherweight block almost a year ago. I was so happy to finally have a reason to put the sewing of this pattern at the top of my "to do" list!

I purchased my White 1964 machine for my birthday a few years back.  It is my go to machine for piecing and pretty much everything else I sew.  It is a sturdy little work horse and also so pretty to look at!

The Featherweight pattern is available in my Etsy and Craftsy shops!

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise

It all started with the Cocorico Bee : )

[Featherweight Sewing Machine Pattern and Fabric Audition]

About three years ago the lovely Melinda and Lauree invited me to join the Cocorico Paper Piecing Bee on Flickr.  Melinda knew me from the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along on Flickr where I first discovered my love of quilting.  I have made friendships and so admire the talent of the lovely ladies in the bee.

Up until that point I was just starting to do a bit of paper piecing.  I designed a teapot and tea cup but this bee really challenged my skills.

[A few of my Cocorico Bee Blocks]

I designed many blocks for the bee and 

about six months into joining I created the first paper piecing pattern for my Etsy shop.

Over the past few years I have done design work for magazines and books - projects including small quilted and fabric items as well as clothes.  As much as I like this work I have missed designing paper pieced patterns, and other items for my shops, and have really neglected the dream of expanding my small business.  

I have so many ideas, sketches and designs that are so close to being finished...........

[2013 paper piecing patterns]

I did a little recap of my work last year and realized I had designed more than a dozen projects for magazines and only six patterns of my own : (  

Don't get me wrong, I really do love designing but after seeing the numbers I realized it was time to focus more on my vision and my business.

We have resumed the Cocorico Bee and I am so excited to be making a Singer Featherweight sewing machine block for Erin.  You see....I have had the block designed for almost a year (yes, I swear it has been complete for a year!  uggg)  but I put it on the shelf in lieu of the editorial design work.  But no more!!!!

I am so incredibly excited to get back to my passion - designing quilting patterns and clothing and sewing with the talented group of women in the Cocorico Bee!

xo

Charise

Christmas Sewing

About a year ago, Melinda from the Cocorico bee asked for Christmas themed blocks.  I made the block pictured above.  It is 12" square so all the individual stockings are fairly small at less than 4" across.

I've been wanting to make the block into a pattern (for a year) and I finally did!  You can find it in my Etsy shop Here.  I've enlarged each stocking to be 10" tall and about 5 1/2" wide. They would be a fun addition to a Christmas themed quilt or would make fun placemats.  I think I may make mine into drawstring bags and fill them with goodies for my boys! I've listed them as a set but and also have them available as single patterns.

 

Santa has a bigger hat and eyebrows!

 

 

The Tree pattern is unchanged...

As well as the present stocking.

 

 

 

I finished the last ornament in the "Trim the tree handmade ornament swap" last week.  This cottage is the "Sweet Cottage" from my mini cottages pattern.  This is my favorite one of all.  Love the pink and green color combo.

 

 

And I received the most adorable ornaments in the Trim the Tree Handmade Ornament Swap!

The hedgie is from Jodi, the star from Melinda and the Star gingerbread from Leila.

 

 

These adorable little birdies are from Leah.  The have the tiniest scarves and boots.

I am so looking forward to trimming the tree this year!

 

Have a lovely weekend!

xo

Charise

Rockin' the Block

Well....maybe not quite rockin' the Bee Block - that would mean I'm actually caught up with my bee blocks but I am proud of myself for being close to caught up!
I finished Kerry's house block for the Cocorico Bee. I love making these blocks and filling the windows with little snippets of favourite and treasured fabrics!  The pattern is from Kumiko Fujita 318 which is now going for $200.  They really need to reprint it!!!

I also completed Anna's snowflake for the Ringo Pie Bee.  The pattern is from Rumi at 3 Patch and she was so kind to send the pattern to me!!!  It is a wonderful pattern with so many possibilites.  Anna wanted linen and white so I kept is simple : ) 

Have a lovely day!

 

xo

Charise

Vintage Sundress

I have realized I like designing paper pieced 2-dimensional dresses as much as the real thing!

I had so much fun designing this Vintage Sundress for Tamiko in the Cocorico Bee!

 

 

This will be a pattern very soon - I'm working on a few more styles to go with this one!

Think 50's clothing boutique : )

 

 

On a completely different note, I was so excited to get this email in my inbox!

Sorry for the crummy photo  - it was a saved screen shot so the resolution is not great.

Three of my projects from Stitch Magazine are on there!   I'll be doing a "Stitch Week" with some info and additional pictures of the projects as well as a magazine give - away.  Stay tuned!

 

xo

Charise

Tea Time

One of my New Years goals was to get caught up on projects.  Today I stitched together a Cocorico Bee block for Kylie.  Her month was September so I'm a wee bit behind : )

Her theme is "The Best of the British".  I have a collection of red and white transferware most of which are vintage from England.   I used my Tea Time paper piecing pattern and Lakehouse tea  fabric to give the tea pot and cup a Spode feeling.

You can find the fabric at Sew Me a Song.

 

 

A pic of some favorite pieces : )

 

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise

***2012**

Oh my goodness!!!  It was a very busy 2012!  I was lucky enough to be published in a few of my favorite sewing and quilting magazines!

It was incredibly gratifying to contibute to Stitch - I designed two skirts that are in their Spring 2013 issue!  It was fun to go back to my roots in fashion design!!

Details:

From Upper Left, clockwise:
Pomme Potholder - Stitch Spring 2013
Rainy day tote - Stitch Spring 2013
Cozy Slippers - Stitch Spring 2013

Two Dresses - Quiltmaker 100 blocks Issue 6

Cozy Slippers - Stitch Spring 2013
Uptown/Downtown Skirts - Stitch Spring 2013

Gathered Clutch - Stitch Gifts 2012
Quilt Blocks Sachet Trip - Stitch Gifts 2012

Links:
Stitch Gifts 2012
Stitch Spring 2013
Quiltmaker 100 Blocks

 

 

I designed more paper pieced patterns than I realized!! 

 

 

My Ringo Pie blocks numbered five!  I'm a bit behind but look forward to catching up this month!

 

 

 

My Cocorico Bee Blocks numbered six though two are for Leila's Where the Orchids

Grow : )

I'm also behind here and looking forward to catching up.

 

I love to make bags and pouches!  The purse in the upper left hand corner will be a completed pattern.....soon : )

 

 

And lastly, some miscellaneous makes, most of which were for swaps.

 

Happy 2013 to everyone and Happy Creating!!

xo

Charise

 

Work in Progress Wednesday

I've been a busy bee the past week.  Getting close to having Leila's Cocorico bee blocks done:

I'm also working on a few things for a blog hop during the first week of August - more details soon!

xo

Charise