Summer Skies and Fireflies - Posy Purse and Citrus Pouch

 

Today I am sharing my latest projects – my Citrus Pouch and Posy Purse, with the new line of fabric “Summer Skies and Fireflies” designed by Gracey Larson of Burlap and Blossoms

As described by Gracey- “This collection was inspired by nostalgic, warm, summer afternoons where cares seem to melt away and life feels simple. I wanted to design a fabric collection that would represent the simple things that stay the same in an ever-changing world: feelings of home, the sun coming up every morning, and fireflies dancing when the crickets start to sing at dusk. “

I absolutely love this line of fabric. The prints are adorable and the colors are the most yummy shades that are reminiscent of the colors of sorbet! These fabrics are pure sunshine!

What better project than a citrus pouch that showcase all the beautiful prints?

I chose a palette of lemon yellow, pink grapefruit, and lime green to make a trio of my Citrus Pouch. They are so sweet and summer!

Gingham zippers can be found at Sunny Day Supply. I love how they coordinate with the fabrics.

Find the Citrus Pouch HERE

The Posy Purse is a new version of my Modern Hexagon Purse that I created a decade ago! I used a Summery combination of yellow and turquoise which is the epitome of Summer – blue skies and sunshine! An appliquéd hexagon was used for the fun little flower center.

The Posy Purse is a fun make and a perfect sized purse or small tote to carry all your essentials. Instruction are included for making you own handles!

Find the Posy Purse pattern HERE

I hope you choose to make a project with “Summer Skies and Fireflies”. Be sure to tag your makes on social media with the hashtags:

#ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns #SummerSkiesandFirefliesFabric

Happy Sewing!

Charise

"Take Heart" Ruffle Accessories

 

Today I am thrilled to share the new fabric line from J Wecker Frisch - "Take Heart" for Riley Blake Designs..

The fabric line consists of adorable vintage valentine card themed prints as well as a beautiful floral, text and geometric prints

In keeping with the Valentine theme, I made a sweet ruffle pouch and purse with my Fussy Cut Heart Pattern as the center piece.

Fussy Cut Heart Pattern

The Zipper pouch features one of my favorite images from the “The Heart Patch Panel” surrounded by the “Red Heart Cross” Print. The pouch is quilted with simple hearts in keeping with the theme of the fabrics.

Ruffle Zipper Pouch Pattern

The Ruffle purse also features the “Fussy Cut Heart” pattern with a fussy cut center also from the “Take Heart Patch Panel”. I love how the Pink Floral works so perfectly with the Fussy Cut Hearts.

The Ruffle Purse is the perfect project bag complete with a zipper closure. I used the Diamond Heart Cross Print for the second side of the pouch.

Ruffle Purse Pattern

I hope you make a project with Take Heart Fabric!

Happy Sewing : )

Charise

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

Gingham Gardens

 

Florals and gingham are among my favorite prints for sewing projects.

The new line of fabric "Gingham Gardens" from Riley Blake Fabrics hits the mark with florals, gingham and a lovely text print too!

It is a beautiful, feminine fabric collection.  I decided to make the Sweetheart Swing Bag by Heather Bailey.  The curvy shape and feminine pleated ruffles are the perfect design combo for this lovely fabric.

I added the sweet crochet lace designed by Lori Holt for Riley Blake fabrics.  It is the perfect addition to this romantic design.

I also made a version of my Macaroon Pouch, which I love in this fabric.                                                  The center panel is a nine patch panel made with 2 1/2" squares.

You can find the pattern in my Etsy shop - Charise Creates.

Be sure to tag your photos of projects using Gingham gardens with the hashtags:

#ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns #GinghamGardensFabric

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Fifteen Patch Zipper Pouch Tutorial - Mini charm pack friendly!

This Holiday season I decided to treat myself and purchased a sewing themed advent calendar from Stitch Supply Company.

It has been so much fun to open a little sewing themed gift for myself every day.  

Last week I got this adorable Flurry mini charm pack.  It didn't take me too long to figure out that a patchwork pouch would be the perfect project.

I decided to write a tutorial for you! It is a great gift item and fun to fill with goodies for a special someone. (That includes you!) 

If you don't have a charm pack, any cute little 2 1/2" squares will do : )

You can also use any panel of fabric that is 6 1/2" x 10 1/2" if you want to forego the patchwork. 

Fifteen Patch Zipper Pouch
a tutorial by Charise Creates 

Notes:

~All seam allowances are 1/4" 

Finished Size:

5" tall x 10" wide

Materials

~ 30 - 2 1/2" squares assorted print fabric (a mini charm pack works well)

    or 2 - 6 1/2" x 10 1/2" fabric rectangles if you want to skip the patchwork

~1/4 yard Lining fabric

~1/4 yard muslin or solid cotton

~1/4 yard batting 

Supplies:

~Zipper Foot

~Matching Thread

~Pins

~9" or longer coil zipper - OR- a metal zipper that measures 

     9" from the top of the zipper head to the zipper stop.

~Zipper Pull (optional)

~ 1/2" x 3" long ribbon

~Marking pen, pencil or Hera Marker for quilt marking

Cut:

~2 pieces of batting 7" x 11"

~2 pieces of muslin 7" x 11"

~2 pieces of Lining 6 1/2" x 10 1/2

~1 - 1" x 1 1/2" Print for the zipper tab

1) Arrange  the 15 print squares that make up the panel, in your desired design. 

2)  Stitch each row together.  Press seam allowances to one side, each row in the opposite direction.

3) Stitch the top row to the center row.  Press the top/center to the bottom row. 

Press seams open.

Repeat for the other side side of the pouch.

4) Fuse the batting to the wrong side of the patchwork panel.

Place the muslin on the back of the batting, baste in place.

  Quilt diagonal lines on the patchwork  panel. 

Your lines will be approximately 1 3/8” apart.

Trim the panel to 6 1/2” x 10 1/2”.  Repeat for the other side.

5) If you are using a zipper that is longer than 9", shorten the zipper to 9 1/2" measuring from the top of the zipper head to the bottom of the zipper.

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

    Press in half wrong sides together.

7) 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.

8)  Fold back the zipper tape on the top edge of the zipper to the wrong side. 
     Glue baste or machine baste in place.

9) Fold the ribbon in half, wrong sides together and place on the right side of the pouch panel

   2 1/4" from the top edge.

   Baste in place.

10) 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.

11) Place the lining right sides with the pouch panel right side matching the top raw edge.

      Pin in place.

The zipper will be sandwiched in between the pouch and lining panels.

    Stitch the top edge with a 1/4" stitch back tacking at ends.

12) Press the pouch and lining panels away from the zipper.  Press.

     Top stitch 1/8" away for the seam line starting and stopping your stitching 3/8" 
     from the raw edge.

~Repeat for the other side~

13) Separate the lining pieces from the pouch pieces.

     Place the pouch pieces right sides together, matching seams and raw edges.  

     Pin in place.

     Place the lining pieces right sides together, matching seams and raw edges.  

     Pin in place.

     The zipper teeth should face towards the lining.

     Make sure the zipper is open.

     Sew around the perimeter  leaving a 4" opening on the bottom lining side.

14) Box the corners:

      Place the bottom and side seams right sides together at the bottom corner 

      with seams pressed open.

      Mark 1" up from the bottom corner.  Stitch on the marked line back tacking at ends.

      Trim the seam 1/4" beyond the stitching.  Repeat for the other bottom corner.

Repeat for the lining.

15)  Turn right side out and press.

        Machine stitch or hand stitch the opening in the lining closed.

Congrats!   You have made a  Fifteen Patch Zipper Pouch.

Happy Sewing.

xo

Charise