Shelburne Falls Winner

We have a winner!

Andri won the FQ of Shelburne Falls in the Maple colorway from Pink Castle Fabrics!
Andri wrote:

"The bowls are too cute" : )

Thanks Andri - they were fun to make.  I'll be contacting you soon for your email address!

Random Bits

I have been working on the pattern for my "Penelope" bag this week.  I did a first run with some of my favorite Liberty Lifestyle Fabrics. I was pretty happy with the results but decided to make a few changes - one being adding a paper pieced flower of one side.  This is completely optional-  but the pattern for the flower will be included in the Penelope bag pattern. 

Brenda at Pink Castle is having a 20% off sale on everything!  Yes everything!
Use code EVERYTHING20 at checkout!  She has the new Liberty Lifestyle Stile line which I love!

Ok....off to get ready for my 6 year olds birthday party with his friends!!!!

Stitch Magazine Summer '13 & a Give-Away

 

 

I'm happy to share two projects I designed that are featured in Stitch Magazine, Summer 2013.

You will find it on news stands now! 

 The first is my set of Petal Nesting bowls.

Each individual petal and the bottom of the bowl is machine stitched. The individual petals and the base of the bowl are hand stitched together.  It is a great project to take on the go! 

The bowls sit on my work table and are the perfect place to put small sewing notions.

They would also be lovely on a dressing table for displaying your jewelry.

I used Denyse Schmidt's newest Shelburne Falls collection.  I love this collection!

 

The theme of the issue inspired me to design this maxi dress.  I love maxi dresses for summer time because they are so easy to wear - I love to feel dressed up and comfortable at the same time : )  This dress would be equally as lovely without the front ruffle! The flower is removeable and would be a fun embellishment on a hand bag!

In celebration of these projects I am hosting a give-away!  Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics has generously donated a FQ set of the Maple colorway of DS Shelburne Falls.

Please leave a comment below and I will pick a winner on Saturday.  The give-away will be open until Friday 11:59 pm. PST.  Good luck!!!

Fun Bundles at Pink Castle Fabrics!

A quick post to let you know that Brenda at Pink Castle fabrics is extending her Bundle sale! Use the code BUNDLE20 at check out.   Love her word up bundle!!!

Happy Shopping!

xo
Charise

Sunday Stash - Estate Sale Edition

Actually this post should be called - "Sunday stash, I have a great husband, and the loot you can get for $5 at a garage sale!"
Yesterday at almost 5:00 p.m. my hubs called me from a garage sale.  He was enroute to picking up our son at a friends house.  "You have to see this" he said!  "There is a garage of fabric and notions here".  He told the person running the garage sale that I am a seamstress and would be on my way over!
I was shocked......my husband was supporting my habit! We live in a very small house (950 s.f. not including the basement and thank goodness for the basement) and there are boxes of fabric in our closet, in our bedroom and they make their way into the living/dining room (aka "the studio") when I am working on a project which is pretty much daily!  So, the fact that he let me know about the sale and encourage me was so sweet!

Most of the fabrics were very 1970's and not my style, and lots of wools and garment making fabrics.
The boxes were stacked on every wall in her studio which was a 2 car garage.  Needless to say,  I was a bit overwhelmed and looked specifically for cotton fabrics.  I could have spent hours there but they were wrapping up for the day and I had to move quickly.

In a box marked "aprons" I found the three prints above.  I also found about 4 yards of eyelet!  Everything was $1 per pound.

I just happened to have this Suzuko Koseki on my table and I think the trim is smashing with it.  I'll have to try and figure out a project to marry the two.

 

 

 

Not super exciting but very useful tiny pin dot and a fun retro floral.

 

 

I was so happy to find these.  The "Stitch n Patch Quilts" is a 1976 leaflet and has some great quilt patterns.  The "Quilts" booklet is from the 40's!  You have to love the covered button kits for .39 and .40 cents.

All in all I'm proud that I was able to restrain myself : )
I left feeling that I need to use the fabric I have however precious it may seem.    I certainly don't want to have a 2 car garage full when I'm too old to sew : )

xo
Charise

Cream and Sugar

For those of you who read my post yesterday, I think it paid off.  I shared a list in photos of some unfinished projects and it prompted me to get one done!  My "In the Kitchen ~ Creamer and Sugar Bowl" Pattern is complete!  It is the perfect companion to the "Strawberries in a Bowl" Pattern!

I use some of my favorite fabrics for this block.  The aqua creamer print is from Moda's Glamping.  The plaid is an older print from my stash.

The body of the sugar bowl is from Alexander Henry's Farmdale and the fussy cut "France 1952" text print is from Suzuko Koseki. The tablecloth fabric is an older print from Windham - "Country Lane".

On a family note, my youngest celebrated his 6th birthday on Thursday.  He is growing up so fast.
Even his presents were more grown up!  Less toys this year.......and he got a Kindle - I don't even have one!! : )

xo
Charise

A post about finishing....

Ok...I'll have to say I'm writing this post because lately I'm having a really hard time completing some Works in Progress.  I'm hoping this post will give me the push to finish them : )
The first is this creamer that was going to be a part of my strawberrries in a bowl pattern.  But I decided to keep the creamer separate and add a sugar bowl companion to this one instead.  So close......the sugar bowl is hand sketched and ready to draw in the computer!

This handbag was finished last year.  It is the large version of the small gathered versions for Stitch magazine.  Instructions are written, pics taken.....just need to trace the pattern on Illustrator!
I love the combo of the DS Flea Market Fancy and the Melody Miller print!

This is a new WIP - shame on me!  I love my Liberty Lifestyle Fabrics and thought this would be a good design for it.  This is the first version or my "muslin" and I have some changes I want to make but I do like where this is going!

I also want to make it in these fabrics - more beautiful Liberty Lifestyle with some sparkly linen!

And these!

I'm dying to finish this pattern.  It is a block I made for Ayumi in the Ringo Pie Bee last year.  I'm going to do a new version - same jam jars with the addition of some new fruit blocks.

And the pattern for this block is started- I just need an afternoon to make it a reality!

 

BTW - have you seen Ayumi's new book?  It is wonderful.  Hope to make a project from her book soon and share it with you!!!

OK.......Maybe now that I have put it down in print I'll actually finish some of these works in progress! 

 

I'd love to hear about you unfinished projects!  Have I inspired you to finish a few?

Have a great day!

xo

Charise

Pat a Cake & More Pomme Potholders

 

 

I have a pile of projects that I've wanted to check off the "to do" list.  This afternoon I spent some time whittling down the list.  One is my now shrinking list of Bee Blocks.  Yay!!!
Erin in the Cocorico Bee is making a baby quilt!  She asked for Nursery Rhyme Blocks.

I picked Pat a Cake. 

I created the cake and cake stand pattern

the "B" is from Kumiko Fujita's Patchwork Patterns 318.

 

 

I'm working on finishing seven of my Pomme Potholders for various people.  These are in various stages of finish.  These are very easy and fun to make and make great gifts.  You can find the pattern in Stitch Spring 2013.

 

xo

Charise

Sunday Stash

 

It is rainy and cold in Seattle after having 70 degree weather here last weekend!  I'm inside working on projects- one of which is a fun and easy to make garment for Sew News!  It will be in their winter issue 2013 and I can't wait to share it with you! 

I did make a little time to do some shopping at Sew Me a Song.  Becca has some fun new fabrics in the shop.  I love this FQ set from Atelier Akiko by Lecien.  Can't have too many Paris themed fabrics!

 

After searching for my sunglasses last weekend I realized I need to make an eyeglass case.

Added to my to do list!!!

Love this eyeglass print from Riley Blake.

 

 

 

And of couse I can never have enough text prints.

Love this one - Antique receipts from Studio E.

 

  Have a lovely Sunday!

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 Block Quilt Along - Crazy Anne - #6

 I am excited to share block #6 in the Vintage Block Quilt Along.

Crazy Anne is from the Kansas City Star circa 1932.  This is an easy block to make - completely rotary cut shapes - no pattern involved!

Crazy Anne
Kansas City Star
 Circa 1932
Makes a 12" finished / 12 1/2" unfinished block

Supplies:

Cotton Thread
Various mid weigh cotton fabric pieces
Rotary cutter
Self Healing Mat

Note
All seams are 1/4"

Cut the block pieces

1 - 3" square for the center
2 - 3 1/4" x 6" rectangles - Dark Print
2 - 3 1/4" x  6" rectangles - Light background
2 -  5 5/8" Print Squares
4 - 3 1/4" Squares - Light background squares
4 - 2 7/8" Print squares

*Cut the 2 - 5 5/8" squares in half diagonally - you will have 4 triangles
*Cut all 4 - 3 1/4" x 6" rectangles in half diagonally from the left top corner to the bottom right corner.
*Cut the 3 1/4" squares in half diagonally - you will have 8 triangles

Arrange the Block

Arrange the elements of the block in the order you will be sewing it together.



Sew the Top and Bottom Row Together

1) Starting with the top row, stitch the center point unit together.  Press seam open.
2) Stitch the upper left corner square to the background triangles. Press seam open.
Repeat for the upper right triangle.

3)  Stitch the print triangle to the upper right triangle.  Press seam toward the print triangle.
Repeat for the other side.
4) Repeat 1 - 3 for the bottom row of the Block

Assemble the middle row of the block

1) Stitch the outside rectangles together.
 Stitch to the inside square.

Finish the block

1) Stitch the top row to the middle row, Press seam open
2) Stitch the top/middle row to the bottom row, Press seam open.

Congrats - the block is complete!
I'd love to see what you make.  Please add your block to my Vintage Block Quilt Along Group on Flickr.

Vintage Block Quilt Along - Light and Shadow - #5

Here you will find block #5 in the Vintage Block Quilt Along!
This block is entitled Light and Shadow and is originally from the Godey's Lady Book printed in 1859.  The Kansas City Star reprinted the pattern in 1933.

This block is entirely paper pieced though you can also make templates if you wish.
 I have included instructions to help with fussy cutting if you decide to include it in your block.

Block #5
Light and Shadow
originally from The Godey's Lady Book circa 1859
by Charise Randell

This pattern is for a 12" finished / 12 1/2" unfinished block

Supplies:

Fabric:
8 dark triangles at least 1/4" bigger than pattern piece A1/B1
8 dark triangles at least 1/4" bigger than pattern piece A1/B1
8 dark kites at least 1/4" bigger than pattern piece A2/B2
8 dark kites at least 1/4" bigger than pattern piece A2/B2

Other Supplies:

Light weight copy paper or Vellum - my favorite is from Office Depot Here
Matching thread (I like 100% cotton thread)
C-thru ruler
Fabric marking pencil or pen

Notes

*Change your stitch length to 18-20 stitches per inch when paper piecing the 1/4 blocks together
*Make sure your test square on the pattern page measures 1”
*If you wish to use pattern templates instead of paper piecing, print out the pattern onto card stock and add 1/4" seam allowance to pieces A1 & A2.

Download the Pattern HERE

Print out the pattern

1) Print out 4 copies of the pattern onto light weight copy paper or vellum.
Cut each block in half between the A and B sections.

 Fussy cut the motifs - Optional

1) Place the pattern piece you wish to fussy cut face down or right side down on the fabric right side up.
Position the pattern section on the fabric exactly as you wish it to appear on the finished block.
 Mark 1/4" away from the line or seam edge. 
 ***Please Note, 1/4" seam allowance is added on the outside sections of each 1/4 block.

Pin in place.

2)
Fold back the pattern at the line between the blocks.  In this case between A1 & A2.
Mark at least 1/4" beyond the folded edge.
Cut out the fabric triangle.

Assemble the Blocks

1) Place one of your triangle fabric pieces on the wrong (unprinted side) of the pattern A1 or B1 making sure to cover the entire section. The fabric right side will be facing you. Make sure there is at least ¼” fabric around the perimeter of the section. Hold the paper arc up to the light to help positon the fabric.  Pin in place.

2) Place the adjacent fabric piece, A2 or B2 right sides together with A1 or B1 matching raw edges.
Pin in place.

3) Flip the pattern over so the printed side is facing you. Stitch on the first line between B1 and B2 or A1 and A2.

4) Finger press the seam open. Fold back the paper pattern on the next line (B2/B3 or A2/A3)and trim the second section to 1/4" beyond the line. This is your seam allowance.

5) Continue steps #2 - 4 until half the block is complete.

6) Repeat steps #1-5 for the other half of the block.

7) Pin the center points of each half block together. 
Change your stitch length to your normal length 10 - 12 stitches per inch.
Start stitching 1/2" from the center seam and stitch 1/2" beyond the center seam.
Unpin and check to make sure the center points match.  If not, unpick the seam and try again.  If they match, continue stitching the seam. Press the seam open.

8) Repeat steps #1-7 for the remaining 3 sections of the block.

Finish the Block
1) Stitch the two top blocks together matching seams.  Press seam open.
Repeat for the bottom two block.

2) Stitch the top two blocks to the bottom two blocks.  Press the seam open.
True up your block to 12 1/2".

Yay!!!!  You have completed Block #5 of the Vintage Block Quilt Along!

If you make this block, please add it to my Vintage Block Quilt Along Group on Flickr!