Sunday Stash Vintage Edition

I hope you had a lovely weekend.  Mine was very busy - out in the yard.  Lots of yard work and my hubs finally painted our front porch.  Woo Hoo!!!!  Nothing like a little 4th of July party to motivate one to get the house in order : )

Today's Sunday stash is a find from a local thrift store - Value Village.  I rarely find anything there - it is in a busy area of Seattle and picked over.

  I did find vintage flea market fancy - green leaves - before the reprint ages ago.

I love this retro 70's fabric.  Very Marcia Brady : )  I think it would be a cute hand bag or tote.

The Fire King baking dish was also a lucky find!  A good day at Value Village.

[Left - New Ball jar, Right - Vintage Ball Jar]

 

I was reading the latest Country Living and spied this page.  Ball jars are now available in blue!

I have a small collection of vintage jars and I adore them.  They hold my thread and I just love the beautiful turquoise color.  Country Living has a link to an online store but I did an online search and found them at my local Ace Hardware store.  The new jars are definitely brighter and smaller than the vintage ones (New on Left, Vintage on Right ) but I think they will be perfect for storing buttons and the like! They are also about $2 a piece!!!

 

 

I thought it would be fun to show you my "photography studio".  Inspired by Lynne of Lily's Quilts - she shared hers on Instagram.  I was pleasantly surprised to see she uses a similar method for her blog photos!  I use a piece of white poster board which I tape to the back of the chair.  I set it up in the SW corner of my house which has the best light.  It works wonders when you have little space for photograpy!  I also love to use picmonkey to brighten up my photos - definitely a must for grey Seattle photo shoots : ) 

 

Hope your weekend was lovely !!!

 

xo

Charise

I'm in Love.....

OK... this is a bit embarassing but I'm referring to my new i-pad mini.  I have been waffling for so long and probably one of the last people to get a "smart" device.  Instagram pushed me over the edge.  Sadly Flickr is quiet and many of my Flickr friends have headed over to instagram.  Flickr is great for organizing photos and is the place I met most of my lovely quilting and sewing friends! It is a wonderful tool for groups and quilt alongs.   I'm not abandoning Flickr but I do love the community and sharing on Instagram.  Pls visit me there - you can find the link to my account on the right hand side of my blog - I'm @charisecreates.  Here are a few pics I've taken on Instagram and shared in the past few days..........

I'm almost finished with these pouces for a class at Drygoods Design.  The left one is finished. The one on the right is basted, just need to stitch the frame to the pouch with some bright red perle cotton embroidery floss!

My quilt came back from Quiltmaker Magazine - so happy to have it home!!

I'm adding another border on my "Color burst" quilt!  It is getting too big for my design wall!!

I hope you are enjoying the summer!

xo

Charise

Sunday Sewing & Sunday Stash

I hope you had a good weekend and Summer Solstice.  I was going through some sewing bins and found this block in pieces.  I think it was an option for Ayumi's ringo pie block  that I abandoned!  I have wanted to make a pattern from this block for ages.  Hopefully soon ~ It was fun to put it together : )

I had a wonderful first week of summer break and a wonderful weekend.

On Thursday, I met Melinda  (quirky granola girl) who was visiting Seattle from Maryland!  We have known each other two years online via Flickr through the Farmer's wife bee, Cocorico Bee and Ringo Pie bee. 

She is the loveliest person and we had such a fun afternoon shopping for fabric - of course : )

I also had a wonderful afternoon with my friend Sue who loves fabric as much as I do!

 

Here are my new acquisitions!

 

 I heart these lovely new Atsuko Maysuyama prints from Lecien.  Becca at Sew Me A Song has a nice selection in her shop here.

 

Sweet Low volume fabrics.  From Left to Right:

Avalon for moda, Posy by Aneela Hooey for Moda, Avalon for Moda, Basics by Alison Lindhardt for Adorn.it

 

Fun Pink, Red and Aqua

From Left to Right:

Timeless Treasures, Boho by Urban chiks for Moda, Giddy by Sandy Gervais for moda, Chemistry, Lakehouse dry goods, Avalon by Moda, 30's collection from Lecien.

 

Some of these have already made it into my Pretty Triangles quilt!

 

xo

Charise

Sneak Peeks : )

I'm so excited to share a little sneak peek of a book I will be in.  It doesn't come out until December but C & T publishing has a picture of the cover on their website!  You can find it Here and is available for pre-order on Amazon too!    It is a paper piecing book with lots of small projects - 37 to be exact.  You can see my round apple pouch in the upper left hand corner and if you look very carefully my calendar block is the center right on the bottom center pic!  Lots of my Ringo Pie Bee friends are in the book as well as ladies from the "Sew out Loud" quilt along!

I also just finished a project for the Liberty Lifestyle Blog!  I just love Liberty fabric and I am so honored and excited to be working with Liberty. It is a fun and easy project that I promise you will love!  Liberty has been a favorite fabric line for some time.  I did a little post about designing with Liberty here.

This is the first day of our summer break and I am working on creating structure to our day.  If any of you lovelies have ideas for things to keep your kiddos engaged and busy during the summer, I'd love to know your secrets : )

xo
Charise

Sewing for Friends and More Sewing for myself

Life has been busy here.  School is over tomorrow and I've been trying to get as much finished this week as possible since both my boys will be hanging out with me for the summer!

I've finished my "Craft it Forward" items and posted all but one of them today.  Thank you ladies for being sooooo patient : )   I'm embarassed to say it has taken me almost a year.  The past year has been busier that I would have ever dreamed but it is good!  I've had the opportunity to design and create lots of projects.

I finished this little set today!  A friend is having a baby girl -  and soon! I purchased the booty pattern quite some time ago from Beth at Weepereas.  It is a fabulous pattern - super easy to follow and fast to make.  The booties are reversible - you can't see from the photo but I used the ice cream print for the inside.
The peasant dress is a free pattern from Sew much ado.  It is available as a 0-3 month pattern for free and she also has larger sizes available for purchase.  It is also a wonderful pattern and I see myself making more of these sets for friends expecting baby girls.
The dress fabric is the Little Lisette line by Liesl & co. for Joann Fabrics and the Ice cream truck booties are Heather Ross fabric that came from some p.j's by Munki Munki.

 

Last week I was incredibly inspired to do some more sewing for myself. 

I made the adorable peasant top pattern that is a free download at Marth Stewart. 

Then I made another one - this time from a sheer georgette fabric - pictured above.  I narrowed the sleeves in order to fit the pattern on the amount of fabric I had on hand.  My next version will be short sleeves - perfect for summer!

 

 

 Anna at Noodlehead and Kerry at VeryKerryBerry posted the cutest tees from Skirt as top.  I headed on over to Skirt as top and printed out the pattern and instructions. 

It is a great pattern and the instructions are easy to follow. 

I made the blue one first and then went to a local fabric store and purchased the coral fabric.

The coral fabric is incredibly sheer and a bit had to work with. 
A little trick when working with very sheer fabrics - to help the fabric lay flat and keep from curling, spray with starch and iron.  It works like a charm!

I added the self knit trim on the arms - inspired by Anna!

  If you wish to do so, cut two strips 2" x 14" and follow the same instructions for the neckline.

 

I'm inspired to sew more - I can't wait to get started!

 

xo

Charise

Shipping Sale at Sew Me A Song!!!

Daiwabo Bird Talk

Sew Me a Song has a FLAT RATE SHIPPING SPECIAL through Sunday June 9th. 

  $2.75 US/ $9.00 Canada/$ 12.00 Everywhere else.

 Please enter FLATRATE in Notes to Seller upon checkout.

Shipping refunds will be credited to your method of payment upon shipment.

Here are a few more lovelies that are in my basket:

Lecien Hexagons

 

Lecien Roses

 

Happy shopping!!!

xo

Charise

Stitch with Style part 2

I was planning on writing this post last week but life got in the way.....
I've been on a Spring cleaning binge which is good....very good : )

 

I'm thrilled to have two more projects in the "Stitch with Style" issue from Stitch Magazine.

They are fun and easy projects that I hope will inspire you!

The first is an embellished cardigan sweater.  I have several vintage beaded sweaters I adore.  I thought it would be fun to take a new sweater and add bead embellishments!  The possibilities are endless -  you can personalize it in your favorite colors and beads.  Local bead stores have great selections and I also included resources for the beads and gems in the magazine.

The issue includes instructions to make the gem stone version as well!

 

The second project I designed is a Turquoise pendant necklace.  I love to make jewelry and have taken metalsmithing classes for the past 10 years.  I thought it would be a fun design challenge to make a necklace that  requires no torches or soldering and is made entirely with needle and thread!

 

 

I combined turquoise and mother of pearl beads but It would be stunning with other semiprecious beads!

 

xo

Charise

Sewing for myself : )

I was at the dentist office yesterday thumbing through the April issue of Martha Stewart and ran across the most adorable peasant blouse. The pattern is a free download from her site and you can find it here.  I needed a break from a pattern I've been working on and thought this would be a perfect little departure.  Three hours later and I had a new blouse!  I love the ease of the style and I'm sure it will be a "go to" this summer.  The pattern offers a dress style and 3 different sleeve lengths.
I used the long sleeve version and lengthened the body about 4 inches to more of a long shirt, short tunic length.  I measured a favorite woven top of mine to figure out which size I wanted to cut.  I usually wear a size Medium but based on my top I cup a size Small.   It is always a good ideas to sew a muslin - or fitting garment in a similar fabric to make sure you like the size and fit.

I also added another border to my quilt.  I love having the design wall up so I can work on this at my own pace - it happens to be a snails pace these days!!

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise

Stitch With Style - Kimono Sleeve Dress

The new issue of Stitch Magazine's "Stitch With Style" is out now.  

  It is packed with clothing and accessories and is a wonderful issue.

I love the "Mad Men" sets and style of the photos.

Today I'm going to share my Easy Kimono Sleeve Dress. 

 

 

 

The fabric is from Birch Fabrics Elk Grove Knits line and is the Coral Poppies print.  It is such a beautiful "springy" print!  

 

I based the design on a top I've worn and loved for many years.  It is flattering and easy to wear. 

It is also super easy to sew and a great first knit sewing project. It has just four pattern pieces.  The pattern also includes plus sizes which is so wonderful for curvy gals!!!

 

***Here are a few tips for sewing with knits:

 

1) You can finish the seams with a zig zag stitch if you don't own a serger or overlock machine.  Be sure to check your sewing machine manual for other seam finishing stitches.

2)  Check your thread tension on a sample piece of the knit you are using.

You want to be able to pull slightly without the stitches popping!

3) Use a brand new ball point needle - an 80/12 is a good size for this project.

4) Prewash your fabric as you plan on washing the finished garment to prevent shrinkage.

**Here are a few tips for fitting this dress:
1) Do a muslin or fitting garment to make sure the garment fits correctly and the design lines are in the correct place.
2)  Please follow this link for lengthening the bodice if the empire waist line is in the incorrect position.

 

Stay tuned this week and I will share two more projects I designed for this issue!

 

xo

Charise

Sunday Stash

I thought I would share a few lovely fabrics I recently received!

These beautiful Japanese prints by Atsuko Matsuyama and Fumika Oishi are from Sew Me A Song.  I love the sweet prints and colors!

 

If you are a regular reader you will probably be surprised to see these.  I never pick orange prints but I adore these.  They are DS Fabric Traditions from Joann fabrics.  The aqua/orange combo is spot on and very 1970's - my era as a kiddo : )

 

Have a lovely evening!

xo

Charise

Consoling myself.....

Yesterday I was planning and scheming ways to get to Quilt Market which just happens to be in Portland Oregon which is just a 3-4 hour drive from Seattle.  I received an email from Becca and another from Amber who both live on the East Coast asking me if I was going to be there. They are both the absolutely loveliest ladies and I was so excited to meet them but I told them I couldn't - kids, scheduled activities, etc - then I spoke with my hubby who said "you should go".  So yesterday after picking up the boys from school I was heading home to send the ladies emails saying "I'm coming to Quilt Market and can't wait to meet you in person!".

When I picked up my youngest son, he said he wasn't feeling well and what do you know  -  he had a temp of 102 degrees.  Plans for quilt market dashed : (

So to console myself today, I, finally, after about a year of owning it, put up a design wall.  It is just a vinyl grid with fuzzy fabric on one side and large grommets on the top -  I think I bought it at Joann Fabrics.  Armed with the drill and some cup hooks I now have a design wall.  I'm pretty darn excited. 

I hope to meet the ladies someday soon, though I'll have to say I feel fortunate to be able to make a little sick guy feel better : )

xo
Charise

Quilter's Favorites

Geta from Romania is hosting a “Quilter's Favorites” party on her blog!

 

I am going to share some of my favorite things for sewing and quilting!

I design paper pieced patterns, small fabric goods and clothing.  I'm excited to share some of my favorite notions, my beloved sewing machine and creative storage solutions with you! 

***Favorite Notions***

Clover Flower Head Pins are my favorite.  They are so useful because I can accurately match seams on paper piecing patterns and if you are very careful, you can stitch over them! 

You can find my tutorial for matching seams here.

 

*Image From Vintage Block Quilt Along*

 

Another must have tool for foundation paper piecing is Office Depot Vellum paper.

I LOVE this paper.  It is 100% cotton so you can iron with a dry iron without distorting the pattern.  It is also translucent so you can see where you are placing the pattern on your fabric.  Perfect for fussy cutting as pictured above!

 

 

***My Sewing Machine***

 

 

 

A few years ago I treated myself to a Vintage Singer 221 Featherweight sewing machine.  It is exactly the same age as me!

It is my machine of choice for piecing.  It is small and sturdy and so lovely to look at!

I found mine on Ebay for a reasonable price.

 

***Storage***

 

My sewing space is shared with my family living space

so I like storage items that are pretty and practical. 

 

Vintage ball jars and vases add a pretty touch when used as storage vessels.

 Since my projects and notions are in view,

 I try very had to make the table as visually pleasing as possible!

 

This is my cutting area.  I have my rotary cutters in a vintage Roseville pot I found at a vintage shop.

I love to store my frequently used thread in blue glass Ball jars.  I found these at vintage shops in the Seattle area for about $10. 

 

 

This fabric bowl is part of a nested set of three I designed for Stitch magazine.  I put miscellaneous items there to get them off my table!

This 1930's saucer holds pins!

 

Plastic Bins

Oh how I love them.  Since I store my fabric and projects in my bedroom, it is nice to have everything compartmentalized for easy access and storage. 

 

I have bins for specific projects like my hexie hot pads here.

 

My fabric is also stored in plastic bins - mostly by color.

I have found that storing fabrics is best done by the way you use your fabric.  I also store my text fabrics separately and my favorite designer fabrics have their own bins.

 

Large scrap book storage bins are perfect for storing quilt blocks.

 

Thank you Geta for hosting this wonderful quilting blog hop!!!
 

xo

Charise

 

 





Daisy Pinwheel - Block #7 - Vintage Block Quilt Along

Yay!!!! Thanks for your patience my lovely quilting friends! 

Here is the 7th installment of the Vintage Block Quilt Along!

Daisy Pinwheel

an Alice Brooks Pattern

By Charise Randell

12” finished / 12 ½” unfinished Block

This block was referred to as "Pinwheel #7101" in the original pattern.  I have added Daisy to distinguish it from block #6 in the QAL which is also named "Pinwheel".
 This block is made from 4 identical squares. 

Each individual square is 6 ½”.     There is lots of curved piecing involved in the construction of this block, but I have added matching marks (notches) to make it easier to construct!

Pattern Link Here

                               ~A few tips ~
*Read through all the instructions before proceeding.

*Start with a sharp new sewing machine needle.

* Print the templates onto card stock

*Cut the outside edge of the background fabric 1/8’ – ¼” so you have a little “wiggle room” when truing up your final block.

FABRIC
~ 8 – 3 ¼” x 6 ¼” rectangles assorted print fabric
~ a F8 for the background
~1 – 3 ¼” square print fabric for the center circle

OTHER SUPPLIES

~ Cardstock

~Fine Sewing Pins ~ I like Clover Flower Head Pins Fine (.45) 
~Chalk for marking ~ I like Clover Triangle Tailor’s Chalk
~Freezer Paper
~Spray Starch

CUT
Cut 4 each A1 Print fabric
Cut 4 each A2 Background Fabric
Cut 4 each B1 Print fabric
Cut 4 each B2 Background Fabric
Cut 1 each 3" x 3" square for the center circle of the block

 INSTRUCTIONS

1. Stitch A1 to A2 :

With right sides together, match the notch on A1 and A2.  Pin in place.  Gently pull the background fabric edge to match the curved edge of A1.

Pin around the curve.

 2.  With the background piece A2 facing you, stitch with a ¼” seam allowance. Press the seam allowance towards the center of the block.

 3. Repeat #1-#2 for B1 and B2

 4. With the right sides together,  match the notch on A2 to the seam on B2.  Stitch in place.   Press seam open.

 5. Proceed for the other three sections.

 6. With right sides together, match the raw edges and the notch.  Stitch the top right section to the bottom right section.

Repeat for the left side.

7. Stitch the right section to the left section matching seams.

 8. Create the center circle:

a) Iron the freezer paper circle to the center of the back fabric circle.

b) Hand stitch a gathering stitch around the perimeter of the circle.

c) Turn the fabric circle over and pull up the gathering stitch.

Place a q-tip or small brush in the starch. Apply the starch to the seam allowance.
Carefully iron the seam allowance over the edge of the freezer paper circle.

d) Loosen the gathering stitch and remove the freezer paper circle. You should have a perfect circle!

Turn to the right side and press.

e) Position the circle on the center of the block.

Stitch in place with a machine edge stitch or by hand with an invisible stitch.