My Good Night Nightie at Sew Mama Sew!

Happy Wednesday.

This is a quick post to let you know the Good Night Nightie I designed for Stitch Beautiful Bedrooms is available as a free download!  You can find it [here] at the Sew Mama Sew Site.

I absolutely love mine and wear it often - so perfect for warm summer nights!

The fabric I used is a voile from Little Lisette which is now out of print but would be perfect in a lawn or lightweight silk.

If you like the cover pic - I designed that as well : )  it is a perfect lightweight robe with a pretty ruffle detail, shirred waist and inside tie.

The book has wonderful projects for your bedroom, from slippers and eye masks to quilts and a beautiful duvet set!

Enjoy!!!

xo

Charise

Sketch Book Cover Tutorial

Just in time for back to school, I designed this handy sketch book cover!

You can find it over at the Sew Mama Sew blog.

I love to have a sketch book in my bag at all times to jot down ideas or just to doodle!  They are also great for list writing and immortalizing all your fabulous ideas!  Since I change my bag often, I designed a sketch book cover that has a handy pocket on the back to keep your pen or pencils.  There is nothing worse than wanting to write down or sketch an idea but not being able to find a pencil in your purse - which happens to me often.  Thus the design for this handy sketch book cover!

The cover has a paper pieced pencil and embroidery detail.

This is also a great project to make for young artists - a perfect portable sketch book with everything in its place!

The handy pocket on the back has a velcro closure.

Perfect for stowing your favorite sketching tools.

You can find the tutorial and pattern at the Sew Mama Sew blog!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Coffee Koozie

The Fat Quarter shop is sharing a video and free pattern for this adorable Coffee Koozie. 

I take a cup of coffee with me on my daily walk to take the kiddos to school, so this will come in handy! 

And it is just so darn cute!!

It is perfect for a mini charm pack - or - choose your own fabrics.  I used some of my favorite fabric scraps!  I also found some vintage red buttons in my button stash.

A perfectly easy project, it took me about an hour to sew and a bit more time to pick out the fabrics and cut the 2.5" squares.  If you have a mini charm pack, the project is super quick!

I think this will be the perfect teacher gift!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Work in Progress Wednesday

As the summer wraps I am looking forward to having more time to sew : )  The boys start school on the 3rd of September so we are doing our best to make the most of every last minute of summer!

Today I did a bit of work on a project that you will be able to find on the Sew Mama Sew blog next week.  It is a back to school project, one I've been wanting to make forever!  Look for the post on my blog and link up to Sew Mama Sew next week.

Ever so often I get an urge to do a bit of knitting.  I am a serious novice and have knit scarves and a few pair of slippers.  I had this blue and green yarn and decided to start a striped scarf.  I may have it done in time to wear for Fall - It has been a fun project to work on at the pool while the boys are taking swim lessons.

Check out the other Works in Progress at Freshly Pieced and share yours.  I would love to see what you are working on!

xo
Charise

Work in Progress Wednesday

This week's list is long with Works in Progress!

I have a few "secret projects" I'm working on.  One is pictured above.

I've made some more progress on my Spring Blossoms quilt.  May have to add this to my pattern list to dos!

I pulled these fabrics for an autumn version of my A-line skirt. The denim version will have the liberty stile floral as piping, waist and hem facings and I think it would be a great mid-calf length skirt.

And I definitely need to make one with the Cotton + Steel arrow fabric as well! 

  

The denim I found at a local shop with beautiful apparel fabrics - District Fabric - in the always fun to shop neighborhood of Fremont in Seattle. 

Be sure to share your works in progress at Freshly Pieced!

xo

Charise 

Summer Sewing for Myself ~ Swing Tanks

We have had the most amazing summer in Seattle.  The temperature has been in the 80's and 90's most every day!  I saw a cute tank in a local store that was perfect for this fab summer weather.  Fitted through the bust so it is flattering, but loose and swingy so it is comfortable too - just perfect for hot summer days.  

The style was a bit too junior for me - bra revealing low back and a Stevie Nicks handkerchief hem - so I decided to put my pattern drafting skills to work and created a pattern.  

The tank I drafted has a scoop back detail and adjustable straps.  The adjustable straps are such a nice detail and surprisingly easy to add. The version pictured above is an older Free Spirit print in rayon challis.  It has a beautiful drape and is super soft and comfy!  You can find the fabric Here.

The fabric I used for this tank is a Joel Dewberry rayon challis.

I purchased yardage to make a dress version in this Anna Maria Horner rayon challis print which I adore!

You can find the Anna Maria Horner fabric here.

The tank will also be a fun style to layer with a cardigan and wear with skinny jeans and boots this Fall.
I can see the dress with a knee length wool sweater, tights and boots : )

I hope you are enjoying your summer!

xo

Charise

Sponsor News!

Happy Friday Lovelies!

A few of my sponsors have a little news to share! : )

The Fat Quarter Shop is having a sale on all Riley Blake Fabrics Starting Tomorrow! 

Yes indeed.....20% OFF ALL RILEY BLAKE FABRICS with coupon code: RILEY

This offer starts FRIDAY, August 8 until THURSDAY, August 14^th at 11:59 PM CST (08/08/14 – 08/14/14)

                                                    I have my eye on this FQ bundle : )

Becca at Sew Me a Song has lots of new and adorable fabrics.

I love this FQ bundle of Toy Box IV!

And I'm smitten with this Suzuko Koseki bundle!

Have a lovely day : )

xo

Charise

FQ Shop Give away winner - Crystal!!!

Congrats to Crystal who won the FQ shop give away.

Thanks everyone for sharing "what you are working on"!  In really enjoy reading your comments.

xx
Charise

Fresh Sewing Day!

I love Lily's Quilts Fresh sewing day.  It is an opportunity to recap all your accomplishments for the month and meet new bloggers!

July seemed to fly by.  I was able to finish a few paper piecing patterns and start a new one.

I started a new quilt - Spring Blossoms and I love where it is going!
I've added some more blossoms since this pic was taken : )

My Anna blouse is being graded - by me!  The learning curve was a bit steep but I think I finally have it down.  I hope to have this pattern available soon!

I also had some wonderful beach and pool days which is probably the most important thing to be doing this glorious summer - spend time with my boys that are growing up much too fast!

Be sure to head over to Lily's Quilts and share your accomplishments!

xo

Charise

Give away! Fat Quarter Shop "Fat Quarter Style" and "Great Granny Squared"!

It has been a bit quiet on the blog, I've been working on lots of things but nothing I'm able to share so I thought I'd take the opportunity to have a little give away.

My sponsor, Fat Quarter Shop, sent me copies of  "Fat Quarter Style" and "Great Granny Squared" to give away to one of my readers!

I love the quilts in Fat Quarter Style.  My favorite quilt is the Primrose which would be so cute in these Lecien Flower sugar prints. 

The book includes layouts and instructions to make a crib up to a queen size quilt and all are fat quarter friendly.

And of course you know how much I love everything Lori Holt designs!  I am a big fan of her fabric and her newest book, Great Granny Squared, is wonderful!  

Please leave a comment telling me what you are working on this summer even if it is your tan : )

and I will pick a winner Monday August 4th.  The comments will be open until 9:00 pst on Sunday August 3rd.  Give away is open to domestic and international commenters! Good Luck!

Have a Wonderful Day!!!

xo

Charise

Vintage Furniture in Petal Pinwheels

When the Modern Quilt Guild announced their latest fabric challenge I wanted to join!  The fabric for the challenge is Petal Pinwheels by Michael Miller Fabrics.  I love the fabric and had the perfect

pattern for it - my Vintage Furniture pattern.  I had designed the pattern quite some time ago and was excited to finally sew it up.
Since the original post about this project I completed two of the blocks pictured above!
  

The plan is to make a mini with the couch in the middle and the chairs surrounding.  Or if I get uber ambitious it would be an adorable lap quilt for the couch.

I missed the deadline to enter my quilt for the challenge, but that is OK.  It will be a fun project to work on this summer.  Oh, and of course, the pattern will be available soon : )

xo

Charise

Jam Jars and Fruit ~ paper piecing pattern

I have a long list of "to do's" and my Jam Jars and Fruit pattern has been on the list for over a year.

This was a block I made for Ayumi in the Ringo Pie bee.  Ever since making the block I've wanted to make one for myself : )  Fast forward almost two years and they are complete!!!

The pattern includes 7 1/2" x 10" blocks for the strawberries....

Cherries....

and Lemon.

It also includes a pattern sheet for smaller 3" x 3 3/4" jars

As well as artwork for the labels!

You can find the pattern in my Etsy and Craftsy shops.

Hope you are enjoying the summer!!!
xo
Charise

Enjoying July.....

It has been a wonderful summer so far.  The weather has been beautiful and the temperature has been in the 80's and low 90's the past few weeks.  The boys and I have been to the beach, the pool and have been hanging out enjoying the beautiful summer! 

 I have found some time to work on a few projects here and there : )

I have wanted to make a quilt with the pattern from my Summer Blossoms blocks from my Vintage Block quilt along.

After reading this blog post, I purchased some drunkard's path acrylic templates and purchased new blades for my 18mm rotary cutter.  I'm pleased with where this quilt is going.  I'm using 5" blocks so each flower is just under 20".  It has been sewing together extremely fast ~   I've spent most of the time on this picking out fabrics.  

My Jam Jars and Fruit pattern is close to being finished! 

I've included a cherry block as well as a lemon block.   

This pattern has been on the "to do" list since I made the original block for Ayumi in the Ringo Pie Quilting bee on Flickr almost two years ago!

Spending time with the boys has been tops on my priority list.  At just 7 and almost 11, I don't have too many years left......trying to enjoy every one I have with them  : )

Wishing you lovely summer days with your family and friends!
xo
Charise