Summer's End

I hope you have enjoyed your summer.  We have been busy here with swim lessons the past two weeks and a fabulous week long vacation to Orcas Island which is part of the San Juan Islands.

Sewing has definitely taken a back seat these last weeks of summer.

I did manage to post a photo every day [so far : ) ] for the SewPhotoHop on Instagram.  Sponsored by House of Pinheiro, she posted a theme per day and asked that participants posted a photo with the hashtag #SewPhotoHop  

The are my favorite images from the month.   

I also have posted a few photos on Instagram with the hashtag #BariJColor.  Bari J designs fabrics for Art Gallery fabrics and has a lovely Instagram feed.  Every week she picks a different color and asks IG'ers to post a photo. It has been fun taking color themed photos with some beloved items of mine.

I started an embroidery project with Summer inspired colors which was great since it is portable and easy to take to the pool.

Though I have missed sewing I have enjoyed the time spent with my boys.  

They are growing up so fast : )

xo

Charise

Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt ~ Quilt Along

A few years ago I was introduced to the online sewing / quilting world on Flickr.  The first group I joined was the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along which was a quilt along sewing blocks from the book "Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt".  The book includes 6" blocks and letters from farmer's wives from the 1920's.  You can see my first blog post about joining the Quilt Along [HERE] way back in 2011!

Since then I have met so many wonderful people and have enjoyed this online community so much!

The author of the book, Laurie Aaron Hird has written another book.  Same premise but with letters from farm women of the Great Depression.  This book also had paper pieced patterns included!  I think that is wonderful and makes sewing the blocks much easier. The blocks are small so paper piecing is a great way to put the blocks together. 

There are two quilt alongs scheduled to start in September.

Kerry from VeryKerryBerry is hosting a quilt along.

You can find details for the quilt along with Kerry [HERE]

I will be one of the guest bloggers and have signed up to make and share a block every other month.

Gnome Angel will be hosting a quilt along using Marti Mitchell templates.  You can find info for the quilt along [HERE]

The blocks pictured above are from the first quilt along.  I am excited to add blocks from the new book and finish this quilt : ) 

I hope you will join in!

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

Sunday Stash ~ Lakehouse Favorites

A few years ago Lakehouse Dry goods fabric produced the cutest line called Annie's Farm Stand.

My favorite prints are the text prints called Annie's Seed catalogue,  which came in white, black, red and yellow.

They are adorable and versatile and I love to use them for quilts and small fabric projects!

The print made an appearance in my block for the quilt in the book "Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects."  It is the text print in the apple on the left.

You can find them in My Vintage Block Quilt Along.

And most recently, a free paper piecing pattern.

I was so excited that Lakehouse decided to reprint them ~ and in new colors!

You can find the prints at Fat Quarter Shop.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Work In Progress Wednesday ~ Modern Hexagon Handbag

RJR Fabrics sent me the loveliest bundle of fabric - the new line from Amy Barickman "Vintage Modern Centennial Collection" 

It is a sewing inspired fabric with vintage images and some great text and geometric prints.  It is available in stores in September '15.

I thought it would be perfect in my new design ~ the Modern Hexagon Handbag.

The line comes in a turquoise/fuschia color way and a black/cream/blue gray color way.

I decided to add a thicker stabilizer - a foam stabilizer that adds a lot of body and a bit of thickness.  It is from Pellon ~ Pellon Flex foam, and I purchased it at my local Joann fabric store.  

If you prefer a bag that stands up by itself and you want to add foam stabilizer to yours, cut 2 pieces 1/4" beyond the "Fold Line" on the LINING pattern piece.  Baste the stabilizer  to the back of the interfaced front panels with a 1/4" basting stitch.  Cut 1 piece of stabilizer from the GUSSET Pattern piece.  Baste to the Outside gusset with a 1/4" basting stitch.
Continue sewing as per the instructions.

Be sure to head on over to Freshly Pieced for some inspiring Work In Progress Projects!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Kettle's On! ~ My stop on the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along

Hello and Happy Friday.    Farm Girl Friday that is : )

I am excited to share my block from the new book by Lori Holt of a Bee in my Bonnet, "Farm Girl Vintage".

The book is fantastic and has 45 adorable quilt blocks and patterns for quilts,
potholders and table toppers.

Each block has a pattern for a 6" or 12" block.

Lori shares her farm girl past with adorable pics of her family
growing up on a farm in Utah.

Check out this fun video from the Fat Quarter Shop for a clever way to bind a potholder using backing fabric [HERE]

I made the Kettle's On! block and chose an aqua, red and pink theme.

The blocks are labeled alphabetically so I used my Alphabitties to mark all the pieces.

I love the way they coordinate with the fabrics : )

I thought My Kettles On block would make a perfect little purse and even had the red handles in my stash!

Be sure to check out the other bloggers and their blocks and projects.  

You can find the schedule [HERE]

If you Instagram, check out the hashtag #FarmGirlFridays for more inspiring creations.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

The Modern Hexagon Handbag - a New Pattern!

I am so happy to announce a new handbag pattern that I designed ~ The Modern Hexagon Handbag!
You can find the pattern as a PDF download [HERE]

The design is a hexagon created with Six triangles, stitched in such a way that you will get a perfect

point in the middle!  I love the wooden handles and the fussy cut motifs.
The purse is a beginner pattern for sewists with some sewing experience.

The pattern comes in two sizes - the Small Handbag is a perfect smaller handbag  -  which fits all your essentials including an iPad mini.

The Large Handbag is a shopper size - perfect for sewing and knitting projects or shopping.
I actually like a big purse for my everyday purse : )

The Apple Fabric is from Cotton + Steel.  You can find it at PinkCastleFabrics.com [HERE]

The text print is a Kei Japanese fabric from Sew Me A Song on Etsy [HERE]

I purchased the text print in every color way.  It is such a versatile print!

This version uses a print from Melody Miller by Kokka called "Ruby Star Vinyl" which you can find at Sew Me a Song [HERE]

The handbag has a side gusset for extra roominess and a nice shape
as well as an inside pocket.

This version uses the same text print in a gorgeous mustard yellow with a Pear Print from

Cosmo Textiles in the pattern, “Scandinavian Woods”.

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise

What is a girl to do when it is hot outside? Turn up the fan and Sew!!!

Happy 4th of July to all my U.S. North American friends.  I hope you had a good one!

It has been unseasonably hot here in the Pacific Northwest - in the 90's!   So what does a girl do when it is too warm to go outside (well, if I'm not at the beach with my rascal boys!)  Why sew, of course : )

I have always loved Pucci prints and when I received this fabric in a Girl Charlee Knit Fix assortment  I knew a dress was in order!  To clarify, Girl Charlee Fabrics sells a special assortment of 2 yard cuts of knit fabric - a surprise bag every month.  Lets just say, I need to be sewing up all that knit fabric I've ordered : )

If you want to see some vintage Pucci prints, click [HERE]

The pattern is Simplicity 1804.  I lengthened the shortest version to make more of a midi length.

A versatile pattern,  I can see wearing it to the beach as a swim suit cover up or it can be dressed up for a night out!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

The Great Pattern Hack - Anna Blouse to Dress

Happy Summer to you!

Yes, that is my Anna Blouse Pattern pictured above!

Kait Witte of Making it Fun took my Anna Blouse and made it into a dress!

I just love how it turned out.  She used Michael Miller Clip dot for the bodice (basically a swiss dot)

and Michael Miller's Glitz Gardent for the skirt.  I love the contrast red binding on the bodice.  The dress is so fun and summery.

I may just have to make one for myself!

You can find the Anna Blouse pattern [HERE]

Michael Miller is hosting the "pattern hack" - sewists are taking an existing pattern and giving it their own twist.   There are some great projects so far.  Don't miss the following blog posts:

Monday 6/29- Kick off with Jessica Abbott: Me Sew Crazy

 Tuesday 6/30- Kait Witte: Making it Fun

Wednesday 7/1- Delia Randall: Delia Creates 

Thursday 7/2- Jane Kohlenstein: Buzz Mills 

Friday 7/3- Melissa Quaal: A Happy Stitch 

Monday 7/6- Rachael Gander: Imagine Gnats 

Tuesday 7/7- Tamara Serrao: Kaya Joy 

Wednesday 7/8- Betsy Blodgett: Indygo Junction 

Thursday 7/9- Laura Titchener: Craftstorming 

Friday 7/10- Kristin Timm: Skirt as Top 

Saturday 7/11- Jessica & Ericka: Violette Field Threads 

Monday 7/13- Celina Bailey: Petit a Petit and Family 

Tuesday 7/14- Sanae Ishida: Sanae Ishida 

Wednesday 7/15- Erin Sundet: Sewbon 

Thursday 7/16- wrap up! Surprise give-away!!

Happy Sewing

: )

xo

Charise

Free Shipping at Sew Me a Song!!!

Becca at Sew Me a Song is running an end of school year shipping special!!!

This is a perfect time to stock up on some beautiful fabrics!

Annual School's Out Flat Rate Shipping Special Details:

​

$2.50US/$9.00 Canada/$12.00 Everywhere Else

  through  Sunday 6/14/15

No coupon code needed.  Rate will be applied at checkout.

Enjoy : )

p.s.  My kids are done with school on Tuesday and life is crazy!  See you again soon and I will share some new projects : )

xo

Charise

~ pinwheels, strawberries and lemon slices ~ oh my ~ Work in Progress Wednesday

Happy Wednesday.  I have been working on lots of projects.  My Sweetheart Pattern is top priority now that I have a secret project for Sew News complete : )  The Sew News project will be in the Spring '16 issue that hits news stands in December.  Hint - you carry it and it is sparkly : )

I have been working on bee blocks for the Cocorico Traveling Bee.  I made a few more for Melinda's quilt whose them is "Itty Bitty and Bright".  I am trying to add a little more orange to the group - I think I succeeded : )

The lemon is from my Jam Jars and Fruit pattern.  

The strawberry is also from my Jam Jars and Fruit Pattern.

The Pinwheel is from a Stitch magazine project from a few years ago.
I would love an entire quilt made with pinwheels : )

I have also found time to work on My Small World quilt.  It is a fun one to work on but I have a feeling this will be a very long work in progress.  The little pinwheels are just 2" square!

Happy Stitching!
xo
Charise

Apple and Pear ~ Free Paper Piecing Patterns!

I created this Paper Pieced Apple and Pear hot pad design for a Sew Mama Sew Binding tutorial. You can find the binding tutorial  [HERE]

The Apple and Pear are an easy to sew paper pieced pattern - you can find the pattern [HERE].

The fabrics I used are from a new collection from RJR fabrics - "Pie Making Day" by Brenda Ratliff.
The collection will be available in July.

It is a lovely, retro inspired line with cute florals and geometric prints.

The apple and pear would also be cute on a tote bag, fabric basket ~ the possibilities are endless : )

If you would like to make the round potholders, you can find the tutorial [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

My Small World Quilt Along

When  I saw a picture on Instagram of a new Quilt Along I knew I wanted to join!

Kerry and a group of bloggers are hosting the Small World Quilt Along.
Link HERE for all the info on the Quilt Along.

The pattern is by Jen Kingswell and can be found in a special Spring issue of Quiltmania.
I found my copy at my local Barnes and Noble bookstore.

I have admired Jen Kingswell's work and have wanted to make one of her patterns for some time.

I love the Small World Quilt because of its use of different bits of fabric and the theme of the quilt - an interesting and vibrant city made up of quilt blocks : )

The sky in my quilt is blue and I achieved that by using a combination of light value cream and blue fabrics.

Fashion is a passion of mine so I decided to make my Small World a very chic city complete with stylish women in the windows of the skyscrapers.

If you need a few more low volume prints to make your Small World Quilt, here are a few ideas.

Becca at Sew Me a Song has a lovely F8 bundle of low volume fabrics in her shop.

 This bundle is also a beauty!

Becca carries the fashion print from Japanese designer Suzuko Koseki, that I used for the skyscraper windows

I am looking forward to finding just the perfect pieces of fabric in my stash to make this quilt!

Happy Sewing
xo
Charise