Green Eileen 3rd Annual Chop Challenge

At the end of August a friend of mine sent an email about the Green Eileen Chop Challenge.  I had never heard of it before and was intrigued.  After a little bit of research on the Green Eileen Facebook page I learned that it is a restyle challenge.  

Eileen Fisher takes donations of gently worn Eileen Fischer garments and resells them at their Green Eileen stores.  They just happen to have a store in the Columbia city neighborhood of Seattle.

They challenge local artists to take damaged clothes they aren't able to sell,
 and make them into a new item.

I took a trip to their warehouse and picked out five holey garments.  I wasn't sure exactly what I would make but the grey and turquoise sweaters and knits were calling to me.

The grey textured sweater knit is beautiful and I knew I had to incorporate it into the design.

After lots of pondering I decided to create a handbag.  

My first idea was to do a take on the hobo bag I made a while ago.  

A special trip was in order to find the perfect leather for the handles and tabs on the bag corners.  I had the bag all put together and tried to sew on the tabs at the corners.  I was so close to being done!

It just would not work!  The bag was too thick and the handles tabs refused to be sewn to the bag.

After about six tries I knew I had to come up with another solution.

I decided to add handles to the top edge.  I also added leather tabs to each end of the zipper.

I really like the way it turned out.  Sometimes your fail becomes a success with a little ingenuity and a deadline!!!  

The lining is a 100% cotton knit tee which I fused to batting and quilted in a diamond design.  The inside pocket uses the tubular knit sweater hem as the top edge.

Green Eileen is hosting an auction and gallery exhibition on October 3rd to support SeedArts.  It is a wonderful organization that supports the Arts in South Seattle.

You can find more about the organization {HERE}

xo

Charise

Aimee ~ Farmer's Wife Fridays

Happy Friday!

I have decided to share my progress on my Farmer's Wife Quilt on Fridays ~ Farmer's Wife Friday!

I will do my best to share any new blocks I make and a bit of my process.

So far I have made three blocks from the Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt Book.

From Left to Right - Ann, Aimee and Addie.

I decided to add the new blocks to blocks made previously from the first book.

I plan to keep with the same color story but may decide to add in a few more colors.  We will see....

My favorite part of making the blocks is picking out the fabric.
This block includes a text print from Holly Holderman at Lake House Dry Goods, the apple is from Riley Blake and the fun little girl print is a Japanese print that is a reproduction 1930's feed sack.
  

The blocks also lend themselves well to fussy cutting.

You can see a tip for how I fussy cut my blocks [HERE]

The book is not just a quilting book but also includes letters from 1930's farm wives.

The letter that goes along with Aimee is wonderful.

Here is an excerpt.

"There are those who think that farm women who spend time reading are lazy and "highbrow".  Besides, of what use are storybooks to women who work in the fields and milk cows? All the more reason I say, why a farm woman should escape for a few minutes into a make-believe world where her spirit may be eased."

"And go to bed with backward looks

At my dear land of Storybooks."  

~Bookworm

WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 1934

I love this letter.  

When I was a little girl I wanted to be a librarian surrounded by silence and books : )

xo

Charise

A Pair ~ and a Pear : )

A few years ago I designed the Apple Orchard hot pad. 

It is a great project to use those precious scraps you have been saving.
Mine includes some of my favorite scraps that I have been saving for just the right project.

I have been planning on creating a pear to go with the apple for a very long time and it is finally done.

It is an easy make and a great way to learn an easy way to apply bias tape.  The same method as I used in my round potholder tutorial you can find [HERE]

It seemed like a perfect time to create the pear as Fall has arrived.

I will be sure and post when the pattern is complete and post a little give away : )

I have been getting into a routine after a lovely but not very structured summer.
My boys are finally in school after a week long teacher's strike.  As frustrating as the strike was, I am a staunch supporter of our teachers and am happy they negotiated a good contract for the next few years.  They deserve it for all their had work and dedication.
As a classroom volunteer, I am always amazed at their grace and composure teaching a classroom of 25 - 30 kids!

You will be hearing from me a lot more
now that I have dedicated time to work on projects and share them with you : ) 

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise 

Ann ~ The Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Along

Hello and Happy Monday.

Welcome to my stop on the Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Along hosted by Kerry at Verykerryberry.  Today I am sharing the block "Ann".

   I picked this block to share because my mom's name is Ann and she was a farm girl.
She spent summers on her grandparent's farm when she was a girl in the late 40's/early 50's.

She often talks about how idyllic those summers were.

Her grandfather was a baker and her grandmother was a homemaker. 

My mother fondly remembers spending time with them tending the animals and the garden.

I joined the First Farmer's Wife quilt along a few years back, and used templates for my blocks.

It was honestly difficult to get accurate blocks - the pieces are small and so are the blocks - just 6".

In the new book, the author, Laurie Aaron Hird has included paper piecing patterns!

I'm thrilled and will be paper piecing all of my blocks.  

I find this the easiest method to get sharp and accurate seams. 

My favorite supplies for paper piecing are:

*Translucent Vellum from Office Depot. It is slight see through so you can see the fabric through the paper which makes it perfect for fussy cutting.  It is also OK to use with a dry iron and doesn't shrink or curl.

*Add a Quarter Ruler - the ruler has a 1/4" lip which makes adding a 1/4" seam allowance around your sections very easy.

*Fabric Glue Stick - I use it to attach the paper pattern to small pieces of fabric.  It comes off easily and is water soluble.  It is also helpful to position the pattern on fabric for perfect fussy cut motifs.

*Fine Pins - I like Clover Brand Flower Head Pins Fine - .45 mm

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  

If you are new to paper piecing, I have a tutorial and free pattern [HERE]
I also have lots of tips for paper piecing [HERE]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS FOR PUTTING THE BLOCK TOGETHER:

***I prefer to cut the seam allowances off the pattern sections.  I find it is easier to sew the sections together without the added bulk of the pattern seam allowance. 

***Be sure to change your stitch length to 16 - 18 stitches per inch when stitching the sections together.

1]  I wanted all my points to be centered on the plaid, so I started by using a bit of fabric glue to position the D1 portion on the fabric.

The wrong side of the pattern will be facing the wrong side of the fabric.  

2]  Fold back on the stitching line between D1 and D2.
Use your ruler and rotary cutter to add a 1/4" seam allowance.

3] Cut Section D2 at least 1/2" larger that the section.  Place section D1 to D2 the right sides together.
Stitch on the line between D1 and D2.  Start stitching on the inside of the pattern, Back tack, and continue stitching to the end of the stitching line continuing beyond the pattern. Fold the fabric back and press with a dry iron.

Add section D3 as #3 above.

4] When adding section D4 I wanted to fussy cut the motifs.
I turned the pattern over so the right side of the fabric is facing me.
I then positioned the pattern where I wanted the motifs to be.
Trace around the pattern piece with a 1/4" seam allowance to get a perfectly
planned piece of fabric for D4.

Add D4 and D5.

5] When stitching sections L and E to D, I first pinned the corners using fine Clover pins.
Change you stitch length to 10 - 12 stitches per inch and stitch the seam back tacking at the ends.

Follow step #1 - 5 for the remaining three sections.

6] Putting the sections together - My method to match seams ***easy, peasy****

When I first started paper piecing, I swear I spent more time ripping out seams than I did sewing!
Here are my tips for getting your seams to match perfectly.
I find this works best if you cut off the seam allowances from your pattern.

Pin the seams that you want to match.
Baste stitch just where the seams meet, not the entire length of the seam.

Flip over, open the seam and double check that the seams match.
If they don't - no biggie!  Just remove the basting stitches and re-sew!

Once you are happy with the seam matching, stitch the seam with a 10 - 12 stitch length making sure to back tack at each end.  Press the seam open.

I hope these tips are helpful!

Please don't forget the use the has tag #fw1930sqal is you are sharing your blocks on Instagram and/or Twitter.

Happy Stitching!!!

xo

Charise

The Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Along Starts Today!

Today is the start of the Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Along hosted by Kerry at Very Kerry Berry.

Be sure to hop on over to her site to see the first block!
Wynn at ZakkaArt also shares tips for hand piecing your quilt blocks.

I'm really looking forward to join in and share some tips along the way!

You can find me on the tour on September 21st and I will be sharing my version of "Ann".

Here is a sample of some of the fabrics I will be using in my blocks.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

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