Speaking with Pat Sloan at American Patchwork and Quilting Podcast

About a month ago I had the pleasure of speaking with Pat and discuss all things sewing for an American Patchwork and Quilting podcast.

I met Pat last year when she invited me to join the Splendid Sampler Sew Along and design a block for this amazing adventure.

The Splendid Sampler is a sew along with 100 free blocks for one year.  Then all

the blocks will be published by Martingale.

We have conversed over email so it was an extra treat to get to speak for the podcast.

Today's podcast also features two amazing quilters - Sherri McConnell and Barbara Cline.

Enjoy!

xo

Charise

Fussy Cutting for Foundation Paper Piecing

One of my favorite methods to use when I Paper Piece designs is Fussy Cutting.

Fussy Cutting is using a motif in a fabric and cutting it to focus on the motif.

You can see how I used it on the waistband of my Apron picture above.  

I also use fussy cutting to position a print in a desired direction which you can see with the apple print.  The apples are running vertical and are centered on the front panel.  

I was able to achieve this by fussy cutting.

This is also a great way to conserve fabric since you are cutting only the amount of fabric you need.

*Here are some tips to help you with your next Fussy Cut Paper Pieced project*

1)  

Print out an extra copy of the pattern.

Cut out the section of the pattern you want to fussy cut.

In this example, I want to fussy cut the waistband on the apron - section A3.

2)

Place the pattern piece, Right Side Up, on the Wrong side of the fabric directly covering the section you want to fussy cut. 

Use a bit of fabric glue to hold the pattern piece in place.

In this example, I want the words "tag cotton" to be centered on the waistband.

3)

Using a C-thru ruler, mark 1/4" from the edge of your pattern.

Cut on the line.

OR

Use a rotary cutter and your acrylic ruler to cut around the pattern piece.

Remove the pattern piece from the back of the fabric.

You are ready to use the pattern piece!

I like to save the pattern pieces to be used again.  I keep mine in a sheet protector and file it in a binder with the pattern. 

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Row by Row Experience

Starting June 21st, quilt shops all across the Unites States and Canada will be participating in the "Row by Row Experience".  The idea is to visit your local quilt shops and pick up a FREE (yes Free) pattern for a quilt.  

Create a quilt using at least 8 different 2016 rows from 8 different 2016 participating RxR shops and be the first to bring it into a participating shop to win a stack of 25 fat quarters (6-1/4 yards of fabric). Use that shop’s row in your quilt and win a bonus prize. Click here for more details.

To find the participating quilt shops in your area click [HERE]

Months ago, Maria from Quilt Nuts in Oklahoma asked if I'd design an element for her Row by Row Pattern.

I designed this fun apron for Maria's row.  It is an easy beginner pattern with just two sections to sew together.  They are so fast to make I've already made two and am working on a third!

This pattern is only available until September in Maria's shop, but if you'd like to make an apron and can't make it to Oklahoma you can find my Vintage Apron Pattern [HERE]

One of my favorite ways to make my paper pieced blocks extra special, is to fussy cut motifs.

Check back tomorrow and I will be sharing a tutorial for an easy method for fussy cutting

motifs for this fun apron and any other paper pieced design you are sewing.

Happy Sewing : )

xo

Charise

Summertime Minis

Last week I spied a fun sewing challenge on Instagram.  Make Modern Magazine is having a fun sewing challenge.  They have asked sewists to make and share a mini quilt - no larger than 6".

I have been spending lots of time working on the computer the past week, so a sewing challenge was just the distraction I needed : )

I made this sweet little mini and it is just shy of 6".  

The strawberries and cherry are from my Jam Jars and Fruit pattern.

I was thrilled that I had just enough bias tape already cut and ready for the binding!

Fabrics I used for this little mini:

Red text print * Moda Daysail Tiny Script 

Fun pink cherry print * Riley Blake Calico Days

Floral grid print * Windham Little Menagerie

Green micro dot * Lecien 

Green Leaf print * Riley Blake Flower Patch

Mini cherry on white *  Sevenberry

I also have a few more minis in the works.  These are also made using my Jam Jars and Fruit pattern.

I think these may become coasters : )

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Splendid Notions Pouch

Hi and Happy Friday!  

I made this cute zipper pouch and it uses 6 1/2" blocks as the focal point.
I used my "Stitching Fashion" block from the book "The Splendid Sampler".  

It is a roomy 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" and is large enough for a 4" embroidery hoop plus scissors and thread.

There is a handy pocket inside for stowing more goodies, too.

If you'd like to make one too, you can find the tutorial for this pouch [HERE]

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Stitching Fashion ~ My block for the Splendid Sampler

Today I am so excited to share my block for the Splendid Sampler Sew Along. 

The Splendid Sampler was the brain child of Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson.  

For one year, they are sharing two - 6" blocks per week from over 80 different designers.  

The patterns are free for the year and after that they will be published in a book! 

You can find the patterns [HERE]

"Stitching Fashion" is entirely paper pieced.  I would consider this an intermediate pattern so if you are new to paper piecing, I highly recommend making my Free Crayon pattern first.  It has detailed instructions to make a paper pieced crayon block as well as a comprehensive list of my favorite tools and notions I use for paper piecing. 

You can find the pattern [HERE] 

I also have a tutorial for a fun pencil pouch you can make with your crayon block!
You can find the tutorial [HERE]

  ~Here are a few tips to help you make your "Stitching Fashion" block~

CUT THE PATTERN APART BY LETTER UNIT

You will want to cut the pattern apart by letter unit as shown above.

***My patterns do not include seam allowances.  

I find I get better results without bulky paper seam allowances.***

PAPER PIECE EACH INDIVIDUAL UNIT

Paper Piece each individual letter unit being sure to add 1/4" around each pattern section.

For letter units with only one piece, use a bit of fabric glue or a pin to attach the pattern piece to the wrong side of the fabric.

Cut around the pattern piece leaving 1/4" seam allowance.

MATCHING SEAMS

The reason I prefer to not have bulky paper seam allowances is that it helps make it easier to sew the individual lettered sections together.

I want to make sure that the seams match perfectly.
I will be sewing the top of the spool to the middle spool section.  

(shown with the arrow in the picture above)

First, find the seam intersection and put a pin through that point on the wrong side.

Find the corresponding point on the other piece.  Pin together with right sides together.

Baste over the seam.  

Open the seam and check if the points match.

If they do not, remove the basting stitch and try again.

If they match, stitch the seam with 10 - 12 stitches per inch back tacking at the beginning and end of the seam.


FUSSY CUTTING

I absolutely adore fussy cut blocks.  It is such a fun way to add an extra special touch to your block.

Figure out what motif on your fabric you want to fussy cut.
I decided I wanted a cherry on the center of my thread spool.

Place the pattern over the motif on the wrong side of the fabric.  Use fabric glue or a pin to secure in place.

Fold the pattern back on the seam lines and trim around the section leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

I love the yellow and red fabrics used for the block!
Left to Right
Hope Chest by Connecting Threads, Calico Days by Lori Holt for Riley Blake, Micro Dot by Lecien, Red Scallop by Bonnie and Camille, Yellow Ground Fruit - Lori Holt for Riley Blake.
The brown fabric I used for the spools is an older Japanese print I've had in my stash for ages.  Sadly, there is no information on the selvage.

I hope you enjoy making the block.  It was lots of fun to design!

Happy Sewing
xo
Charise

The Farmer's Wife 1930's Quilt Along - Mrs. Brown

Hi and welcome to my stop on the Farmer's Wife 1930's Quilt Along hosted by Kerry of Very Kerry Berry.  

It has been fun to be a part of this blog hop, especially since 

it has also kept me on track to have enough blocks to make a quilt at the end of the Quilt Along.

I took this block quite literally and found a "lady" fabric from Suzuko Koseki.

I think she makes a smashing Mrs Brown : )

I love to search my fabric stash for the perfect fabrics - my favorite part of the block making process.

The center Lady print fabric is Fashion Cheater Print, Col A, by Suzuko Koseki for Yuwa of Japan. You can find it at Sew Me a Song [HERE]

The red and pink scalp fabric is an older print - "Miss Kate" by Bonnie & Camille for MODA fabrics, 

# 55092-15 and you can find it [HERE]

The yellow dot is Lecien Basic Micro dots. I couldn't find that exact fabric, but Moda has a good yellow basic dot you can find on Etsy.

The aqua blue ground strawberry print is Minny Muu by Lecien. This print is used is an older version' but Pink Castle Fabrics carries some new Lecien strawberry prints [HERE] and [HERE]

The turquoise ground yellow circle flower is a Japanese fabric I've had in my stash for some time.  I was happy to find a use for it : )

Be sure to check out all the wonderful Farmer's Wife blocks on Instagram.  

Search for the hashtag #FW1930sQAL.

And don't forget to label your blocks with the hashtag, too!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Intentional Piecing

I am so happy to be sharing the new book by my friend, Amy, "Intentional Piecing".  She is a talented artist and designer and you can find her paper piecing blocks and quilts on her blog [HERE]

"Intentional Piecing" focuses on helping quilters in making fabric choices when they are creating a quilt or sewing project.

An excerpt from the publisher's website describes her book best:

"Amy teaches you to ask the questions she consistently asks herself: What fabric would make the design better? Which design and method would best showcase the fabric? What choices would make the project uniquely yours? And who doesn't love going through their fabric stash to find that perfect one!"

Amy asked her quilting and sewing friends to make a "Tell Me a Story Block".  It is a paper pieced block that is designed to frame a favorite fabric image that tells a story. 

I dug through my stash and corralled all my sewing theme fabric to the story of
"A girl who has loved to sew since she was little."

I couldn't make just one block - there will be more to go with these!

If you would like to quilt along, Amy is extending a discount of 30% on her book through the Lucky Spool Website.   Just use the code FRIEND30

Share a "Tell me a Story" quilt block on Instagram before June 1st, and you will be eligible to win the "fussy cutting" fabric stack from Sew Me a Song shown above!

  Be sure to tag your picture with the hashtags #TellMeaStoryQuilt and #IntentionalPiecingBook  for your chance to win.

Happy Sewing!
xo
Charise

Me Made May & May is for Makers

This time of year always sparks my desire to make some new Spring clothes.  

There are two online "maker movements" going on in May.

The first is "Me Made May".  You can find the details [HERE]  

The idea is to wear at least one item you have made each day.  I am going to try and do that, and sew up a few new items for myself.

The second is May is for Makers.  You can find the details [HERE]

This challenge is all about supporting independent pattern designers, by purchasing one pattern per week, 5 in total, from indie pattern designers during the month of May.

I am going to make the Mississippi Ave Top from Sew House 7.  Supplies are gathered, fabric washed and pressed, and cutting will (hopefully) commence later today.

You can also support my independent pattern shop on ETSY [HERE]
This is a pic of my Anna Blouse I lengthened and made into a dress.

You can find pics on Instagram with the hashtags #MeMadeMay & #MayisforMakers.

Happy sewing!

xo

Charise

~Color Inspiration~

Photo by Charise Creates

One of my favorite tasks when I was a fashion designer was creating color palettes for the upcoming clothing line I was designing.  When I worked for larger companies such as Norstrom and Eddie Bauer, we had the budget to buy trending forecast services.  These services would provide the actual color in swatch form from large color companies like Pantone.

Digital Ad from Boden.com

The last design company I worked for was a small company and we didn't have the budget for the expensive trending services.  

My go to inspiration came from Fashion websites like Style.com and fashion magazines, my favorites being Elle and Harper's Bazaar.
I looked to the color stories from high end couture brands from the most recent runway shows.

Photo by ChariseCreates

I recently saw a link to the coolest website that will create a color palette using Kona Fabrics solids.
Play-Crafts color matcher  allows you to upload a photo and then the program matches colors in the photo.
If you want to tweak the palette, there are small dots that you can drag and drop around the photo to customize the colors.
Then....Play-crafts color matcher matches the colors to Moda Bella Solids.

Photo by Charise Creates

Have Fun!
Warning:  It is addictive : )

xo
Charise

Orchard Hot Pads in "One Room Schoolhouse"

I absolutely love vintage inspired fabrics so I was so thrilled to get a stack of prints from the soon to be available line by Brenda Ratliff, "One Room Schoolhouse" designed for RJR Fabrics.

The palette is fresh with a vintage vibe.  The prints are gorgeous.  My favorite is the sweet apple print.  I think I might have to make a skirt in this print - so cute!!! 

I stitched up my orchard hot pads and I think they look wonderful in this fabric!

You can find the pattern [HERE].  "One Room Schoolhouse" will be available in July and you can find it [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

The Splendid Sampler ~ Catching up!

Today is sunny and beautiful in Seattle.  

Much like the blocks I made for the Splendid Sampler Sew Along : )

The block on the left is called Family Affair and was designed by Janice Ryan of Better off Thread.  I loved fussy cutting the dancing ladies on this one.

The block on the right is Scrap Stars by by Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts.  This block has lots of small pieces so it is a fun way to use up scraps.

The fabric bowl was designed for Stitch Magazine and you can find it [HERE]

Pieces of Friendship by Lindsay Mayland was another fun block to fussy cut.  This is such a fun and easy block to sew together.  Linday shared a fantastic tutorial for sewing the block together [HERE]

It has been such a pleasure to sew such lovely blocks by talented designers!

I am looking forward to the next 84 blocks : )

Be sure to head on over to TheSplendidSampler.com for links to all the patterns.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise