Secret Sewing #SecretSewingCharise

Hi Friends!

One of the reasons I have been blogging so infrequently is because I have been doing lots of Secret Sewing.  I will be busy with my secret project until Mid November.

I will be sharing sneak peeks along the way and you can find the pictures on IG with the hashtag #SecretSewingCharise.

You can also see my progress here on the blog.

The project I'm currently working on has one of my favorite color combos - pink and yellow.

The sweet bird fabric is an older Minny Muu print from Lecien.  You can find some newer Minny Muu prints at Pink Castle fabrics [HERE] and Fat Quarter Shop [HERE]

The strawberry print is from Yuwa and is also an older print but you can find similar strawberry prints [HERE] 

The Petal nesting bowl pattern can be found [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

Oldies but Goodies ~ Apple and Pear Pattern

I can't believe it has been over three weeks since I last posted!

I've been working on a project that I cannot share now ; )

as well as overseeing a house remodel.

Both are coming along nicely and I cannot wait to share them with you!

I thought this would be a good time to share some of my favorite patterns.  

The apple and pear pattern is a perfect Autumn make and today is the first day of Fall!

This pattern has lots of possibilities - coasters, tote bag, pillow to name a few.

The apple measures 4" wide x 4 3/8" tall

The pear measures 3 1/4"" wide x 5 3/8" tall

The pattern is free and you can find it [HERE]

If you'd like to make the round hot pad you can find the tutorial [HERE] 

I also have a pattern for a smaller apple which measures about 3" tall x 2 5/8" wide 

I made this fun hot pad with the apple pattern.

As well as these cute little pouches.

Isn't it fun as a coaster?

You can find the mini apple pattern [HERE]

Happy Sewing and Happy First day of Fall!

xo

Charise

Moving my Studio

Hi All and Happy Monday!

I don't often post on my blog about personal going ons, but our particular status affects my sewing space.

We are in the middle of an epic remodel.  Well...it is really like we are building a new house!

We have moved once and I was able to purge a bunch of stuff - clothes, fabric....

Now we are moving again!!!  Yikes.

I purchased those lovely fabric boxes from Target and they are a great way to organize my fabric.  Organizing by color works best for me and my creative process.

I'm trying to keep a positive outlook especially knowing that we will have a brand new house

and I will have a dedicated sewing space.  I haven't had a sewing room for seven years!
Six more months (fingers crossed).

Do you have any tips for keeping organized?  I'd love to hear them!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Our house before the remodel : )

The Plan and progress so far.

Lingerie Sewing

I have been on a lingerie making tear these days!  

There are some wonderful pieces on Instagram and had to give it a try.

In design school, I sewed almost everything - jeans, tailored jackets, ski jackets - but had never tried sewing Lingerie.  

I am Hooked!!!! Lingerie is surprisingly easy to sew.  All you need is a sewing machine with a zig zag stitch, a stretch needle and polyester thread or polyester blend thread.

This set is made from a Girl Charlee Bolt Fabric I found at my local fabric store.  They have some bargain lots on their site HERE.  I only needed 1/2 yard for both the bra and undies.
The bra is self fabric lined.

The Bra pattern is the Watson bra from Cloth Habit and the fit it perfect! 

The undies are Butterick B6031.

More Girl Charlee Cotton Spandex prints are on order so I can make more : )

The laces and elastic trims were found at my local fabric shop.  

You can also find supplies on Etsy and The Tailor Made Shop. 

This fun lounge set is my second lingerie making project.

The bralette is the Florence bra from Seamwork Magazine.

The Tap Pants are the Alice Flutter Knickers from Ohhh Lulu on Etsy.

This is another Girl Charlee fabric in a super soft rayon spandex jersey, which

is perfect for this lounge set.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Along ~ Sylvia

It is hard to believe that one year ago I signed up to share my Farmer's Wife Blocks for Kerry's Quilt Along!  

I started making farmer's wife blocks 5 - yes that is 5 years ago when the first quilt along group was formed on Flickr.  

Today I am sharing my last block for the quilt along ~ Sylvia.

It is an easy block to paper piece though I don't think I would want to make it any other way.  The pieces are small and paper piecing allows for incredible accuracy!

The fabric used for the center is Rise N Shine by Yuwa.  

The fabric has been out of print for some time.

The dot is from Lecien.

The floral border is also a Lecien print I found at Sunny Day Supply.

I think I am pretty close to having enough blocks to finish this quilt.

One more row of four blocks and I will be done!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Craftsy Block Party featuring my block "Secret Drawer"

I just received an email from the folks at Craftsy letting me know my block "Secret Drawer" is featured along with 24 more blocks on a blog post called "Block Party"!  You can find the Craftsy

post and all the free blocks [HERE]

"Secret Drawer" is a perfect block to practice your Y seams.  I share an in depth tutorial with step by step photos [HERE]

I created the pattern for my Vintage Block Quilt along.  You can find all the free patterns [HERE]

There are 12 blocks in all, 12" square and a perfect set to make your own vintage quilt!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Splendid Notions 50 block celebration!

Hello and thanks for joining me at the top of the Hill!  

A celebration of the first 50 blocks in the Splendid Sampler Sew Along.

Pat Sloan designed a block to celebrate called  ‘Top of the Hill’ for the celebration.  You can read more about her inspiration and get the Free pattern [HERE]

I haven't been able to keep up but I am happy with the 20 blocks I have made : )  Remember, it isn't a race!  And if you don't finish all the blocks in the next sixth months, there will be a book available for purchase next year, that includes each and every block!

I thought I would take the opportunity to share a few patterns during this celebratory event.

I recently finished this Vintage Sewing Machine and Notions Pattern.

You can find it in my Etsy and Craftsy shops.

I will be offering a 20% discount on all purchases of at least $6.50 in my ETSY shop until August 15th, 2016 with the code ThankYou20

This is another fun paper piecing pattern ~ Hello Spring ~ and it is FREE!!!

You can find it in my Craftsy shop.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Vintage Sewing Machine and Notions Paper Piecing Pattern

Today I am so excited to announce the re-release of my paper piecing pattern, 

"Vintage Sewing Machine & Notions".

Originally designed for a sew along years ago, this new version of the pattern includes full size,
full color patterns

as well as detailed instructions on how to put the block together.

I have also included my best paper piecing tips - three pages in all.

I am extending a discount coupon in my Etsy shop which expires 8-15-16.

Use code ThankYou20 for 20% off a purchase of $6.50 or more.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

The Farmer's Wife 1930's Quilt Along - Prudence

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

The block I made is called Prudence, and I can't help but think of the Beatles' song : )

Prudence if a complicated block with lots of Y-seams.  

I decided to change the way it is sewn

 to eliminate some of those difficult to sew seams.

I disected the H2, I2, J2 and K2 triangles and put the block together a bit differently from the

directions.

It made it much easier to sew by machine.

My quilt is coming together nicely, and I will have enough blocks for a quilt very soon!

See the pics below for a visual reference on how I put the block together.

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Happy Summer to you!

Happy Summer! I have been so busy with every day life I have neglected this space!

I have been enjoying spending the past two weeks with my boys now that they are on summer vacation.
  

My sewing time has been sparse, but I am working on an update to my 

Vintage Sewing Machine and Notions pattern.

I originally designed the pattern for the Sew Out Loud Quilt Along years ago.

It needed some love, so I have redrawn the pattern and included assembly diagrams as well 

as three pages of my favorite paper piecing techniques.

I will keep you posted on the release of the new pattern.
Thanks to everyone that has written emails asking for it : )

Happy Sewing
& Happy Summer!

xo
Charise

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