Hello Spring A FREE Paper Piecing Pattern

 

Happy Spring!  I am so happy we are turning the corner to warmer weather.  

Spring is my favorite season because I get to spend time gardening outside.   Every day I check to see the status of my tulips I planted in the Fall.  They should be blooming in the next few weeks.

My "Hello Spring" pattern was designed with the season in mind.  

This version includes some of my favorite  Japanese prints from Sunny Day Supply.

This is the first version I stitched almost 10 years ago!

You can find the FREE pattern [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise  

Liberty Fabrics "The Deco Dance" * and * Free Pattern for my Ruffle Purse!

I adore Liberty Fabrics and was a contributor to the Liberty craft blog years ago.  The site is no longer, but I decided to make a past project that I designed for the Liberty craft blog                                                    with the newest collection of Liberty fabrics - "The Deco Dance Collection" from Riley Blake.

The Ruffle Purse is a zipper purse that can be used as a clutch or cross body bag - just add your favorite shoulder strap.  The clutch strap is included with the pattern!

You can find the FREE pattern [HERE]

I couldn't make just one Ruffle Purse!  This version uses the pale lavender prints and I paired it with Riley Blake Natural linen, Swiss Dots and Gingham,  and Riley Blake "Bee Cute Lace". 

The clutch strap is scrappy patchwork, which I love!

The second version of the Ruffle Purse features Navy/Pink colors in the fabric line paired with Riley Blake linen in Navy.

If you make a project with Deco Dance - Please use the following hashtags:

#ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns #DecoDanceFabric

I love to see what you make!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Anne of Green Gables

 

Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite book series.  When I had the opportunity to sew a project with the new Anne of Green Gables line of fabric from Riley Blake, I could not resist!

The fabric is a beautiful selection of florals, text prints and of course a cute print of Anne Shirley too!  The palette is beautiful shades of lavender and green.

I made a Gathered Clutch so I could use the Anne print as the center panel, and added bias cut gingham piping to frame the adorable fabric in the center panel.

The Gathered Clutch Pattern can be found in my Etsy shop.  The gingham and linen fabric are also from Riley Blake.

The prints are so adorable and deserved a design that highlighted them.  I designed this Hexagon Tote Bag which I believe does just that! 

The tote has an inside pocket, zipper closure, and a shoulder strap which makes it the perfect design to hold projects on the go or as a shopping tote.

The tote also has lace trim which works nicely with the print.  The lovely cotton lace is from Riley Blake!  You can find the pattern for the Hexagon Tote Bag in my Etsy shop.

The "Anne" print is perfect for fussy cutting!  Isn't this zipper tab adorable?!

Please tag your projects made with Anne of Green Gables with the hashtags

#AnneofGreenGablesFabric #ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns

I love to see what you make!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Strawberry Honey "From the Heart" Quilt

 

Today is my stop on the Riley Blake Designs project tour for the new fabric line "Strawberry Honey" by Gracey Larson of Burlap and Blossom Patterns.

I thought the fabric paired perfectly with the quilt pattern "From the Heart" by Nicola Dodd from Issue Ninety of Love Patchwork and Quilting.  

I love the simplicity of the design and it was a breeze to piece!

The fabric is absolutely adorable with bee, flower and bear motifs and a wonderful two color gingham which I used to bind the quilt.

The Polka dot background fabric is Swiss Dot in White with Hot Pink.

The fun quilt back fabric is  "Wide Back Granny Chic Vintage Embroidery Pink" designed by Lori Holt.

This is such a Springy and cheerful fabric collection! 

I'm looking forward to having this quilt on my bed : )

Be sure to share you your makes with Strawberry Honey on social media using the hashtags 

#RileyBlakeDesigns #ILoveRileyBlake #StrawberryHoneyFabric

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

  

Gingham Gardens

 

Florals and gingham are among my favorite prints for sewing projects.

The new line of fabric "Gingham Gardens" from Riley Blake Fabrics hits the mark with florals, gingham and a lovely text print too!

It is a beautiful, feminine fabric collection.  I decided to make the Sweetheart Swing Bag by Heather Bailey.  The curvy shape and feminine pleated ruffles are the perfect design combo for this lovely fabric.

I added the sweet crochet lace designed by Lori Holt for Riley Blake fabrics.  It is the perfect addition to this romantic design.

I also made a version of my Macaroon Pouch, which I love in this fabric.                                                  The center panel is a nine patch panel made with 2 1/2" squares.

You can find the pattern in my Etsy shop - Charise Creates.

Be sure to tag your photos of projects using Gingham gardens with the hashtags:

#ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns #GinghamGardensFabric

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Flea Market Fabric from Riley Blake!

 

I absolutely adore all fabrics designed by Lori Holt of a Bee in My Bonnet.  Her new line of fabric, "Flea Market" designed for Riley Blake Fabrics, is a modern take on vintage 50's fabric.  The line is reimagined with fresh colors and similar motifs that can be found on retro 50's fabric.

The prints are so adorable and I wanted to make a suite of items to showcase all the cute motifs.

This fun zipper pouch showcases all the prints beautifully!

 

This Fifteen Patch pouch highlights all the adorable Flea Market prints ~AND~ it is a free tutorial which you can find [HERE]

I also make a heart sachet with one of my favorite prints in the collection.  You can find the free pattern on my blog [HERE]  I am going to make a bunch of these to adorn my Holiday gifts!

I also made a roomy tote - my Nine Patch tote, and you can find the pattern in my Etsy shop.

I love to see what you make so be sure to tag your creations with the hashtags:

#ILoveRileyBlake

#RileyBlakeDesigns

#FleaMarketFabric

#ChariseCreates

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Pair of Cherries ~ a new pattern

 Good Day!

I have a new pattern - My Pair of Cherries paper piecing pattern.  I designed it way back at the beginning of the year for a book (shhhh don't tell anyone but the book comes out in Spring 2021!) It wasn't used in the book so I decided to finish it for my Etsy shop.  Well, almost a year later - here it is!

I would consider this an intermediate paper piecing pattern.  If you are new to paper piecing, I have a free Crayon pattern, which is a perfect beginner pattern.

It is a 6" block with instructions for enlarging to a 10" or 12" block.

I'm going to use this block to make my Home Sweet Home boxy zipper pouch which was designed for that very size block!

Enjoy the Day.

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Fifteen Patch Zipper Pouch Tutorial - Mini charm pack friendly!

This Holiday season I decided to treat myself and purchased a sewing themed advent calendar from Stitch Supply Company.

It has been so much fun to open a little sewing themed gift for myself every day.  

Last week I got this adorable Flurry mini charm pack.  It didn't take me too long to figure out that a patchwork pouch would be the perfect project.

I decided to write a tutorial for you! It is a great gift item and fun to fill with goodies for a special someone. (That includes you!) 

If you don't have a charm pack, any cute little 2 1/2" squares will do : )

You can also use any panel of fabric that is 6 1/2" x 10 1/2" if you want to forego the patchwork. 

Fifteen Patch Zipper Pouch
a tutorial by Charise Creates 

Notes:

~All seam allowances are 1/4" 

Finished Size:

5" tall x 10" wide

Materials

~ 30 - 2 1/2" squares assorted print fabric (a mini charm pack works well)

    or 2 - 6 1/2" x 10 1/2" fabric rectangles if you want to skip the patchwork

~1/4 yard Lining fabric

~1/4 yard muslin or solid cotton

~1/4 yard batting 

Supplies:

~Zipper Foot

~Matching Thread

~Pins

~9" or longer coil zipper - OR- a metal zipper that measures 

     9" from the top of the zipper head to the zipper stop.

~Zipper Pull (optional)

~ 1/2" x 3" long ribbon

~Marking pen, pencil or Hera Marker for quilt marking

Cut:

~2 pieces of batting 7" x 11"

~2 pieces of muslin 7" x 11"

~2 pieces of Lining 6 1/2" x 10 1/2

~1 - 1" x 1 1/2" Print for the zipper tab

1) Arrange  the 15 print squares that make up the panel, in your desired design. 

2)  Stitch each row together.  Press seam allowances to one side, each row in the opposite direction.

3) Stitch the top row to the center row.  Press the top/center to the bottom row. 

Press seams open.

Repeat for the other side side of the pouch.

4) Fuse the batting to the wrong side of the patchwork panel.

Place the muslin on the back of the batting, baste in place.

  Quilt diagonal lines on the patchwork  panel. 

Your lines will be approximately 1 3/8” apart.

Trim the panel to 6 1/2” x 10 1/2”.  Repeat for the other side.

5) If you are using a zipper that is longer than 9", shorten the zipper to 9 1/2" measuring from the top of the zipper head to the bottom of the zipper.

6) Fold under the 1" side of the zipper tab 1/4" to the wrong side. Press.

    Press in half wrong sides together.

7) Place the bottom end of the zipper so that it is against the folded edge of the tab.

    Pin in Place.

    Stitch the folded edge with an edge stitch.

8)  Fold back the zipper tape on the top edge of the zipper to the wrong side. 
     Glue baste or machine baste in place.

9) Fold the ribbon in half, wrong sides together and place on the right side of the pouch panel

   2 1/4" from the top edge.

   Baste in place.

10) Place the zipper to the pouch right sides together with the top edges of the pouch

     and zipper tape matching.

    Center the zipper on the pouch panel.  Stitch the top edge with
    a 1/4" seam allowance, back stitching at ends.

11) Place the lining right sides with the pouch panel right side matching the top raw edge.

      Pin in place.

The zipper will be sandwiched in between the pouch and lining panels.

    Stitch the top edge with a 1/4" stitch back tacking at ends.

12) Press the pouch and lining panels away from the zipper.  Press.

     Top stitch 1/8" away for the seam line starting and stopping your stitching 3/8" 
     from the raw edge.

~Repeat for the other side~

13) Separate the lining pieces from the pouch pieces.

     Place the pouch pieces right sides together, matching seams and raw edges.  

     Pin in place.

     Place the lining pieces right sides together, matching seams and raw edges.  

     Pin in place.

     The zipper teeth should face towards the lining.

     Make sure the zipper is open.

     Sew around the perimeter  leaving a 4" opening on the bottom lining side.

14) Box the corners:

      Place the bottom and side seams right sides together at the bottom corner 

      with seams pressed open.

      Mark 1" up from the bottom corner.  Stitch on the marked line back tacking at ends.

      Trim the seam 1/4" beyond the stitching.  Repeat for the other bottom corner.

Repeat for the lining.

15)  Turn right side out and press.

        Machine stitch or hand stitch the opening in the lining closed.

Congrats!   You have made a  Fifteen Patch Zipper Pouch.

Happy Sewing.

xo

Charise