Learn to Paper Piece with me in Issue #9 of Sew It All!

Fabrics used: Robert Kaufmann Essex yard dyed linen in Flax, Blue Polka Dot Spot On by Robert Kaufmann, Blue Floral print from Moda Boho by Urban Chiks, Pink Text print from Riley Blake "Vintage Happy" by Lori Holt. 

Hello and Happy Monday!  I am so happy to be in the new issue of Sew it All.

I have written a paper piecing article for the magazine and it covers all the basics you need to master the technique of foundation paper piecing.  I share the supplies you need, and my tips and tricks for creating a successful paper pieced block.

You can download the paper pieced sewing machine pattern for free for a limited time HERE.
You can find the digital version of the magazine HERE which has the information to make the sewing machine cover.

There is also a fun project to make - a paper pieced sewing machine cover.

The sewing machine cover is a simple project as well.

It is finished with bias tape and has pockets on the back to store your current sewing project, patterns or notions!

Be sure to check back on Friday, January 9th, when I share a
new pattern and beginning foundation paper piecing tutorial!
If you can't wait, I've listed the pattern which includes the complete paper piecing tutorial on Craftsy HERE  : )

xo
Charise

~ ~ ~ 2014 ~ ~ ~

It was quite a year ~ 2014!

Lots of sewing happened ~ I made lots of purses and pouches.  Two for Stitch Magazine, a tutorial for a patchwork pouch, one purse for a blog hop and a new purse pattern! 

(Book designs: Left to Right, Top to bottom:  Mollie Makes Patchwork, Laundry Bag for Mollie Makes Patchwork, Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects, Best of Stitch Beautiful Bedrooms)

I designed Sewing projects for a few books.....

I made some garments.......

Versions of the Anna blouse and a Swing tank.

New paper piecing patterns!

(Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Coffee Koozie, paper pieced "Girls Night Out" set, Appliqué Purse, Pinwheel Coasters)

Projects for blog hops.

Sew Mama Sew featured my Kaleidoscope pillow and My Sketch Book Project.

I contributed this fun project to the Liberty Craft Blog.

And three new blocks for my Vintage Block Quilt Along including the final 12th block!

I designed some garments and a tea cozy for Downton Abbey Sews!
I have been counting the days until the  Season 5 first episode which airs tonight!

I managed to fit in a few trips.

The first was to London which was such a treat!  My husband was going for work so I pulled off going with him at the last minute (like the week before he was leaving!)  I visited the Liberty store and made a few trips to the Victoria and Albert Museum.  Shopping was such fun and I could have taken one of everything at Cath Kidson!

My husband and I traveled to both New York and California in October for back to back weddings.

I hadn't been to New York in over a decade.  We took in lots of museums and of course the obligatory trip to Soho to shop.

Here is to a Happy and Fun Filled 2015!

xo

Charise

Vintage Block Quilt Along ~ Petal Circle ~ Block #12

Today I am sharing the last block in my Vintage Block Quilt Along.

It has been a longer journey that I planned - thanks for your patience : )

I'm very happy with the way all the blocks have turned out!

If you are quilting along, don't forget to share your photos in my Flickr group and tag your blocks with the hashtag #VintageBlockQAL if you are sharing on Instagram or Twitter.

I wanted the last block to have a flower feel so I though this block called "Petal Circle in a square" from the Kansas City Star was just perfect.

Petal Circle

adapted from a Kansas City Star Block a tutorial by Charise Creates

Download the pattern HERE

Materials - a F4 (18" x 22") or large scraps will work perfectly

A - Yellow Print

B - Light Ground Print

C - Light Ground Print

D - Red Print

E - Light ground print or solid

Notion and Supplies

Fine sewing pens

Scissors

Fabric marking pen or pencil

Spray Starch

Sewing Machine

Light colored Thread - I like 100% cotton
Acrylic ruler for truing up the block (I like a 12 1/2" square ruler)
Rotary Cutter  

Cut:

8 - A - Yellow Print

8 - B - Light Ground Print

4 - C - Light Ground Print

1 - D - Red Print

4 - E - Light ground print or solid ** Cut the straight outside edges about 1/4" larger than the pattern to give you a little extra which will be trimmed when the block is finished.

Notes:

~All seam allowances are 1/4" 

Finished Size:

12" finished / 12 1/2" unfinished

Sew the outer circle together - A to B

1)  Lay out A and B as the finished block.

2) Place A right sides together with B.  Pin at the top matching points.  Pin at the bottom 1/4" up from the bottom curved edge of A.

3) Gently pull the edge of B to match A and pin in place.

4) Stitch the seam.  Repeat 1 - 4 for the other side.  Continue around until you have a circle made up of pieces A and B.   Press.

Sew the inner circle together C to D.

5) Fold C in half and crease.  Fold D in half and crease.

6)  Place the C to D right sides together matching crease.  Pin in place with D facing you.  Pin each end.

Pin again between the center and end pin.  Stitch seam with D wrong side facing you.  Repeat for the other sides.  Press.

7) Fold the center circle in half as pictured making a crease line at the end of each fold line.  Place the creases to the outer circle as show with right sides together and pin in place.  Match the center of the red "X legs" to the center of the petals as shown, right sides together and pin in place.

With the wrong side of the outer circle facing you,  stitch around the circle. (See pic in step 9)  Press.

8)  With right sides together, stitch the short end of E together.  Repeat for the other 3 sides.  Fold the inner circle in half than half again marking creases at the edges.  Fold the outer circle in the same way creasing at the inside edges.  
Match the creases on the inside circle and border with right sides together.

9) Pin at the crease marks and again between each pin, gently pulling the border E to meet the raw edges of the inner circle.  Stitch seam.  Press.

True up the block to 12 1/2".

Yay! You have completed the last block in the Vintage Block Quilt Along!

~~~~~Merry Christmas~~~~~

 December has been a busy month..I always think I'll be able to get more done that I have time for : )

This is my first year making teacher's gifts!  I made these fun pencil pouches with my favorite Kumiko Fujita text print.  Check in the New Year for a tutorial and pattern 

to make these : )

It has been a month of celebration!

A BIG birthday for me spent with my boys on the Washington Coast at the lovely little town of Seabrook.  My husband treated me to a massage at the local spa and cooked all weekend.  It was so nice to get away during the hustle and bustle of the holidays and spend some quality time with my family.

My husband and I belong to a dinner club with a group of friends.   This month's festivies included a 1936 Murder Mystery along with dinner.  It was so much fun!

Wishing you peace and joy this Christmas from my family to yours : )

xo
Charise

Sew Mama Sew Give~away Day Winner

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments.  I always have so much fun reading them : )

The winner of the Lovely Gathered Purse Trio and Kit is......(Drumroll)

Wild Irish

who said:

"Amazing bag pattern but more so your fabric choices are amazing."

Thank you so much for the lovely comment!

If you didn't win and you'd like to make one of my Lovely Gathered Purses you can find the pattern in my Craftsy and Etsy shops!

xo

Charise

Sew Mama Sew Give~Away Day!

Hello and Happy Monday.  

 I'm very excited to be a part of Sew Mama Sew's Give~Away day.
If you haven't visited my blog before, I am a designer who loves to create sewing patterns and write for sewing magazines and books.  I also love to share free sewing patterns and tutorials.

I designed a new purse pattern - The Lovely Gathered Purse Trio.
I'm giving away a copy of the pattern + a kit to make the clutch you see pictured!
This pattern is an easy make for a last minute Christmas gift!

The clutch has a metallic silver zipper and silver clasp and D-Ring.  The fabrics included in the kit are Essex Linen from Robert Kaufmann and a cotton/linen print by Annika Wester for Kokka.

The pattern includes three different sizes.

The Shopper is the largest at a very generous 16" x 14 1/2".
I absolutely love this size.  If you like big purses this is the size for you!

The "Around Town" is a perfect 13" x 11"
Not too big and not too small.

The clutch is compact but roomy enough for all your essentials when you want to carry a smaller bag.

Each purse a has zipper closure on the top and
the inside has a zipper lining pocket.

I have some more fabrics picked out for this bag.  I can't wait to make some more versions!

The pattern is a PDF download that includes the pattern for all three sizes plus 11 pages of easy to follow instructions and illustrations!

Now for the Give~Away!
Please leave a comment below by December 12 at 5 p.m. PST.  below and I will pick a winner.
Give away is open to all commenters!

Good Luck!
xo
Charise

Mollie Makes Patchwork and Quilting Winner

Congratulations Sislyn2

who said:

I would enjoy making the laundry bag. I am still working on my first quilt.

I will email you shortly!

'Tis the season for give-aways.

I will be posting another for Sew Mama Sews Give~away day today!

xo

Charise 

Mollie Makes Patchwork & Quilting and A Give-away!

Vinage Laundy Bag by Charise Randell

Some months back, I was asked to contribute to the book "Mollie Makes Patchwork and Quilting."  Of course I jumped at the chance!  The publisher, Collins and Brown, asked for a paper pieced project to add to this skill building quilting book.

It was a fun project to design.   I was inspired by vintage laundry bags, and my favorite paper piecing patterns to make - clothing!

  The original design had the work "Laundry" embroidered beneath the clothing. Since Collins and Brown publishes in different languages I designed the sweet bee and flight path in its place : )

The individual clothing blocks are very easy to make and a fun way to combine some prized fabrics.

The bag is easy to construct and has a contrast drawstring top with contrast trim.  I chose to use a coordinating fabric from the A-line skirt.

And a red gingham lining to match the ribbon.

It is a lovely book filled with wonderful projects.  On my list it make is this adorable camera case.

And this sweet tea cozy.


Pavilion books sent me a extra copy so I am having a give away.
Please leave a comment sharing if you are making any Holiday gifts and what you are making.


Comments will be open until Sunday 10:00 p.m. PST.
Open to United States addresses only.

Good Luck!

xo
Charise