Give Away!

Hello and Happy Friday!

I'm going to do a little give-away to celebrate my two newest patterns!

"In the Studio - My Featherweight"

and "In the Kitchen - Grandmother's Apron"

Becca from Sew Me a Song has donated this wonderful FQ stack from Pam Kitty Picnic.

I love this line and can't wait to sew "Grandmother's Apron" with it!

Just leave a comment below telling me what is first on your "to do" list for sewing.

I am working on the pattern for my Anna Blouse.  

I've decided to offer a second version with cap sleeves, so I am working on the details: )

I've also been working on my Jam Jars and Fruit Pattern. I have lots of versions and a few items I'm making with the pattern.  I can't wait to share it with you!

I will pick a winner Wednesday April 3rd.  Comments are open until Tuesday April 2nd at midnight Pacific Standard Time.

Have a lovely evening!

xo

Charise

Vintage Block Quilt Along ~ Spring Butterfly ~ Block #11

Happy Spring!  We have had a few sunny days here in Seattle.  I actually spent some much needed time in the garden!  I love this time of year ~ seeing the beginnings of new life and my garden coming to life.

  I made four butterfly quilts blocks for my quilt - one for each corner.  Two of the blocks are reversed so that all the butterflies are traveling towards the center of the quilt.  
The blocks are fast and easy to put together once you get all the pieces cut out.


Spring Butterfly Pattern

                   

12” finished / 12 ½” unfinished Block

The butterfly measures approximately 6 3/4" x 7 1/4"

Find the pattern Here

~A few tips ~ 

*Read through all the instructions before proceeding.

*Start with a sharp new sewing machine needle.

*For best results, print the pattern templates onto card stock 

Fabric for one block:

~ Background Fabric - approximately 1/3 yard

~ Grey Fabric - Large Scrap or F8

~ Print Fabric - Large Scrap or F8

~ Coordinating Print Fabric - Large Scrap or F8

Fabric for four blocks:
~background fabric - approximately 3/4 yard
~Pink Fabric - F8 or large scraps
~Pink Fabric - coordinating print -F8 or large scraps
~Yellow Fabric - F8 or large scraps
~Yellow Fabric - coordinating print -F8 or large scraps
~Blue Fabric - F8 or large scraps
~Blue Fabric - coordinating print -F8 or large scraps

~Red Fabric - F8 or large scraps
~Red Fabric - coordinating print -F8 or large scraps
~Grey Fabric - F8

Other Supplies  

~ Cardstock

~ Fine Sewing Pins ~ my favorites are these from Clover which are .45 mm

~ Chalk for marking ~ I like Clover Triangle Tailor’s Chalk or Clover Chalko liner

~ Matching Thread
~ Black embroidery Floss (optional)
~ Hand sewing embroidery needle (optional)

Cut   

Cut A1 from Grey text fabric

Cut B1 and D1 from the same print fabric

Cut C1 from a coordinating print fabric

Cut A2, A3, B2, B3, C2, D2 and D3 from background fabric

** If you are making four blocks for your quilt, flip the pattern when marking the fabric for two of the blocks**

~Sewing Instructions~  

***Tip ~ Stitching curves ~ Showing C1 stitched to C2***

 Fold the fabric piece right sides together and mark the center point with a crease.

 Showing the fabric unfolded and the crease marked

Place right sides together matching center crease.  Pin in place.  Place pins at each edge.
Stitch the seams with the concave piece facing you.

1) Stitch A, B, C, and D together separately.

2) Stitch B, C and D together.

3) Stitch A to B/C/D.  True up your block.

4) Stitch a 2 3/4” x 8” strip to each vertical side (sides).  Press. Trim top edges.

5) Stitch a 3” x 12 3/4” strip to each horizontal side (top and bottom). Press.

6) Trim the block to 12 1/2”

7) If desired, embroider the antennae to the block using the artwork as a guide.

Yay! Your block is complete!

For the rest of the blocks in the series, check out the Vintage Block Quilt Along Page.

I would love to see your version of this block or any others in the Quilt Along.  Please use the hashtag

#Vintage BlockQuiltAlong
#ChariseCreates
#ChariseCreatesPattern

Spring Butterfly ~ Vintage Block Quilt Along ~ WIP Wednesday

It is a cold and rainy day in Seattle so it has been nice to work on a cheerful project.    Hard to believe that Spring is just one day away!

These butterflies are the 11th block in my Vintage Block Quilt Along.  They are an Alice Brooks pattern and I've decided to make four - one for each corner of the quilt.  They are surprisingly easy to put together!

The pattern is coming soon : )
Find the pattern HERE!

I played around with the quilt layout  and  I'm thinking about adding white sashing with aqua cornerstones.  The quilt needs a bit of order so I thought the butterflies at each corner will be just the ticket.

What are you working on?

Link up over at Freshly Pieced to share your Work(s) in Progress.

xo

Charise

Quilty Fun Blog Hop ~ Flowers ~ and a Give Away!

I am so thrilled to be a part of the Quilty Fun Blog Hop.  Quilty Fun is a wonderful book written by the uber talented Lori Holt.  It is filled with wonderful quilts as well as projects including a cushion, table runner and sewing machine cover.

[Quilt by Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet]

The Sew Along is to make the sampler quilt pictured above using Lori Holt's  first book, Quilty Fun. The Sew Along project uses instructions from Quilty Fun, so you will need a book on hand to participate!  You can get your copy at the Fat Quarter Shop. 

To help you with cutting, Fat Quarter shop created a handy PDF companion.  You can find right here.

I had so much fun making the flowers for the blog hop!  They are so easy to put together and just what I needed to brighten a gray day ~ I am ready for Spring and these flower blocks are so Springy!  I used Lori Holt's fabric "Bake Sale" for the Blue flower, and the red flower is "Flower Sugar" by Lecien.  The Stems are from Yuwa Fabrics 30's Collection by Atsuko Mastuyama, the leaves are Glamping by Moda and the Background fabric is Essential Dots by Moda ~ my favorite polka dot fabric!

I am also sharing a give away!  Two winners  will win a 2.5” Rolie Polie of Vintage Happy fabric. 

One winner will win a packet of Alphabitties great for marking your cut fabric stacks when quilting.  

The three winners will be chosen from the pool of submissions on the Flickr group and will be announced on the Jolly Jabber on Monday March 25th.

Be sure to post a picture of your Quilty Fun quilt block(s) in the Flickr group for a chance to win!

Good Luck and Happy Sewing!
xo
Charise

"In the Studio" ~ My Featherweight

[My Featherweight Fabrics: Sewing machine Blue Bow ~ 30's collection by Atsuko Matsuyama, Text Fabric on sewing machine ~ Suzuko Koseki, Pink thread fabric ~ Riley Blake Apple of my Eye, Background Fabric ~ Riley Blake Little Red Riding Hood by Tasha Noel, Red Tablecloth check ~ Flower Sugar by Lecien]

When Erin posted her theme for the Round 2 of the Cocorico paper piecing bee on Flickr,  I was thrilled.  She asked for paper pieced sewing machines.  Well it just so happens.....I designed a Singer Featherweight block almost a year ago. I was so happy to finally have a reason to put the sewing of this pattern at the top of my "to do" list!

I purchased my White 1964 machine for my birthday a few years back.  It is my go to machine for piecing and pretty much everything else I sew.  It is a sturdy little work horse and also so pretty to look at!

The Featherweight pattern is available in my Etsy and Craftsy shops!

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise

" In the Kitchen " ~ Grandmother's Apron

I'm almost on track this year adding new patterns to my shop!  Yesterday I finished my newest pattern for my "In the Kitchen" series  ~ Grandmother's Apron.  It is actually inspired by a sketch I drew for an actual apron I designed for the "Unofficial Downton Abbey Sews" for Stitch Magazine!  The issue will be available in June : )

I used some of my favorite yellow and red fabrics.  The yellow floral is a Connecting threads print and the fun apple print on the pockets is from Riley Blake.  

You can find Grandmother's Apron in my Etsy and Craftsy shops : )

I think I need to turn all my "in the Kitchen" blocks into a quilt!

Have a lovely evening!

xo

Charise

It all started with the Cocorico Bee : )

[Featherweight Sewing Machine Pattern and Fabric Audition]

About three years ago the lovely Melinda and Lauree invited me to join the Cocorico Paper Piecing Bee on Flickr.  Melinda knew me from the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along on Flickr where I first discovered my love of quilting.  I have made friendships and so admire the talent of the lovely ladies in the bee.

Up until that point I was just starting to do a bit of paper piecing.  I designed a teapot and tea cup but this bee really challenged my skills.

[A few of my Cocorico Bee Blocks]

I designed many blocks for the bee and 

about six months into joining I created the first paper piecing pattern for my Etsy shop.

Over the past few years I have done design work for magazines and books - projects including small quilted and fabric items as well as clothes.  As much as I like this work I have missed designing paper pieced patterns, and other items for my shops, and have really neglected the dream of expanding my small business.  

I have so many ideas, sketches and designs that are so close to being finished...........

[2013 paper piecing patterns]

I did a little recap of my work last year and realized I had designed more than a dozen projects for magazines and only six patterns of my own : (  

Don't get me wrong, I really do love designing but after seeing the numbers I realized it was time to focus more on my vision and my business.

We have resumed the Cocorico Bee and I am so excited to be making a Singer Featherweight sewing machine block for Erin.  You see....I have had the block designed for almost a year (yes, I swear it has been complete for a year!  uggg)  but I put it on the shelf in lieu of the editorial design work.  But no more!!!!

I am so incredibly excited to get back to my passion - designing quilting patterns and clothing and sewing with the talented group of women in the Cocorico Bee!

xo

Charise

Spring Kaleidoscope Pillow

I hope you will join me over at Sew Mama Sew for my Spring Kaleidoscope quilted pillow tutorial.  The quilt pattern and the pretty Liberty Tana Lawn Fabrics from Jones and Vandermeer reminded me of spring, thus the name : )

Jones and Vandermeer has an incredible selection of Liberty fabrics and some wonderful Yuwa Japanese prints that are new to me!  They also have a wonderful stock of buttons, findings and trims.

The pillow is made by paper piecing each individual square unit but you can also print out the templates and make it that way.

I hope you enjoy this little slice of Spring : )

xo
Charise

Sunday Stash

[From top left, clockwise: Yuwa perfume labels, Lakehouse Pam Kitty Picnic Floral, Lakehouse Pam Kitty Picnic Pink Cherries, Lakehouse Pam Kitty Picnic Check in Pink, Lakehouse Pam Kitty Picnic Yellow Cherries, Patchwork in Red from QH Textiles, Yuwa Clover Stripe D, Yuwa Clover Stripe F]

This week has been an incredible mail week.  I received this wonderful package from Sew Me a Song.  I cannot wait to cut into these beauties! They all play so well together! 

The fox and deer fabric are knit fabrics from Girl Charlee fabrics.  I recently saw the fox fabric on pinterest and immediately added it to my "fabric" board.  

I pre washed both fabrics this afternoon and they came out of the dryer so soft!

These prints will be dresses and hopefully patterns someday in the not so distant future (After I finish the Anna Blouse : )

I love to wear knits and dresses especially.  They are so comfortable to wear and easy to sew!

Have a lovely Sunday evening!

xo

Charise

Chevron Handbag - Finished!

There is nothing like a deadline to help light a fire under my "you know what" : )

I received a F8 bundle of Riley Blake fabric for a quilt challenge sponsored by the Modern Quilt Guild.   I was having a hard time coming up with an idea, but then, one week before it's due date I sketched up a handbag.

I love the way it turned out!  I added leather handles and a self fabric covered button with the cute telephone motif and a self fabric loop closure!  The telephone fabric is Riley Blake Doohikey designs which came from my stash.  It works so well with the Riley Blake Challenge bundle and  is such a fun fabric - perfect for fussy cutting!

The other side is a different color chevron - yellow and turquoise- since I ran out of the orange and grey fabric.  I think it is fun that each side has its own personality!

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise

Hexagon Obsession

 

I'm not exactly sure when it happened, but I am obsessed with hexagons : )

I designed this modern Hexagon Handbag for Stitch Spring 2014.  It is a big bag, perfect for sewing projects or just if you like big handbags like I do!

The fabric with the "lady" and "vintage household items" are from Melody Miller.  I love her fabric and have been a fan for quite some time.  

Her fabrics have the most wonderful motifs and are perfect for fussy cutting.  

Sew me a Song has some of her fabrics here!

My first hexagons were hand stitched, like the ones used for my hexagon pouch.

I then found these fabulous vintage potholders on Ebay 

which inspired my modern version - a Mother's Day gift for my mom.

I recently took a wonderful class for machine stitching hexagons from Katie Pederson, Quilting Modern author,  which inspired my machine stitched hexagon projects including the Hexagon Handbag and machine stitched hexagon placemats, pictured above. 

I think the next project in my hexagon future is a quilt - I will keep you posted ; )

Happy Valentine's Day!  I am sneaking this pic in of my hubby and me circa 2000.  I met this wonderful man on Valentine's day exactly 15 years ago!!

I am so lucky to spend each and every day with him!

xo

Charise

Work in Progress Wednesday - Riley Blake Challenge at the MQG and a little Downton Abbey

I love a design challenge - they push me creatively and take me out of my comfort zone!  

When I received the fabric for the Riley Blake Challenge hosted by the Modern Quilt Guild, I was definitely taken out of my comfort zone.  

If you read my blog you know I am attracted to 1930's feedback fabric and Japanese Zakka design.  My favorite colors are yellow, red, aqua and pink -very fun and sweet colors.

The fabric for this challenge is modern, bold, and contains a color I rarely work with - Orange!

I thought and thought about a project but the fabric was not speaking to me - until - a week before the project challenge due date!  

I decided to design a purse using the fabric to make a chevron pattern.  I ran out of the orange fabric so I subbed the yellow dot for the other side of the purse.   Much to my surprise, the orange fabric was my favorite.  It adds such energy to the blues and grays!  

I added the Riley Blake telephone fabric from my stash which can be found at Sew Me a Song. 

I'm also working on a project for Stitch Magazine's "The Unofficial Downton Abbey Sews".  Today's focus is on pattern making and finishing : )

Head on over to Freshly Pieced and share your Work in Progress : )

Wishing you a lovely day!

xo

Charise

More Sunday Stash - What is in my Cart at Sew Me a Song!

I was doing a little online shopping and thought I would share what is in My Cart this Sunday evening.

One of my favorite things to do when I need a little break is to peruse my favorite online shops!

Sew Me a Song has some adorable new fabrics! 

Love these Retro Kitchen Prints from NewCastle Fabrics!

 The perfume label print from Yuwa and the clover stripe from Yuwa which look so great together!

Have a lovely Sunday Eve.  

Looking forward to a little Downton this evening : )

xo

Charise