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

Flutter and Shine Fabric

I had the awesome opportunity to work with a new fabric line from Riley Blake Fabrics.

The line of fabric is called "Flutter and Shine" and is designed by Melanie Colette.  The prints are super cute with lots of butterflies and strawberries.  The prints are perfect for fussy cutting.  

If you are unfamiliar with fussy cutting, click [HERE] for a video tutorial.

The fabrics are so adorable I couldn't make just one project, but decided to make three!

My FREE Baby Patchwork Pouch pattern was the perfect project for this fabric line.  There are so many cute fussy cutting opportunities.  You can find the fun zipper pull at Sunny Day Fabric.

Link to the FREE "Baby Patchwork Pouch" pattern is [HERE]

Since we have a butterfly theme going on,  I just had to make my Butterfly Paper Piecing Pattern and use it as the center panel on my Macaroon Pouch.  Both patterns can be found in my Etsy shop.           (I reduced the butterfly pattern to 80% of the original to fit on the pouch)

The background dot, yellow dot, and woven gingham fabric I used for the pouch are from Riley Blake Fabrics as well. 

The Swiss Dot can be found [HERE] (this a go to fabric for backgrounds on many of my projects) and the 1/4" Red Woven gingham can be found [HERE]

Last but not least, I made these cute strawberry pincushions!  The pattern can be found at Down Grapevine Lane.  I filled them with ground walnut shells which you can find online. The lavender scented walnut shell filling 

for my strawberries was found on Amazon.com.

Be sure to head on over to the Riley Blake Fabrics blog to see all the fun projects made with Flutter and Shine!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

I'd Rather be Glamping!

"I'd Rather be Glamping" is a new line of fabric from Riley Blake Designs created by Dani Mogstad.

When I saw the fabric I knew it would be perfect for my Macaroon Pouch.

The fabrics are absolutely adorable!

My husband and I have talked about getting a cute little trailer for camping trips and I want one just like this.  I definitely need that cute bicycle too.

I used Riley Blake fabrics 1/2" and 1/4" Woven Gingham in color Navy for the pouch borders.

The pouches have different prints on each side. 

For the smaller pouch, I used the "Cream Fruit " and "Mini Campers" with the 1/4" navy gingham.

I happen to have the cherry ribbon to add a cute detail to the side of the pouch.

(Search "cherry ribbon" on Etsy to find similar ribbon)

Similar zippers can be found at Sunnydaysupply.com and Polka Dot Secrets on Etsy.

I will definitely be Glamping in style when I use this pouches on my camping trips this Summer : ) 

Be sure to head on over to the Riley Blake blog to see more fun projects from their latest fabric lines.

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Happy February!

Hi Peeps!

Happy February!

I designed this fun Fussy Cut Heart last year.  

If you follow my blog, you know how much I love fussy cutting!

This pattern is the perfect fussy cutting project.   If you need some help to learn this technique, you can find my Fussy Cutting tutorial [HERE] 

I also have a video tutorial on the Martingale blog [HERE]

The block would make an adorable quilt.  

It is also great for small projects like this Macaroon Pouch with a fussy cut heart as the focal point.  (I shrunk the fussy cut heart to fit the center of the pouch)

You can find the pattern for my Fussy Cut Heart and Macaroon Pouch in my Etsy shop [HERE]

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

New Macaroons and a Wrist Strap Tutorial

I have been working on a few new Macaroon Pouches with some of my favorite fabrics and some new favorites as well.

This is the smaller version which works perfectly with this adorable Flower Child Fabric from Art Gallery Fabric.

I also made this fun & Fancy Cat Macaroon Pouch with Cotton and Steel "Beauty Shop" collection.

I love the way it turned out!

The large pouch makes a perfect clutch so I created a Wrist Strap Tutorial.

You can use it for my Macaroon Pouch or any other zipper pouch you would like to turn into a clutch.

Materials:

1/2 yard 3/4" - 7/8" twill tape

1/2 yard 1/2" - 5/8" ribbon

3/4" Swivel Clasp and D-Ring

Cut: 

Twill tape:

11 1/2" length

2 1/2" length

Ribbon:

11 1/2" length
2 1/2" length

1) Center the 2 1/2" ribbon on the 2 1/2" length of twill tape.  Edge stitch both sides of the ribbon.
    Repeat for the 11 1/2" length of twill tape and ribbon.

2) Slip the 2 1/2" length of twill/ribbon onto the D-ring.  Baste 1/4" from the raw edge.

3) Place the D-ring 1 1/2" from the top raw edge of the pouch.  Baste in place.

~Proceed with the sewing instructions to finish your pouch~

Create the Strap ~

1) Slip the 11 1/2" length of twill/ribbon onto the swivel clasp with right sides together.
Stitch the short raw edges together with a 1/4" seam allowance back tacking at ends.  Turn right side out.

2) Slide the swivel class to the the seam.  Stitch 1/2" from the seam back tacking at ends.

Have a lovely day and Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

Macaroon Pouch in Two Sizes

I had some requests to make a smaller version of my Macaroon Pouch Pattern and I listed the new pattern today!  You can find it in my Etsy Shop.

The Large version is 11" x 8 1/4" and the -new- Small version is 8 1/2" x 6 1/2".   

 Don't you just love the zipper on the smaller version?  I got mine from a friend but you can find them at Sunny Day Supply!

They are the perfect size for the Small Macaroon Pouch.

I couldn't resist making a version of the pouch with a paper pieced motif.

The strawberries can be found in my new book "Super Cute Paper Piecing"!

Another fun way to customize your pouch is to add some hand topstitching.  I used a pretty red embroidery floss to frame the center of the pouch.

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Macaroon Pouch in Improv Fabric by Amy!

Amy of During Quiet Time and I have been friends for years.

We first met when we joined the online paper piecing quilting bee - Cocorico.

It has been so much fun watching her career grow.  She designs patterns and has authored two lovely books for Lucky Spool.  She is so incredibly talented!  

Fabric Designer is her latest accomplishment and I had the pleasure of working with her beautiful new fabric line - "Improv" by Benartex Fabrics.

The colors are gorgeous and the prints are fresh and modern.

I just had to make a Macaroon Pouch - in the Cinnamon color way which I think is my favorite.  

Improv is available in July and you can see the entire, gorgeous, fabric line [HERE]

You can also find a beautiful free quilt pattern Amy designed on the Benartex site!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

SaveSave

Macaroon Pouch Pattern in my Etsy Shop!

Hello and Happy Sunday.

We are having a lovely warm and sunny day here in the Pacific Northwest in Seattle, WA!

I'm heading outside to play in the garden,

 but wanted to share the release of my new pattern - Macaroon pouch!

You can find it in my Etsy Shop.

It is a fun zipper pouch that measures 11" x 8 1/4" which is the perfect size for carrying makeup, sewing supplies or art supplies!

The pouch has a nice curved shape that I was able to achieve with curved seams,

 and creative shaping.  

Being comfortable sewing curved seams is helpful, but I did include very clear instructions and tips to help make it easy.

You can personalize yours by adding a custom made  ribbon trim loop.

Instructions are include in the pattern.

Adding a fun zipper pull is another way to add a personal touch.

I find my zipper pulls online at ETSY, Superbuzzy, and Sunny Day Supply as well as Joann Fabric Stores and Michaels stores.

This yellow leather trimmed version is one of my favorites!

If you want to try sewing with leather, you can find a few tips [HERE]

If you do make the Macaroon Pouch, be sure to share it with the hashtag #MacaroonPouch.

I love to see what you make!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

100 Days of Stitching Arts

Happy Friday Lovelies.

I have been busy working on a few different sewing projects.

I joined The 100 Day Project as an impetus to get some of those projects moving forward and it has been working well!

The best part of moving back into our house is going through my work in progress projects that I haven't seen in over a year.  Most I have been excited to continue working on and moving towards FINISHING!   I'm trying really hard to finish things....... which isn't a strong suit for me!!!

Anyhow, I though I would share a few more things I have been working on!

This patchwork project was a sew along hosted and created by Chase of Quarter Inch Mark, which I started years ago.

I added a few more 12 patch blocks and sashed the blocks in Essex Natural Yarn Dye linen.

The hand quilting will be done in Finca size 8 embroidery floss.  I love to have a hand project to work on at night while watching the telly!

Ok...I did join a new sew along.  I couldn't resist.

The Minimal Day Sampler is hosted by Bespoke Outlaw for the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild but anyone can sew along!

You should head over to this post and read about the inspiration behind the blocks.  It is a very cool story!

More progress has been made on my new pattern ~ Macaroon Pouch.  I am fine tuning the pattern and instructions, and hope to release it in a week or two!

The center print is an older Melody Miller Print and the border is a yarn dyed indigo linen I had in my stash.

I unearthed my Liberty Kaleidoscope quilt project and have added a few more blocks.

You can find the pattern on the Sew Mama Sew website [HERE]

Yesterday,  I finished a few new pillows for our living room.

I love the way they turned out!  I used [this tutorial] from Seamstress Erin to add piping with an invisible zipper closure.  Since the zipper is hidden, they are reversible!

Have a lovely weekend!

xo

Charise

The 100 Day Project

                                          I get so much more done when I have a deadline.

That is exactly why I joined the 100 day project.

The idea is to do one thing for 100 days straight.   You can read more about it [HERE]

Basically you choose an action - something you want to do for 100 days.

I chose #100 Days of Stitching Arts.

For me, this will include the entire process - from choosing fabrics, to designing a project and including process shots as well as my finished projects.

This is turning out to be the "Finish my Works in Progress" as well as "Making things that have been in my head forever" Project!

Day 1 I worked on my Flowering Snowball quilt.

Day 2 was dedicated to finishing a block for the Splendid Sampler Sew Along.

This block is Wishful Garden by Krystine of Pretty By Hand.

Day 3 & 4 was all about finishing my petals pillow.

I used Fat Quarter Shop's Impressions Orange Peel Template.

The edge is finished with a package of purchased bias piping and an envelope back.

And the past few days I created the pattern and sewed up my design ~ "Macaroon Pouch".

I love the shape and have another version on the cutting table!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise