12.25.2012

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  Ours was lovely!  My boys had a wonderful time today playing with their new legos and wearing their mama made star wars p.j's. 
My husband's 95 year old grandmother spent the day with us - it was wonderful!!

My hubs and I were up late lastnight wrapping last minute gifts.  I checked my email and there was a sneak peek at the new Stitch Spring 2013.  I received the best Christmas gift ever - one of my projects that is in the issue made it on the cover!!!!  I'm so excited....I had a really hard time falling asleep lastnight!!

The issue hits stores on January 15th but the digital issue is available now.  You can find it here.
I will post more pictures once the issue is out......I promise it is a good one.  Lots of wonderful projects!!

xo
Charise

12.20.2012

What I'm working on Wednesday (on Thursday : )

Hope you are all getting excited for the Holidays!  My little guys are counting the days : )
 
I'm going to be working on some Star Wars flannel p.j.'s later this afternoon but thought I would share my latest work in progress. 
Both pics are a little tease of a project that will be published in March 2013!!


Some Beggars Blocks......

Plus my block from Quilmaker's 100 Blocks in new fabrics....
They will both have some new friends : )

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise

12.13.2012

Hexie Pouch - A little tute

In celebration of my birthday today, I thought I'd share a little tute with you!!
It is a big one (the birthday that is) but I'm not feeling one day older than 28 : ) He, he.........

I made this one for my dear friend Rebecca for a swap we did.  I had some requests for a pattern so I thought I'd share a tute with you so you can make one based on the frame you have.  There are lots of different shapes and sizes of purse frames.  Both the pouches pictured use a medium sized frame - 5" wide at the bottom x 1 1/2" tall.  The great news is that you can use any size frame based on this tutorial.

Supplies: (fabric requirements based on a medium sized purse frame 5" wide x 1 1/2" tall)
~1 metal purse frame - I like the sew in type.  The one used in this tutorial is  4"  wide at the top x 5" wide at the bottom x 1½" high. A similar one can be found HERE.
There are also some really cute ones on Etsy HERE
The frame can also be found at Joann fabrics in store.  That is where I purchased mine.  They don't have it online : (
~ 2 pieces 10" x 10" fabric for the shell
~ 2 pieces 10" x 10" fabric for the lining
~ 2 pieces 10" x 10" fusible fleece
~ Perle Cotton Embroidery thread
~Matching thread
~Fabric marking pen or pencil

This is a great project to add hexies or use an orphaned paper pieced block or quilt block.



Making the Pattern

~ Mark a vertical line toward the left edge of your paper.  This is the center or fold line of the pouch.
~ Place the center of the frame on the center line on your paper.
~ Trace the top of the frame to the curve.
~ Pivot the frame at the middle of the curve and trace the rest of the frame. The more of an angle and width you add, the wider and "poofier"  the pouch will be.
~ Add 1/4" to the end of the frame.
~ Draw in the rest of the bag shape and then add 3/8" seam allowance all around.
This pouch measures 7 1/2" High x 8 3/4" wide at the widest point.
I added darts to this pouch to give it a bit more shape.  The darts are 3/4" wide x 1 1/4" tall.

~Note**Another way to check you pattern is to measure the top edge of the frame and compare it to the seam line on the pattern.  The pattern seam should be about 1/2" larger than the frame measurement**

Sewing your pouch together.
The instructions use photos of the pouch pictured above but will work for any pouch pattern.
 
Prepare the outside panels of your pouch.
1) Sew the outside panels of your pouch if doing a paper piecing block, quilt block, or hexie design.
Make sure your block is bigger than the pattern, approx. 10" x 10".
2) Apply the fusible fleece to both wrong sides of your outside pouch panels.
Quilt as desired. 
3) Place your pattern on the quilted panels.  Trace around the edge and cut out.
 If your pattern has darts, stitch them now.
 
 
 
Stitch the outside Pouch
1) Place your outside pouch panels right sides together.
2) Start at the frame/pouch intersection stitch around the bottom to the other side.
Press seam open.
3) Turn right side out.
 
 
 
Stitch the Lining
1) Cut your lining pieces.  Stitch the darts if they are part of the pattern.
2) Place your lining pieces right sides together.
3) Start at the frame/pouch intersection stitch around the bottom to the other side leaving a 3" opening at the bottom for turning.
Press seam open.
 
 
Stitch the outside pouch to the lining
1) Place the outside pouch inside the lining, right sides together.
2) On one side, Stitch the outside pouch  to the lining starting at frame/pouch intersection stitch around the top to the other side.
Repeat for the other side.
Press seam open.
3) Turn right side out.
4) Stitch the lining opening closed with an edge stitch or a hand slip stitch.
 
 
 
Stitch the Frame to the Pouch
 
1) Find the center of you top pouch panel.  Place the center of the purse frame at the center of the pouch panel
2) Starting at the center, baste the frame to the pouch on either side. 
Repeat for the other side
3) Stitch the Frame to the pouch with Perle cotton embroidery thread.
 
I'd love to see your version of the frame pouch.  Please include your projects in my Flickr group here.
 
Have a great day!  My 28th ; ) birthday will be filled with an Art Docent Lesson on Van Gogh to 27 Kindergarteners, hopefully a trip to Anthropologie just for fun, and an evening viewing of "Anna Karenina" with my hubs!
 
xo
Charise


12.12.2012

Sew Mama Sew Give-away Winner

Thank you all so much for entering my give away.  I loved reading your comments!!


The winner is Jenny who said:
Those are so cute! I haven't yet paper pieced, but I plan to learn this year, so I'd love these -- thanks!

Congrats Jenny - I just sent you an email!!



12.03.2012

Sew Mama Sew Give-Away Day!!!

Hi!  Today is the first day of Sew Mama Sew's Give Away Day!
 
I'm excited to be giving away the following:
 
My "Vintage Kitchen" Paper Piecing Patterns:
Mixing Bowls, Tea Time & Vintage Apron

 

 
 
 



Please leave a comment on this post by December 7 at 5 p.m. PST.
Please make sure I can contact you : )

 
AND don't forget to check out Sew Mama Sew blog for more give aways!!!
Good Luck

xo
Charise



Incredible Mail!!!

 
I've been so fortunate to receive such amazing goodies from online friends!
 
 
Becca and I did a swap and she sent me the most incredible package.
Everything was perfect. I Love the sewing caddy and pouch. The strawberries are adorable!!
She made those cute magnets. I'm so lucky to have such a super talented and sweet friend!!!
I can't wait for our next swap : )
I also did the handmade ornament swap On Flickr hosted by Lauree!
For my partners,  I made the houses you see in my mosaic.
I received the most incredible ornaments. My color scheme for decorating is Red and White. I just love how they look together! I can't wait to put them on the tree!!
These lovely ornaments came from Amy (angel), Synnoeve ( Crochet heart, bastket and fabric), Krista (Hot Air Balloon) and Wendi (Glass ribbon ball).
 
This amazing pillow came from Sew She Did's Sheetal for the Pillow Talk Swap on Flickr.
I LOVE this pillow.  Most of the fabrics are vintage scraps!!  I'm so lucky to have such an amazing partner!!!
 
xo
Charise

12.02.2012

Fresh Sewing Day and Sunday Stash





It was an exciting November for me!   I was able to share some projects I finished in the Spring -   I was lucky enough to have projects in Stitch magazine and Quiltmaker's 100 blocks!!
And I even got a few swap projects done!!!
 I finished two tutorials -
I completely overextended my self but it was well worth it.

Be sure to hop on over to Lily's Quilts for Fresh Sewing Day and see some great blogs and projects!

I received these fun fabrics in the mail yesterday and just had to share!

The Melody Miller fabrics, which are on the top and bottom,
go so well with the "Stamped" print in the middle.  All fabrics are from Kokka.
You can find these fabrics at Pink Castle Fabrics.  Brenda is having a 20% off sale through today - use code INVENTORY20.

 
xo
Charise



 

12.01.2012

Sale at Pink Castle Fabric

Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics is having a fab sale this weekend!  Everything in the store is 20% off with the code - INVENTORY20!!
 

I'm loving the new line "Stamped" from Kokka!!
 
 
Have fun shopping!! 

Vintage Block Quilt Along - Block #2 - Night and Day




For those of you who are joining me on this Vintage Block Quilt Along adventure, thanks for your patience!!!!   It has been a busy November!!

This month our block is from Alice Brooks and is called "Night and Day".  It is a fairly fast block to put together.  There are four "Y" seams but I promise you will have that skill mastered after finishing this block!!!

OK....lets get started!

1) Print out your pattern template. 

You can find it [HERE]

Be sure to check the 1" square!


2)
 Using the picture on the pattern piece as your guide, cut out the pieces as marked on the pattern.
Mark the notch on pieces C.
Mark the 1/4" intersection point on pieces A.

3)
 On pattern pieces B, place right sides together on inside edge.
 Mark 1/4" up from bottom, noncurved edge. 
Stitch from top curved edge to mark at botton edge.  Back tack at ends.
Press seam open.


4)
Match the point intersection on Piece A to the 1/4" mark on piece B.
Pin in Place.



5)
Flip over the pinned section A to B.
Stitch from edge to the 1/4" mark on piece B.  Do not stitch on the seam allowance.

6)
Pivot the unstitched seam on B to match the unstitched seam on A.  Pin in place.
Stitch from the 1/4" mark to the edge.

7)
Press the seam on B open.
Press the seams on A toward piece B.

8)
Match the notch on C to the seam on the curved edge of B.
Pin in place and stitch.

9)
Press the seam allowance towards block C.
True up the section to 6 1/2".

Repeat steps 3-9 for the other 3 portions of the block.
Stitch the two left blocks together matching seams. Press seam open.
Stitch the two right block together matching seams.  Press seam open.
Stitch the left section to the right section. Press seam open.

****Congrats - you have completed block #2!****
I'd love to see your version - please add yours to the Vintage Block Quilt Along Group on Flickr!!!
xo
Charise