3.26.2024

Albion fabric Tote Bag

When I had the chance to make a project with Albion fabric from Riley Blake Designs designed by Amy SmartI jumped at the chance!  Albion is a beautiful fabric line and the perfect fabric for Spring sewing.

The fabric line is just beautiful with water color florals, great basic dots and stripes, a fun text print, and a lovely floral gingham.

The tote bag is a Free pattern you can find [HERE]

I made a few changes  to the original Tote including adding my Cozy Cottage Foundation paper pieced block to one side of the tote.

You can find my Cozy Cottage pattern [HERE]


The opposite side has an outside pocket.  The fabric is a beautiful watercolor floral.

I added some embroidery to enhance the gorgeous watercolor floral.


The Tote has a covered button closure which is made from the Watercolor Floral.


I also added a cute fabric loop and a fun floral charm to the side of the Tote.   The charm was a free gift with purchase from Sunny Day Supply

If you make a project with Flower Garden fabric, be sure to tag your photos on social media with the following hashtags:

#AlbionFabric #ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns

If you make my Patchwork tote, be sure to also tag your photos with the following hashtags:

#ChariseCreatesPattern #PatchworkTote

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

3.21.2024

Picnic Florals Granny Purse & A Patchwork Coaster Tutorial

 Today I am sharing a few projects I made with the new fabric line from My Mind’s Eye, “Picnic Florals”. It is such a sunny, fun fabric line. Just what I need this time of year! I absolutely love the pink and yellow color way. The prints include an adorable strawberry print, gorgeous florals, and a lovely gingham and stripe.



The “Granny Purse” is a sweet hobo style bag. It has a cute little gathered pocket on one side. I added a custom covered button and loop closure. The purse is roomy with an inside pocket. Perfect for the market or for your portable knitting or sewing project.



The opposite side of the bag has a patch pocket. I trimmed the pocket with a sweet lace trim.


This collection just had to be made into a cute patchwork project. I love having a collection of coasters. 
I made this sweet 9 patch coaster and you can too! 


Sometimes it is nice to make a quick project and this coaster is just that project. 
It is a free pattern on my blog!

If you make a project with “Picnic Florals” be sure to tag your photos on social media with the following hashtags:

#PicnicFloralFabric #ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns

I love to see what you make!

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise




3.12.2024

Tulip Cottage Zipper Pouches & a Free 6" Zipper Pouch Pattern

Today I am sharing the cute zipper pouches I made with the adorable new fabric line Tulip Cottage by Melissa Mortenson for Riley Blake Designs.


The first pouch I made uses my Free Tulip paper piecing pattern for the focal point on my "Home Sweet Home" boxy zipper pouch.  The zipper pouch can also be used to hold fat quarters : )  

Find the Tulip pattern [HERE]

Find the Home Sweet Home Boxy Zipper Pouch [HERE]


The fabric line is perfect for fussy cutting.  Those rabbits and cows are just adorable!

I love the zipper charm from at Sew Be!



On the back of the Boxy Zipper pouch I used "Pink Flower Fields" print.


I also made a Cottage zipper pouch!  The pouch is made with my Cottage paper piecing pattern.  

The pouch is a free pattern you can find at the bottom of this post!


If you make any projects with Tulip Cottage fabric be sure to tag your photos on social media with the hashtags:

#ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns #TulipCottageFabric

I love to see what you make : )

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise

6" Quilt Block Zipper Pouch

Find the Pattern [HERE]

Notes: ~All seam allowances are 1/4". 

    Back stitch at the beginning and end of each seam.

Finished Size:  6" tall x 8" wide

Materials:

~ 6" finished / 6 1/2" unfinished quilt block

~ 1/4 yard shell fabric

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

~ 1/4 yard lining

~ 1/4 yard batting

~ 1/4 yard muslin or canvas

Supplies:

~Zipper Foot
~Matching Thread
~Pins
~9" or longer coil zipper 
~Marking pen, pencil or Hera Marker for quilt marking

Cut:

~ Shell (background) Fabric: 2 - 6 1/2" x 2 3/8" rectangles, 1 - 1 1/4" x 8 1/2" , 1- Main     Panel 

~Print Fabric for zipper tab:     1 - 1" x 1 1/2" 

~Fusible Batting     ~2  Main Panel

~Muslin or Canvas  ~2  Main Panel
~Lining                      ~2  Main Panel


Sewing Instructions:

1.  Stitch the 6 1/2" x 2 3/8" shell fabric rectangles to the left and right side of the quilt block.  Press.

Stitch the 1 1/4" x 2 1/2" strip, centered, on the bottom of the block. Press.


2.  Place the pattern on the panel and trim to size.  Fuse the Batting to the back of the panel.

Place the muslin or canvas Main Panel on the back.  

Quilt through all layers as desired.   

Repeat for the Back Pouch Panel.



3. Trim the zipper to 7 1/2" measuring from the top of the zipper head to the bottom of the zipper.

4. On the 1" side of the zipper tab, fold 1/4" to the wrong side. Press.

    Press in half wrong sides together.



5.  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.




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




7. 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.


8. 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.

9. Press the pouch and lining panels away from the zipper.  Press.
     Top stitch 1/8" away from the seam line.

~Repeat for the other side~



10.
 
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 the sides and bottom of the shell and lining,  leaving a 4" opening on the       bottom lining side.
Press the seams open.



11. Box the corners:
      Place the bottom and side seams right sides together at the bottom corner 
      with seams pressed open.
      Stitch the seam.
      Repeat for the other bottom corner.
Repeat for the lining.

12.  Turn right side out and press.
        Machine stitch or hand stitch the opening in the lining closed.


3.02.2024

Barbie Fabric Collection ~ Mini & Ruffle Purse

 

I'm so excited to show you my new projects made with the new Barbie collection Licensed by Riley Blake Designs. I think this may be my favorite Barbie collection to date!  I love a good gingham for my projects and not only does this fabric line include adorable prints, it even includes an exclusive B for Barbie gingham!

I love the Barbie Main print and I used it on both of the purses I made. The print includes all the Barbies in an adorable medallion design.


The cute little mini purse is made from my "Home Sweet Home" zipper pouch. The zipper closure was replaced for a magnetic clasp on the lining.

One side of the mini purse is a 9 Patch block that measures 6" square. I use the Barbie Main print and the Sunglasses print to create the 9 patch block. 

I used the selvage to create the handles. I love the Barbie script and.....

the Barbies icons on the selvages! I used the Barbie Dolls print for the lining - so fun!


If you'd like to make a 6" 9 Patch block follow the instructions below ~ (It also makes a cute coaster!)

To make a 6" finished / 6 1/2" unfinished 9 Patch Quilt Block:

Cut 5 - 2 1/2" square of the Barbie Main print with your favorite Barbies : )

Cut 4 - 2 1/2" squares of the Sunglasses print


1)  Arrange the Prints in 3 rows as shown.  Sew the rows together.  Press towards the dark squares

2)  Stitch the rows together.  Press seams open.



I cannot wait to use this adorable cross body bag this Spring. The pattern is my Ruffle Purse and is a roomy cross body bag with an outside patch pocket and interior pocket.

The blue color way of this line is such a pretty shade of turquoise and I adore the pop of yellow. The Barbie gingham is the perfect basic for the bias trim and handle.

Visit my Etsy shop [HERE] 


I hope you make a project with the new Barbie fabric collection. Please be sure to tag your photos on social media with the hashtags:

#BarbieFabric #ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesign

I love to see your makes!

Happy Sewing

Charise : )


2.19.2024

"To Grandmother's House" Ruffle Basket

 


Hi! I'm so thrilled to share  a new project made with the adorable new fabric, “To Grandmother’s House” designed by Jennifer Long for Riley Blake Designs.


“To Grandmother’s House” has the most adorable prints and many of the prints are perfect for fussy cutting. If you have followed me on Instagram or here on my blog, you know how much I love a good fussy cut print. 

Grandmother, Little Red and the Wolf were perfect for the windows of my “Cottage Block” Pattern which is the feature of this basket.

You can find the Cottage Block and Ruffle Basket Patterns in my Etsy shop.



I made another cute little basket with my “Curvy Basket” pattern and featured “Through the Woods” print. 

I love how it turned out. You can never have too many cute storage containers for your sewing room : )



I hope my projects inspire you to sew with "To Grandmother's House"

If you do make a project with this adorable fabric, be sure to tag your photos on social media with the hashtags:

#IloveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns #ToGrandmothersHouseFabric

I love to see what you make!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise : )


1.10.2024

Flora No.6 Ruffle Purse and an Apple Pouch

 


Hi! Today I'm sharing projects from the beautiful new "Flora No 6" collection by Echo Park Paper Co.

I chose to use the pink palette of lovely florals, ginghams and a beautiful watercolor floral print. The line also includes pretty yellow and blue color ways. View the entire collection [HERE]

The purse is made with my Diamond Patchwork Purse pattern which has a roomy outside pocket, and button and loop closure.  I added a ruffle to the pocket and with the cute coordinating gingham.

The outside pocket was perfect for the gorgeous "Cloud Main" Watercolor Floral print. I used "Raspberry Gingham" for the Ruffle and "Pink Daisies" for the body. 

Raspberry Blossom was the perfect basic for the straps and purse gusset.

I added a sweet little patch on the back of the purse made with the main Floral print.


My Apple Pouch turned out so cute in the same prints! 

The Apple Pouch pattern is FREE on my blog and you can find it [HERE]


The Apple Zipper Pouch is approximately 6" x 5" - a perfect size for organizing small items. 

It would also be a fun gift and perfectly sized for a gift card.


Please be sure to share your projects made with “Flora” fabric on social media with the hashtags 

#FloraFabric #ILoveRileyBlake #RileyBlakeDesigns - I love to see what you make!

You can follow me on Instagram at Charise Creates to see more of what I'm up to : )

Happy Sewing!

Charise