Preview of the Zip Around Gym Duffle

You can get the pattern here on Craftsy
and here on Etsy
I love my bag. If you are going to quilt market in Houston, you will see the black one in the Wesminster booth - it's Kaffe Fasset fabrics.
I think you will love making these too. I hope you make a bunch of them.

Work in Progress

I am calling this a Handkerchief Babydoll. I have a 20 year old friend who wants one, so I am starting with fitting myself. I overestimated the amount of ease needed. Since this photo I have taken this red linen one in at the centers and the sides. It fits nicely now and I can hardly wait for it to come out of the wash so I can wear it some more. My daughter said I look like a beautiful butterfly in it. I will look forward to showing Shae in hers too.  This week I am finishing up a package for Simplicity. I am also scheduled to get together with a friend who designed a really clever dress, and the 2 of us are going to put it out in pattern form. Then, I will be right back to this. If you would like to be a tester for this pattern, find the info on my facebook page. I am looking at last week in June to have all of the sizes ready to test.

Dare to be adorable

I have a new PDF out. How to make fabric tassels. Since 2008, I have been part of Etsy and watched the trends. When I was new, the trends informed much of what I made and sold there. For the past few years, I have been too busy with deadlines to act on some of the impulses to go with that flow. Luckily, right now, time and space (and a room full of fabric) conspired to carve out this little project and write and photograph it. If you sell on Etsy, (or maybe Amazon soon,) you will find that June will always be huge for tassel themed graduation gifts. This year tassels are especially big and we see them featured everywhere. Get in on the tassel rush, make your own and use up some of those scraps you've been hoarding.  Tassel Tutorial at Etsy, or if you prefer Craftsy, Tassels PDF at Craftsy. I am using one of my handmade tassels on my keys, and it makes me think of my new motto all of the time "Dare to be adorable." I changed my logo to include the new motto.

I meant to bring that up when I announced the Babydoll pattern the other day. It's a saying that really motivates me to be creative. I think it reflects who I am. More on the Babydoll: I wanted to simplify sizing. I have been sewing forever, and I always hated that my sewing pattern size was 2 sizes larger than my ready to wear size. I think it's about time we get real and talk about the key measurement for the pattern and call it that. This top, is made for knit fabrics, the key measurement is your full bust measurement. The finished top will have a full bust measurement equal to the number on the pattern. Your knit provides the wearing and style ease.  The size 38 has a 38" bust, simple. The Babydoll starts at size 32 and goes to 48. Another pet peeve of mine is finding the right line to cut on a multi size pattern - I will say that is useful when you are in between sizes. With this PDF pattern, you will only need to print 6 sheets of paper to make your single sized pattern. For advanced sewists, there is also a quick "order of sewing" list that will print as part of the pattern itself. You will literally only need the 6 pages. Of course, there are fully illustrated instructions for those who need them.  The arms and neck finish with a facing or you can make it reversible. This is so much quicker than having arm and neck bands or bindings. I had a dozen testers make this pattern before the release and every one of them said they will be making more. It is fast to sew and fun to wear. Will you dare to be adorable in a babydoll this Summer?

My new pattern: Babydoll

If you follow me other places, you may have seen this pattern launch a few days ago. Here are some of my testers in their fun babydolls. Thank you ladies for the lovely photos! Babydoll pattern

Next up, the infinity cardigan

I should call it the infinigan sweater. I have 2 lovely models waiting for their sweaters made of 2 lovely fabrics I bought at Girl Charlie, but I thought I should make another one for myself first to solidify the pattern. I am glad I did. This is vastly different from my free tutorial version. The tutorial gives you an idea of how my thought process works, but the pattern will be a fully realized sewing pattern that has pattern pieces and instructions and sizes.

This infinigan fits me, so it's pretty baggy on my model sized dress form.

The 3 fabrics shown came in a bundle from Marcy Tilton. It's the Chloe bundle. There is enough fabric left over for me to make a tank top for under the infinigan in the sleeve fabric. When I get that done, I will model it for you. Watch for the pattern release as soon as I can coordinate with my models - I am shooting for the end of this month.

Cloud 9 Organics Geocentric

SewMamaSew offered me the chance to try out a new fabric line, and this is what I did. I turned 3 half yard cuts of this glorious new organic canvas into one of my newest bags, the departure satchel. The fabric soon available here at Hawthorne Threads, is wonderful to work with. Softer than the duck canvas I am used to working with. I think it would be fabulous for Summer table linens (and into Fall too with the green, blue and grey fabrics also in the line.) The colors are so cheerful together. I love how the different fabrics really show off my pockets too. I think a lot of new moms look for organic, so I think this fabric will do really well in diaper bags and for sophisticated baby décor. If you are looking for the sewing pattern, you can find it on Craftsy and in my Etsy shop, whichever you prefer.

Zip Around Wallet

    This is the next pattern coming out - the zip around wallet. I want to thank my friend Janet for thinking of me when she needed this. Janet told me all of the things she needed this wristlet to do and carry for her daughter who is in college. I thought it sounded like a great pattern, so I took on the custom project. I thought I would use this project to talk about how I develop patterns.
    The original bag, for Janet, was made specifically to the sizes she specified and with the pockets she needed. I never questioned that. I just made her what she asked for and I started to write the pattern.
    As I made the next one pink with someone else in mind, and started getting excited about making one for myself too, I looked at it with fresh eyes. I don't like how you have to fold money to slide it into the money pockets. It is only 1/4 of an inch too short, so I decided to make it longer. Then it's only another 1/4 to make it big enough to handle a check book. I carry a check book, so I am making it long enough for a check book. I will add a loop for holding a pen too.
    As it is, I think the hinged, zippered change pocket on the inside is too long, so I need to modify that. Maybe with the extra space I will add a little pocket for earbuds? Mine is already in the works with the large change pocket, so I will try it out for a while before changing it. I don't carry earbuds.
    What I am trying to say here is that a lot of thought and work goes into perfecting the product itself before I write it up as a pattern. Choosing the best materials for construction, the best - and simplest to explain- methods of construction, sizing, features, highest and best use, all of these things are carefully tested. By the time something comes out in pattern form from me, I believe it is the very best it can be.
    Over on my Facebook page, we have been talking about the phone pocket options for this bag. And on my personal Facebook, we have been discussing the ID pocket. The pattern will have a couple of options for both sides of the bag. Contact me on Facebook if you would like to purchase the pink sample pictured here. I will be offering it at half the price of what the perfected bags will sell for.

      I get a lot of special messages, like this one, from women who appreciate my patterns:

I have been so pleased with your patterns I knew I had to let you know. My family are reaping the benefits of your hard work too... I've been using your patterns to make gifts for them. They've liked them so much they've been requesting more. Your patterns are excellently written and illustrated. Your work has made my experience of creating gifts such a joy. Thank you for sharing your talents! -- Laurie Lou Hood

I am looking forward to launching this pattern. I think it will help a lot of people make some very special gifts this year. Back to the sewing room!

One more thing. I am producing the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 cover stands now. They go together just like the Kindle Fire HD 7pattern, so I may put out a supplement pattern - just pattern pieces for anyone who wants to make these. This is as big as we can go with this product. I get a lot of people asking about doing this for the iPad and I can not make this work for the iPad. That is why I make the carrying bag for the iPad instead. I will be doing a zip around bag sized for the iPad mini - after the zip around wallet.

  

Apron with Peter Pan Collar

Apron with Peter Pan Collar
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

This pattern will have 2 versions - the Peter Pan collar as shown, and a reversible version with a different collar. My inspiration for doing these aprons with collars? Dan Bennett's fabric line, Wild Garden. When I saw the blue print, I wanted to make a shirt for myself. Then I thought, how much would I really wear it? As I was reaching for my old apron around dinner time, I thought - I need a new apron. Then, bam! the 2 ideas collided and produced 2 new sewing patterns. I have to go sew up the reversible version now. I will show the blue fabric on that one.

The pattern cover mock up photo shows the other pattern, that one has 3 collar options and one of them may be reversible, we will see. These are fun! You can see some of the other collar options on Flickr by clicking on the photo of the white and colorful apron.

Simplicity Catalog Page Summer 2012

Simplicity Catalog Page Summer 2012
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

The release date I got from Simplicity for my newest sewing pattern with them was March 23rd. I need to run by JoAnn's today and see if the new catalogs are in. Their models are cute as can be. I am really excited to have this dress and skirt in the catalog. Simplicity pattern 1821 for girls size 3-8.

The boot socks pattern is finally ready!

Womens Size Fleece socks
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

I think I mentioned in a few places that the sizing was mucho tricky on these, but I prevailed. I decided that people deserve to have these fleece socks in specific sizes for their feet, so they are not too baggy nor toe schrunchy. The sewing pattern includes sizing from pre-school shoe size 4-13, kids sizes 1-6, women 4-9, and men 8-13. All in one pattern! I am also selling the socks as a made to order item, so people can specify their color and size. Of course, if you buy the pattern, you can sell them too. The leopard print fleece is great quality - nicely stretchy - I got it at fabric.com

New Simplicity Pattern Coming

twirl dress and petticoat
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

In the Summer 2012 catalog, you will find my girls dress pattern and the cute play skirt I made for underneath, which is a fun thing all by itself too. The skirt is a very easy project with a different way to incorporate tulle and fun embellishment ideas. Yay! Simplicity. Thank you. We are currently hunting for fabrics to feature on the pattern cover. Let me know if you have any ideas. Preferably it will be a fabric line that is fairly new and will still be available when the pattern comes out next Spring.

Free Sewing Tutorial Yoga Mat Carrying Strap

The gym bag pattern should be ready by the end of this week. Meanwhile, warm up with this quick and easy yoga mat carrying strap project.

Materials list:

* 1.5 yards of 1” wide webbing
* 2 scraps of fabric 17” long by 5” wide
* 2 pieces of heavy weight iron-on interfacing 17” by 5” each
* 8” of 2” wide Heavy Duty Velcro

Step one- Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric following manufacturer’s instructions. (I used pre-washed cotton duck which is already a heavy fabric, so I skipped this step.)

Step two-

a. With right sides together, fold fabric in
half the long way, as shown right.

b. Mark 2 dots, each 1” from either side of

center of the fabric as indicated.

c. Using a 3/8” seam allowance,

stitch the raw edges together,
leaving a 2” opening between the dots.
d. Do this for both pieces.

Step three – Clip corners (as shown top right of photo,) turn the fabrics right sides out and press, pressing the seam allowance under in the open area.

Step four-With openings facing one another, pin the following items in place as shown below:
a. 4” of female (the softer side) Velcro at one end of each piece.
b. 3” of male Velcro on the opposite end and flip side of each piece.
c. Strap ends inserted in the openings (not twisted.)

Step five – Stitch everything in place and stitch openings closed. I used contrasting thread so you can see some different ways to do it.

To Use – Just wrap the fabric around the ends of the rolled up mat, secure with Velcro, and carry.

©2011 StudioCherie

Feel free to stitch and sell, just mention this StudioCherie tutorial

fast fingerless mitts

fast fingerless mitts
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

I am celebrating tonight that I made my goal of putting out one new pattern this month. Even though it was a short month. Even though I interrupted myself a lot! The gym bag is still coming - in March. This was a little distraction along the way and I really wanted to share it in the form of an easy pattern. A great project for beginners - I don't have a lot of those. And a great project for people who like to give handmade gifts but maybe get rushed. It is so quick and easy and satisfying that I put a warning on the cover: this project may be habit forming.

New Pattern out

pattern cover
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

I meant to tell you all that my latest pattern is now available. I love how fantastically flexible this bag is. Looks so cute over the shoulder folded over. When you are out shopping, it can convert to a larger capacity tote to include your purchases. For those of you who don't sew, I have 4 of these bags made and ready for purchase as well (the link goes to my one of a kind bags section where you can easily pick out the 4 bags I mean.)
Next up is my gym bag which will be great for yoga or general gym use. Working on that some more today.