Little moments of calm – sewing project for Dover mini-charm pack

Its lovely to see new collections breeze into the shop, and Dover by Brenda Riddle for Moda, felt like a breath of fresh air, it’s calming, comforting colours, and sprinkling of sweet flowers.

It really got me thinking of relaxing sewing projects, those which you can just kick back your heels, ones where most of the preparation is already done, meaning you can spend time making the most of the lovely colours and patterns.

One which can be made together with someone who might not have sewn before.

And which doesn’t require lots of materials, just a mini-charm pack, a selection of precut 2 1/2″ squares and a Fat Quarter of lightweight interfacing.

This lovely little panel really is a team effort, Dad (who loves a good jigsaw) positioned the patches on the fusible interfacing, making the most of the lovely colours and patterns….

Patches positioned ready to fuse to interfacing, and sew

Once the patches have been fused to the interfacing I sew them together. It’s a lovely project to make together, Dad really enjoyed making the first patchwork block. So much so, he was soon ready to position the next lot of patches to make a 2nd panel, and a 3rd…..

These ones mix Dover and Flour Garden mini-charm packs, the colours are so pretty together.

I can see there’s more still to follow, I think Ethel, my little sewing machine is going to be very busy.

For this mini-charm project you’ll need:

1. One Mini-charm pack or a selection of 42 precut 2 1/2″ squares

2. 20″ x 18″ very lightweight Fusible Interfacing.

3. Positioning Grid – Download the printable PDF format – 6 pages.

4. Ironing mat or alternatively a 20″ x 40″ cotton wadding – folded in half to form a 20″ x 20″ ironing mat - Wadding must be cotton, as polyester can singe!

5. Thread

Notions: Tissue paper (to protect iron when pressing); Iron; Sewing machine; Cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter.

To make the patchwork panel, using fusible Interface technique….

1. Print out the Positioning grid sheets

2. Trim and tape together, matching the guidelines to form a grid of 6 x 7 squares.

3. Place the Paper Grid on top of the ironing mat or folded cotton wadding.

Next, place the iron on interfacing on top of the paper grid , so the rough side is up. (This is really important, so the cotton squares fuse to the rough fusible side).

4. Use tape to secure the corners of the interfacing to the paper grid to prevent the interfacing moving.

5. Place each mini charm square, right side up on the interfacing, so it fits neatly inside a square on the grid.

Once you’ve placed your squares in the order you like, check the edges of the squares touch the black border all around. This helps when it comes to sewing the seams...

Carefully lay tissue paper on top, so not to disturb squares. (This is really important as it protects the hot iron, preventing any exposed interfacing fusing to the iron plate.)

6. Using a hot iron (no steam), press holding the iron for a few seconds, just long enough to fuse the squares to interfacing.

Mini-charm squares fused to interfacing ready to sew

Now you’re panel is ready to sew.

7. Fold 1st vertical row over, so right sides of fabrics are together. Sew using 1/4″ seam allowance.

Continue across the panel, sewing each vertical seam in turn.

Seams and Interfacing on the back of patchwork grid

8. Trim a tiny amount of interfacing off each seam, to open the seam out and press seams flat.

9. Next, fold 1st horizontal row over, so right sides of fabric are together. Again, sew using 1/4″ seam allowance. Continue down the panel sewing each horizontal seam in turn.

10 Trim a tiny amount of interfacing off each seam, open the seam out and press seams flat.

Now your panel is complete!

Made from 1 Dover Mini-charm pack

The panel could be used either as the front of a pillow, hot water bottle cover, or outer for a pouch or tote. Having the interface backing makes it a little more hard-wearing too. Perhaps it may even be the first block in the next quilt.

Dover is designed by a favourite of Honeybee Cloths – Brenda Riddle for Moda Fabrics – United Notions, Brenda’s collection is inspired by the White Cliffs of Dover, which have long been a symbol of homecoming, hope and freedom. Precuts and yardage available in Honeybee Cloths.

We hope you have a lovely relaxing weekend, and lovely little moments of calm.

Dawn xx