I love charm packs. I like that for around $8 I can get 50 plus different fabrics to go through and drool over. I like that I can spend time at home deciding which prints I want to get more yardage of. But up unti a few months ago, when I was done drooling, the charm packs just sat in my fabric basket. When I looked around for charm pack craft ideas, all I could come up with was piecing the squares together for a baby quilt. While that’s a good idea, it didn’t seem very exciting. Then I started fusing the fabric to paper and making “quilted” cards. More recently, I’ve been creating something else with those yummy squares of fabric: quilted notebook covers. Okay, I know the notebook covers aren’t really quilted. They aren’t even really pieced, so I’ll call them patchwork notebook covers. That way, I’m not lying, right? And so that you other charm pack hoarders might possibly find some craft inspiration for your growing pile of charm packs, I’m going to post a tutorial on my patchwork notebook covers. But I am curious…what do YOU do with your charm packs?
CraftApple 
So far, I just look at them.
Moopies (What else did you expect from me!).
I also love the look that’s going around blogland of a single row of patchwork through an otherwise plain cushion, rug, pinboard – just about anything really.
I don’t even know what they are. Hmmm 🙂
i don’t get them- but i would make patchwork stuff – aprons, rugs, sally’s pocket board, 9-patch stuff, cards….
Oh you are making me feel guilty. I have about 6 different piles of pre-cut squares….they end up getting all wrinkled and messed up. I need to start sewing and hope you get some more ideas. Love the notebook covers too!
I used to just lay out my charm packs, rearrange them and admire them. Then I saw your card tutorial, and I’m making them.
Looking forward to the notebook tutorial!
I never bought charm packs because I could never come up with an idea as to what I could make with them. Thanks for the ideas, I may have to buy some now and try them out.
I’ve made beanbags for the children with some of the brighter ones.
Well, that is the trick, isn’t it? For the first few months, I lovingly place them in a box and take them out for a look from time to time. I tried making a table runner with some, but never finished. Last week, I cut some into heart shapes to make stuffed Christmas ornaments. Small, but cute!
Thinking about your question today, though, I realized that they would make a cool border for a quilt if you use the American Charm or Chinese Coin block. (Is that the correct name? The one that has a print block surrounded by solid sides.) I tried that for a baby quilt – although not with official charm pack squares- and really liked the result.
i’ve never bought any charm packs. what is the size of those squares? and where did you buy them? (local or internet?)
I make pincushions and purses. I am sure that the purse thing is no surprise!
The charm packs are a great deal for the money, if you ask me! I have a brand new Cherries Jubilee pack just waiting to be used–maybe I will make some of those cute notebooks!
Thank you. The instructions seem very very clear.
And you have a Bernina too… I love mine! Aren’t they simply the best machines? It’s probably the first things I’d try to save from the house fire… well after the children of course!
I can’t believe I had never even heard of charm packs before! Now after doing a handy dandy search online I am totally addicted!! I ordered myself 4 fabulous charm packs and can’t wait to get them!! These are perfect for me because I use fabric on my cards a lot and don’t usually need a ton of the same fabric. Thanks Linda for the inspiration! 🙂
And.. the tutorial is awesome. Your covers are lookin’ great!
I’ve never heard of charm packs either. Perhaps this is because I’ve never been in a quilt shop? I must live under a rock.
I have been making stuffed blocks for my kids and baby gifts. Perfect size and you can use additional squares to make appliqued letters, shapes, etc.
I am going to sew them together and make patch work pants, say a very cool pattern on ebay bought it an dwouldn’t ya know it calls for 5″ squares.
here is a link
http://ideazinbloom.com/shop/index.php
there also a matching shirt and purse of course
I am making a charm pack tote bag. Love to work with them.
I am doing a disappearing nine patch with my citrus squeeze pack. It was a free small quilt pattern given to me. you need about three packs for one small throw. you make a nine patch-then cut in half vertically then again horizontal. Turn two of the now four small squares around, so you basically taken the center square and broken it into little squares and also made some rectangular shapes too. make sense? a little busy for me but good and easy. also you could make sort of like stars or pinwheels using a plain solid fabric like white depending on colors already provided. for my citrus squeeze i would use brown or blue.
happy sewin’!
oh just another last thought, you can do the ol triangle thing where you put another square on top of charm pack square say white and then sew down each side of the centre diangle then cut on center line to make yourself lots of squares with triangles. Make sense? then you arrange them however your little heart desires! once you have done enough to make a nine patch its easy to come up with a classic pattern that repeats and looks pretty swell.
Hello,
I’ve know about fat quarters for a long time. But, I’m not really a quilter and didn’t want to buy the huge pack for $70 or more. Even though I’ve fell in love with alot of the patterns. But I just learned about the charm packs. I’m so glad someone came out with them… Perfect for scrapbookers and cardmakers to add texture to their projects. Now, how do I explain to my DH that I need another shelf built for a new scrapbook product I’ve found… No honey its not more paper, I have enough of that… But I found a whole new product to use for scrapbooking and I don’t have this one yet so its a great new present to start buying for my collection….
Think it will work????? LOL
Hugs,
PattiM
(Pattie’s passion)
I Scrap So All Moments Are Remembered!!!
Hello, I stumbled upon your blog and the charm pack caught my eye. I don;t do quilting myself but love the idea of fabric covered notebooks. Great idea.
Steve 🙂
Charm Packs are perfect for Criss Cross Coasters. The tutorial was posted by Jenny B. Harris on her lovely blog, Allsorts:
http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/11/crisscross_coas.html
They are so much fun to make–they go together quickly, and are pretty AND functional. There is no hand sewing, and no batting is required, just fusible interfacing. The layers of 100% cotton absorb moisture quite effectively. It’s fun to make up a set, tie them with a ribbon, (there is a picture of this on the tutorial) and give as a gift.
Take a look at Serendipity Studio web site. They have an adorable pattern for a decorated sweatshire using charm squares. I hve the pattern, but have not made it yet.
Here’s some free patterns from Moda
http://www.modabakeshop.com/search/label/Charm%20Pack
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I just happened across charm pack and I think they would be absolutely wonderful to use in my scrapbooks. They are the perfect size to use as photo backers and I think that I could even do patchwork pages by fusing them to plain card stock. What a wonderful way to play with fabric!!!
I’m making half square triangles and quarter square triangles with them, combining them with jelly rolls and making queen sized quilts with them. 8 pointed stars, Ohio Star blocks for hot pads, table runners, placemats, quilt tops. Also using them in teeny tiny log cabin blocks in totes and purses, Also 4 patches in quilts. One of my New Year’s resolutions was to do use my precuts. I’m down to 2 charm packs and 2 jelly rolls left, have used all the others and made some very cool quilts with them.
I am just beginning to quilt with precuts….love jelly rolls, but need to learn what to do with charm packs
Thanks
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