Easter Mug Rug

Easter is just around the corner and the Patchsmith is ready. 

Easter Mug Rug

This year I have added the new Easter Mug Rug design to my Craftsy pattern store.  It is the perfect resting place for an Easter egg and a coffee cup - or in my case both - at the same time!

Yellow Bow and Button

This seasonal design is shown with a button at the center of the bow and I thought I would just take the opportunity to chat about buttons and trim.

Ribbon addition to a 'named' Mug Rug

When adding ribbon, felt, rick-rack or any other trim to a mug rug it is important to make sure it can be laundered.  Mug rugs are notorious for catching spills and drops of tea and coffee so it is important they can be washed and dried. 

Primitive Pumpkin Mug Rug

And when it comes to buttons - never use a shank button – it will unsteady your cup.  It is essential that a cup can rest on a mug rug safely so try to use a flat button.  If your button isn’t very flat you can use a thicker batting to enable the button to sink into the quilting.   But, if in doubt, leave the button off.  Replace it with a circle of fabric or felt or add stitching detail instead.  

Easter Cross Mug Rug with Stitching Detail

This is especially true if making a mug rug for an elderly relative or young child – they need a steady place for their cup.

Easter Mug Rug

Of course, if you are making a mug rug as a little piece of fabric art to hang on the wall then it doesn't matter and you can take your pick from any or all of your buttons and trim!

Canadian Flag (Maple Leaf) Mug Rug

Canadian Flag (Maple Leaf) Mug Rug

There is the Patchsmith’s Union Jack mug rug ......

and there is the Stars and Stripes mug rug ......

There is even an Uncle Sam mug rug .......

So it seems only right that the Canadian Flag mug rug pattern should join the Patchsmith’s pattern store today .....

It is also a wonderful Maple Leaf mug rug in its own right .....  

Mother's Day 2015

It is Mothering Sunday here in England so I thought I would share some mug rug suggestions which make excellent Mother's Day gifts for mothers and grandmothers everywhere.  (All patterns are only $1.99 - just click on any picture and you will go through to the pattern at my Craftsy Store.)  

First up is the classic 'Mum/Mom' mug rug (both options included).  

Mum and Mom Mug Rug Pattern

Or maybe you prefer to create a personalised mug rug using the Patchsmith's Mug Rug Alphabet: 

Mug Rug Alphabet - three complete sets of letters

Flowers are traditional and always look good:

Flower Vase Mug Rug

You can never go far wrong with a pretty butterfly:

Butterfly Patch Mug Rug

Or provide a sweet treat that will not ruin the diet:

Ice Cream Sundae Mug Rug

Perhaps afternoon tea:

Tea and Cake Mug Rug

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.

Bunny Hop Mug Rug - Three Designs in One Pattern

Bunny Hop Mug Rug Pattern

I’m not saying that these three little rabbits are definitely Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail but they were created in the English Lake District town of Hawkshead – the home of Beatrix Potter.   What I can tell you is that these three bunnies are as cute as can be and very well behaved.  They will take care of your coffee and cake and promise not to nibble at the icing.

(I can’t promise they will be so good if your choice of snack is a carrot!)

 

This Bunny Hop mug rug pattern comes with three fluffy tails ......

Perfect for Easter or a child's room.

and two additional versions:  ‘Vegetable Patch’ (could this be Peter Rabbit looking over Mr. McGregor's vegetable garden?)

Veg Patch - included in the Bunny Hop Mug Rug Pattern

and ‘Twilight Rabbits’ (very quick and very easy).

Twilight Rabbits - included in the Bunny Hop Mug Rug Pattern

Suitable for both hand and machine stitching, the pattern comes with easy-to-follow instructions and full size applique diagrams.  So hop on over to my Etsy Store and bag this lovely little pattern for ONLY $1.99 (about £1.35 in Peter Rabbit pennies).  

Two Sisters - One Nightdress Case

Spent the afternoon with my sister working on her Across the Pond SAL project.  She crocheted and I sewed.

The result?  A pretty nightdress case for her bed and two very happy sisters.  

Scotties and the Simply Striped Pillow Blog Hop

The "Simply Striped Accent Pillow" Patchsmith Style

Sometimes a pattern comes along that is a rare find – a versatile, multi-use pattern that you will return to time-and-time again.  I knew, the first time I saw Susie’s “Simply Striped Accent Pillow” that this was just such a pattern.  

The Simply Striped Accent Pillow Pattern

This pillow can be made up to match any decor and that accent strip is suited to embellishment - whether that be patchwork, paper-piecing or applique.

I like all forms of sewing but I knew I had to put the Patchsmith stamp on my pillow, especially for this blog hop.  So I turned to a very early pattern of mine – the Scottie Dog Mug Rug pattern.  This pattern uses quick-fuse applique which is an easy way to add detailing to any item (you can find hints and tips on applique methods in the Mug Rug Basics tab at the top of this blog).  

Scottie Dog Mug Rug Pattern

The Scottie dogs in the mug rug pattern were just slightly too big so I printed the applique page at 80% of size to produce perfect little puppies. 

Once I had made up the pillow front according to the pattern (very easy) I hand-stitched three felt Scotties along the accent band.  (If you use felt make sure it is colourfast and can be laundered prior to use.)   I left a 1” gap between the dogs and the edge of the pillow to allow for the side seams.  

Three puppies waiting patiently.

No blankets were needed for these puppies - making this a super quick project.  All the little pups needed was a thin sliver of ribbon for their collars and some simple over-stitching for the eyes and noses.  

Simple over-stitched eyes and noses.

I just love the Simply Striped Accent Pillow pattern - it is versatile enough to adapt it to any pattern or you can add paper-pieced blocks, patchwork blocks or leave the band blank.

Three Scotties fit nicely onto the accent stripe

If you've been following along with this week's blog hop you will see that there is no end to the different embellishments and fabrics that can be added to this pillow pattern.  For my next pillow I am thinking three or four baby whales from my Animal and Pets mug rug pattern book.

Block 52 of my BAD (Block-a-Day) project   

What will you add to your Simply Striped Accent pillow?  Will you use a favourite piece of fabric or add a unique and personal touch through applique or patchwork?  

To help you decide, hop on over to Susie's Sunroom to see what the other blog hosts have been up to this week.

Until next time ......

Snapshots Quilt Along - Minimized

February's FQS Snapshot Block - Sewing Machine (8" x 6½")

Block 62 of the my BAD project 

Have you heard about this year’s Charity QAL over at the Fat Quarter Shop? Are you joining in? I’m sewing along but I am making the blocks really small to include them in my Block-a-Day project.

January's FQS Snapshot Block - Birthday Cake (7" x 6")
Block 7 of the my BAD project

It is for a good cause so why not join in with a block or two.  You can find all the details for the full-size blocks over at the FQS Snapshots page.

If you fancy making the mini version you can find the cutting sizes over at Out of the Blue Quilts.

Across the Pond for the Best Dressed Bed

The Patchsmith's Nightdress Case

What do you do with your nightgown or pyjamas?  Under the pillow?  In the drawer?  Has nobody heard of a nightdress case?  According to Pinterest and Google – it seems not.   

I picked this month’s project before I did a search and I was shocked at how little there is available.  No, let me correct that – how there is ‘nothing’ available.  So this month I had to make it up as I went along. 

Scrappy patchwork.

I knew how I wanted it to look – rounded.  I knew how large I wanted it (9” opening, 9” from top to toe and 13”-14” across the bottom).  I knew I wanted to use scraps and I wanted it to be pretty.  I could see it in my mind’s eye – I just had to make it a reality.

It would have to be simple though – I’m no bag maker ..... or pouch maker for that matter.  I have Amy and Susie for those things – they are so much better than I could ever be.   I get lost turning a corner so my nightdress case had to be simple – really simple.

Scrappy patchwork rectangle.

My pouch is made up of a patchwork rectangle (12 rows of ten 1½” scrappy squares) and a linen flap incorporating my favourite block from my BAD project – block 15.    

Block 15 - Boxed In.  One of my favourite patchwork blocks so far.

I folded the patchwork rectangle in quarters and marked an outline along one size using my Frixion pen. 

Quartered, drawn and cut.  Love that Frixion pen - a hot iron and all marks are gone.

I cut along the outline and opened up the patchwork to reveal the shape of the pouch. 

The same shape as my body!

I created the flap in a similar fashion by folding the linen rectangle in half and drawing a curve from the outer corner down to fold (I told you it was simple) and I stitched it to the patchwork.

Block 15 is perfect for this flap.

Next I quilted the patchwork but not the flap.  I then layered the front with a piece of lining, right sides together and stitched all around the outline leaving a 3” gap for turning. Once I turned it right side out, I then positioned a piece of Velcro on the underside of the flap, in line with the patchwork block.  

Velcro is stitched in place as I quilted the flap.

Only now did I quilt the patchwork block which served to secure the Velcro in place at the same time.  Neat eh?  

All complete and pretty as a picture

 From there it was a case of folding the pouch and stitching down each side – I didn’t think that through – it was quite thick but nothing my trusty machine couldn’t handle.  And there it is – pretty-as-a-picture-perfect-for-the-Patchsmith nightdress case. 

Now if you are somebody that needs a pattern I have checked out some simple bag patterns (I think they are called ‘purses’ across the Pond) that might fit the bill:

Sometimes Crafter's Kindle Case - very similar to how I made mine - just make it bigger.

She Can Quilt - quilt-as-you-go.  Make it any size you like.  Easy.

Make My Day Creative - this version is leather and crochet
but it would work just as well in quilter's fabric

BHG.  Roses are red, violets are blue,
this crochet clutch would hold a nightie or two!

Or you could pop over to Susie’s Sunroom and see what that skillful little minx has created with her Simply Striped Accent Pillow – yes, a nightdress case.  

Susie's Clever Pillow PJ Case

Oh, I wish I’d thought of that.  Especially as I am in the Simply Striped Pillow Blog Hop for showcasing that pattern.  Doh!  

But hey, I am the Patchsmith and I know how to get-my-own-back - so be sure to come back and see how ‘barking’ mad I can get on Saturday 7^th March when I am the blogger for the Simply Striped Pillow blog hop (starts tomorrow over at Susie's Sunroom).    You may just find revenge is oh-so-sweet and works to your advantage. 

p.s. Don’t forget to post any photos of pyjama cases or nightdress cases, if you find any, over at the ATPSAL Flickr group.