Halloween and Thanksgiving Mug Rugs

(Also available in paperback via Amazon)

I love the Autumn season – so much fun to be had – especially if you are into making mug rugs.  (If you don’t know what a mug rug is or why you should make one check out this posting.)

So I thought I would share my collection of ten Halloween and Thanksgiving patterns especially made for this season. 

First up is a nice and easy quilt-as-you-go pattern that uses seasonal 5" charm squares .....

The good thing about this pattern is it isn’t just for the Autumn season – it can be used all year round - even Christmas ......

If you fancy something a little more Halloweeny then bats may be just the thing....

If you are short of time you could make a small 5” coaster for your desk or worktable ....

Find more Halloween Coasters HERE

Every Autumn home needs a pumpkin or two and the Primitive Pumpkin mug rug is perfect to brighten the coffee table....... 

Primitive Pumpkin

You can even rearrange the applique shapes to make an alternative shaped pumpkin – now that is really neat ...... (details included in the book)

I’m not keen on spiders except for this friendly chap – he can sit on my table anytime he likes.....

Of course it is Spooky Season and the Ghostly Duo are out in force.....

Spooooookkkkkyyyyy!

You can also find easy-to-follow instructions HERE to turn these ghostly ghouls into a cute coaster .....

Perfect for a child's bedside table - or as hostess gifts over the Halloween season

Another pattern that can be used all year around is one of my favourites - the Moonlit Cat mug rug.......

(This pattern is also available individually in PDF format
just click on the photo to go through to the pattern)

This pattern comes with an alternative cat applique for a totally different look .....

Scaredy Cat is included in the book and with the individual pattern.

Autumn is all about ghosts and ghouls – there is also Pumpkin Pie and warming cups of coffee .......

And turkey for Thanksgiving (of course!) .......

Thanksgiving brings us onto the last two patterns in the book – the Pilgrim Settler – complete with pie and pumpkin .....

And finally the Totem Pole mug rug.........

Did you know the word 'totem' means kinship?

All these patterns are available in one handy book – available in paperback format from Amazon USA or Amazon UK.  Also available for immediate download from the Patchsmith's Pattern Store on Etsy.

So what are you waiting for – it is time to have some fabric fun this Autumn.

Bee Happy Sprint-Along

"What is life if full of care we have no time to sit and stare?"

Why does the Bee Happy sew-along not feel like a sew-along? 

A sew-along is a great way to make a quilt - sewing a block (or two) a week/month until you have enough for a quilt.  The sisterhood of sewing the same blocks together, sharing and chatting and helping each other out - all part-and-parcel of a sew-along.  

I knew the Bee Happy sew-along was going to be different right from the beginning - the schedule for week one alone required a sunshine block .....

followed by Two Trees block .....

and also a Flower Pot block .....

For week two the schedule required a single butterfly block and a trio-of-butterflies block.....

together with the Blue Flowers block ....

and a Spools Blocks .....

And it didn't let up in week three with the Mason Jars block (a whole days work) .....

together with an additional Bluebird Block (or in my case a Robin Block)......

Week four was the Truck-and-Trailer block together with the Bee Happy wording ...... I have yet to finish this block even though I replaced the wording with a gingham brick road in an effort to save time .....

After just four weeks of the 'official' sew-along you should have completed twenty-two blocks for the first two rows of the quilt!   That is a heck of a lot of sewing.

Don’t get me wrong – this is a beautiful quilt with crystal clear tutorials provided by the ever wonderful Lori Holt.   

But it feels more like a sprint than a sew-along. 

I guess I was spoiled with the Farm Girl Vintage sew-along, the Bloom sew-along (both Lori’s), the Splendid Sampler sew-along and the Farmer’s Wife 1930s sew-along.  

I am hoping this sprint schedule is a one-off and that, in future, a normal, leisurely sew-along service will be resumed!  

Until next time ....................

Speed Typing on the Spelling Bee Typewriter Block

If you are making the 12” Typewriter block from the delightful Spelling Bee sewing book you might enjoy sewing thirty-two 1½” squares together to create the typewriter keys.  

However, if you are making the 6” block it gets real fiddly to stitch thirty-two 1” blocks together.  So how about speed typing with fabric?  Here's how .....

1.  Cut two 9” x 1” strips from two different fabrics (total of four strips).  (You only need 8" lengths but the extra inch allows for trimming.)

Cut a total of four 9" x 1" strips

2.  Stitch the strips together, alternating the fabric.  You will end up with a patch measuring 9” x 2½”.   Press all seams towards the darker fabric.   (Do not worry if your seams aren't completely straight - this construction means there is 'wiggle' room when nesting the seams.)

Make sure to press the seams towards the darker fabric.

3. Once pressed cut eight 1” segments from the patch as shown - each segment should measure 1” x 2½". 

Do not worry if your keys are not even - they will nest perfectly.

4.  Flip half of the segments upside down. 

Flip those keys before stitching together.

5.  Finally, stitch them back together to create a Typewriter Keys patch measuring 4½” x 2½”. Perfect for the 6" Typewriter Block from Lori Holt's Spelling Bee book.

Such an itty bitty keys unit!

Speed typing with fabric - who'd have thought?  

Direct Dial to the Spelling Bee Blocks

p.s. I just called to say I love you!

Operator:        Hello, Operator here.  What number do you require?

Patchsmith:   Miss Bee please – direct call.

Direct beeline to Lori Holt's Spelling Bee

Operator:        Just one moment – trying to connect you .....

Operator:        I’m sorry but Miss Bee is not picking up.  If you'd like to leave her a message speak after you hear the beep .....

BEEP – BEEP

"Hello Lori, it’s Amanda here.  I just called to say I love you – well your designs actually because Brad Pitt is more my type.  

Nearly there with the Spelling Bee Picture Day Quilt

I’m making your Picture Day Quilt from your Spelling Bee Book and it is such fun.  

Bee Lori's Spelling Bee Book

I've just finished the Telephone Block – I’ll fax you a photo ....... 

Cool eh?  It went together so easily and quickly yet it looks complicated.  You really are a clever designer. 

I have just two more blocks to go and it will be ready for quilting.

I better go – I need to make some more Bee Happy blocks – I’m struggling to keep up with that sew-along but I’ll ring you again later to chat about it.

Until then - toodle-pip."