The Patchsmith's Scottie Dog Mug Rug

Now available as a single pattern

Many of my patterns are sold in book collections in PDF format via Etsy or in paperback format via Amazon.  

Ten fun animal patterns in one handy book

However, I also sell many patterns singularly, including one or two that are included in a book.  With this in mind I have re-released an old favourite today as a single PDF pattern – The Patchsmith’s Scottie Dog Mug Rug.

Original Scottie Dog Mug Rug created in 2013 

This is a great pattern for beginning mug rug makers.  It won’t matter if your patchwork seams don’t meet – it will still look good. 

Felt is a great fabric choice for new mug rug makers

You can also use felt for the Scottie dogs making it super easy to sew by hand or machine (although you can use fabric if your prefer).

And a mug rug is an excellent project for the beginner and experienced quilt maker alike, as you can use whatever fabrics you have to hand.  Try new combinations to see if they work before embarking on a larger pattern.  Or make a mug rug to co-ordinate with your room.

Try new fabric combos whilst creating a functional mug rug

So join with me to create a world that is full of fabric, fun and friends.

Until next time …..

Chevron Brick Wall

A pattern is seldom just one way of making something.  It is often a starting point.  You can follow the pattern exactly or your can play with it and make it uniquely yours.  And that might be as simple as changing the order of fabrics.

Take my Brick Wall block from The Patchsmith's Sampler pattern book.  In the book I use different fabrics for each brick and I love the scrappy look.

I even used the pattern when making a gingham road for a sew-along a few years back.

Who wouldn't love a gingham road?

But today I wanted something a little more co-ordinated so, this time I used just three fabrics.  And what a difference! 

You wouldn't think it was the same pattern.  That is the fun of this scrap happy block (and that there is no seam matching required).

If you want to mimic the chevron brick wall you will need to choose three contrasting fabrics.  From each of them cut five of block A and two of block B as detailed in the pattern.

Tip 1:  Lay the cut blocks out on your sewing table in the order you want them before stitching.

Tip 2:  For a slight variation rotate the block a quarter of a turn as shown at the top of this blog.

Until next time....

Scrapilicious Patchsmith Sampler Blocks

It has been a while.  Truth be told I broke my elbow mid February and haven't been unable to do much of anything.  But I have just started to ease myself gently back into some sewing.  

I need to practise both cutting and sewing but cutting is proving the most difficult and painful. Thankfully, I have a stash of scraps and a couple of favourite blocks from my Sampler Quilt Blocks pattern book.

Available via Amazon

First up is the Chunky Log Cabin.  

Block 32 - Chunky Log Cabin Block

This is block 32 in the book.  I remade this block with the offcuts that I had available and, I have to say it turned out lovely.

Chunky Log Cabin Block

There is also a Night and Day Log Cabin block in the book but I am building up to cutting thinner strips as my elbow progresses.  

Block 25 - Night and Day Block

However, I did take the opportunity to play with Lori Holt's Haystack Block turning it into a night-and-day version.

A 'Night-and-Day' Haystack Block

Next I thought I would try a little bit more cutting and sewing and chose block 33 from The Patchsmith's Sampler Quilt Blocks book - the Scrap Box.  

Block 33 - Scrap Box

I did have four small half-square triangles already in my scrap box together with another eight perfectly sized squares.  So the cutting was too difficult. 

Scrap Box alternative with HST corners

I will remake this block very shortly using an alternatively to the Kona Snow background fabric - just for fun.

Spring-time Chunky Log Cabin

These blocks are perfect for beginners as it really doesn't matter if your seams, or cutting, aren't accurate - the blocks will still look good.

So I better get back to practising some more as I have new designs I want to create.  Until next time....