Mug Rug Starter Fabric

Before I show the Wishes block for April I just wanted to share this wonderful layer cake that arrived from the Fat Quarter shop recently.


Butter Pecan 10" layer cake

It is called Butter Pecan by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics.  As soon as I saw it I knew it was the perfect starter pack for new mug rug makers.  Every single block is 10” which is ideal for a mug rug with some left over for scraps and applique.  The colours vary from pale lemon through to darker taupe but each and every fabric will work well as background fabric for any mug rug.

I also ordered some charm packs at the same time - these are a great way of increasing your fabric stash without spending too much money.  Some of the most versatile are the Kona ‘cotton solids’ from Moda.  I particularly like the Sunrise selection for spring:


Kona Solids 'Sunrise' Charm Pack

Whilst the Neutrals pack comes in handy for owls, goats and hedgehogs:


Kona 'Neutrals' Charm Pack


But enough of fabric (can you ever have enough of fabric?) and onto block four of the Wishes Quilt Along.  This block is called “Broken Dishes” and it was a lovely easy make.  I cut my squares 4½” to make the half-square triangles (slightly larger than the pattern stated) and then trimmed them to size.  I used a scant ¼” seam and the finished block is a generous 14½”.


Wishes 'Broken Dishes' Block

I am loving this sew-along – it is so quick and easy.  And the blocks are huge.  One block a month is the perfect timescale for me – relaxed enough to be enjoyable yet productive enough that I will have enough for a quilt in a year.

Oooh-er ..... I am beginning to sound like an advert for the Fat Quarter shop as the Wishes sew-along is also organised by them.  But rest assured - I am not affiliated to them in any way - I just love their products.

Sew until Monday when I hope to have the next two blocks completed for the Patchiqué quilt ......

Sew Alongs for 2014

Have you heard?  January and February are the busiest months ever for sew-alongs (no real surprise there).  And there are plenty to be had.  Here are just a few of my favourites (click on the picture to find out more):

Wishes Sew Along
(FREE although a donation to the Make-a-Wish foundation wouldn't go amiss.
This is my February block by-the-way.)

Debbie Mumm's 2014 Block of the Month (FREE)

Civil War Threads of Memory BOM 2014
(FREE - perfect if you like a dose of history with your patchwork)

 

Sugar Block Club 2014
(Small Charge but perfect if you like a dose of cake with your patchwork!)

 

Don't Call Me Betsy's Block Club 2014
(Small charge - paper-piecing at its best)

And if you can’t commit just now then how about a beautiful blue-and-white mystery quilt block.  There is a charge but it is very reasonable as it includes fabric, pattern and postage.  It doesn't start until June but be warned - they often stop subscriptions in February or March due to demand.

Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Block 2014

I am working my way through the Quilty Fun sew along which started in 2013.  I am a little bored of stitching small squares onto corners of fabric but when they turn out as lovely as this week’s Tulip block it is all worth it. 

 

Sew there you have it - a few projects to get you thinking.  If they all seem like too much commitment then jump aboard the Across the Pond Sew Along - it is very relaxed - you don't even have to make anything as you can sit in the 'crows-nest' and keep a look-out at all the projects made by other members.  Find out more by clicking on the tab above.

Sew until next time ...........

A Happy New Patchiqué Year - Blocks 15 and 75

With twelve blocks made already we start the New Year with two more blocks - one patched and one appliquéd.  Firstly the patched Block 15 – ‘Kasuri nijū kaku’ (translated as Kasuri double square).

Block 15 from Japanese Taupe Quilts

I followed the instructions in the block exactly – no Patchsmith shortcuts this week as none were needed.    This block is rated as a medium difficulty in the book which I am guessing is due to the matching of the corners but I found it went together really well with no need for the seam ripper. 

Block 15 - Patchiqué Style

And although this block looks quite ordinary - once made it will become a firm favourite.  It would be the perfect block to repeat throughout a bed quilt, alternating it with a plain square or applique panel.  It would also be an ideal block for new patchers due to the limited number of matched seams. 

So onto this week's appliqué block – Block 75 – ‘Hoya no hana’ (Hoya flower). 

Block 75 from Japanese Taupe Quilts

Again this is rated medium difficulty because Susan Briscoe (the author of Japanese Taupe Quilts) is a saint and hand-turned all her appliqué.  I, on the other hand, would rate this block as easy if using quick-fuse appliqué.

Block 75 - Patchiqué Style

I have been machine-stitching the appliqué blocks to date but this week I found myself with an opportunity to add a little hand stitching to this block - not as much as in the book but a nice touch nonetheless.  Saturday morning found me sitting with my father whilst my mother went shopping (my father has dementia and cannot be left alone).  With a couple of hours away from my busy life, I pulled out Block 75 and added a few lines of running stitch to each petal.  That simple act has created a happy memory – sat in the warm stitching away whilst my father watched a program about spitfires in the war.  The program reminded my Dad how, in his childhood, he would watch the spitfires fighting in the skies above his home - a memory he was able to share with me. 

Sewing Tip:  If you are intending to add some hand-stitching then I would recommend that you cut the background block to 10" instead of the normal 9.5" as the stitching may pull your block slightly smaller.  You can then trim the finished block to 9.5" square.

And talking about memories – I blogged last week about the Wishes Quilt Along in support of the ‘Make a Wish’ foundation.  The first block was released this week (click here for a link to the free download).  I am using Wallflowers fat quarter bundles – both the Poppy and the Primrose collections - by Cluck-Cluck-Sew with Kona 'snow' background. 

Wishes Quilt-Along - Block 1 Flying Kites

Well this block brought back a memory of Christmas many years ago spent in Southampton Neurological wing as my little four-year-old son underwent brain surgery for a large tumour in the middle of his brain.  He was so in awe of Superman and wore his Superman costume all around the hospital.  Had I known about the ‘Make a Wish’ foundation then I would’ve asked them to arrange for Superman to pop in to see him.  As it was, the hospital had Father Christmas make a personal appearance two days after surgery - another happy memory.

My son underwent further surgery eleven years later when the tumour grew back
but he is coping well today with life's challenges.

So if you get the chance I would urge you all not to miss the opportunity to slow down this week – it may just be the perfect moment to create or remember some happy memories.

Sew until next time on the Patchiqué trail when we will be making Blocks 26 and 77..................

New Year - New Projects and New Friends

Check out all the 2013 projects here.

I am pleased to announce that Margaret was chosen to receive a fat quarter bundle of pretty fabrics celebrating a year of fun and friends for the Across the Pond Sew Along group.  Don't worry if you didn't get a chance to join in - we will be continuing throughout 2014 and Susie will be announcing the first project for 2014 very shortly.

In the meantime I want to highlight two projects that may be the perfect start to 2014.

 

Firstly – you will have heard me chatter about the Quilty Fun sew-along group.  This is a relatively quick and easy sew-along to create a great wall quilt designed by Lori Holt using blocks from her Quilty Fun book.

Week 7 - Cups

We have just finished week 7 and week 8 doesn’t start until 6th January so if you haven’t started yet there is plenty of time to catch-up. 

Weeks 4 and 5 - Click on the picture for a quick way to make flying geese.

I say ‘plenty of time’ because the blocks are quick and simple, taking little more than an hour - with the exception of Week 4 (but I have some hints to make that block a little quicker which you can check out here).

You will need the book to join in with the Quilty Fun sew-along so if you want to join in something straight away you should check out my second sew-along choice for 2014 – the Wishes Quilt-Along.



Wishes Quilt Along



This sew-along is in support of the Make-A-Wish foundation and if you wish to make a donation as a thank-you for the patterns then you can via the Fat Quarter Shop blog but this is purely optional.  (The FQ Shop and Moda will match all donations to the tune of $10,000.)  

The Fat Quarter shop will post a FREE new block on the first of every month (for a glimpse at all the blocks click on the picture above).There is also a Flickr group where you will be able to see all the different blocks made by people from around the world.  This is the place to also join in discussions or ask questions via the group – a great way to make new friends and learn some new techniques. 

So there you have it – a couple of projects to keep you occupied in the New Year.  Which just leaves me to wish you all ......

A Healthy and Hearty New Year

Sew until next time .....