Creating book titles from fabric selvages

Once you start looking you will find so many great titles    

In these uncertain times saving money is something we can all do and that is where mug rug making comes into its own.  You can update your table or create a gift with little more than scraps of fabric left over from other projects.

Here's one I made earlier - years earlier!

And one pattern I particularly like is my Tea and Books Mug Rug pattern.  It uses every last scrap of fabric – right down to the printed selvage edges that are normally thrown away.  The pattern is available individually HERE and it is reduced for the rest of this month.  Alternatively, you can find it in my Hobby & Fun Mug Rug pattern book available in PDF from Etsy or in paperback via Amazon.

Here is how this lovely little pattern goes together …..

I started out with this selection but things change....

You start with some scraps - the pattern tells you exactly how big these need to be.  Don't take too long - you can always change your mind as you put the mug rug together.

I changed the book fabrics to be more book-like!

Once you have your mug rug background patched you can then start playing around with the applique.  For me this is the fun bit.

One of many selections of 'book titles'

 

The book titles are created using the printed selvage edge of fabric.  Once you start looking you will see lots of interesting names that will work well here.

A Christmas Selection of Titles'

To create the book titles, trace the ‘title’ rectangles from the pattern, onto fusible webbing.  Cut out roughly leaving 1/8”-1/4” all around. 

'Fuse the webbing rectangle over the part of the selvage you want as the book title.

Next decide which parts of the selvage you want for your title.  Here I want “Bee in my Bonnet”, so I fused the rectangle onto the back of the printed selvage edge, ensuring that the main part of the rectangle covers the bit of the print that I want.  I then trimmed along the top and bottom of the selvage, turned the selvage over so that the print is facing up and finished trimming the ends to create the exact book title I wanted. 

Trim the print but cutting the ends to create the exact title you want.

Here are the finished four book titles all trimmed and ready to fuse into place:

Here are my finished four titles.

You then need to decide which title will go on which book. 

Titles are allocated to their respective book spines.

Peel the paper from the fusible webbing and fuse in place but remember, when fusing the book on the left-hand side, you need to allow for binding so you should leave ½” between the title and the edge of the mug rug as shown below.

Once fused you can stitch the titles in place using any stitch you like.  I used a machine blanket stitch as my machine has such a neat one.

Bookshelf section of the Tea and Books mug rug

Bookshelf done – time to move onto the mug.  Follow the pattern and you can’t go wrong.  One tip – I add the steam spirals and teabag cord prior to quilting so I mark my mug rug using a Frixion pen and simply stitch over the markings.  When done, a warm iron will get rid of the marks totally.

Marking steam with an erasable marker prior to embroidery

 And, as they say, from there is it nearly all over.  

Subtle steam!

Quilt and bind your mug rug as detailed in the pattern. 

Scrappilicious Tea and Books Mug Rug

These would make great gifts for teachers or book-club readers.  Until next time ……. 

Note:  This post was first published in August 2020.

Tea and Books Mug Rug Tutorial

Tea and Books Mug Rug

In these uncertain times saving money is something we can all do and that is where mug rug making comes into its own.  You can update your table or create a gift with little more than scraps of fabric left over from other projects.

Here's one I made earlier - years earlier!

And one pattern I particularly like is my Tea and Books Mug Rug pattern.  It uses every last scrap of fabric – right down to the printed selvage edges that are normally thrown away.  The pattern is available individually HERE or you can find it in my Hobby & Fun Mug Rug pattern book available in PDF from Etsy or in paperback via Amazon.

Here is how this lovely little pattern goes together …..

I started out with this selection but things change....

You start with some scraps - the pattern tells you exactly how big these need to be.  Don't take too long - you can always change your mind as you put the mug rug together.

I changed the book fabrics to be more book-like!

Once you have your mug rug background patched you can then start playing around with the applique.  For me this is the fun bit.

One of many selections of 'book titles'

 

The book titles are created using the printed selvage edge of fabric.  Once you start looking you will see lots of interesting names that will work well here.

A Christmas Selection of Titles'

To create the book titles, trace the ‘title’ rectangles from the pattern, onto fusible webbing.  Cut out roughly leaving 1/8”-1/4” all around. 

'Fuse the webbing rectangle over the part of the selvage you want as the book title.

Next decide which parts of the selvage you want for your title.  Here I want “Bee in my Bonnet”, so I fused the rectangle onto the back of the printed selvage edge, ensuring that the main part of the rectangle covers the bit of the print that I want.  I then trimmed along the top and bottom of the selvage, turned the selvage over so that the print is facing up and finished trimming the ends to create the exact book title I wanted. 

Trim the print but cutting the ends to create the exact title you want.

Here are the finished four book titles all trimmed and ready to fuse into place:

Here are my finished four titles.

You then need to decide which title will go on which book. 

Titles are allocated to their respective book spines.

Peel the paper from the fusible webbing and fuse in place but remember, when fusing the book on the left-hand side, you need to allow for binding so you should leave ½” between the title and the edge of the mug rug as shown below.

Once fused you can stitch the titles in place using any stitch you like.  I used a machine blanket stitch as my machine has such a neat one.

Bookshelf section of the Tea and Books mug rug

Bookshelf done – time to move onto the mug.  Follow the pattern and you can’t go wrong.  One tip – I add the steam spirals and teabag cord prior to quilting so I mark my mug rug using a Frixion pen and simply stitch over the markings.  When done, a warm iron will get rid of the marks totally.

Marking steam with an erasable marker prior to embroidery

 And, as they say, from there is it nearly all over.  

Subtle steam!

Quilt and bind your mug rug as detailed in the pattern. 

Scrappilicious Tea and Books Mug Rug

These would make great gifts for teachers or book-club readers.  Until next time ……. 

Patchsmith Sampler Block 5 - Paths around the Square

Never a truer word printed!

This week’s block, the Paths around the Square block, requires little seam matching making it ideal for the beginner.  It doesn’t even matter if your paths are not straight.

What I like about this block is the fun you can add to it if you fussy cut the middle square. Fussy cutting is where you cut your fabric in such a way that you highlight a specific part of the fabric pattern. And I have two methods for fussy cutting, to share with you, that require little more than an ordinary quilter’s ruler.

For my Paths around the Square blocks
I used Lori Holt's Modern Minis fabric.

The pattern requires a center square measuring 3½” square so to fussy cut fabric you should initially cut your fabric at least 4” square with the highlighted design in the middle. 

If you wish to fit the complete emblem into the block the actual printed design should measure 3" square or less.

Method 1 –  the tape measure method is a really simple method.  You will need some sticky tape – it doesn’t matter which tape (washi tape is good) but it helps if it is not clear.

1.         Position two strips of tape onto your ruler to create a template that measures the same size as the required cut square – in this instance 3½”.

The blue square measures exactly 3½" square. 

2.         Position the ruler onto your square of fabric so that the fabric extends past the two cutting edges and the two taped edges and your chosen emblem/design is central.  Trim the left-hand side and bottom edge using your ruler.

Trim the left-hand and bottom sides.

3.         Next turn the ruler so that the taped edges align accurately with the trimmed left-hand and bottom edges as shown.  Trim the right-hand side and the top edge.  Your square should now measure exactly 3½”. 

Trim the right-hand and top sides.

Method 2 -  the eyeball method  involves a little bit of math. 

1.         Firstly you need to calculate half the width/height of the required square.  For Block 5 you need a square measuring 3½” so half of this is 1¾”.  This measurement is very important.  (If you struggle with math just enter the required block size into a calculator and divide it by 2.)

2.         Position your quilter’s ruler so that the half-width (1¾”) line marking is roughly in the middle of the design vertically as shown (click on the picture if you want to see it close-up). When you are happy with the position trim the right-hand side.

NOTE: It is important that the left-hand side of the fabric extends past the 3½” line marking on your ruler and the right-hand side of the fabric extends past the cutting edge of the ruler.  

3.         Line up the 3½” line marking on your ruler with the trimmed right-hand side of your fabric square and trim the left-hand side as shown.  Your fabric should now measure 3½” wide.

4.         Turn the fabric a quarter turn and line up the bottom of the ruler with the trimmed bottom edge of the fabric.

5.         Repeat step 1 by positioning the ruler so that the 1¾” line marking is central to your chosen emblem/design ensuring that the left-hand side of the fabric extends past the 3½” line marking on your ruler and the right-hand side of the fabric extends past the cutting edge of the ruler as before.  Trim the right-hand side. 

6.         Line up the 3½” line marking on your ruler with the trimmed right-hand side of your fabric square and trim the left-hand side as shown.  Your fabric should now measure 3½” square. 

I would recommend you try both methods and see which your prefer.  Although it appears method 2 is more work I find it just as quick as method 1.

Once you have fussy cut your center square it is a case of following the pattern to complete the block.  

No seam matching required - perfect!

Next Monday I will be 'ladybugging' you with a quick fuse applique method. 

Block 6 - Ladybird

Until then why not share your Paths around the Square blocks over on Instagram (#block5pathsaroundthesquare) or in the Flickr Group.