The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Mug Rug

Platinum Jubilee Mug Rug

I love to bring the seasons and celebratory days into my home using small quilted items especially mug rugs.  (What is a mug rug?)

Here in England we have a very special celebration coming up - the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrating the extraordinary achievement of Queen Elizabeth II to serve the people of Britain for seventy years. 

If time is short, quilt and bind a block to add a touch of British charm.

And I want something particularly special to mark the occasion.  So I have created a Platinum Jubilee mug rug using the 6" Union Jack block from my Union Jack Blocks and Table Runner pattern.  

6" and 12" Union Jack Blocks and a Table Runner
in one handy pattern

If you want to do the same this is how ......

Firstly you will need to patch a 6" Union Jack block.  Alternatively, you could use any 6" block (finished size) that has a British theme.

It doesn't have to be red, white and blue.

Next, you will need to download and print the 

PLATINUM JUBILEE MUG RUG SIDEBAR PATTERN.  

Make sure you print the template sheet to the 'exact size' using the size check box on the template page.  (I also have a page on downloading and printing patterns.)

Add some jewels if you want a pop of colour

Then follow the pattern to applique the crown onto the sidebar.  You can add jewels to the crown as I have down in the red, white and blue version above - or you can leave the crown unadorned as shown in the pretty pink version below.

No jewels for this crown!

And you could leave it there - finishing off the mug rug as detailed in the Sidebar Pattern.  However, if you wish to make the mug rug commemorative you might want to add the dates to the sidebar.

To do this you will need to mark the dates onto the sidebar.  You can use a lightbox if you have one or you can do as I have done, and use a window and some sticky tape.   Here is how:

Tape the applique template to a window

Once the applique is complete tape the template page to a window before taping the appliqued sidebar on top of the paper, aligning the appliqued crown with the crown on the paper.  (Do not worry if the applique is a little out - you just need to be able to see the dates, so adjust the sidebar position if necessary.)

Tape the appliqued Crown Sidebar on top of the sheet

Next use a dispersible marker pen or pencil to trace over the dates.  I use a Frixion pen as the markings disappear when you iron over them.  These are readily available from supermarkets here in England but you can also purchase them from Amazon.   Alternatively you can use chalk paper.

These Frixion pen marks will disappear with a hot iron

Carefully detach the sidebar from the template sheet and you are ready to stitch over the date tracings.  I used two strands of embroidery floss and a small chain stitch on the red, white and blue mug rug and a simple backstitch on the pretty pink mug rug.

Pretty in Pink

Finally, finish off the mug rug according to the sidebar pattern.

There you have it - a little bit of nostalgia and a whole lot of fabric fun.  Until next time ....

The Patchsmith's Stars and Stripes Mug Rug Sidebar

Stars and Stripes Wheel Mug Rug

The Patchsmith’s One Block Mug Rugs book is one of my favourites. 

Available for immediate download via Etsy

It contains ten sidebars and seven blocks that you can mix-and-match.  But it doesn’t stop there – you can add the sidebars to any 6” block of your choosing - so you can use up all those surplus blocks you have, to create a fun and functional mug rug.

Today I would like to show you the Stars and Stripes sidebar.  It is shown in the book with the mug-of-tea block shown above (the mug-of-tea block is also included in the book).  But it looks equally good with a simple patchwork block as shown here:

Stars and Stripes sidebar teamed with simple patchwork
(patchwork block included in book)

You can even the sidebar in fun seasonal fabrics to create a holiday sidebar.

A Snowman filled Stars-and-Stripes Sidebar

But I wanted to create a mug rug that would be suitable for the den or snug.  So I teamed the Stars and Stripes sidebar ....... 

Simple patchwork sidebar

....... with a simple applique block created from The Patchsmith's Christmas mug rugs pattern book:

... to create the perfect gift for Father's Day.

So many mug rug possibilities from one mug rug pattern book which is why the One Block pattern book one of my favourite books.

If you fancy a copy hop on over to Etsy for the PDF version (immediate download) or visit Amazon for the paperback copy.    

Until next time ….. 

Patchsmith Animal and Pet and other mug rugs books on Etsy and Amazon

Animal and Pet Mug Rugs (PDF) via ETSY

One of my aims when I started as The Patchsmith ten years ago was to price my patterns to be affordable to all.  And my pattern books do just that.   I currently have seven mug rug pattern books which are available in PDF format from my ETSY store for immediate download and they are also available in paperback format via Amazon. 

Each mug rug pattern book contains ten stand-alone patterns which you can use to create fun and functional mini quilts to gift or to keep.

 

All 10 patterns are included in the Animal and Pet pattern book

But, if you only want one or two patterns from one of my pattern books it is worth checking in my ETSY store to see if I have them listed individually - there are always a few patterns that I sell individually especially for those who only want one or two.

Every book includes details of binding, fabric choice and applique methods so that you have all the information you need in one handy book.

Available in PDF form via ETSY

Also available in paperback format from AMAZON

I am currently working on my eighth mug rug pattern book which I hope to publish in a month or two.  But until then I thought I would show you the contents of some of the books over the next few weeks so you can see exactly what fun you can have with any one of these collections.

So until then ......