Mug Rug Blog Hop: Day 2

This week we're hosting the Mug Rug Blog Hop!
In celebration of fall, a season filled with mugs of apple cider, tea, and even hot cocoa, we have four different bloggers sharing a mug rug design they've created with one of our new fabric lines. 

BYOM (bring your own mug), but we'll provide the mug rug inspiration, as well as fabric giveaways! 

Day 2 features Debby of Debby Kratovil Quilts with the Wings collection for Contempo. Debby works with one of her favorite shapes, the hexagon, to make a sweet mug rug with a fussy-cut bird silhouette. 

Here's Debby:

The colors in this Wings Collection by Jennifer Young really captured my attention. The deep aqua with the browns and taupes are a perfect complement to the sweet birds in the main print. What do you think? I was given 5 fat quarters and then it was up to me to create a mug rug for this blog hop.

Wings Collection by Jennifer Young

I was reminded of a free pattern by Pam Rocco at the Quilter's Newsletter web site for a coffee mug quilt. But, it seemed quite GIANT at a staggering 16". Way too much fabric for a mug rug. I scratched that idea (for these fabrics) and put my thinking cap on.

16" free coffee mug block by Pam Rocco

I was now nervous because I had used a good bit of that gorgeous aqua print. Did I have enough to carry on? Of course! I turned to my trusty pattern, the Twisted Hexagon. I would fussy cut the bird print for the center. That meant I had to make a freezer paper template so I could center the motif before cutting. I did just that.

You can see my technique for cutting a whole hexagon with a standard 60 degree triangle HERE, which was a Technique Tuesday blog post on Sew in Love with Fabric. I was cutting 6-1/2" hexagons using the Head of the Class Collection.

6-1/2" (height) freezer paper hexagon

Then I selected two fabrics for the half-hexagons (cut from 3-1/2" strips). I cut 3 of each fabric. Then it was time to DO THE TWIST!

One whole hexagon and six half-hexagons

You may think that there will be a y-seam in there somewhere. Don't worry - everything is straight-seam sewing. Do you remember how to make a "partial seam" from your garment sewing days? Well, I did and that's exactly how I constructed the first seam. This way I leave room for adding the last patch. Stay with me now.

We are sewing the six half-hexagon patches around the center in a log cabin technique.

First patch with a partial seam

Once the first patch is pressed open, the next patch is easily joined:

Joining the second patch

And all the way around until the last one:

Last half-hexagon joined. Now to finish the first seam!

We twisted our way all around that little birdie!

And how does this look finished? I machine quilted it on my HandiQuilter Sweet 16 and it was done in a flash. I also sewed my binding on by machine - from the back to the front and used a serpentine stitch on my Bernina 1230 (oldie but goodie machine) to secure it. Love this little mug rug! It is 12" high and about 13" wide.

Mug Rug using the Wings Collection by Jennifer Young

Thanks Debby! 

To be entered for a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Wings, visit Debby's Blog and leave her a note about this collection or the Twisted Hexagon block (or technique). Contest ends Saturday, October 22nd at 11:59 pm EST. 

Make sure to catch all of the tutorials in our Mug Rug Blog Hop!

Tuesday: Chris from made by ChrissieD featuring Sewing Room

Wednesday: Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts featuring Wings

Thursday: Benartex blog design team featuring Nature's Pearl

Friday: Alison from Little Bunny Quilts featuring Kitchen Love

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Mug Rug Blog Hop: Day 1

This week we're hosting the Mug Rug Blog Hop!
In celebration of fall, a season filled with mugs of apple cider, tea, and even hot cocoa, we have four different bloggers sharing a mug rug design they've created with one of our new fabric lines. 

BYOM (bring your own mug), but we'll provide the mug rug inspiration, as well as fabric giveaways! 

First up is Chris from made by ChrissieD, who was super excited to work with Amanda Murphy's Sewing Room line (including the coveted Bernina sewing machine print! Chris lets the adorable fabric do the work in her mug rug, and then adds a cute detail to the back. Scroll down to see! After you've checked out her tutorial, head over to her blog to enter for a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Sewing Room for yourself! 

Hi, I'm Chris Dodsley of made by ChrissieD, a sewing teacher in Manhattan and VP of the NYC Metro MOD Quilt Guild, blogging about my textile crafts and travel adventures.  I love to share my tips, tutorials and projects on my made by ChrissieD blog, twice monthly newsletter and various social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Flickr.

It's Day 1 of the Mug Rug Blog Hop and today I'm showcasing Amanda Murphy's Sewing Room collection for Contempo.

 

The Sewing Room collection of 28 fabrics includes spools, scissors, dresses, tape measures and more.  The sewing machine fabrics are available in two versions WITH and WITHOUT the Bernina typed logo (compare above two images) - the Bernina logo version is available ONLY from authorised Bernina dealers.  All fabrics in the collection are 100% cotton.

SEWING ROOM MUG RUG

Finished size 8" x 4-3/8"

The Sewing Room Mug Rug is the perfect size for a mug of your favourite beverage and a handful of delicious biscuits or cookies or even a slice of cake - just what you need to give you an energy boost before you carry on stitching your latest project.

Supplies Needed:

All fabric sizes are width x height and Benartex fabric codes are in italics.

Front

4" x 4-3/8" - Spools White 3404-09

7/8" x 4-3/8" - Tape Measure Grey 3408-11

4-1/8" x 4-3/8" - Sewing Machines Red 3400A-10 without Bernina logo

Back

8" x 4-3/8" - Scissors Aqua 3402-84

8" x 7/8" - Tape Measure Grey Selvedge Edge 3408-11

Batting - 8" x 4-3/8"

Binding - 30" x 1-1/8" Tape Measure Grey Selvedge Edge 3408-11

Thread - Aurifil Variegated 50 wt  #4663 Baby Blue Eyes

Water-based glue stick

Mug Rug Front

Sew the 3 front sections together using a scant 1/4" seam allowance,

press seams,

and trim edges to straighten.

Mug Rug Back

Mark a line 3/8" from the bottom edge of the back. Press edge of selvedge back so only the first row of numbering and grey solid line are visible alongside the selvedge text.

Slip a sheet of paper behind the fabric strip and under the pressed back section of selvedge as shown below and run a water-based gluestick along this edge.

Place the bottom edge of the selvedge strip along the previously drawn line.

Press to set the glued edge.

The unglued edge can still be lifted.

With unglued edge lifted, sew down the length of the pressed line to secure selvedge to back with a stitched line.  Trim excess selvedge away at both ends.

 

Top-stitch down the length of open selvedge edge.  My top stitch is the blue line along the very edge of the selvedge text.

Lightly spray baste the back section,

and lay on batting.

Spray baste front section,

and attach to the other side of the batting.

Quilt through 3 layers.

Finishing Touches

Bind the quilted piece using your preferred binding method.  I've used a single fold binding that is only 1/4" finished width and perfect for mug rugs and small projects.  In the giveaway today on my blog, I've included my Single Fold Binding Tute.

SEWING ROOM MUG RUG

I hope you've enjoyed my day on the Mug Rug Blog Hop and want to make your own Sewing Room Mug Rug.  Head over now to my made by ChrissieD blog for a chance to win a Fat Quarter bundle of Sewing Room fabric and, of course, I'll be sharing my Single Fold Binding Tute with you too.  Looking forward to meeting you there! Chris :D

Make sure to catch all of the tutorials in our Mug Rug Blog Hop!

Tuesday: Chris from made by ChrissieD featuring Sewing Room

Wednesday: Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts featuring Wings

Thursday: Benartex blog design team featuring Nature's Pearl

Friday: Alison from Little Bunny Quilts featuring Kitchen Love

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It's Blog Hop Week!

Happy Monday! 

We have a full week here on the blog we hope you'll join us! 

This week we'll be hosting the Mug Rug Blog Hop.
In celebration of fall, a season filled with mugs of apple cider, tea, and even hot cocoa, we have four different bloggers sharing a mug rug design they've created with one of our new fabric lines. 

BYOM (bring your own mug), but we'll provide the mug rug inspiration, as well as fabric giveaways! 

Here's the schedule:
Tuesday: Chris from madebyChrissieD featuring Sewing Room
Wednesday: Debby from Debby Kratovil Quilts featuring Wings
Thursday: Benartex blog design team featuring Nature's Pearl
Friday: Alison from Little Bunny Quilts featuring Kitchen Love


Then on Wednesday, we'll have a second post, as we are thrilled to be part of the Piece for Shelter Pets blog hop, helping to promote October as National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month. We'll also be sharing our new Joey the Shop Dog collection--Joey was rescued from a shelter and now happily spends his days in a quilt shop!

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What's in your queue?

Gone are the days of VHS players and tapes. Instead, entertainment comes via DVDs, DVR or through online streaming. What's currently lined up in your queue? Do you have a favorite tv series you love to watch? What about quilting shows? If you're looking for a video series that will spur you into action, consider the quilting videos that will help you sew the Glorieta quilt, offered by McCall's Quilting University. Entertainment and motivation to finished a gorgeous medallion quilt, all wrapped up in one neat online package! 

McCall's Quilting University is hosting the Glorieta Quilt Along featuring our Ribbon Floral collection, and you can still join in! This 12-week quilt along is hosted by contributing editor Laura Stone Roberts, and in addition to the pattern, you'll find video lessons to help you along. (Note: These video lessons are currently free...at some point, that will change--start watching now!)

"Glorieta" Quilt Along quilt; designed by Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith of Homestead Hearth;
pieced and quilted by Peg Spradlin

Click here to find information on the Glorieta Quilt Along.
Click here to find the kit for the Glorieta Quilt Along.

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Scottie Love

There's just something about Scotties! These perky little dogs are full of fun in a red, black and gray palette. From paw prints to a Scottish plaid (of course!) to hearts and stripes, these furry friends will melt your heart. And did we mention the line also comes in flannel!?! 

Show your Scottie love with the "Scottie Trot" by Heidi Pridemore, a free quilt pattern available on our website. 

Click here to download the free quilt pattern.

Click here to see the entire Scottie Love collection.
Click here to find it in flannel!
Click here to find the free quilt patterns. 

Since we're sharing Scottie Love today, it's the perfect time to point out that October is Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog-Month. We'll be sharing more about this next Wednesday--stay tuned!

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