Union Jack Mug Rug Tutorial

 

Did you get up early to watch the Coronation of King Charles III? I did! I just love the history and celebration of it all. I'm a little bit of a royal junkie, love watching history be it historical fiction or something on the history channel. I love the horses, the royal carriages, the waving of the British flag and the excitement of all the people. I don't think we even have anything that compares to it here in the US. So, to extend the celebration I have a tutorial on how to make an easy Union Jack mug rug. This can easily be stitched in an hour or two. 

You will need:

1 fat quarter navy blue fabric- front and back
1/8 yard blue fabric- binding
1 fat quarter white fabric
1/2" - 1" red rick rack (1 package)
batting 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" piece
red and white thread

heat n bond or flexifuse for fusible applique

Let's begin. First iron your heat n bond or flexifuse to the back side of your white fabric following the manufacturer's directions. Using your rotary cutter and ruler cut the following strips from your white heat n bond lined fabric.

2 - 1" x 14" strips

1 - 1 1/2" x 10 1/2" strip

1 - 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" strip

From your blue fabric cut:

2 - 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" rectangles

From your batting cut:

1- 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" rectangle

Layer your flag top, batting and backing together .

Peel the paper off the 1" strips.

Lay the strips on the front of the mug rug corner to corner and press in place.

Using red thread stich red rick rack centering it on the strips. I don't put rick rack crossing the center since I will be adding a couple more strips and I want to cut down on the bulk in the center.

Peel the paper off the 1 1/2" strips and lay on the mug rug vertically and horizontally, press in place following the manufacturer's instructions.

Top stitch the rick rack using red thread centering the rick rack on the white stripes. 

Using white thread and a buttonhole stitch I stitched along the raw edges of the white strips on the mug rug. Then using a rotary cutter and ruler, square your mug rug up trimming off all the loose edges.

Cut a 2 1/2" x WOF strip from your blue fabric, fold in half and iron. Bind your mug rug as desired mitering the corners.

~ Union Jack Mug Rug ~

I hope that you enjoy the Union Jack Mug Rug. If you missed the coronation, play some Beatles or Rolling Stones tunes and enjoy!

I do believe later today is the running of the Kentucky Derby. I need to trade out my English black tea for a mint julip! I see a nap after that, lol. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Happy stitching,

Cindy and Josephine

September's Block Grandma's Attic BOM

Happy September everyone! I'm a bit slow to get this posting up since we just got back from a family vacation. It was the last hurrah for this summer. We had beautiful weather and it only rained overnight and was sunny the next day, perfect! I enjoyed playing cards and relaxing while the guys went out fishing. I was amazed how quickly our vacation flew by. It was hard to pack up and come home, we had such a relaxing, fun time with our family. I'm already looking forward to next year! 

This block is laid out the same as April's block. Same pieces are cut out, just a little differently. This block is called 'Snowball' even though it doesn't resemble a snowball. You can use all the same color or make your block scrappy by using several red fabrics. So go to the Quilt Doodle Website and download the pattern. Let's get started!

To begin with, follow the directions on the PDF that you download and cut out all of your pieces, and label as shown. Feel free to make your block scrappy if you would like. Have fun, relax and sew.

Starting with the triangles labeled ‘A’, sew the ‘light’ and ‘dark triangle pieces together. Iron. Trim these triangle squares to measure 3 7/8" x 3 7/8" squares.

Following the diagram on your PDF pattern, lay out your block pieces to form the block and sew each 'row'.

Then sew the rows together matching up the seams. Iron. Trim the block to measure 10 1/2" x 10 1/2". Make 4 blocks total.

And then sew the four Snowball blocks together to  make one large 20 1/2 " x 20 1/2 " block.

~ Snowball ~

 I hope you have fun making this month's block.  Remember the goal is to use fabric from your stash!

The monthly FREE pattern is available on my website. I have a special 2020 BOM section on my website. Each month the FREE pattern will be posted. But as soon as the new section or block is out the old block pattern will no longer be a freebie. But it will still be available for a small fee on my website or in my Etsy shop. If you want to share your finished blocks, feel free to post them on Facebook Group (Quilt Doodle Designs Grandmas Attic BOM 2020) and tag me or post them on Instagram tag Quilt Doodle Designs. I love to see everyone's progress as we stitch along together. 

Today I will continue to play catch up from having a few days off. I really would love to spend some time in my sewing room but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Remember to post your blocks onto the Facebook Group, I'm thinking of having another little giveaway.

Happy quilting! 

Cindy and Belvedere

August's Block Grandma's Attic BOM

Happy August! This month's block features flying geese. Flying Geese are one of my favorite quilt blocks to make. You can make your blocks using all the same fabric or you can switch it up and make it scrappy. It's totally up to you! I've named this month's block, Fly Away Home. 

After you download the this month's pattern and cut out all of your block pieces, it's time to start stitching your Fly Away Home blocks.

Draw a diagonal line on the back of B squares.

With right sides together, align 1 B square with the upper right corner of 1 cream/white C rectangle. Note the direction of the diagonal line. Sew from corner to corner. Trim away excess fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

Repeat the steps above, this time in the upper left corner of the rectangle. Not the direction of the diagonal line.

Trim away excess fabric. Press. You now have a Flying Geese unit. Make 16 Flying Geese units total.

Sew 4 Flying Geese units together to make a Flying Geese strip. Press.

Sew a cream/white A strips to each side of the Flying Geese Strip. Press. Trim the block to measure 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" , make 4 blocks total.

And then sew the four Flying Geese blocks together to  make one large 20 1/2 " x 20 1/2 " block.

~ Fly Away Home ~

 I hope you have fun making this month's block.  Remember the goal is to use fabric from your stash!

The monthly FREE pattern is available on my website. I have a special 2020 BOM section on my website. Each month the FREE pattern will be posted. But as soon as the new section or block is out the old block pattern will no longer be a freebie. But it will still be available for a small fee on my website or in my Etsy shop. If you want to share your finished blocks, feel free to post them on Facebook Group (Quilt Doodle Designs Grandmas Attic BOM 2020) and tag me or post them on Instagram tag Quilt Doodle Designs. I love to see everyone's progress as we stitch along together. 

Today we will be celebrating my nieces graduation, outside with lots of social distancing. Looking forward to a beautiful weekend with some summer sunshine. I hope that you have a great weekend too. Remember to post your blocks onto the Facebook Group, I'm thinking of having another little giveaway.

Happy quilting! 

Cindy and Belvedere

Grandma's Attic BOM ~ February's Block!

February's Block

Happy February! If you are new to the BOM here's the details.... There will be a new block design each month for a total of 12....  it will be a traditional sampler quilt. I'm planning it as a stash buster. It's based on two colors, a main color and a white/cream background color. You can choose any color for your main color, blue, red, green, anything....I'm making mine out of red fabrics. I have a lot of red Civil War fabric on hand, so that is what I'm using for mine. So go raid your stash for some fabric. You will need;

4 1/2 yards white/cream

4 yards red

1/2 yard red for binding

5 1/3 yard for backing

The finished size is 67" x 87"

Let's get started on this month's block, it's a spin off of a Log Cabin Block. You will need 3 different reds (or colors of your choice) You will make four blocks and then sew them together to make a large 4 block square. So go to the website and download the directions, grab a cup of coffee or some pop and let's go sew!

To begin with, cut out all of your block pieces following the directions. The PDF pattern can be found on the Quilt Doodle Designs website.

Begin with sewing together the cream H square with the red G rectangle and then add the red F strip.

Continue sewing.... cream F, cream E, red E, and red D.....

Continue sewing on the strips building your Log Cabin blocks. If you like chain stitching, it will work to sew all of your blocks together, ironing in between each strip.

Make a total of 4 of the log cabin block. Then sew them together to make one large block.

~ February's Block ~

When I first started sewing, the log cabin block was one of the first blocks I learned how to sew. It's a quick easy block and is all straight stitching. I hope you have fun making this month's block. It can be made 'two' toned like what I've got pictured or you can make it scrappy. Remember the goal is to use fabric from your stash!

The monthly FREE pattern is available on my website. I have a special 2020 BOM section on my website. Each month the FREE pattern will be posted. But as soon as the new section or block is out the old block pattern will no longer be a freebie. But it will still be available for a small fee on my website or in my Etsy shop. If you want to share your finished blocks, feel free to post them on Facebook Group (Quilt Doodle Designs Grandmas Attic BOM 2020) and tag me or post them on Instagram tag Quilt Doodle Designs. I love to see everyone's progress as we stitch along together. 

Happy quilting!

Cindy and Belvedere

Scrappy Hats QAL Day 13

Welcome to Day 13

Welcome to day 13 of the Scrappy Hats QAL! As you read this I am flying home from Houston. It was a very quick visit to International Quilt Market. If you follow me on Instagram you've gotten a sneak peek of what I was up to while I was there. I'm looking forward to being home again and getting back to stitching. But today is football day! I'll be home in time to relax and watch my team play! Woot! Woot! Today's snowman block won't take too long to make, so if you're a football fan too you'll have time to get your block done today before or even after the big game. Although it'll take a bit longer to complete compared with our first few blocks. I hope you are having fun making your snowmen with their scrappy hats! Let's get going on todays hat.... a uneven nine patch.

This hat brim will use a total of six different colors. Two for each uneven nine patch block. Label you fabric colors 1 thru 6. Following the pattern directions cut out all of you uneven nine patch pieces. Remember not to repeat the same color as the top of the snowman's hat.

The pieces are small but oh so cute! I find it helpful to lay the shapes out to form the block so I know what gets sewn together. There's also a 'chart' in the pattern to follow for stitching together. Sew the nine patch together using 1/4" seams. Press. Repeat and make two more nine patch blocks using colors 3-4 and 5-6.

Sew the blocks together end to end to form the hat brim strip. Press. Finished strip should measure 3 1/2" x 9 1/2". (This includes the seam allowance.)

Assemble the snowman block as pictured, sewing the hat block to the top of the hat brim stripe and the sewing the snowman face onto the bottom of the hat brim strip. Press. The finished block measures 9 1/2" x 11 1/2"

~ Uneven Nine Patch Snowman ~

Remember the carrot and eyes are not added to the block yet!

Isn't it fun making snowman blocks! I just love them! If you feel extra ambitious, you can make extra ones for an adorable table runner to match your quilt! See you tomorrow for the next snowman quilt block! Remember to share your block on Instagram #scrappyhatsqal @quiltdoodledesigns

Happy Quilting!
Cindy and Belvedere

You can also click on this link to purchase the instant PDF Download of the Scrappy Hats Pattern.

 

Juggling Snowman

 I am thinking about Christmas in July again, especially now that July is almost gone....  Let me show you my sweet applique design Juggling Snowman... I love Christmas and the whole holiday season so I drew up this whimsical snowman. He such a happy fellow, juggling snowballs. Of coarse I had to find a way to use my favorite embellishments, buttons and yo-yo's...

The design is shown here centered on a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" square.

Juggling Snowman



Let's make a fun table topper quilt with my Juggling Snowman applique design! Following the directions center the design on a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" block. When I sew around my applique snowman, I use dark brown thread and a buttonhole stitch found on my sewing machine. I use a 'small' stitch setting on my machine. ( width- 2.5mm length- 1.2mm) I use white thread to stitch around the snowman's head and body. I then use dark brown thread to go around everything else.

The snowman block will be the center block of our table topper. I wanted my table topper to be scrappy so I decided to use a Cozy Christmas Jelly Roll from Riley Blake. I just love this fabric line! Makes me think of baking cookies with grandma! I open up the jelly roll and layed all of the fabrics out next to my machine. Grouping together similar colors... I used two light colored strips to frame my snowman block. Your center block should now measure 16 1/2" x 16 1/2".

I then made eight log cabin blocks using the 2 1/2" strips. It's a challenge for me to make something 'scrappy' I tend to over think things. Don't over think it... your blocks will turn out great! Use the photo above as a quide for your log cabin block layout. In order to get a 16 1/2" square, my center square is offset. I think it adds a bit of charm and actually enhances the scrappy look of my 'table' quilt. Finished blocks should also measure 16 1/2" x 16 1/2" square. Again, try not to fuss too much about planning out a scrappy block. Make a total of 8 log cabin blocks. Now the fun part is the layout. Again, I tend to over think layout... so have fun and arrange your quilt blocks out with your Juggling Snowman block in the center. Sew your quilt top together. If you want to add an additional border onto your quilt top, you sure could at this point. I did add a 2 1/2" border using the same fabric that I used for the background for my Juggling Snowman block. Then layer your quilt top with batting and backing and quilt it. Instead of embroidering the snowdrift on the snowman block, I quilted it. Leftover strips and scraps from my jelly roll make a wonderful scrappy binding for my quilt. I love scrappy bindings. This table top quilt is also a great size for a lap sized quilt. I was able to get project done in a weekend and it would make a wonderful gift for someone special.

I love how my table topper quilt turned out... I'm
ready to serve some tea and Christmas goodies. 

Juggling Snowman is such a happy snowman design.

This is one of my favorite projects and a trunk show favorite when I visit guilds. This is a wonderful project to make to give to that someone special. I love that I can use it on my table and it instantly screams Christmas festivities shall begin! This sweet design can be found in my Etsy shop as an instant PDF download.



 Quilt Doodle Designs Etsy Shop

Happy Quilting!

Cindy & Belvedere



10 Minute Table Runner...

I have rediscovered a fun pattern over Christmas. While digging thru my linen drawer I found a table runner mom made me a few years ago, it was perfect for serving a buffet on Christmas. Since packing items away from the holidays I got to thinking how fun it would be to make a few seasonal table runners for my kitchen buffet. And I love how quickly this particular pattern whips up! The pattern can be found free by just googling '10 minute table runner' and images  and patterns will pop up. My favorite directions are from Utah State Extension Office. Since the next holiday is Valentine's Day I decided to make a Valentine table runner to begin with.

To make this table runner you will need two coordinating fabrics. Cut one 10"-12" by WOF, and the other fabric cut one 18" x WOF. One of these fabrics could be a large print or theme fabric.

Place right sides together. Stitch a 1/2" seam along the long edge. You are making a long tube. Press the seam away from the center fabric.

Turn right side out and press.

Trim the ends so that they are even. It was so much fun to use my new Ruby red Olfa rotary cutter!

Fold the 'tube' of fabric in half lengthwise with the center panel facing out. Stitch a 1/2" seam on both sides.

Press the seam open and then turn the seam to the inside to form a point on each end and press.

I decided I wanted to add a decorative stitch to my tablerunner. I did a little test stitching on a piece of scrap fabric.

I did a decorative stitch along the seam on the contrasting fabrics.

I then did a top stitch along the edge of my table runner.

All done! Didn't it turn out great! I'm in love with it...

I am looking forward to putting my new table runner on display on my kitchen table, but right now it is full of tools.... yep.... tools. 19 years ago we moved into our home on Valentine's Day. We bought our home knowing that there would be some work we would have to do on it... one of them being kitchen counters. Well, we have finally gotten around to it... new granite counters, backsplash, and cabinet doors. So in my excitement, I want to make more table runners to switch out with the seasons for my new kitchen.

Spending time in my sewing room has  also been therapeutic since I am struggling with my homes upheaval. Dust everywhere.... pots and pans in boxes in the dining room... cleaning products on my dining room table... can't cook unless it's in the microwave or crockpot.... I'm tired of take-out (never thought I'd say that!) Hubby is doing an amazing job on everything and I know I'm going to love it when it's all done... but his time is limited to nights and weekends. It's going to take time.  Hey, Belvedere.... let's go head back to the sewing room and make some more 10 minute table runners. I'll bring some treats for you...

Have a wonderful day and I hope you find some time to sew.
Happy quilting,
Cindy and Belvedere