Skip to main content

Seamless patchwork mug rug

 

Last week I watched Pepper Cory on a PBS Create channel program called Quilting Arts. Cory made a small gift item she called a "Zakka Potholder" using fabric scraps and batting. She used a seamless patchwork technique that looked like fun, and I thought would make cute vignettes, or mug rugs. Cory finished her projects by machine, but I finished mine with hand stitching, making the entire project portable. A very nice PDF showing her process is available here. The video is available at the Quilting Daily site. Here is how I made mine!

To make a seamless patchwork mug rug, you will need:

  • One 10-inch square for backing
  • One 8-inch square of batting
  • One five-inch or six-inch square for central motif
  • four 6.5-inch squares folded in half to make triangles for patchwork. You can experiment with the size of the squares, if desired.
  • #8 perle coton for stitching 

Lay 10-inch square wrong side up on surface.
Place batting square in center of backing square.
Place five-inch (or larger) central square diagonally in center of batting.
Fold four 6.5-inch squares into triangles.
Place first triangle on top of central square with raw edges along sides of the batting in a corner, with folded edge toward the center.
Place second triangle on top of first, also aligning raw edges with sides of batting in the next corner.
Add the third triangle.
Add fourth triangle, tucking the last point under the first triangle. Pin in place if desired.
Lift patchwork and batting from backing, and square patchwork/batting to eight inches.
Square backing to ten inches.
Place squared patchwork and batting on center of squared backing.
Fold raw edges to edge of patchwork.
Trim excess fabric out of corners if you wish.
Fold binding over top of patchwork and clip in place.
Thread large-eye needle with perle coton and sew running stitch along binding edge to secure all layers together.
Quilt entire surface with running stitch or other embroidery stitches. Blanket stitch is shown here.
Completed mug rug
Another example of a hand-stitched seamless-patchwork, mug rug.

Resources:
https://peppercory.blogspot.com/ Pepper Cory at the Quilt Studio
http://www.quiltingdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2008-1_Cory_zakka-potholder.pdf "Zakka Potholder" by Pepper Cory, Quilting Arts TV, Series 2000, Project 2008-1
https://www.quiltingdaily.com/episode-2008-handmade-gifts-quilting-daily/ Quilting Daily Episode 2008 "Handmade Gifts"

Comments

Looks like a fun project!

Popular posts from this blog

Notes on Purl Soho Cross-back Apron pattern

Purl Soho Cross-back Apron, regular sized,  front view Purl Soho Cross-back Apron, regular sized,   back view by Linda Theil This is the Purl Soho Cross-back Apron featured on their website at  https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/11/20/cross-back-apron . Their page includes complete directions for making this one-size-fits-most apron with large, side-pockets and cross-back straps. This retro apron is so nicely made and looks so much like the apron my grandma wore in the Nineteen-fifties that I had to make one for my friend who appreciates the nostalgia and the beauty of this design. Although this apron pattern, as published, can adjust to several sizes from 2-10; I also made a larger option, adjusting the width of the pattern pieces to accommodate up to size 16 and up. Size adjustment may also be made by varying the length of the straps. These notes are a record of my experience with the pattern, and should only be viewed as...

Sujata Shah's no-template piecing

16-inch, four-patch "pinwheel" block designed by Sujata Shah, pieced by Linda Theil 2016 Fabrics:  Sturbridge line by Kathy Schmitz for Moda and Daily Zen line by Michael D'Amore for Benartex. I attended quilt artist Sujata Shah's "Pinwheel" class sponsored by the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild  at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor  on July 17, 2016. Shah is inspired by the work of Gee's Bend quilters and has developed a no-template method of piecing to emulate their unstructured designs. Shah's book, Cultural Fusion Quilts , is available at Amazon.com.  Shah's uses four 11-inch squares to make each block, but she said a quilter could use any size base they choose. Since I had a package of precut 10-inch squares in the "Sturbridge" design by Kathy Schmitz for Moda, I based my block on that size. We were instructed to bring a variety of backgrounds in one color and brights in another color. Since I signed up late for ...

Notebook cover from Arabesque

by Linda Theil I just finished making the "Crafted Life Companion" notebook-cover designed by Australian Ali Phillips of Arabesque Scissors . I've made several of Phillips' patterns and have come to experience Phillips as creating at the same stratospheric level as English designer Diane Spencer Ogg for brilliant design innovation and attention to minute specificity in their patterns. Both creators are also highly professional and skilled presenters in their step-by-step demonstration videos for every design. Please see Phillips' video at the end of this post. The Arabesque notebook cover is designed to fit an A5 notebook size, and includes a sleeve for notepads up to 4 x 8-inches. Other pocket options are included in the pattern -- most of which I left out in my first version. I did take advantage of a marvelously useful innovation Phillips provided: a beautifully designed "coloring page" that helped enormously to keep all my pattern pieces organized....