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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!

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