Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday - It's a Charming Midnight Blues!

When I first started writing Hodgepodge Patchwork Tuesday, I wrote them at night after Taco Tuesday.  I should have probably named them Hodgepodge Patchwork Wednesday, because I didn't finish writing them until later on Tuesday night.  Tacos must inspire me!  We didn't go out for Tacos tonight, but I am inspired to write. 

I am always looking for simple construction ideas to make really cool looking quilts.  This summer, I made this quilt top using fat quarters, but I cut them into 5 inch squares - charms.  I named the quilt "Midnight Blues".

I used 3 shades of blues - light, medium, and dark and 2 golds and a blue and gold star fabric.  Since I started with fat quarters, I really don't know how many charms I used for the quilt top. 

First, I mixed up the 5 inch squares and sewed them together in random order into long strips. You could do them in an order or a pattern, but I like the randomness it creates.

I moved them around, so the same colors weren't together, like in the photo.

Then I staggered them.

Next I cut several 1 1/2 inch strips in a coordinating color. I chose the lighter gold.

Then I sewed the strips in between each row.

Press/Iron.

Then trim off the offset ends that are sticking out!

I bordered it with the same gold on the top and on the bottom - sorry no photo. But you know what I mean - right? You can see the sides in this photo.

That is it.  Fun and simple and it looks cool!

This would work great for a charm pack of many colors.  I also think an I-Spy Quilt would be cool in this pattern!  It would be a great pattern for a beginner - no matching!

Remember to take time to play!
Enjoy!
Marcia

Turn Three Pretty Fat Quarters into 6 Mug Rugs

First, I cut 12 strips from the fat quarters (4 from each color). The strips were 2 inches wide by 22 inches long. 
Next, I stitched them together in a random order. 
Press the seams all one direction on the back side. Cut strips across 2 inches wide. I was able to get 10 strips.

Then flip every other one and stitch them together. The seams will nest together and line up, because you flipped them the opposite way. It will create a pattern with the colors of the squares. 
Then add 3 inch borders to all four sides. Press it.  Now, it is ready to quilt.

I used a bright green for the quilting.

I stitched our names on the corners of each little mug rug.

It says: Made by Joanne (my Mom) and Marcia 2012

Here's how I cut the six mug rugs from the quilted piece.

The approximate size of the whole quilted piece was 21" X 20".  The mug rugs are 7" X 10 ".

Can you see how you could turn a small quilt into several mug rugs?  
Remember my post about turning a small quilt into a tote bag? 

I love how the borders end up on all different sides of the mug rugs. Gives it a little artsy look, without even trying!

I choose a yellow daisy fabric for the backing fabric.  It is not the same yellow, but it blends nicely.

They are trimmed and ready for the binding!  I will use the daisy fabric for the binding.

My Mom will love this post, as she wanted me to make some mug rugs using the three pretty fat quarters that she bought for me.  Surprise! I finally made them last weekend, when I spent a whole day, just sewing fun little projects.  I quilted them at the end of my work day today.  I plan to do the binding this weekend.  

Mug rugs make great little gifts for your friends.

Enjoy your day and remember to take time to play!
Marcia