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

What Does a Quilter Do On Friday Night?

I opened up the first packages of Blue Tiny Print Fabrics that I received this week in the mail. WOW!

I took photos of each one...
Packages came from Linda, Lori, Tamra, Donna, and Paulette.

Thank you, Thank you, and  Thank you!

OOOooo I love Blues...

The fabric on the top left here is one of the coolest blues I have ever seen!

I love them all!

I thought after years of sewing, that I had seen every blue print out there, but to my amazement there were several that I had not seen before and very few duplicates.  I have loved blue fabrics since I was 13!

I took some photos with a pencil eraser and a penny so you can see the small print on the fabrics.

My favorite one so far is print on the left side.  Just look at the detail!

I really like the print on the bottom right too!

Look how tiny the one in the middle is..

 And the tiny hearts and itty bitty dots!

This is a photo of some of my blue tiny print fabrics.

I really love the one in the center with the pinks, yellows, and green little flowers and the mini butterflies.

Many of you have emailed that you are sending fabrics also.  You can't even imagine the smiles I will have, when I see all your fabrics too!  I can't wait! 
  

After I took photos and Oooo and Ahhhed over the fabrics, I sat down and wrote thank you notes. I packaged up a special gift for each of you.  It means so much to me that you took the time to sort through your fabrics and packaged it up and included a note and mailed it to me.  I know all of you said, you didn't want anything in return, but you have shared... now I will share...  Thanks so much!

So now you know what a quilter does on Friday night.

What does a quilter do on Saturday?

I am going to press, starch, and cut strips.  Hopefully, I will find time on Sunday to sew some of the strips together and get started.

BUT remember, I will be cutting and sewing for a long long time.

I am not making a large quilt.
I am making mini quilts. 
I am making hot pads, place mats, mug rugs, and table runners and table toppers. Projects that I can sew and quilt and bind in an afternoon or a day.

And remember I am not matching any seams! I am going to have so much fun  --- cutting and sewing and quilting!  As I cut the strips, I am sorting them a little bit, to come up with some really cool combinations of the blues, teals, navys, aquas, and the royal blues. Just think of all the combinations.

I have tried adding rectangles to the squares too. I will share that next week.

YES ---- It is my time to play!

Some of my friends cook and bake, some scrapbook, and some of my friends fish!

I cut up fabric in tiny pieces and sew it back together. Here is the post about the tiny squares.

So.... that is what this quilter loves to do ....

What do you like to do?

Enjoy your weekend!
Marcia
P.S.
I do bake a little! Click here.

Playing with Tiny Blue Squares!

I had so much fun adding the blue fabric strips to my Chrsitmas fabrics, that it inspired me to create mini blue quilts.

This Holly Hobby plate was also part of my inspiration for the mini blue quilts.

I have a few old pieces of holly hobby fabric from the 60's or 70's.  I recently I bought this plate at a resale shop. 

"Start each day in a happy way!"

How about sewing little scraps each morning? 
Or at the end of the day?  I use it as an incentive for working hard --- I play at the end of my day!

I played on Sunday afternoon and cut several 1 1/4 inch strips from each of my blue print fabrics.  They are all set to sew together at the end of my day, today! YES!

If you read the Think Christmas Post (link at the end of this post),  you will know that this quilt project is just for fun and I do NOT match any seams or intersections -- I am just playing! 

Wanted:   Tiny blue print fabric scraps.
I am looking for scraps smaller than fat quarters of blue TINY prints. They can be fabric strips, as I am cutting them into strips that are 1 1/4 inch wide to make the tiny squares.  I am looking to find a huge variety of blue prints for my mini quilts.  The tiny prints need to be smaller than a pencil eraser --- Tiny flowers or leaves.  They can have a white or cream background. They need to be 100% Cotton.  They can be old or new fabrics.

I will trade fabric with anyone who sends  a few fabric scraps in the blue tiny prints!  I have 20 colors in Quilter's Blenders and I would be glad to share scraps and fat quarters with you.  www.craftysewing.com  If you choose to share, please send your little scraps in an envelope addressed to:

Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting
Marcia Wachuta
41826 County Road W
Boscobel,   WI  53805

Please write a slip with your name on it and what kind of color of fabric you like, so I can share back with you.

Any questions leave a comment or email me Marcia@craftysewing.com.

There is no time limit as to when you send the blue scraps.  This is an "on going" project and I will be making these mini quilts whenever I play!  Here are some of the fabrics I have.  Not one of them is as large as a fat quarter.  Just scraps!  I love repeats of fabrics, so if you have some of these in scraps that you would like to share -- send them my way!

Thanks in advance for sharing and I will share back!

Take time to play!  Enjoy your day!

Marcia

If you are looking for my Think Christmas post and Giveaway! Click here.

NEW Crafty Sewing Etsy Shop

Update --Available at www.craftysewing.com.
No longer in Esty shop --- other items in shop.


Just click on the title of the blog and it will take you directly to my shop or http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftySewing

I will be adding new crafty creations all the time. Listed my Mini Comfort Quilts first and the NEW Crazee Patch (ONE OF A KIND) Mini Comfort Quilts.

All items will be one of a kind -- NO duplicates!

The Story.......The Mini Comfort Quilts are special to me, so they had to be first.....

A quilting friend of mine showed me how to make them several years ago and I have been making them ever since... Made hundreds of them -- never two alike -- some similar, but not identical. I get orders from churches and from individuals who just want to share the love with a friend who needs comforting.

I send them to my friends in need with get well cards and with sympathy cards. When my mother in law died I gave one to my father in law. I found out later when he died he had kept it on his dresser with the little printed message that I had pinned to it. Maybe it was comforting to know I was thinking of him and saying a prayer for him. We can't take away their pain, but maybe we can let them know we care...

Crazee Patch in Black & White Fabrics

Makes a striking Mini Comfort Quilt using the black and white fabrics! The Crazee Patch Mini Comfort Quilts are 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches. Made with 100% cotton fabrics. Finished with Machine Embroidery Feather Stitching.

Just added several photos of the Crazee Patch Mini Quilts in black and white ....and with accent colors of reds and blues to the Photo Gallery. You will find new photos added all the time.

Available to order at www.craftysewing.com.

New Crazee Patch Mini Comfort Quilts with a Vintage Look!

All Unique - No two alike!!!

Size: 5 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches square.

Colorful fabrics with beautiful machine embroidery stitching.

Order at www.craftysewing.com

Also click on link to the photo gallery on the top tab for more step by step photos of the construction process of the crazee patch block.


Linked with:
Pieceful Life: Little Quilts Monday - Nov. 14, 2011