The Patchsmith's Super Speedy Glasses Case

Many years ago, in May 2014 I made a couple of glasses cases from a delightful free tutorial by Hillside Quiltworks.  Needless to say the glasses cases are looking tired and worn so I decided to replace them like-for-like.  Unfortunately I was unable to locate Hillside Quiltworks or the tutorial online so I decided to get creative and create my own tutorial based on their very functional design.  And here it is....

1.         You will need two 6" x 7" rectangles of fabric (one for the outer and one for the lining).  You will also need one 5½“ x 6½” rectangle of lightweight batting/wadding.  

2.           Firstly, print the Patchsmith's  Glasses Case pattern piece.  When printing ensure you select 'Actual Size' on the print screen (sometimes referred to as scaling set to 'none' or 'print at 100%').  Use the print-size-check-box on the pattern piece.

3.         Optional:  Add embroidery/applique to the front of the glasses case making sure to position your chosen design on the right side of the outer fabric rectangle, ¾"-1" in from the right-hand edge of the fabric and at least 1½” up from the bottom edge of the fabric.  (I added a heart to my glasses case using the quick-fuse applique method once I had placed the batting to the back of the outer rectangle thus quilting and appliqueing the heart in place at the same time.)

4.         Next pin the wadding centrally onto the wrong side of 6" x 7" outer rectangle.  This should result in you having a ¼” border of fabric all the way around the wadding rectangle.  

5.        Quilt the wadding and outer rectangle as desired.  (I quilted simple straight lines avoiding the appliqued heart.)

6.         Once all quilting is complete, place the template printed side up, onto the right side of the quilted rectangle and cut out along the top edge to create the curved edges.   

7.         Next pin the lining and outer fabric right sides together and trim the lining to match the  outer quilted section.

8.         Mark a 2½" opening centrally along the bottom edge.  Using a ¼” seam allowance stitch all the way around the unit leaving the opening unstitched.  Backstitch at the beginning and end of the opening to ensure the stitching does not come undone when turning right side out.

 

9.         Carefully trim the corners on the diagonal ensuring you do not to cut through the stitching.  Turn the glasses right side out through the opening, taking care when pushing the corners out.  Press firmly and press the opening closed (this will be stitched closed at the same time as top-stitching the glasses case together at Step 11).  Use pins/clips/glue to hold the opening closed.  (If you prefer you can whip stitch the opening closed.)

10.         Fold the glasses case in half, lining sides together as shown.  Pin or clip to secure.  

11.         Finally, starting at the top left-hand back edge top-stitch along the back, down the right-hand side and along the bottom as shown.  The front curve is left unstitched.

And there you have it – the perfect little glasses case to gift or to keep.   I told you it was quick and it gets even quicker the more you make.

Until next time....

QAYG Butterfly Patch Mug Rug

Sometimes you need a last minute gift but you don’t have much time.  And sometimes you just don’t feel like quilting.  Don’t worry – I have just the thing - my Butterfly Patch Mug Rug pattern.  The pattern isn’t designed as a quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) pattern but it works beautifully.  Here’s how....

1.         Cut your strips according to the pattern but cut them slightly longer. And cut your batting slightly larger too. (I cut my strips 1" longer in length than stated in the pattern and I cut and my batting rectangle 12” x 8”.)

2.         Lay the first strip on top of the batting - 1” in from the left-hand side of the batting with at least 1” of batting showing at the top and the bottom.  (Of course you could always start from the right-hand side if you prefer.)

3.         Next lay the second strip on top of the first.  Pin in place and stitch to the first strip using a ¼” seam down the right-hand side.

4.         Finger press open.  NOTE:  If you are using synthetic batting do not press with an iron as the batting will melt onto the iron. 

5.         Next lay the third strip on top of the first two, aligning the right-hand side of the strip with the right-hand side of the first two strips.  Pin and stitch using a ¼” seam down the right-hand side as before.  Finger press open.

6.         Continue adding all the strips in this way.

 

7.         Once all the strips have been stitched onto the batting trim the patched rectangle to the size of the finished mug rug (you will find this on the front of the pattern).  Try to keep the strips straight but don’t worry too much – the band and butterfly will distract the eye from any imperfections.

8.         Add the center band exactly as detailed in the Butterfly Patch pattern.  

9.         Decide which fabrics you are going to use for the butterfly and applique this onto the mug rug.  I couldn’t make up my mind so I made a couple of butterflies.  I went with the orange (I am saving the pink butterfly for another project).

10.       Once all applique and stitching has been completed you are ready to add the backing.  The best way to do this is lay the mug rug onto the backing rectangle wrong sides together. 

11.       Pin and stitch ⅛” all around the edge of the mug rug to secure the backing fabric to the mug rug before trimming the backing to match the size of the mug rug.

12.       Then it is simply a case of binding the mug rug to finish.  I say ‘simply’ but I find choosing binding one of the hardest steps when mug rug making.

And there you have it – the perfect mug rug to gift or to keep.  

 The Butterfly Patchmug rug pattern includes a 6” butterfly block template) and is available for immediate download from my ETSY STORE.  

Until next time....

(Previously published on The Patchsmith blog.)

The Patchsmith's Teacup Coaster Pattern

Hanging neatly from their handles

A mug rug is a wonderful thing but when space is limited you may want something a tad smaller.  If so, I have just the thing - the Patchsmith's Teacup Coaster pattern.

The Patchsmith's Teacup Coaster Pattern

This handy little coaster can be made quickly using whatever fabric offcuts you have to hand.  

Fussy cut the contrast strip for a special touch

You can make just one for your bedside table ....

Perfectly sized for a small space

or a set of two or more for when friends come to visit.

The coaster is lightweight and quick to create making it the perfect gift to pop in a greetings card and send through the mail.  

To make it super easy you can leave it unquilted and use a single fabric backing.....

Pretty backs using a single fabric

.... or you can quickly create a reversible coaster from very simple patchwork and add some quilting if you prefer.  It will look good either way.

One side .....

and then the other side

So join with The Patchsmith today and create a tea-time treat all of your own with The Patchsmith's Teacup Coaster pattern.

Simple quilting for a simple project.

Until next time .....

New Year - New Hobby - New Mug Rug

Tea and Cake Mug Rug Pattern

The new year is often a time of new intentions.  If you have started the year looking for a new hobby or to learn a new skill then look no further than mug rug making.

Valentine Hearts Mug Rug Pattern

If you are new to mug rugs be sure to check our the Mug Rug Basics tab above.  Here you will find all you need to know to make a little piece of fabric art for your home or to gift.  You can find information about applique and binding, how to download and print patterns, even how to enlarge a small mug rug pattern to make a larger accessory for your table.

How to Enlarge a Mug Rug Pattern

In the Freebies tab you will find my FREE Rainbow mug rug pattern to help your develop and practice your skills.  If you click on the Rainbow mug rug below it will take you through to a step-by-step tutorial to help you along.

FREE Rainbow Mug Rug Pattern

And don't forget to check out The Patchsmith's Etsy store where you will find your next mug rug project ready for you to download and start immediately.

Butterfly Pocket Mug Rug Pattern

If your prefer your patterns in paperback format head over to my Amazon page where you will find collections of patterns to suit all occasions.  Alternatively just enter "the patchsmith" in the Amazon search bar.

Just one of nine Patchsmith paperback books available via Amazon

So what are you waiting for?  There is so much fabric fun to be had.  Until next time .....

Autumn on the Table

Totem Mug Rug - One of ten patterns 
from the Halloween & Thanksgiving Mug Rug book

The nights are turning cooler and the leaves are beginning to change colour.  So I am changing the mug rugs in my house to welcome the Autumnal season into my home.

Mug rugs are such a quick and easy way to create a homely touch.  You can use novelty charm squares (5" squares) as in this Quilt-as-you-Go pattern from my Halloween & Thanksgiving pattern book (also available via Amazon):

QAYG Halloween Fun

Or you can use shades of green, red, brown, yellow or orange from your stash:  

Pumpkin Patch Mug Rug Pattern

You can even turn a pumpkin into a Jack-o-Lantern with a touch of black fabric or felt:

Included in the Pumpkin Patch Pattern

And whilst you are finding scraps of black felt - look for some white to make a couple of fish-bones to add to the Moonlit Cat mug rug:

Moonlit Cat Mug Rug Pattern

The Moonlit Cat pattern is available as a single pattern or as part of the Halloween & Thanksgiving pattern book.  Either way you will also receive the Scaredy Cat version to make as well:

Moonlit Scaredy Cat Pattern
(included with the Moonlit Cat Pattern)

If pennies or time are short then just make a coaster using part of a mug rug pattern:  

Click on the image for the instructions for these spooky coasters

Whatever fabrics you choose to use - a mug rug pattern will help you create a little bit of fabric art for your home this season.   The Patchsmith's Halloween & Mug Rug pattern book will take you from Halloween to Thanksgiving with ten delicious mug rug patterns:

Available in PDF format from Etsy
or Paperback format via Amazon

So join with the Patchsmith this season and enjoy some eerily frugal fabric fun.  Until next time.................