A Quick-Fuse Farmhouse Star Block

A large 16" star gets the sew-along off to a flying start.

I love stars in the sky and stars in the workroom.  So I am thrilled to be sewing along with Lori Holt in her Farmhouse Star sew-along.  

The Fat Quarter Shop have patterns in stock

Whilst Lori has her own unique method of applique I much prefer quick fuse applique (a.k.a. raw edge), which I will be using for the large star in the center of the quilt and all the stars that sit in circles.  So I thought I might share with you some tips and pointers as I sew along.

The first star of the sew-along is the most important one.

The first star of the sew along is a huge 16” star which sits in the middle of the quilt.  It is created using pieces G-16c and G-16p from Lori's Star Sew Simple shapes.  But first we need to cut our background square.

In her You Tube video, Lori cut the background square larger than required as she intended to trim it once the star had been stitched in place.  However, this is not needed with quick fuse applique so, straight away we can save a little bit of work by cutting the background square to the exact size needed - 18½” square. 

Choose your background fabric carefully.
If the print is not straight it will show!

With quick fuse applique you can then trace around the templates just as they are.  However, if you add a ¼” section to the bottom of each point tracing as shown below, you will reduce the amount of sewing needed and keep the applique neat. 

A little ¼” addition will reduce the amount of sewing needed

This extra ¼” allowance will sit under the center pentagon, eliminating the need to sew the bottom edge of each point as this will be secured at the same time as you stitch the pentagon into positon.

Tip:  Once your background fabric is cut and you have traced, fused and cut your shapes out, remove the paper from the back of your points but DO NOT remove the paper from the back of the pentagon at this time.

Position the pentagon centrally onto the background square and begin to place the points, one by one, around the pentagon, slipping the extra ¼” allowance under the edges of the pentagon.  (The paper backing on the pentagon should make it easier to slide the points under the pentagon.)

Slide the bottom edge of the points under the pentagon.

You will have to fiddle a little, here and there, but eventually all five points should sit neatly under the pentagon with the corners of the pentagon meeting roughly at the intersection of two points. 

The pentagon should sit atop the star points

But do not worry if they are slightly out – it won’t be noticeable on the finished quilt and, as Lori says "it is not about perfection". 

My points are slightly out here but it won't affect the finished quilt 

Make sure the tips of the two side star points (coloured aqua and pink in my star) are at least 1” in from the side edges of  the backgound square.  The top point (the yellow point in my star) should be approximately 1½”-1¾” down from the top edge.   

When you are happy with the layout carefully lift and remove the backing paper from the pentagon before placing it back into position.  Now you can fuse the star into place.  Stitch the pentagon first so that the bottom of each point is secured. Once this is done, you can stitch around each point.

The scrappy borders here are mirrored in the borders of the quilt

And there you have it …. the first star in the Farmhouse Star sew-along.  All that is left to do is to add the border rectangles and squares as per the pattern and congratulate yourself on making a huge start to a spectacular quilt. 

Next time I shall quick fuse applique stars onto circles and circles onto the squares so be sure to check back with me really soon.   Until then …..

The Patchsmith's Stars and Stripes Mug Rug Sidebar

Stars and Stripes Wheel Mug Rug

The Patchsmith’s One Block Mug Rugs book is one of my favourites. 

Available for immediate download via Etsy

It contains ten sidebars and seven blocks that you can mix-and-match.  But it doesn’t stop there – you can add the sidebars to any 6” block of your choosing - so you can use up all those surplus blocks you have, to create a fun and functional mug rug.

Today I would like to show you the Stars and Stripes sidebar.  It is shown in the book with the mug-of-tea block shown above (the mug-of-tea block is also included in the book).  But it looks equally good with a simple patchwork block as shown here:

Stars and Stripes sidebar teamed with simple patchwork
(patchwork block included in book)

You can even the sidebar in fun seasonal fabrics to create a holiday sidebar.

A Snowman filled Stars-and-Stripes Sidebar

But I wanted to create a mug rug that would be suitable for the den or snug.  So I teamed the Stars and Stripes sidebar ....... 

Simple patchwork sidebar

....... with a simple applique block created from The Patchsmith's Christmas mug rugs pattern book:

... to create the perfect gift for Father's Day.

So many mug rug possibilities from one mug rug pattern book which is why the One Block pattern book one of my favourite books.

If you fancy a copy hop on over to Etsy for the PDF version (immediate download) or visit Amazon for the paperback copy.    

Until next time ….. 

Patchsmith Animal and Pet and other mug rugs books on Etsy and Amazon

Animal and Pet Mug Rugs (PDF) via ETSY

One of my aims when I started as The Patchsmith ten years ago was to price my patterns to be affordable to all.  And my pattern books do just that.   I currently have seven mug rug pattern books which are available in PDF format from my ETSY store for immediate download and they are also available in paperback format via Amazon. 

Each mug rug pattern book contains ten stand-alone patterns which you can use to create fun and functional mini quilts to gift or to keep.

 

All 10 patterns are included in the Animal and Pet pattern book

But, if you only want one or two patterns from one of my pattern books it is worth checking in my ETSY store to see if I have them listed individually - there are always a few patterns that I sell individually especially for those who only want one or two.

Every book includes details of binding, fabric choice and applique methods so that you have all the information you need in one handy book.

Available in PDF form via ETSY

Also available in paperback format from AMAZON

I am currently working on my eighth mug rug pattern book which I hope to publish in a month or two.  But until then I thought I would show you the contents of some of the books over the next few weeks so you can see exactly what fun you can have with any one of these collections.

So until then ......

Ten Years as The Patchsmith

Early Bird Mug Rug 

It is ten years since I first became the Patchsmith.  Ten years since I first encountered a mug rug.   Up until that point I wasn’t really sure what a mug rug was – they are still relatively unknown here in England where we tend to use coasters.  I loved the fact that mug rugs are bigger than a coaster and therefore, they have enough room for both a cuppa and a piece of cake – afternoon tea should always include cake! 

Enough room for Tea and Cake

Since those early days, my love of mug rugs has never waned.  I love designing them, making them, the versatility and frugality of them.  I just love everything about them.

So many mug rugs - so much fun.

To celebrate The Patchsmith’s 10 year anniversary I have designed a new pattern, the Early Bird Mug Rug, which is based on my very first mug rug sketch from my 2012 journal.  

A sweet little Early Bird.

It is a great little pattern that allows you to use up those small scraps of fabric to create a functional and fun mug rug to gift or to keep.  

You can add hand-stitching if you wish .....

Early Bird Stitching Detail (optional)

or one or two (very) little baby birds 

An Early Bluebird version

or you can make it up in your favourite holiday fabrics

A Christmas Early Bird 

Whatever fabrics you choose, this pattern is sure to be one that you will return to time and time again. 

As an extra special bonus this pattern will be set at a reduced price for the rest of this month.

*** EARLY BIRD MUG RUG PATTERN ***  

Until next time .......

Creating book titles from fabric selvages

Once you start looking you will find so many great titles    

In these uncertain times saving money is something we can all do and that is where mug rug making comes into its own.  You can update your table or create a gift with little more than scraps of fabric left over from other projects.

Here's one I made earlier - years earlier!

And one pattern I particularly like is my Tea and Books Mug Rug pattern.  It uses every last scrap of fabric – right down to the printed selvage edges that are normally thrown away.  The pattern is available individually HERE and it is reduced for the rest of this month.  Alternatively, you can find it in my Hobby & Fun Mug Rug pattern book available in PDF from Etsy or in paperback via Amazon.

Here is how this lovely little pattern goes together …..

I started out with this selection but things change....

You start with some scraps - the pattern tells you exactly how big these need to be.  Don't take too long - you can always change your mind as you put the mug rug together.

I changed the book fabrics to be more book-like!

Once you have your mug rug background patched you can then start playing around with the applique.  For me this is the fun bit.

One of many selections of 'book titles'

 

The book titles are created using the printed selvage edge of fabric.  Once you start looking you will see lots of interesting names that will work well here.

A Christmas Selection of Titles'

To create the book titles, trace the ‘title’ rectangles from the pattern, onto fusible webbing.  Cut out roughly leaving 1/8”-1/4” all around. 

'Fuse the webbing rectangle over the part of the selvage you want as the book title.

Next decide which parts of the selvage you want for your title.  Here I want “Bee in my Bonnet”, so I fused the rectangle onto the back of the printed selvage edge, ensuring that the main part of the rectangle covers the bit of the print that I want.  I then trimmed along the top and bottom of the selvage, turned the selvage over so that the print is facing up and finished trimming the ends to create the exact book title I wanted. 

Trim the print but cutting the ends to create the exact title you want.

Here are the finished four book titles all trimmed and ready to fuse into place:

Here are my finished four titles.

You then need to decide which title will go on which book. 

Titles are allocated to their respective book spines.

Peel the paper from the fusible webbing and fuse in place but remember, when fusing the book on the left-hand side, you need to allow for binding so you should leave ½” between the title and the edge of the mug rug as shown below.

Once fused you can stitch the titles in place using any stitch you like.  I used a machine blanket stitch as my machine has such a neat one.

Bookshelf section of the Tea and Books mug rug

Bookshelf done – time to move onto the mug.  Follow the pattern and you can’t go wrong.  One tip – I add the steam spirals and teabag cord prior to quilting so I mark my mug rug using a Frixion pen and simply stitch over the markings.  When done, a warm iron will get rid of the marks totally.

Marking steam with an erasable marker prior to embroidery

 And, as they say, from there is it nearly all over.  

Subtle steam!

Quilt and bind your mug rug as detailed in the pattern. 

Scrappilicious Tea and Books Mug Rug

These would make great gifts for teachers or book-club readers.  Until next time ……. 

Note:  This post was first published in August 2020.

Block-a-Day and another scrappy collection

Time is going quickly - as always - but I am still making time for my BAD (block-a-day) blocks.  Here are the latest:

BAD 8 - Small and Simple Star.  This block is from the first block in A Quilting Life's free block-of-the-month:

BAD 8 - A small and simple star

BAD 9 - January's Quilting Life.    The previous BAD 8 block gets a scrapilicious border to turn it into the first block in A Quilting Life's sew-along.

BAD 9 - A Quilting Life's SAL Block One

BAD 10 - A two-piece heart - also from Carol Doak's paper-piecing book. Sometimes I have very little time to sew and this little 3" block was just the thing on one such day.

BAD 10 - A two-piece heart

BAD 11 - Birdhouse no. 1.  Today's block is also from Carol Doak's paper-piecing book.  It also measures just 3".  Another sweet little make.

BAD 11 - Birdhouse no. 1.

BAD 12 - Riley Blake block 2 middle. A new year always brings a plethora of new sew-alongs and Riley Blake are hosting a free 'Challenge' sew along.  The blocks are just a little bigger than I need so I created this 6" block using just the middle of their block 2.

BAD 12 - Riley Blake Block 2 Middle

BAD 13 - Sunrise - another Carol Doak's paper-piecing block - taking just a tad more time than the earlier two this week.

BAD 13 - Sunrise - lucky for some

BAD 14 - A Birdhouse at Home.  The Simple Star block from my One Block Mug Rugs pattern book is the setting for BAD block 11.  Looking right at home amongst the florals.

BAD 14 - A Birdhouse at home amongst the flowers

Don't forget - the Patchwork Corners mug rug pattern is on special offer only until the end of this month - so pick up a copy now by clicking on the photo/links below.

Save 25% on the Patchwork Corners Mug Rug Pattern
(Offer ends 31st January 2022)

In the meantime you can see all the blocks on my Pinterest 2022 BAD board or follow along on Instagram @thepatchsmith.

Until next time …..