Halloween Mug Rug - Free Pattern

As promised, I've created a pattern for the mug rug I made this week.  It is an 8" finished block so could also be used in a larger project.

You can download a PDF of the foundation paper piecing templates and embroidery designs here.

I wont give you instructions on how to do the foundation paper piecing as there are many good tutorials out there such as the one at Want It, Need It, Quilt  this one at Craftsy

There are four separate templates, which are the reverse of the finished design.  Cut each out along the dashed line.  This is the outer edge to make an 8" block/mug rug (including 1/4" seam allowance).  Solid black lines are sewing lines.

Each section is numbered with the order you should attach the fabrics and labeled either "Or" for orange or "Bl" for black, but of course you can use what ever colours you choose.  Note that "Left House" and "Right House" refer to the sections of the house as you are looking at the finished mug rug above.  I just cut scraps of fabric the required size as I went along, I didn't cut out fabric templates before starting.

Once you have completed the four separate templates, trim any excess fabric down so that your piece is the same size as the paper.  You can then join all the pieces together.  Join the three house sections first and then add the roof.  Once that is complete you can remove your foundation paper.

The embroidery is done using 2 strands of embroidery floss and backstitch, with satin stitch for the ghost eyes.  For the grave stone, I ran my stitches right down into the seam allowance.

Now your 'top' is all complete you can sandwich it with your wadding and backing fabric.  I machine quilted 'in the ditch' around the outside of the house and around the door/windows in black thread.

Then you can attach your binding and you're all done!

My binding is cut 2-1/4", attached to the back then folded over and machine sewn (topstitched) to the front.  Someone had asked me to give tips on attaching binding, but I think I'll just do a separate tutorial on that one, so stay tuned!  If you are desperate to finish your mug rug, there are lots of other great binding tutorials out there, that's where I get a lot of my information.

Halloween Mug Rug all finished

Here is my finished mug rug.

I was going to do so much more with it, but decided I wanted to get it in the post tomorrow so there is a (vague) hope of it arriving by Halloween.  Funnily enough though, I chose to do hand embroidery over machine applique because I felt it would be quicker to complete tonight.  I am usually a "machine everything I can" kinda gal and see hand sewing as time consuming when there is a machine alternative (I'm all about machine sewn binding at the moment!)

I will include a pattern for this, but not tonight, my bed is calling.

Halloween Mug Rug

Mug Rug Swap Adventure 3 was a holiday theme.  The recipient nominated which holiday theme(s) they would like and you have to make a mug rug to suit.  I received mine yesterday, which was just the kick in the butt I needed to get mine made and sent to my secret partner.

Here it is so far, along with all the mess associated with paper foundation piecing!

Stay tuned for a free pattern of this available soon.

Trying to keep up with my Blogtoberfest goal...

Mug Rug Swap Adventure again

My mug rug for the Mug Rug Swap Adventure 3 arrived today from Linda at Stray Stitches.

I just LOVE it!!!

Now I know I'd better hurry up and make mine to send out... I feel like such a slack swap partner (although the deadline is still two weeks away).  I did joke with my husband that I could just wrap this one up and send it on, but I couldn't really do that because I love it too much!  And besides, I already have plans for what I want to make, it's just a case of finding the time in the sewing room to complete it, and not wasting entire nights sitting at the computer (like I did tonight).

Missing in Action

I've been away from my blog for a while, and not spending so much time in my sewing room either.  A combination of having my parents visit for a fortnight, and doing some paid work for my employer (even though I'm still officially on maternity leave), plus being a mum to a 9 month old.  So I've got lots of catching up to do and lots of things to share.  I even found a blog post I started a few weeks ago and never finished.

I'll start with what Mr Postman has been up to around these parts.
I took part in the Mug Rug Swap Adventure II (remember the first one?) and this is what I sent to my partner

The little wallet up the back is to keep tea bags in for carrying around with you

Lyn from Blue Bird Quilts has not been feeling the best lately, so I sent her a few cherry blossoms to remind her that Spring is not far away.  Those are 1/2" hexagons.  I really like that size and think I might do more of them for myself.  There is a project brewing in the back of my mind.

On the receiving end..... my first hexies as part of the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap arrived.  I love the colours of them, and the left hand one looks sort of like christmas holly.  I need to get busy and finish making mine to send out.

Also my mug rug from the swap arrived.  I love the colours in this too.  Very similar to my Retro Nine Patch quilt.  Plus I got a pile of charm squares with the most delightful images on them; butterflies, fish and I can't remember what else.  Unfortunately they sender send me her real name, but no indication of her blog or Flickr account if she has then, so I don't know who she is online.

That's enough catching up for one night, but I've got lots more to share soon.

Mug Rug Swap Adventure!

I'm rather behind in my blogging.  I've been doing quite a bit of embroidery work, so lots of time on the couch and less in the sewing room, and less finished results to show you.  Also I've been doing some reorganising.  Lots of fun, but not very productive in the sense of having things to show

The other week though, I did finish my mug rug for the Mug Rug Swap Adventure.

Photo courtesy of Peg from Happy in Quilting

I forgot to take a photo of it before I posted it!  Silly me!  I didn't know where to start with ideas, but then I discovered that Peg listed in her interests 'collecting green depression glass', so I decided that would be a fun theme.  Only to discover I didn't have any of the right shades of green fabric.  Oh, dear, what a shame, I had to buy more fabric!  I decided for the background fabric I wanted to pick something a bit 1930's.  I really have no idea how 1930's fabric is defined, but I liked the look of what I chose.  The background/binding colour combination is not something I would normally do at all, but somehow it just worked for me so I went with it.

This was my first ever mug rug, and my first ever bloggy swap.  I think I'm hooked!

In return I got this lovely mug rug from Peg

I had seen a photo of it on her blog earlier this month and secrety hoped it might be my mug rug.  The colours are lovely and the applique so cute.  Guess I'll have to make some cupcakes now!



And not only did I receive this lovely mug rug, but look at all the other goodies that came in the parcel.  I was a little overwhelmed!

Obviously I'm going to have to lift my form a little in this swap game ;)

More blogging to come soon, I went to the AQC last week so have to fill you in on that, and I'm sure I'll get around to photographing my music quilt soon.