Friday 17 October 2014

Finished Mug Rugs!!

As I have mentioned in a previous post, I have been participating in a Mug Rug Swap which was organised by the Quilting Gallery.  I signed up for the swap in September and, received my links to the patterns soon after. From time to time I had a look at the pattern instructions and got some fabrics sorted out ready but, I didn't really start work on them properly until a couple of weeks ago.


I started by cutting out the background fabric and tracing the embroidery and applique shapes as directed by the pattern.  However, what I didn't realise was that my printer settings were 'fit to page' settings rather than at 'actual size' settings when I printed the pattern meaning that they were considerably smaller than they should have been.


I spent a very trying evening peeling the tiniest pieces of fusible web paper off the applique shapes and fusing them to the background fabric only to read the next part of the pattern and discover that the patchwork pieces were not going to fit with the applique design. There are a couple of lessons to be learned here.... to read through all the instructions before you start and.... to make sure when you print patterns from the internet that they are at the correct size!!



It wasn't difficult to correct the sizing problem by enlarging the patterns using the photocopier function on the printer but, it did mean that I had to start again from scratch. They have been a lot of fun to work on.  I loved hand finishing the applique shapes and stitching the embroidery.  I also enjoyed doing a little simple machine quilting on them.  



I have finished these two cute little mug rugs now and, although I had thought that I would let them be a surprise for my swap partner, a lovely lady from Oklahoma called Denise, I just can't resist showing them to you.  


You can see from the photographs below the difference in scale between the finished mug rugs and those I had originally started.


The finished mug rugs are going in the post first thing on Monday morning along with a few other little gifts for Denise which will be a surprise for her!! I hope she likes them all!!


If I have the patience, I may still finish off the two tiny versions.... I think they will be really dinky!!

Enjoy a wonderful weekend! xx

11 comments:

  1. They look lovely, I hope Denise likes them. I am sure you can think of a way of using the tiny one - it would be a shame to waste all that effort!!

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    1. Thank you Janet!! I think Denise will like them and I will make up the small ones.... I think they will be cute mug rugs! :) x

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  2. So sweet. And I also think the tiny ones would be just cute too!

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    1. Thank you Martina! Yes, I think I may make the effort to finish off the smaller ones too. I think they would make cute mug rugs! Hugs :) x

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  3. So lovely, dear Christine!! Are this Tilda fabrics?
    Have a great weekend
    Hugs
    Deborah

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    1. Thank you Deborah! I did use some Tilda scraps but also a few other scraps that I had in my sewing room. Hope you are having a great weekend too! :) xx

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  4. Oh they are truly delightful Christine! You were so patient to tackle such a complex design and the results definitely paid off, the re-scaling must have taken a while. The colours remind me of an English country cottage and seem to reflect our climate perfectly which I think is lovely to be sending to Oklahoma. I am sure Denise will be thrilled with them! xx

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  5. Oh they are truly delightful Christine! You were so patient to tackle such a complex design and the results definitely paid off, the re-scaling must have taken a while. The colours remind me of an English country cottage and seem to reflect our climate perfectly which I think is lovely to be sending to Oklahoma. I am sure Denise will be thrilled with them! xx

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    1. Hello Alison! Thank you so much.... I think Denise did like them and I really enjoyed making them, so all in all I think the swap was a success! :) x

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  6. They are so darling! You did a great job stitching them, and I love the designs and colors. Oklahoma is my home state! :) Good tip about checking the sizing on printing patterns.

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    1. Hello Linda! Thank you... yes, I've learned my lesson and will double check the next time! I had fun making these and hope to join in the next swap... if I can! :) xx

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