April Muggamo

Welcome to April's Muggamo tutorial! The great thing about Mug Rugs is that they are great scrap busters. You don't need much to make a cute, functional piece.

Fabric pieces needed

Fabric 1:

1 square 3 1/2"

1 square 2 5/8"

Fabric 2:

2 squares 2 3/8"

2 squares 2", cut once on the diagonal 

Fabric 3:

1 square 4 1/4"

1 square 3 1/2"

Fabric 4:

4 squares 2 3/8" 

Draw a line on the diagonal on the wrong side of each square.

Backing/Batting:
7" x 10" piece

Binding:
2" x 36" strip

First we will make the middle Square-in-a-square block.

Find the center of the square by folding it in half and finger press.

Do the same to the long side of the triangles.

Match up the folds and stitch.

Using the 2 5/8" square and the triangles, sew two triangles to opposite sides on the square.

Press towards triangles.

Repeat with last two triangles.

I like to trim off the dog ears.

Next we will make the No Waste Flying Geese. Using your 4 1/4" Fabric 3 square and 2 3/8" Fabric 4 squares we are going to make four Flying Geese Units.

Line up up two small squares right sides together as shown.

Sew a scant 1/4" on either side of the drawn lines. To sew a scant 1/4" when following a line, I like to put the edge of the presser foot just slightly over the line.

Cut on on the drawn line and press towards triangles.

Place 1 square on each of the units just made, right sides together. Stitch a scant 1/4" on either side of the drawn lines.

Cut apart on the drawn line.  Press towards triangle.

Units should measure 2" x 3 1/2"

This method gives you four Flying Geese units.

Lay out your block. 

Sew rows. ( I always forget to grab pictures of this step. Always.)

Then sew rows together.

Beautiful block!

Next sew the side piece using your leftover 3 1/2" squares.

Press to either side, your choice. 

Add the side piece to the block, press towards side piece.

Layer it up. Even with a small piece I like to secure it with pins.

Quilt it. I've used a walking foot and just stitched in the ditch for all of the mug rugs so far.

Bind it. *sigh* Even the small pieces get hand stitched binding. I cannot do a nice machine binding. Thank goodness I adore hand stitching!

Enjoy it.

Happy Stitching!

Jen

Don't miss the pattern sale, going on now until April 7th. All patterns are just $5.00!

If you make an April Muggamo mug rug, please share with #muggamo and feel free to link up. 

Going Digital

I think it's time for me to join the 21st century and make my patterns available for digital downloads. 

I know, I know. I'm behind the times. In all honesty though, I like paper. I like having the pattern in front of me to write on and flip through.  When writing new patterns I draw them all out on graph paper, write out the instructions on paper and then, and only then, put it into the computer.

Frayed Edges

So while this might not be a big deal to some, it is for me. A big step out of my comfort zone, but hopefully enjoyed by you. 

Linked

Currently my patterns are available in my Etsy shop and on Craftsy. To celebrate joining the real world I am running a sale, from March 31 - April 7, all digital AND paper (because I love paper) patterns will be $5.00. Whoot! Whoot!

Spinning Bow Ties

When you make up any of the patterns I hope you will share and use #patternsbyjen on social media. You can also share your progress and finished quilts in my Flickr group.

Cartwheels on the Prairie

Have fun, be creative and...

Star Light, Star Bright Sampler

Happy Stitching!

Jen

WIP Wednesday - kind of

Today's post was inspired by this post from Quilting Jetgirl. 

It is hard to think of things to share when most of your time is filled with secret sewing. I do have a couple of fun things to sew, though, so here is a quick post. Hopefully by sharing I will actually do this fun sewing. 

Last month was my month to be Queen Bee for the Quilting Bee hosted by Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts.

I chose the Bunting block for my block. This block just seemed happy to me. I chose purple, blue and green for my colors and my fellow quilters did a fabulous job. I love them!

Now I just have to decide on the layout and if I want to add sashing. I'm loving this purple, but then again, I love anything purple. 

My plan this year is to sew something fun in between the samples I am making for the covers of my patterns.

This funky ponte is going to be a dress for my teen daughter. It's a fun print from Girl Charlee.

I also scored this fun print from Fawnette Fabrics. You can find them on Facebook. Who doesn't like rainbow cats?! My daughter has requested leggings from this print.

Hopefully this large sample I am working on will get finished soon and I can stitch together some of this fun fabric. For sneak peeks you can follow me on Instagram.

Set a reminder to come back on Friday as PBJ has an exciting announcement! Then on Saturday the April Muggamo will be released. 

Happy Stitching!

Jen

Musings - Keep Your Joy

I am entering into the weekend with a mind full of things I "need" to do. You know, groceries, laundry, clean the bathroom. Oh! Feed the family, very important. 

There is another list going on in my head at the same time though, the PBJ list. I need to get this sampler done, I have that pile to post, an email to write, etc, etc. 

The problem with having all of this going on in my head, is that I lose the joy in doing that list. I love to quilt. I love every part of it. The designing, the cutting, the piecing, all the way to hand stitching the binding. Love it. 

There is a joy and a contentment in my heart when I am doing any of those things. Moments when I really do think to myself, "I am happy." 

Those first cuts in freshly pressed fabric, yum!

Making the first stitches in the first units of the new block. 

Squaring up the units. I can't tell you how much I love to square up a unit. It might be my favorite of all steps. I trim off the excess and look at that perfect unit and I am seriously entering into my happy place. Ahhhhhh...

Laying the units out in a beautiful block. 

Then the finished block into a quilt top. 

Possibly adding borders. 

(Here I send off my top to the long arm-er, because lets be honest, time is not my friend.)

Then hand stitching the binding. 

I only have this sad little picture from my Instagram. You can follow me here. (See what I did there?)

Joy! This all brings me such joy! The joy can get lost though, if I don't focus my attentions to "in the moment" thoughts. If I get stuck on counting how many squares I still have to cut out, or the blade is dull, this can make for ugly cutting time instead of joyful cutting time. Or if I forgot to fill up the bobbins before I started and I run out. I hate stopping to refill bobbins, I know better!  What about a dull needle when you are stitching on the binding. Frustrating! 

Quilt shown is my new pattern: XSquared.

So as you head into your weekend, which I hope has lots of quilting time planned, remember to stop and smell the fabric. Change the blade, fill the bobbins, clean the machine, use a sharp needle. 

Feed your joy. 

Happy Stitching,

Jen

Introducing X-Squared

I am excited to introduce you to the 9th pattern in the PBJ family: X-Squared.

That mustard was just too hard to resist, and needed to be used, and used a lot. 

The mustard print was perfect for this larger version, but too big for the smaller version. Purple called to me. Whether it's because the purples are so pretty, or because it's my favorite color, I fell in love with this version. 

I may have to make this one again so I have one I can use. This pattern uses only 2 blocks, turned on point, and a simple (though it looks complicated) Seminole border. This pattern has instructions for  Baby, Lap, Twin, Queen and King sizes. You can find it here.

I am often inspired by the tester's samples when I look at colors. Kelly's version above, and Dedee's version below, had a big influence on that little purple quilt. 

Those jewel tones, just saturated in color, really called to me.

Joanne's sample is simple and sweet. Can anyone else picture a little one laying on this quilt?

Melissa's sample has me all cowgirl feeling, or patriotic, it depends on the day. 

Sherra's version is perfect for the horse lover in you.

A beautiful shot from Kelly at Simonsen Photography. 

To celebrate the release of X-Squared I am giving away 2 patterns, simply comment below and I will choose two random winners the morning of Friday, March 10th. 

Happy Stitching!

Jen