Half Star Mug Rug Tutorial + How to Match the Binding to a Design + Giveaway!

Half star tutorial, and how to match the binding to a design in a quilt.  

This tutorial is part of the Ellison Lane's Merry Mug Rug Hop.  

 I am so happy Jennifer asked me to be a part of this.  I am actually surprised she asked considering I find sewing for the holidays to be difficult.  Not because of the time, but because I just generally have a hard time with Christmas-y decor (or any holiday decor for that matter).  And it's my FAVORITE holiday, and I SEW!!  So weird, I know.   But I am eternally grateful for all the times Jennifer has believed in me and that she still likes to include me in her special hops.  :)  (Thank you!!)

This mug rug design came from what was mentioned above.  I wanted to create something that could be Christmas-y, yet something that, if was out during the year, no one would say, "Isn't that a Christmas mug rug?"   And so the Half Star mug rug was born.  It is simple, minimal, and looks oh-so-lovely on a table or wall.  

This hop runs from Dec. 1st - 11th, and each blogger participating is sharing a tutorial!  So please check out the other participants. They are going to be great!  You'll need to head over to Ellison Lane to enter to win a gift certificate to Southern Fabric, which ends 12/14/14.   

 If you end up making this project, I would love to see it!  #halfstarmugrug and my handle on Instagram is @owensoliviaquilts.  Or share it with me on Facebook.  

Materials

Finishes 8 1/2" square.

From the green fabric (Kona Palm)

-Cut one 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" strip, two 2 1/2" squares, and one 4 1/2" square.

From the white fabric (Kona White)

-Cut one 4 1/2" square.

-Cut one 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" strip.

Binding

-Cut one 2 1/2" x WOF strip.  Cut in half.  

-Cut one 2 1/2" x 8" strip.

10" square of batting

10" square of fabric for backing

Elmer's Glue with a fine point glue tip (mine is from Pile O' Fabric)

Small ruler

Fabric marking pen

Aurifil Mako 12 2024 for handstitching

How to

1.  Sew right sides together the two 4 1/2" squares along all four sides using a 1/4" seam.  

2. Cut diagonally across making an X to create four HSTs.  Press seams open or to the side.

3.  Trim HSTs to 2 1/2" square.

4.  Layout your pieces as pictured.

5.  Sew together the top and bottom two squares.  Sew the two middle squares together.  Press seams open.

6.  Sew the two middle pieces together to create a square.  Sew the top and bottom pieces next.  Sew the right side piece last.  Press seams open.  

7.  Lay your backing right side down, then your batting, and then your top face up.  Quilt the pieces together.  I chose to hand quilt using Aurifil Mako (love!).

How to match the binding to a design in your quilt

1.  Sew together one green strip to the white strip like you normally would in making binding.  Fold your binding in half around the white and green area and press.  Fold the raw edge 1/4" and press with a hot iron to create a crease.

2.  Lay the binding right side up matching the edge along the quilt's edge, as if it were already sewn down and flipped back over to bind on the backside of the quilt.  Line up the white line perfectly, and glue baste into place by placing a dot of glue onto the quilt in the seam and heat setting with an iron.  Glue basting will not damage your quilt or iron.

3. Using a ruler and marking pen, align the ruler along the diagonal line of the HST.  Make a mark onto your binding.  THIS IS YOUR SEAM LINE.  Remove the binding (it will easily pull off with a slight yank), and open up your binding.  Finish drawing your diagonal line onto the white area.

4.  Place your other green binding strip like so in the photo.  Pin into place, and flip the binding over, so you can see your marked line.  Sew on the line.

5.  Before trimming the seam to 1/4", fold the binding back into place to see if it does indeed match.  It is easier to fix with extra binding than it is without it.

6.  Trim the seam, and sew on the binding as normal.  I use Elmer's glue to hold the binding exactly where I want it to be when sewing the binding on, and I sewed the white spot on first to get it exactly where I want it.

Merry Christmas!

xx nancy

Find me here too!

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One year ago: Minimalista Quilt
Two years ago: Christmas Stocking Tutorial
Three years ago:  Christmas Dinner Recipes + Settings


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

Pattern Parcel #7

Hello!  Awhile back I agreed to make a sample from one of the patterns from Pattern Parcel #7.  If you are like I was, you may be unfamiliar with Pattern Parcel.

Pattern Parcel has a simple mission in mind.  The company offers sewing enthusiasts the chance to support indie designers and children's education by allowing the buyers to choose how much they would like to donate when purchasing the parcel.  Here is what they have to say in regards to supporting children's education.

Donors Choose is an organization that matches up the needs of teachers and their students for specific projects with willing donors.  The funds raised from each Pattern Parcel sale will go to help K-12 students in minimizing educational inequality and encourage a community where children have the tools and experiences necessary for an excellent education.  

Each parcel is unique with a theme in mind.  This month's parcel is focused on handbags.  Once the parcel time is up, the bundle package is gone.  The buyer will then need to purchase the patterns individually.  Don't want to sew all the patterns within the collection?  That's ok.  You purchase what you think the patterns are worth to you.

Pattern Parcel #7 includes 5 patterns, but choose a price of $32 or greater and you will automatically be sent the Bonus Pattern.  That's just over $5 a pattern!  The bonus pattern is the brand new Daphne Bag from Clover & Violet.  The Daphne is a slouch satchel that can be worn across the body or as a should bag.  The zip top keeps your gear secure and the internal pockets keep your accessories where you need them.

I made the Daphne bag, and it was a really quick sew (and even quicker since I skipped the patchwork and handles).   I am sure you will enjoy it.

To get your Pattern Parcel #7, click the link below.

Parcel #7 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, November 7 Stitched || Sew Exhausted

Saturday, November 8 Made by Sara ||Oliver's Fancy || Strawberry Patch Ramblings

Sunday, November 9 from a box || Mia's Creations || MOMENTS

Monday, November 10 owen's olivia || While she was sleeping

Tuesday, November 11 Nutta || Radiant Home Studio || La Pantigana

Wednesday, November 12 Sew Fishsticks || Stacy Sews || Stitching Insane || GnomeAngel

Thursday, November 13 Needle and Ted || Patchouli Moon Studio || Sprouting JubeJube || The Crazy Tailor

Friday, November 14 Casa Crafty || A Jennuine Life || 'So, Zo... What do you know?'

Saturday, November 15 Stitches by Laura || Rebekah Sews || Serger Pepper

Sunday, November 16 Blogs Like A Mother || Vicky Myers creations || Blossom Heart Quilts

Monday, November 17 Shanni Loves || So Sew Easy || GYCT Designs || Tiger In A Tornado

Tuesday, November 18 The Nosy Pepper || Keep Calm and Carrion || There & Back || Sewing Sober

Wednesday, November 19 Sew Like My Mom || Knot Sew Normal || Stacy Sews || sewVery

Thursday, November 20 Mimi's Mom || Our Family Four || shades of BOLD || Modern Handcraft

Friday, November 21 Shawnta Sews || Lulu & Celeste || Amanda Rose || Robin's Fabric Nest || House of Pinheiro

Thanks for stopping in!

xx nancy

One year ago: Easy Tote Update
Two years ago: For Judy || Felted Acorns
Three years ago: DIY Felt Acorns

sweet as honey

Hello!  Today is my stop on the Sweet as Honey Blog Tour hosted by Bonnie Christine of Going Home to Roost.  She is the creator of this line, and it is sweet indeed.  When she asked me if I wanted to participate, I immediately said yes.  Matt and I raised honeybees for awhile before the unexpected mild temps during one winter killed them.  We lost our hives.

My fabric did not start out as strips.  In fact, they were triangles for a quilt, but it just didn't seem right.  I knew I had to take a different path.  I've never worked with courthouse steps before, and I wanted to give it a try.  The Essex linen in Steel juxtaposes the bright colors.  I paired it with Art Gallery's Squared Elements in Seafoam to calm my selection of fabrics.

As you can see, this collection is fun and cheerful and centered around a woodland theme.

My favorite photo of all though is probably this last one.  It was a bit underexposed, which made the fabric radiate, in my opinion.  The photo was so moody and dark, and it was just the perfect opposition to the sweetness found in Sweet as Honey.

There are 25 bloggers participating, which means 25 projects you can see using Sweet as Honey.   Tomorrow's stop is with the miss Bonnie Christine herself, so you won't want to miss that!

Here's the roundup.

Monday March 3rd – Jennifer | Hopeful Homemaker
Tuesday March 4th – Jessica | Haile and Co
Wednesday March 5th – Meg | Milk and Rhubarb
Thursday March 6th – Meghan | Eat Live Make
Friday March 7th – Sarah | Crinkle Love
Monday March 10th – Amy | During Quiet Time
Tuesday March 11th – Corey | Little Miss Shabby
Wednesday March 12th – Amanda | Material Girl Quilts
Thursday March 13th – Sarah | No Hats in the House
Friday March 14th – Caroline | Sew Caroline
Monday March 17th – Ale | Golden Willow Quilts
Tuesday March 18th – Emily | Beautiful Hello Blog
Wednesday March 19th – Melissa | Lulu The Baker
Thursday March 20th – Nancy | Owen’s Oliva
Friday March 21st – Bonnie  | Going Home to Roost
Saturday March 22nd – Cindy | School House Patterns
Monday March 24th – Melissa | Missouri Mel
Tuesday March 25th – Shannon | Very Shannon
Wednesday March 26th – Heidi | Hands Occupied
Thursday March 27th – Barb | Knack Studios
Friday March 28th – Caitlin | Salty Oat
Saturday March 29th – Karen | Celebrate Life With Us
Monday March 31st – Kellie Kraft Nurse Quilt
Tuesday April 1st – Krista | Everyday Miija
Wednesday April 2nd – April San Pedro | I Am Artisan


Want to buy Sweet as Honey?

You can purchase from BobbieLou's Fabric Factory.

xx nancy

One year ago: Dresser turned Activity Table
Two years ago: How to fix veneered banding

Fabric Basket and Bucket || Tutorial

Hello!  Today I'm over at Somewhat Simple sharing a somewhat easy sewing tutorial that's perfect for Spring.  Depending on the choice of fabrics, these are great for children or adults.  Perfect for small storage or for an upcoming Easter as a custom Easter basket.

I had picked up this wood basket last summer in San Deigo, CA, and I loved it shape, size, and awesome graphic print.  Every time I look at it though, it reminded me of the Easter baskets I had growing up, and I knew it would be fun to make a fabric version.

There are two options - with or without handles.  These baskets measure approximately 5" high (excluding the handle) and 8" in diameter.

Get the full tutorial here.

xx nancy

One year ago: Creating with the Stars
Two years ago: Etsy || Illustrations

4 cross quilts || New colorway

Well, hello there gold cross (or plus) quilts!  Are you swooning?  I have to admit there was a small moment of burnout.  I did not want to look at or make another plus quilt, but after completing them and taking photos, I am back in love.  Will this style ever die?  Nope.  I think this trend will soon become a classic.  Three of these are for sale and are listed in my shop.  There will be more gold quilts coming in the future, possibly venturing away from this print, so stay tuned.  I hope you like them as much as I do!

xx nancy

Quilts can be purchased here.

One year ago: Modern Quilts
Two years ago: Flea Market Finds

Find me elsewhere:  Instagram, Facebook, Etsy shop, Pinterest

Cargo Duffle || Crafty Traveler Series

Hello, and welcome to my stop on the Crafty Traveler blog hop hosted by Ellison Lane.

*Updated!  I shared the link below to show you how to make the handles.*

For this hop, we were asked to review patterns for handmade travel items.  Since I'm lacking the handmade bag department, I opted for the Cargo Duffle.  It is made by Anna Graham of Noodlehead for Robert Kaufman.   This is a nice bag that can be used for all sorts of things.  I really like how my bag turned out, even with the few adjustments I made.

Skill level: Intermediate

Time commitment:  Plan for several hours or a weekend to construct your bag.

Perfect for:  Day trips, overnight bag, church bag, gym bag, or new mothers

What I changed:

-I opted out of the cargo pockets and made a zippered pocket instead.  This would definitely be intermediate since you have to know the sewing and quilting order in order for it to work properly.  I also added piping, which is an easy addition anyone could do.

-I chose not bind my raw edges, but I think that is something I wouldn't skip next time.  Since it's just for me, the exposed raw edges are no big deal, but I could add the binding on at a later time if I wanted.

-I added a plus in the upper right hand corner for a little character.  I chose to inset this, so I would not have any seam lines in my main fabric.

-I sewed my bag with a size 14 needle and my #37 foot (Bernina).  I used my walking foot for the quilting lines.  I mention this because I know not everyone has a walking foot or size 16 needle handy.  My Bernina was able to handle the work, but I know machines vary.

Helpful tips:

-The "accent" piece is literally an accent piece.  My brain kept thinking this was differential word (even after reading the directions!), so I would know which piece she was talking about in the pattern.  Main fabric (leaf print) and accent fabric (linen).  With that and the combination of my eyes fooling me that there was a seam between the linen and the main fabric print, it made for a really dumb night on my part.  So don't do like me and try to fight with this faux seam.  You ain't going to win.

- Updated!  After receiving emails asking about the handles, I am linking the how-to here.  I personally felt the handle instructions were vague. I did not know which side was referred to as the "raw edge" since both sides were raw, even after sewing the right sides together.  There is one photo of it rolled, but I think it would have helped me to have more photos of how to exactly fold the fabric so you have nice accent trims on the sides.  If I can get around to it, I will snap a few photos how to fold the fabric for the handles, and update this post.

-In the instructions, it states to center the gusset loop, and sew RST.  Eyeballing it, I tried to center the zipper and place the piping correctly, so it wouldn't be wonky.  After repositioning three or four times, my fabric was pulling in either direction, and I knew I was doing something wrong.

This caused tightness to happen on only one side of the bag.  I didn't realize that if I was off even by a little bit with my centering, it would throw the whole thing off causing this tightness.  There are no measurements provided of how far the zipper seam was to the gusset seam, so the distance between my zipper seam and the piping on my gusset is 2.5".   Make sure to lay your gusset flat (zipper side up) and measure the center of that.  Then measure the center of the main front piece of your bag.  Pin those two markings into place, and then continue on as the pattern states.

-Do sew only the top and bottom first, and then on the sides.  I didn't have issues with that, but I am sure someone out there will want to skip that step.

-Do buy a carryall zipper, preferably YKK brand, because it makes such a difference!

-If I were to make this bag again, I would consider adding canvas to the straps to make them a little thicker.  I would also consider adding interfacing to the bag to give it a little more structure when there are few items in the bag.  Both ideas are just a personal preference though and have nothing to do with the quality or integrity of the current bag.

My project used:

- Juliana Horner Modbox
- Essex Yarn Dyed Linen by Robert Kaufman
-YKK zippers, 26" carryall and 18" in black
-Quilted in Aurifil Mako 28 wt #2024

Would I recommend this pattern:  Yes for those who, in general, feel confident in sewing.

Here is the original bag made by Anna.  Isn't it lovely?!

xx nancy

One year ago:  Judy Ross Textiles
Two years ago: Aurifil Crayon Variegated Up close


My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!