Triangles and Free Motion Quilting

I like to try new things. As I mentioned here, I think that mug rugs are a fun way to try out new quilting techniques. I've had a similar design in mind for a quilt since I've seen so many amazing ones online. This was one of my favorites. It is wonderful in so many ways but a quilt that size in those little triangles was a little too much for me.

I have never tried quilting and piecing with triangles before. It just seemed so intimidating. Choosing the fabrics was a fun way to start. I decided on bright blues balanced with a linen colored solid. I really like the backing fabric, which is the color inspiration for the front. Then I just started cutting and sewing and before long I had this little mug rug. The binding is a brown solid I made from some scraps I had.

When I was thinking of how to quilt it I figured why not try some free motion quilting. This pattern is common and I basically tried to get even spacing on the stitches and not overlap any of the quilting lines. It was so fun. I am definitely going to do more free motion quilting. I love how this one turned out and with practice it will get even better.

So this time around I learned that practice is good when it comes to free motion quilting. And like every quilter will tell you, squaring up your blocks is really important. Next time I will also take the time to really set my seams better with the iron so that my corners hopefully will match up a little better.

If you'd like more info on this mug rug you can see more over here in the shop.

Ravenclaw Mug Rug

A mug rug is a little quilt between the size of a coaster and a placemat. Perfect for coffee and a muffin or milk and cookies. I've been thinking they would be fun to make for a few reasons. First they would be a quick project since they are so little. Second, I could use up scraps and bits of favorite fabrics I have laying around. And finally, they would give me a chance to try new quilting techniques. Trying out a new pattern or quilting style on a large quilt is sort of scary. I worry about ruining fabrics or just plain making a mess of a project. However, with a mug rug at worst I would have to scrap a little 6 inch by 10 inch quilt: definitely not as intimidating.

When our dear friend, Frankie, turned 30 this August we wanted to make him something unique and special. He is a huge Harry Potter fan and he is a Ravenclaw. If you read the books or have seen the movies you know what that means, if not just know that Ravenclaw's colors are blue and bronze. So I decided to make him a little Ravenclaw mug rug for his desk at work. I went with a classic stripe for the front. Then used the bronze for the backing and blue for the binding. It includes a thin piece of natural batting and is quilted in straight lines with blue thread. You really notice the quilting when you look at the back. I really like the effect of the blue quilting on the bronze fabric. 

After giving Frankie his gift I had enough fabric left over to make another Ravenclaw Mug Rug. If you are interested you can find it here in the shop.