I'm happy to be participating in yet another fun blog hop, this time hosted by Carla of Creatin in the Sticks.
Here's the list of today's participants:
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The theme of this hop is Mug Rugs; small quilted or sewn mats to put under your cup of coffee, tea, or whatever.
I will show you what I've created for this hop, after taking a trip down memory lane.
I have made, many, many, mug rugs in the course of doing blog hops. They're fun, quick, and easy to stich up. Here are some of the mug rugs I've designed, along with links to their posts (and free patterns in some cases). You can find still more in my list of Free Patterns on the left side of this blog.
I also just created a mug rug for the Ghastly Ghouls Blog Hop, and you can see that project and post here.
I got a question during the Ghastly Ghouls Blog Hop about cleaning wool felt mug rugs. They cannot be laundered like cotton ones. They will shrink in warm/hot water, and can't handle a lot of agitation in a machine. They can be hand washed in cold water, or spot cleaned. Most of my designs could also be made as raw-edge applique in cotton. Just quilt and bind them after doing the applique like you would any cotton mug rug.
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And now, the project I did specifically for this hop!
As you can see from the above projects, I usually work in wool applique. But I also enjoy hand-piecing and English Paper Piecing upon occasion. For my mug rug, I did EPP with apple core shapes measuring 1.5" wide and 2" tall. They were definitely more challenging to sew together than hexagons, (my usual go-to for EPP), but I enjoyed the exercise! After I had sewn a bunch together (using scrap fabric), I decided to applique them to a wool felt backing, and then added another backing piece behind that. The applique, and stitching around the outside of the mug rug, are done with embroidery floss and a blanket stitch. The final apple core mug rug measures 10" square.
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I enjoy reading your comments, and will respond via email unless you are a No Reply Blogger.
Finally, be sure to visit everyone participating in this great hop!
Monday, November 15th
Tuesday, November 16th
Wednesday, November 17th
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs (you are here)
Thursday, November 18th
Lovely mug rugs. That apple core hand sewn one must have taken ages to make. I've done much EPP, but never that. I should have to try one day.
ReplyDeleteSo many pretty mug rugs. They look fabulous.
ReplyDeleteYour mug rugs are beautiful -- great job on the apple core - I haven't the nerve to try it yet -- did one hexagon quilt- my best friend started before she passed away - I finished it for her family
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing some of your mug rugs from the past! I really enjoyed your new one too--the hand piecing is very nicely done and looks lovely on the green background.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the apple core so small, good work! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great way to try EPP apple cores. I've always wanted to do an apple core quilt and this is a great way to try it before committing to a whole quilt. Your mug rugs are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteFun mug rugs. The apple core would be a great scrap buster.
ReplyDeleteGreat collection of mug rugs! I have considered trying the apple core epp but was always intimidated. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's always so much fun to see your designs. The apple core mugrug is adorable! Thanks for the info on laundering wool as well. That was a great question someone asked.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to use up scrap fabrics! Fun to see your various mug rug designs, too!
ReplyDeleteLove all your mug rugs, but especially that apple core one. It reminded me that I have an apple core UFO! Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I have never done English paper piecing but this makes me want to give it a try. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThey're all so cute! Lots of work on the apple core mug rug, and I love seeing scrappy projects.
ReplyDeleteSo many adorable littles! And your latest is just the cutest of little quilts! I love gifting them! Affordable, easy to make and just so darn cute!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute mug rugs. Thank you for sharing your creative inspiration. I love all of them!
ReplyDeleteI like all of your mug rugs, but I think I like the apple core one the best. Thanks for the info on washing/cleaning wool mug rugs. Just wondering how absorbent they are like if a glass of ice tea is "sweating".
ReplyDeleteYou always make such cute projects with wool. I love the apple core design (something I've never done) and how warm and wintery it looks. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThese are adorable wool mug rugs - hard to pick a favorite!
ReplyDeleteAwesome mug rugs. I especially like the birds of paradise. Enjoy your day! 🌻🍂
ReplyDeleteOh I love your apple cores, so tiny!
ReplyDeleteWow--so many wonderful mug rug designs.
ReplyDeleteGreat mug rugs! Your apple core EPP project was wonderful; I've always wondered how difficult it would be to do those apple cores. Thanks for the heads-up.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous mug rugs. I love your apple core one. I've never tried EPP curves. Are they tricky?
ReplyDeletesuch a wonderful collection. thanks so much for sharing your patterns with us.
ReplyDeleteLove the EPP with the wool background, Elizabeth! All your mug rugs are great!!
ReplyDeleteI think you are the queen of mug rugs!! They are all so unique! xx
ReplyDeleteThese wool mats are wonderful! I especially like how you made the apple core mug rug. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery lovely mug rug! Love the apple core and this is fun on the green background.
ReplyDeleteLots of lovely mug rugs! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI remember some of the mug rugs from previous blog hops and it is always a delight to see them again. The apple core mug rug is lovely but they are definitely more difficult to stitch together than hexagons.
ReplyDeleteI love mug rugs! Thanks for sharing your patterns too.
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