Fun Mug Rugs With A Heart

 I was playing with some of my scraps leftover from the heart themed table runners.  I thought a little mug rug would be just the project!  Small, fast, easy to make and oh so very sweet.  I have two versions here.  The first is Hearts A Flutter with cute little hearts scattered topsy turvy across the surface. The second, My Beating Heart is so simple yet elegant with just some echo quilting to give it it's personality.

So let's gather some materials. The sizes are the same for both mug rugs.

Front and back fabrics:  (2) pieces 6 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Batting:  (1) piece 6 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Binding: 2" x 36" piece, pressed in half length wise

Hearts: Scraps or strips of multiple colors 

Small piece of fusible web that can be sewn (I used Heat N Bond Lite)

You will see the downloads for the heart templates in the sections below. The templates have an optional seam allowance added (outside line) in case someone wishes to hand applique or turn the edges under and use a straight or blanket stitch to attach.  If fusing, trace the inside dark solid line with no seam allowance, then satin or zig zag stitch the edges.  This will quilt your mug rug at the same time.

Download Hearts A Flutter template here.

For Hearts A Flutter, cut 1" strips then sew together along the length to create a strip set. You could also use strips in random widths but not too wide as the hearts are small.  You could also just make each heart a single color of fabric. Press the seams all in the same direction. 

Trace the hearts onto the paper side of the fusible web. rough cut around them and place them on the back of the strip assembly. Press and fuse into place. Cut out the hearts along the drawn lines.

Scatter the hearts onto the top fabric until you find an arrangement you like, then peel the paper backing and fuse into place.  Layer your backing fabric wrong side up, place the batting on top then your top fabric right side up. Secure the layers together with pins or, stitch around the outside, very close to the edge to hold the layers together.  Satin stitch, blanket stitch or zig zag the edges of each heart.  Then echo quilt once around each heart shape.  

     

Sew your binding on to the front of the mug rug, then fold over to the back.  Machine or hand stitch to the back.

Fabulous and finished!

For My Beating Heart, you will follow all the same steps above except that you will only be fusing on and stitching the one heart.  Download My Beating Heart template here.

The heart is about 3" x 3".  Place it on the mug rug top on the right side centered between the top and bottom with the same distance from the right edge. Fuse or applique into place. Place your layers together, secure then stitch around your heart through all the layers.  Starting at the bottom point of the heart, echo quilt around the heart, equally spacing each round of stitching.  

The echo stitching rounds will eventually start going off the top, bottom and right edges.  As the echo grows larger, you will only be stitching the curves on the left side which goes really fast.  The echo rows should be 1/4" to 3/8" apart.  I just used the width of the foot on my machine.

Finish with binding the same as the Hearts A Flutter mug rug.  That's it, you are done!  So now enjoy your happy little mug rugs this Valentine's Day or any day you wish to share some love with someone special.

Happy Sewing!

Sue

PS. Be sure to visit our web site for lots of great quilt, table runner, placemat, home dec and tote bag patterns!

Heart Themed Quilts With Free Patterns

There are so many fun patterns out on the web that are free!  Great designers share their beautiful designs with us and many also design free projects for the fabric manufacturers to feature a new line of fabric.  Quilt shops love this as they have a great pattern to show you as soon as the fabric arrives.  I was poking around and ran across a few I would like to share.  Of course there are thousands more just through Pinterest alone, but this is a great start!  Some of these certainly could be used for lovely baby quilts any time of year or a fun challenge project to display.

Sandy Gervais (one of my all time favorite fabric designers) created this sweet Candy Hearts table runner for Riley Blake. You can download the PDF here.

We found these adorable hearts designed by Andie Hanna on the Robert Kaufman's site. The quilt is called Chasing Rainbows and would certainly make an adorable nursery or floor quilt for a new arrival.

Robert Kaufman had a lot of free offerings for all seasons but here are a few more of their heart themed quilts.  This lovely quilt called Stars and Hearts Garden Style was made up in batiks but would be awesome in any fabric!

This one is called Sweethearts and also came from the Robert Kaufman site and is so cute in all gingham plaids.

Moda Bake Shop always has a ton of blocks and quilt designs.  I found a few worth noting here.  This one is called Latitude. Would also be fun in batiks with an interesting background print of perhaps grids or maps etc.

This one was also from Moda and used those sweet llama fabrics that were popular.  It is appropriately name Llama Love You.  Of course any small scale print would work.

I love to paper piece and this great heart foundation from Moda could be made in many different sizes and use up a lot of those scraps and small pieces we tend to save.  Would make a  wonderful collage quilt piece using many colors.

This one is called Truffles and looks just like the ooey gooey chocolate centers when you used to stick your finger in the bottom first to see what the filling was before you popped it in your mouth LOL.  Thanks for the memory Moda!

I really loved this one and it is so simple.  Just nine patches set on point.  It is called Stiletto Nine Patch.

And who said diamonds are a girls best friends?  Picture these beautiful pendants in shades of stained glass batiks.  This one was out on the Hoffman site and was simply titled Pendant.

And last but not least is this simple rainbow heart, sunny and bright for any day.

I hope you enjoy making some of these free designs. They certainly translate well in many colors and for many occasions.  I would love to see your creations so be sure to post a pic on my Facebook or Instagram.  Lots of great deals on Dragonfly Fiberart Patterns on the web site, home of the Fast and Fabulous card patterns and we are starting to carry more rulers to make your making easier.  Dragonfly Fiberart Pattern Company

Happy Sewing!

Sue

Kissing Hearts Table Runner

Here is another fun Valentine runner to make.  This was a free pattern post a few years ago and a few folks have asked that I bring it back.  The PDF pattern attached is for the original version with the large squares in the middle to show off your quilting.

The PDF download is here.

I thought it would be fun to add some detail to the centers so I updated my 2021 version with fun pinwheels!  Luna decided it would be a lovely place to settle in for a nap when I decided to take the picture.

Here it is without Miss Luna!

If you would like to create the pinwheels for the center, it is super easy.  You will make Half Square Triangles in two coordinating colors.  I used different colors for the 'X' block and the two Heart blocks as I was working from scraps in my stash.

You will need for each center, two 4" light background squares and two 4" contrast color squares.   

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the light background squares.

        Place RST on the contrast fabric squares.

        Sew a scant ¼” to each side of the drawn line then cut on the line.

        Press to the dark.

        Square as needed to 3 1/2"

Now arrange your half square triangles into a pinwheel and sew together.  Your block should be 6 1/2".  Use this block in place of the plain square in the center of the block.

    

I would love to see pictures of your version!  Be sure to show them them off on social media and join our Dragonfly Fiberart Show & Share Group where you can post all your completed Dragonfly Fiberart Pattern projects and share them with all our friends!

Happy Sewing!

All The Best

Sue

Hearts Full of Love Table Runner Part 2

Part 2 of the Hearts Full of Love Table Runner will create the second block which is the string heart.  We will also put the blocks together, add the borders and I can share with you how I quilted it. But certainly do your own thing as my quilting is primitive at best on a domestic machine.

 

There are a couple of ways you can do this block.  If you wish to piece it (which I did) you can follow the instructions here.  However, if you would rather paper piece it, you can find the foundation here. Because the block is wider than a page, it will tile onto two pages.  Just tape the pages together, lining up the lines.  Be sure your printer is set to full size, no scaling.

Here are the pieces we previously cut:

Light Background: (Tip:  Label your parts to make it easier to identify)
(1) 5 3/4" square and cut twice diagonally (upper heart center)
(4) 5 1/2" squares and cut once diagonally (lower heart corners)
(4) 3 1/2" squares and cut once diagonally (upper heart corners)

From accent 1 (my pink polka dots):

(1) 2" x WOF  (heart blocks)

 

From accent 2 (my pink with white circle bursts)

(1) 2 1/4" x WOF (heart blocks)

 

From main fabric (my red floral)

(1) 3 3/4" x WOF (heart block)

 

From accent 3  (my pink floral)

(1) 2" x WOF (heart blocks)

Create the heart body strip set:

Sew together in order, the 2" accent 3, 2 1/4" accent 2 and the 2" accent 1 strips using a scant quarter inch seam allowance.  Press the seams in the same direction, being careful not to distort your strip set. Your strip set should measure 5 1/4".  From this strip set, cut 4 units that are 8 1/2" wide.

From the main fabric 3 3/4" strip, cut 4 pieces that are 3 3/4" x 5 1/4".  We should now have all our parts.

Sew a center triangle to the short side of the 3 3/4" x 5 1/4" piece.  The tip of the triangle should extend 1/4" beyond the end.  This provides the seam allowance you will need. Press to the dark.

Attach this piece to the strip set.

Press the seam toward the strip set.  Now add the two upper corner triangles.  Press the seams toward the triangles. Remember that the tips of the triangles extend 1/4" beyond the end for the seam allowance.

Now attach the first of the lower triangle corners. The tip of the triangle should extend 1/4" past the edge for your seam allowance.  Press the seam to the triangle.

Next, add the second lower corner in the same manner as the first.

Place a 9 1/2" square up ruler on the block and trim off the excess.  Make 4 blocks.

Now assemble your blocks per the diagram below.  Note the direction of the heart string blocks.  Measure the sides and cut the inner border side strips to length and attach.  Repeat for the top and bottom.  Repeat these steps for the outer border.  Layer the top, batting and backing and quilt as desired. 

From the binding fabric, cut 4 strips 2 1/4" x WOF.  Join the strips with a mitered seam.  Press in half and attach the binding to your quilt.

I am not the greatest free motion quilter (sigh) so I tend to quilt with straight lines.  For this runner, I did stitch in the ditch around each block component then some echo quilting 1/4" from the seams in the triangle areas and on the strings in the heart block.  I traced out hearts in the open blocks of the nine-patch and stitched them using my walking foot.

I hope you had fun making this sweet runner!  Be sure to check out my website for lots of fast and fabulous quilt patterns and Happy Valentine's Day! www.DragonflyFiberart.com

Pattern PDF Download Printable

Happy Sewing!

Sue

Paper Piecing The Moda Village House Blocks

Village Quilt Blocks - Paper Piecing

I really liked the little chimneys on these blocks but it seemed that no matter what I did, they came out wonky perhaps due to the bias distorting.  So I had given up on them.  Then my brilliant friend Deb said "I think I will paper piece these house blocks" and the light bulb went off!  I immediately jumped into Electric Quilt and quickly drew up the block. 

So for those of you that would like to foundation piece this block, click here for the foundation PDF.  Be sure that when you print, your printer is set to full size no scaling.

I have also included the foundation for the house block no chimney here.

I also found out on the web some really cool versions of trees and other things.  Debbie Roberts of the Quilted Moose did an awesome quilt in black and white and was kind enough to create foundations for her trees. The links are on the Moda site under the village blog articles.  You can reach it here.  Debbie did a great step by step tutorial on her website.  You can read it at The Quilted Moose.

Here is her foundations.  Midnight Village Rooftop 

Midnight Village Trees

 I also did a tree, deciduous rather than a fir.  That foundation is here.  TREE 

 

So I hope you have as much fun with these blocks as we did.  Many groups did block swaps and some of the different layouts that folks put together were amazing.  You can see tons of them on Facebook and Pinterest.

 

Happy Sewing!

Sue

 

 

Hearts Full of Love Sew-along - Part 1

 Valentine's Day is not far away so I thought it would be fun to brighten our spaces with a fun runner full of hearts and hugs!

 

The runner is 24" x 42" and has two simple blocks that are repeated.  We will do the runner in two parts.  Part 1 will be gathering your fabrics, cutting and creating the 'X' block.  This block is 9" finished and consists of easy four patches and a pinwheel in the center.  When put together, the components create a nine patch.

First things first!  Let's gather some fabric.  I used pieces from my stash.

                            1/3 yard of light background (I used white on white print) 

                            1/3 yard accent 1 (I used pink polka dots - heart blocks, 4-patches & inner border)

                            1/8 yard accent 2 (I used pink and white circle bursts - heart blocks)*

                            1/2 yard main (I used red floral for blocks and borders)

                            1/4 yard accent 3 (I used pink floral - pinwheels, heart blocks)*

                            1/3 yard binding

                            3/4 yard backing  

 

*Fat quarters would also work for accent 2 and accent 3.  Just cut twice where WOF is indicated. 

 

 From the light background cut:

(1) 2 1/2" x WOF - subcut (8) 2 1/2" squares (pinwheel HST's)

(1) 3 1/2" x WOF - subcut (16) 3 1/2" squares (nine patch block)

(1) 5 3/4" x WOF - subcut this strip as follows:

                            cut (1) 5 3/4" square and cut twice diagonally (upper heart center)

                            cut (4) 5 1/2" squares and cut once diagonally (lower heart corners)

                            cut (4) 3 1/2" squares and cut once diagonally (upper heart corners)

         

Cut twice diagonally

 

Cut once diagonally

 

From accent 1 (my pink polka dots) cut:

(1) 2" x WOF  (heart blocks)

(3) 1 1/2" x WOF (inner border)

(2) 2" x WOF (4-patches)

 

From accent 2 (my pink with white circle bursts)

(1) 2 1/4" x WOF (heart blocks)

 

From main fabric (my red floral)

(2) 2" x WOF  (4 - patches)

(4) 2 1/2" x WOF (outer border)

(1) 3 3/4" x WOF (heart block)

 

From accent 3  (my pink floral)

(1) 2 1/2" x WOF - subcut (8) 2 1/2" squares (pinwheel blocks)

(1) 2" x WOF (heart blocks)

 

Nine Patch Pinwheel and Four Patch Block:  Make 4

 

 

Make Strip Sets:  Sew a 2" x WOF accent 1 strip to a 2" x WOF main fabric to create a strip set.  Use an accurate 1/4" seam allowance so that your strip is straight and measures 3 1/2". Make (2) strip sets.  Press the seam to the dark.  Sub-cut from these strip sets (32) 2" wide units.

 

 Make 4-Patch Units: Make two piles of 16 units each and turn one so they are opposite.  Chain sew units together to create the four patch units.  You will need 16 four patches.  

 

Before pressing, be sure to spin the seams in the back to cut down on the bulk in the center.  You should see a little four patch like below.  Set aside.

Make Half Square Triangles:  Gather the (8) 2 1/2" background squares and draw a diagonal line on the back of each (or press a crease if preferred).  Place right sides together with the 2 1/2" accent 3 squares.  Sew a scant 1/4" on either side of the drawn line. Cut on the line and press open to the dark.

Press to the dark and square up to 2"

Place the HST units in piles by your machine in the order they are to be sewn.  Chain piece the HST units through the machine in order.  Keep the chains intact. Now pair the halves of the pinwheel together and chain piece the final seam to complete the unit.

Turn the units over and spin the center seam like you did on the four patches.  This will cut the bulk in the center. Press the blocks and square to 3 1/2".

 

Assemble the Nine Patch Block: (Make 3)

Lay out your block components in the order they are to be sewn.  We will chain piece the blocks together in order so that everything will be kept together with the chains through the final seams.

Starting at the top of the first row, sew the left column blocks to the center column blocks, pick up the first block in the second row and sew to the center, and pickup the first block in the third row and sew to the center.  Keep sewing the first and second columns together until they are all sewn.  

Now starting at the beginning attach the blocks from the third column in order.  This will keep all your blocks chained together in order.

Now you can sew the final seams together to finish the nine patch blocks. Be sure to bookend the seams as you sew.  I finger pressed as I sewed.   It really doesn't matter which way you press the seams.  I pressed mine to the background blocks for the least amount of bulk.  Once the blocks are all sewn, give them a good pressing.  Now make sure they measure 9 1/2" square.  

You did it!  We have finished Part 1.  Next week in part two we will create the heart string blocks, put the blocks together and finish the runner.