The new kawandi - made by machine

 Today's post is about kawandi - but this time I decided to sew by machine.

It is mug rug again and happened more faster. I used the same manner as traditional one.

Hand sewn kawandi is more soft and nice to touch.

This one took me only one hour from start to finish.

Which one do you prefer? Have you tried any of them?

My first kawandi

 I have seen siddi quilt many months ago and loved improvisation and recycling' possibilities.

This month have red an article and understand that it is called kawandi. Siddi is the name of Africa's women who moved to India and make such quilts..

There are many tutorials, but I have watched one and started with a small piece - a mug rug.

I was hooked. It took me 2 hours from start to finish. 

The most important thing I have learned:

* The outer row is the most difficult to make -  once you stitch the second round it goes fast and pleasant.

* It is easier to use old (used) fabrics.

* Thimble will help, but it is not a must.

* I have to take a rest every hour - making some stretching. I was so obsessed and forget about short rest with a gym.

Manx quilting block

Some years ago I spent almost 6 months for learning different patchwork and quilting techniques, different blocks and patterns. I have not tried all of them but those ones I was interested in I have tried.

Yesterday a quilt friend shared a very old technique and I realized I have not seen it before.

This is a Manx quilting block.

It is very easy, hand sewn  method that don,t need perfect measures.

I was challenged to make it by machine.

I decided to finish as a coaster because no idea what to do with a whole quilt the same technique. For now:)

Here is a short tutorial how to make the binding.

Do not place the last "logs". Instead of this use the backing for binding.

Double fold the sides by iron.

 

Double fold the corner.

 

 

 

Repeat with  all corners. Begin stitching from the middle of the side.

 

When reach the corner pivot with needle down.

Then turn back as close to the fold as you can.

At the next corner I made a back stitch in the inner corner. Hope it will lay more neatly.

The back 

 

  

Happy Valentine

You are my Valentine!
Better way to say this words is to make a mug rug for your sweat Heart.
The idea came to me last Summer, but the health problems stopped me to make a pattern.
Now it is finished. I am satisfied.

Another idea for Saint Valentine day - Let love grow!

Or why not to test Love with Modern tester.

 

Personalized Hexie mug rug

I need to make a special gift for a dear friend.
Sewing hexagon by hand seems the best way to put all my feelings into this mug rug.
Making a mug rug for a man has to be more personalized and I decided to build a letter inside.
I have chosen different prints in blue and began cutting and  sewing.
It was a peaceful process.
At the beginning I paper piece the first letter of his name.
I have designed the whole alphabet.

 

 The paper hexagon is the same size as all the hexies in the project - see the back side.

I used the paper as a template for EPP.

Then prepare all other hexies (I use running stitch), order them on table and stitch them by hand as usual.
You can use this tutorial for hexagons paper templates or simply download for FREE and cut as many as you need.
Carefully remove the paper especially when tear it from hexie with letter.

This is the top of the mug rug.

Add batting and backing, quilt as you desire and make a binding.

Coffee or tea, please.

Oh My Deer or sewing small squares

 I always like sewing little items.
Do you know these tiny pieces - sometimes sewn improvisational sometimes ordered with perfect matching corners.
Till one morning a week ago.
I have seen a tapestry diagram on Pinterest with reindeers, trees and snowflakes.
I knew I had to make it as a quilt - this time mug rug only.
I made a sketch of squares and began cutting.
Ordered the small pieces on a fusible interfacing with little help of glue stick.

Ironed when finished and began sewing.

  Here I realized how small is one inch square.

 But I kept sewing.

I wish I knew another way for using a fusible interfacing.
Elizabeth Hartmann from Oh Franson shared an interesting and helpful method.

I wandered a little bit about binding, but finally have a finished mug rug

The diagram is very versatile - use different size of grid to sew mug rug, cushion case or tablemat.

Enjoy your creativity!

Leaf alone quilt block

I couldn't believe this paper pieced block pattern is finished and introduced to the quilters .
I love joking and like the idea for name of the pattern. 
I have made a leaf and use it in my wall hanging The four seasons
Outside is a beautiful autumn so after making a mug rug for a friend of mine I realized it will be great pattern for creating many items - totes, pot holders, wall hangings.

Combining fabrics different palettes gives interesting seasonal look – you could easy collect all seasons in a wall hanging.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter 

 

How to make the perfect circle mug rug

I have designed a daffodil stained glass picture and realized that binding it usual way with bias tape won't look pretty.
I wondered what fabric to choose, thought a little more and decided to make it as cushion cover - place top and back right sides together, stitch and turn over.
The difference is that instead of leaving a hole for turn over when stitching along the perimeter, you have to stitch WHOLE perimeter and make a slash on the back for turn over. This ensure you have a perfect circle shape.
I have seen this method on the Lisa Call's site - an interesting fiber artist I have found two years ago.
In fact she made ACEO mini quilt - they are small rectangles 2.5″ x 3.5″only, but the idea is the same.

You will need 7" circle batting , 7" circle backing, 3"x1" strip non-woven fusible interfacing and finished top.

1.Lay the batting and prepared top right side up and stitch around at a quarter inch from the edge
of the picture to fasten two layers.

 2. Fuse a strip of fusible interfacing on the wrong side of backing and cut a 2.5” slash.

 

3. Lay the backing right side up and place on it the prepared  top  from step 12 right side down.
Stitch round perimeter follow the seam you made earlier to fasten batting and top.

4. Trim the batting only close to the seam.

5. Turn over the mug rug through the slash you have cut on the back.

Iron well, stitch round close to the edge.
Place a strip 2 x 5” on the slash on the back and needle turn applique
a strip to hide the hole.

6. Now you have a perfect circle mug rug.
Make a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the spring.

Easter bunny stained glass mug rug

After some attempts with easy shapes I decided to make more complicated picture as stained glass.
Because Easter is round the corner it is obviously I aimed my efforts to this scenario.

I have appliqued the same way - look at the tutorial HERE.

The difference now is that I want to have a finished item - mug rug,
The only possible quilting would be stitch in the black. Anyway I don't want to touch beauty of black stripes with thread stitching.
I quilted the backing and batting first.

Then place this sandwich right side down and place the finished top on.
Stitch round the perimeter at a quarter inch from the edge of the picture  and trim to 3/8 inches from the edge.

Then add binding as usual.

Grab the pattern from CRAFTSY or ETSY.

Tip:
I have chosen pastel fabrics, but think more vivid colors would give a better look!

Thanksgiving giveaway

On the eve of Thanksgiving day and looking forward quiet Christmas days

Attention, please!

to ALL quilters

I wart to say you THANKS! 
For supporting me as an indie designer. 
For inspiration you are giving to me every day with your projects made by my patterns.

Today is the start of the RightPatterns' Give-away to celebrate the holidays.

It is running from 18^th November to 5 ^th December 2014 .

The winner will receive my newest pattern Merry Moustache Mug Rug.

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling me

What colors is your Christmas?

Bonus entry:  followers , new and old, please leave a second comment.

I will close Giveaway on 5 ^th December 2014 and will announce the winner (chosen by Random generator) here on my blog and by e-mail no later than 8 ^th of December.

Good luck!

P.S. 

If you are interested in the pattern, but are not the lucky winner download the pattern from HERE.