My Daring Dresden Diddie with a Cute Little Tute

First let me say a great huge THANKS to Christine of Quilt Monster In My Closet and Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt for this incredible hop they've put together. I'm so honored to be a part of it.

I want to give a big HUG to Christine, for letting me reschedule this post. Originally I was supposed to be hopping the very first day, but sometimes life just throws you a curve ball without any warning. If you've visited me recently, you know it's been a pretty sad week  and for those who left such heartfelt words of sympathy, encouragement and friendship (not to mention some pretty touching stories)...know that I've read every comment and feel so very blessed for the love and support I have really needed the last couple of days.

Now time for the show!

I adore Dresden blocks...yet I've only ever made one Dresden quilt. It was one of my first 'real' quilts back in the day when I played mostly at making dolls and bears. I planned to show you a pic but lo and behold - I can't find the quilt. Yikes! How does one lose a quilt?

When I first saw the chance to join the "Dare To Dresden" hop I immediately thought this would be the perfect time to finally do something with this English paper pieced Dresden I'd started a while ago.

This was supposed to be part of a sampler quilt I was designing for my Mom and Dad. Oh my *gasp*...dearest Dad has been gone for almost 4 years....eeks...do I really want to admit that I've had this for longer than that? And now that I've teased you...guess what...I decided to do something completely different! (But never fear, I AM turning THIS Dresden into a little wall hanging for Mom...I can't wait to finish and share it with you...just not today).

Today it's all about this cute little

 "Mock Dresden Mug Rug"

Isn't it just the cutest?

(am I humble or what! haha)

Now another confession...I took swiped borrowed this cup from my Mom. She got it for Christmas. What kind of a daughter TAKES her mom's Christmas gift? I couldn't help myself...it's so me...I LOVE Black and White anything. Don't worry, I WILL replace it with a cute PINK cup - something more to Mom's liking.

In one of my other groups a gal had posted before Christmas that she was making mug rugs to match mugs she had found...for gifties for friends...I really liked that idea. I can't wait to start hunting for more mugs (I pinky swear I won't take any more of Mom's)...I guess we know what my friends will be getting for Christmas this year.

I do have a 'give-away' and you don't have to do anything to win it. It is something every ONE of you can have...a cute little 'tute' to make your own. I hope you enjoy it. It's pretty picture heavy (my friend Doris said that's the ex-elementary teacher coming out in me...hmmm...I think she might be right). But before we start 'tute-ing' - I don't want to forget to give you the list of all the other awesome Daring Dresden Doings that are happening today! Be sure to check them out - just remember to come back for your lesson!

January 28^th, 2013

A Reformed Heath'n

Meadowbrook

Rosemary B @ “that Other Blog”

Stitch Duchess' Crazy & Sane Quilting World

Grammie Q’s

Bumbleberry Stitches

Sunshine Girl

Spiral

Butjenter Quilter

Blooming Where I am Planted

Quilting Lodge

The Tilted Quilt

Life in the Scrapatch

Pretty Bobbins
In The Boon Docks

Sew Much and More

Threading My Way
Pink Ribbon Quilts
Thimblemouse & Spouse (you're here)

Mock Dresden mug rug - Tutorial

I foundation pieced this cute little diddie and you can too! First you'll need the paper pattern. Let's see, where did I put it? Ok...found it.

Click HERE for the pdf file to download and print. Remember...you will need TWO COPIES! I love my EQ for designing blocks! I use everyday copy paper. The BEST advice I ever got in a class was with Karen Stone...she is the QUEEN of foundation piecing and I will never forget her words of wisdom "save your $ for fabrics...use your computer paper...with the proper needle and very small stitches you will be ok" (or words to that effect..haha).

First you will need to mark your patterns with the fabrics (colors) you will be using

Note that one block STARTS with BLACK (#1) then RED, then Black...and sew on on sew forth. You will need to mark TWO of the paper blocks just like that (of course, using YOUR colors).

The other block STARTS with RED (#1), then Black, then red...etc. Again, mark TWO of your paper blocks that way.

My fabrics above. I worked with fat quarters because that's what I had. Below you will see I cut strips from each fabric about 2" wide

With only two fabrics, I needed TWO strips of each color (cut 2" x 22" approx - no reason to rotary cut them unless you want to).  I often work with 'strips' and scissor cut as I need them.

Remember that you are working from the PRINTED side of the paper - your fabric will be placed on the backside - #1 fabric is ALWAYS WRONG SIDE AGAINST THE PAPER...a light in the background helps to see the placement (see above) your fabric MUST COVER the space it's intended for AND GO BEYOND the seam lines - in case you are wondering, I am still working with a FULL strip - I don't trim the strips until I've 'pinned' or sewn them in place.

Next....

I usually rely on the 'light' for the first placement of fabric. After that, I'm all about the 'pinning'. I've added a pin thru the paper AND #1 fabric ON the seam line - also another pin on the seam line where the TOP of the blade will be.

With my scissors (above) I will trim my strip now so it's not flopping about. The pin guide let's me know where the seam will be and I trim a very healthy quarter inch past that.

Next comes #2 - Looking at the fabric side - I find the pin I've used for the 'seam guide' (below)...I will line up my second fabric close by (from now on it's ALL RIGHT SIDES DOWN sweeties)

Then I will move the fabric OVER AND PAST the pin marker - think 1/4" seam as you do this

and while holding both fabrics in place - Re-PIN through the paper, both fabrics...ON the seam line.

Clear as mud?

After the pin is in place - now is the time to TEST what you've done - open up the fabrics and make sure the 2nd one will cover everything it's supposed to cover with enough left over for the next seams. When you are sure it will all work....time to turn on your machine.

(If you 'opened' the fabrics...be sure to close them again - in other words...both will be touching, RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.)

Set your STITCH LENGTH to TEENY (I use the 1.5 setting....which is something like 15-18 stitches per inch)...oh, and about your 'needle' - a size 90 is strongly suggested...larger shaft, larger holes...easier paper removal later....But...(yep...another true confession)...I use whatever size is on my machine...usually it's a 70. With small enough stitches....I have no problem.

With everything in place (above)...stitch those teeny stitches following the seam line between 1 and 2. Start a good 3/8" OUTSIDE (or before) the line....

ending with several stitches PAST the top of the blade....(ideally a good 3/8" further would be nice - obviously a case of "Do As I Say and Not As I Did" if you go by the picture - LOL)

Trim threads...trim the sewn seam to 1/4" ish - (I usually just scissor cut this) - fold back the fabrics...finger press (below)...

...add new 'pin guides' on the second fabric. See below to remind you where the new pin guides go.

Trim #2 Fabric strip for easier handling.

Pin #3 Fabric in place....stitch as before...then trim away the excess seam fabric

Continue on until all Five fabrics are sewn in place. Give it all a good pressing from the fabric side.

I machine 'basted' ( see above and below) outside of the stitching lines to hold my fabrics in place.

Complete all four quarter blocks - trim each one up on the outer most cutting line so all of your foundations are square and the same size - yes, you should only have the 1/4" seam allowances on the very edge of your papers (sorry - I forgot THAT picture..oops)

Matching two of the quarters (above)...sew together.

Again...no picture (I am such a lacky)...use a pin to match up your seam lines.

You are STILL using TEENY stitches!

Once sewn...you can remove the CENTER SEAM PAPER ONLY...and to make it easier later on - trim away some of the center paper (below).

Make two halves exactly the same and then sew together as shown below. Press the four joining seams open.

Rough cut to trim around the outer edge - you don't need those corner edges of paper anymore, but keep all other paper in place.

 Find some backing and batting and cut to the measurement shown below. 

With right sides together pin pieced foundation to backing/batting, your 'sandwich' will be

Pieced foundation (right side down)

Backing (right side up)

Batting

Stitch on the seam line all the way around - yes, you're still using the Teeny stitch.

Next, scissor trim around the outside edge. I left a scant 1/4" seam allowance (or maybe even a healthy 1/8" seam...what ever you are comfortable with. A smaller seam will allow the outside curve to shape up better).

After trimming, your piece should look like this.

Carefully remove the paper foundation.

Turn Rightside OUT - taking care not to pull apart the seams around the center hole. Don't stress if they come apart 'slightly' - the center circle you will add will cover that up.

Press flat.

I got very scientific deciding upon the size of the center circle I would use. I measured the bottom of my coffee cup and then I found something round that was larger, that I could use for tracing a circle....

....an empty yogurt container...hahaha. (approx size 3-3/4" across for those that need a number). Cut two squares larger than the circle (in my case, about 4-1/2")...I used the same fabric for both squares.

Trace around your circle "tool" with a pencil. Use Teeny stitches to sew on the traced line, overlapping beginning and ending stitches. (remember, smaller stitches...nicer circle)

Trim as shown above. Carefully cut a slit for turning through ONE LAYER of fabric. Turn circle Rightside OUT - press. Pin in place over opening. Machine or handstitch in place. I used a machine blanket stitch.

Quilt as desired.

Ta-Da! 

Don't forget...even a mug rug needs to be signed.

I hope you enjoyed this. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. If you make your own (and I so hope you will)...I'd love to see it! You can always post a picture in the Thimblemouse & Spouse Friends flickr group here. Feel free to link back to this blog if you'd like...that always makes me smile.

Have a super week! Now get stitchin'!

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<