I started first by making a table runner for our July Across The Pond Sew Along... with the "Christmas in July" theme:
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| My Merry Gift Boxes table runner pattern by Clover and Violet |
Then, I went over to The Patchsmith's blog to see what Amanda has been sewing during July. I was in awe of all of her beautiful holiday mug rug patterns that she has designed!
I had a hard time deciding which one to start first... but chose the
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| Gingerbread Cup mug rug pattern by The Patchsmith photo courtesy of The Patchsmith blog |
Fabrics used: Jolly Christmas Vita Mechachonis Camelot Cottons (mug)
Grandma's Gingerbread Dianna Marcum Marcus Fabrics (vest)
Keepsake Calico JoAnn Fabrics (brown tonal for gingerbread man)
Mini Mike Michael Miller (tiny tan gingham)
Cookie Cutter Christmas Wilmington Prints (backing/binding)
*A great thing about The Patchsmith's patterns... you don't need a lot of fabric to make the projects!!*
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| My Gingerbread Cup mug rug by Susie |
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| Mug of cocoa with hot steam swirls and a candy cane |
I machine- stitched the blanket stitch for outlining the cup and the gingerbread man.
Then I embroidered, by hand, the fun details that makes this mug rug come to life.
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| Vest buttons and the icing on his ams and legs close-up |
I love the little loving details that Amanda puts into her patterns. They make them so fun to make.
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| All ready to use in December!! |
Joy and Gingerbread Bunting...
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| Amanda's Gingerbread Bunting pattern |
So , you know what is coming.... A Gingerbread Bunting for me!
I found some felt for the backs of the gingerbread men, and some cute coordinating fabrics at JoAnn for the clothes. I already had the brown fabric for the cookie dough fronts.
The directions in Amanda's pattern are excellent! I chose to fuse the front and felt back together, with Heat-n-Bond, and then blanket stitch them together (by machine.)
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| The fabric ready to iron the Heat-n-Bond onto |
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| Laying out the body shapes onto the felt |
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| Blanket stitching around the vest |
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| All of their outfits are sewn. Now time to embellish! |
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| I decided to machine sew (satin stitch) the icing . Left has icing / Right no icing |
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| With and without icing |
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| Look what else I found at JoAnn..... bows for the girls!! I used a bit of Liquid Stitch for attaching the bows. |
After the glue had dried, I just had to sew them onto my 55 inches of ric-rac. I used my invisible thread to do that. The next time I make them, I will glue on the bows AFTER they are sewn on to the ribbon or ric-rac. I will have more head sewing space to attach each girl to the ribbon.
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| Gingerbread Bunting Susie's Sunroom version |
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| My gingerbread boy and gingerbread girl |
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| Rehearsing for December... |
I only have one problem... when I hung this Gingerbread bunting on my fireplace mantle.... it only reached HALF WAY across! I need to make a second one ! But there's plenty of time yet... it's still July!!
Amanda's Gingerbread bunting project is Day Two at the "Christmas in July" Blog Hop at The Crafty Quilter blog.
Julie has gathered many talented bloggers who are sharing holiday tutorials at her blog. Many have giveaways, too! Day One visits Amy, at Amy Made That! blog.
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| Amy's Christmas Tree Topiary Pillow photo courtesy of Amy @ Amy Made That! |
Her tutorial is full of details and clear instructions! I really want to make one of these pillows. It is so elegant. Go on over to see her tutorial and beautiful pictures!
Be sure to keep checking all week for more designs at The Crafty Quilter blog!!
Well, I think I will make some supper, and find some time to make sewing time tonight for...
another bunting by The Patchsmith!!
Link up any Christmas projects you are working on in our Across The Pond Sew Along Flickr Group! We love to see what everybody is making with us!
Be sure to keep checking all week for more designs at The Crafty Quilter blog!!
Well, I think I will make some supper, and find some time to make sewing time tonight for...
another bunting by The Patchsmith!!
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| I'm off to my sewing room! |
