Order the #HealingHeartsQuilt Pattern for Houston Relief

Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the recent natural disasters around the country, and the world.  And because so many of us turn to our quilting to help and heal in times like this, we want to share the news that our friends at Fat Quarter Shop will be releasing a new, exclusive PDF pattern called Healing Hearts, and will be donating 100% of the proceeds to the JJ Watt Foundation Houston Flood Relief Fund.

This PDF pattern retails for just $9.00, and every cent of the proceeds will go to the Foundation.  It will be available here until October 31.  Fat Quarter Shop will also be auctioning a sample quilt made from this pattern, and those proceeds will go to the Rebuild Texas Fund.

In addition, Quarter Shop prepared the same beautiful quilt design above in an alternate colorway, using prints from Pam Buda’s PRAIRIE BASICS collection.  Whichever you choose, be sure to share your healing with #healingheartsquilt. Thanks for everything you do!

We (Heart) Batik Valentine’s Mugrugs!

If you LOVE mugrugs AND batiks like we do, then you’re sure to also LOVE our easy Valentine’s Day Mugrug design!  Not only can you make these by the dozen for all the loves of your life – you can also enter each and every one of them in our new Mugrug Challenge, for a chance to win one of our weekly prizes!  Check out the Challenge details, then read the how-to below make this design… it’s the perfect complement for a cup of tea made from fresh sage leaves and a couple of tea biscuits, as shown

HeartmugugFinished

First, I cut out a paper heart shape pattern to the desired size, plus about 1/4″ seam allowance all around.  (If you’d rather not hand-cut your pattern, you’ll find about a zillion of them online, print out your favorite ; ).

HeartMugrug

Using three tonal RADIANT REFLECTIONS batiks, I started stitching up a crazy quilt block directly onto the batting (I used Fairfield Soft & Toasty cotton batting), for an easy quilt-as-you-go construction method. I added fabrics randomly until the block was just larger than the heart pattern.  I cut both the pieced block and a backing fabric from the heart pattern, and stitched them right sides together all around with a 1/4″ seam, leaving an opening to turn. Next, just turn and press, closing the opening with hand stitches or a narrow strip of fusible tape.  Add a coordinating mug or teacup, a packet of cappuccino mix or some gourmet teabags, and a love note.  Maybe a matching batik napkin for extra credit?

Now, just take a picture, enter the Challenge on Instagram with #MarcusMugshot, and your Valentine is now ready to give!          —   lisa