Machine embroidery + crazy quilting makes a gratifying mug rug

Yesterday I showed you how to get started using the embroidery unit on THE Dream Machine 2. I decided to use my little heart embroidery as the center of a crazy quilt-style mug rug. I left the embroidery unit on the machine but switched to ‘Sewing’ mode.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

1 embroidered square of approximately 5″ to use for the center

2½” strips of fabric in coordinating colors

Starting on one side of the embroidered square, sew on a 2½” strip, right sides together, on an angle. Press seam away from the embroidered fabric. Trim excess fabric from the seam allowance.

Using a different fabric, sew a strip, on an angle, on the next side of the embroidered fabric. Press. Trim excess fabric from the seam allowance.

Continue adding strips all around the embroidered fabric. Try to use a different fabric for each new strip and create a variety of angles as you sew on the strips.

You could stop and square-up the block now. You could also sew another round of strips on top of the previously sewn strips to make a larger mug or table mat. Depending on the angle on which you sew the pieces, you will have to add 4 – 6 strips in order to get all around the block. Press and trim each seam as you sew.

Using a plastic square or ruler, and a fabric marking pencil, draw a line to mark the outside measurements of the block so that the block measures your desired size. My block is 8½” x 8½”, but you can make yours whatever size you wish. Don’t cut off the excess fabric yet.

For an added accent I stitched ‘in the ditch’ of each seam using stitch #Q-04 and the same thread that I used for the embroidery. This is just 1 of 30 different “Q” stitches on THE Dream Machine 2 that is designed especially for quilting.

I layered the embroidered crazy quilt square, batting and backing and pin-basted to secure.

Using the walking foot and the serpentine stitch #Q-16, I quilted a simple design around the square using monofilament thread. THE Dream Machine 2 had no problem sewing with this sometimes difficult thread. I added a binding and my little mug rug was finished.

This is a quick and useful project to make and you can make the mug rugs any size you like. You can try out many different embroidery designs as you are learning to use THE Dream Machine 2 by Brother and also use up some of those scraps you have been saving for a special project.

Be sure to come back tomorrow and I’ll show you how to use the scanning frame that comes with THE Dream Machine 2  so you can convert your own drawings or designs into embroidery designs.