Monday 30 September 2013

Solar Flare Mug Rugs


I am slipping behind with Samelia's Mum's 52 Week Scrap Challenge. Nevertheless I am really pleased with my version of Sunny Mug Rugs from Week 8.


Once again I have slightly gone my own way. I have written before about my difficulty learning free motion machine sewing. I so love the results (other peoples' I mean), but it is clearly quite a skill, that I have not yet mastered. 


I also think I find it hard because not only have I not mastered the technique, but it also goes against my natural instinct, which is to have everything neat and tidy, even stitches, and no raw edges. Ok, I admit it, I'm probably a bit repressed.


I decided to make a set of four mug rugs, and partly because of the amount of material and wadding I had, to make them a bit smaller than Samelia's mums. I did intend to sew the points of the sun, and started with my centre circles, using a really bright fabric which used to be a lovely wrap-around skirt, but unfortunately I have expanded and it no longer wraps around me. 

As you can see my stitching went completely messy. But at least I do know why. My rugs were too small to fit in the embroidery ring, and I have not been able find a darning foot that fits my sewing machine. I was a bit distraught, and tempted to throw them in the bin, but then hubby said that they actually did look very sun-like - just like the solar flares that you see in photographs. So I decided to just go with it, and added some even more eratic edging. They didn't seem to need points, but I did hand sew some little twinkly gold stars.


And then I could let my inner repressed sewer, who likes everything to be neat, tidy and in boxes, express herself by sewing on different coloured binding. 

Time for a nice cup of tea I think, with a cheese and chive muffin.
 


11 comments:

  1. very creative and I like the solar mug rug!

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  2. I love them !!!! The sun fabric is gorgeous ad you've captured the feel of the suns flares beautifully xx

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  3. You are one very clever lady indeed. I love how they turned out. They are a really unusual set of coasters to have. be proud.
    Rosie xx

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  4. Fabulous. I think you're right to go with what feels good for you. Take the inspiration and run with it in your own direction.

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  5. I like them just as they are! And the contrast between the super neat edging and the more expressive [ ;) ] free motion embroidery adds to their aesthetic I think! Also, are you sure you need a darning foot though? I bought one a great expense only to find that the online manual for my machine recommends not using a foot at all for free motioning? An embroidery hoop is a bit of a must I have to admit, but I found it all much easier with no foot at all.

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  6. Gorgeous, those colours really sing together, don't they?

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  7. I thought that the stitching on the suns looked like solar flares too. I love how these look and the little stars are a great idea.

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  8. Those are really neat! I love the stitching around the suns.

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  9. Oh wow! These are GORGEOUS! Thank you for sharing!

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  10. Love your colors, you did a great job.

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  11. Love this, especially the way your cup sits right on the sun.:) I'm going to have to check out this 52 Week Scrap Challenge; sounds interesting! Definitely need to work on my sewing skills.

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