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.
very creative and I like the solar mug rug!
ReplyDeleteI love them !!!! The sun fabric is gorgeous ad you've captured the feel of the suns flares beautifully xx
ReplyDeleteYou are one very clever lady indeed. I love how they turned out. They are a really unusual set of coasters to have. be proud.
ReplyDeleteRosie xx
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, those colours really sing together, don't they?
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThose are really neat! I love the stitching around the suns.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! These are GORGEOUS! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove your colors, you did a great job.
ReplyDeleteLove 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.
ReplyDelete