After finishing my zig-zag table runner, I wanted to practice the quilting and binding techniques again to make sure I'd remember how to do it the next time. So I decided to make a mug rug but with smaller rectangles. If you don't know what a mug rug is - think coaster but with a bit of extra room for a snack. Not really a life necessity, more of an excuse to sew something.

I scaled down the sizes of the rectangles to get enough of the pattern in. The patchwork fabric is from a Super All Stars charm pack by Lakehouse Dry Goods and a random white fabric that I had in my stash. 

So what about that revelation..? Ah, yes. So in binding this one I cut my fabric too narrow (again) and it resulted in a messy uneven binding with bits sticking out in places, yuck! I had to unpick it, cut new binding and completely redo it. Then I realised that so many projects I've made have been much more difficult than they needed to because I've either bought or cut too little fabric. Remember that cushion cover I made a while back? - Not enough of the back fabric so I had to attach a hidden section of calico; I also didn't buy enough of the grey fabric for the frill, which made it a complete nightmare to work with and less wide and frilly than I'd wanted. The afore mentioned zig-zag table runner? - cut my binding too narrow. I could go on...

Part of the reason is me underestimating or not knowing what I need, but also just to avoid spending more money than I have to. But from now on, my new motto will be "spend a dollar, save an hour". 

On Sewing Day Thursday, I finally finished a project I started, oh, probably more than a year ago.

Despite all my talk of quilting, this is actually the first quilted piece that I have made and finished with binding (my last patchwork became a cushion cover - no binding!). But I guess it should be known that I also have 5 other patchworks on the go at various stages of completion!

This one is for the dining table - I wanted to try something small and I think I chose the fabrics from my stash of fat quarters, so this was as big as I was able to get. But I'm happy with the size - it fits nicely in the centre of the table.

I love how the zig-zag pattern turned out, love the colours, and the quilting lines. Even the back looks awesome. The zig-zag was so easy to make - just squares that are sewn from one white, one coloured rectangle and arranged to form the zig-zag pattern. Inspiration from here (and more here and here) although the link to the instructions seems to no longer work. Perhaps you can figure it out by looking at mine. Each rectangular piece was cut to 3 1/2 x 2", making the squares 3x3" once you sew them together and lose the 1/4" seams.

My favourite handbag that I bought in Shanghai is finally on its last legs and I've been looking for fabric to make a replacement that is as versatile and loved as this one was.

There is a free pattern here for this bag (and another example here that someone made from the same pattern), although I made some minor modifications - tucks at the sides and no bow. Oops, now I realise in that photo the bag is facing backwards. Anyway, you can see the tucks in the next pics...

The hardest part was sewing the inside and outside together along the top of the bag. If they're not a near perfect fit they will cause a fold so I had to keep unpicking, adjusting and redoing.

I almost forgot the button I had intended to add (in place of the bow) but now I'm not even sure if it needs it. What do you think?

P.S. Notice my new bedspread in the background? It's from Laura Ashley. I've been eyeing it off for ages and it went on sale a few weeks ago ;)