Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Mug Cosies Pattern

There was quite the love on my previous post showing the little mug cosies I made. In the time of the Yeti, they may not be as necessary, but at Christmastime when lots of us like to use our Christmas mugs, they certainly do come in handy. I've been really impressed with how well mine has worked, whether it be over a morning cup of coffee or afternoon tea.

I made a couple more on the weekend, and wrote out what I did.

These have been sent off as little gifts to a couple of special people.

If you would like a PDF copy of this pattern, it is free! My Christmas gift to you. Just click this link.

Mug Cosy

Finished size: approximately 7 1/2" base by 7 1/4" height

Fabric requirements
Outer shell - two scraps 10" square
Lining - two scraps 10" square
Batting - two scraps 9" square
Binding - about 24" length by 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" width

Cutting
Using the template cut two pieces of each of each of your fabrics and batting. Cut a 4" x 1 3/4" rectangle out of either the outer or lining fabric.

Piecing
1. Layer the outer shell or the lining fabric right side up on top of your batting. Quilt through the two layers. I folded the main fabric in half lengthwise to find the centre and creased it at the top and bottom. I quilted a straight line down the centre and then one or two wavy or straight lines on either side of centre. I've quilted the outer shell for some of my cosies and the lining for others; it depends on the look you want. 

2. Fold the tab in half lengthwise; press lightly. Open it back up. Now fold the long edges to the pressed line so they meet. Fold it together again so the long raw edges are encased. Topstitch along both long edges. Fold the finished tab in half, aligning the raw short edges with the raw edge of one outer shell piece, and placing the tab over the centre quilted line. Stitch to hold in place.
3. With right sides together, sew the two outer shell pieces together leaving the bottom straight edge open. Repeat with the two lining pieces.

4. Place lining inside outer shell with wrong sides together, matching side seams. Pin. Attach binding in your preferred manner.


They're great for using up scraps and leftover 10" layer cake squares. The Laurel Burch kitties was a quarter metre piece I purchased some time ago, thinking to use the skirts as kaleidoscope parts, or for backing cross-stitched ornaments, but I like what it's grown up into. The French-themed fabric is a yard I purchased a couple of years ago, thinking small quilted items.


These are for sale now in my Etsy shop, SandraJaneQuilts. They won't be exactly as shown, but very similar. I will even do a custom order. 

Be sure to stop by tomorrow when I'll be posting my Holiday Tales and Traditions post for the Needle and Foot blog hop.

One final wee announcement: I've decided to step away from Island Batik for next year. It was a very difficult decision, and one on which I ruminated over several months, as I just LOVE their fabric: rich vibrant fabrics with a soft drape, and I love working for the company. However, it is demanding, and I'm hoping to put some of this energy into developing more of my designs, as in getting them into patterns! Island Batik has challenged me in so many ways, and I've grown as a quilter and designer thanks to the three years with them.

19 comments:

  1. Love the cosies! I'm sure it was a difficult decision stepping away from something you love. But oh the patterns you are going make is exciting and something to look forward to as the creativity flows.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for the lovely cozy pattern. Choosing to change course is a brave move. It's difficult to move from something familiar into the somewhat unknown.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love that Island Batik has been so positive (both for you and for them). I'm proud of you for knowing when it was the right time to step away. I cannot wait to see what's next for you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was hoping you'd share a pattern! Thanks! Of course, you know that means a squirrel may show up in my quilt room :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I might have to try to make some of these cosies since 3 of my closest quilting friends are tea drinkers. I'm not surprised to hear that you are taking a break from IB. While the free goodies are certainly amazing, the schedule and demands have become increasingly challenging. You've done well and put a ton of effort in your projects. And I'm sure you learned a lot, too. But your creative energies shouldn't be limited to one fabric company or directed by someone else's vision. I'm looking forward to what comes next.
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  6. It has been a treat to see your work with Island Batik, but I know how much time and energy it has taken. I'm excited to see what you can do directing all your time and energy into projects for yourself. Wishing you all the best!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I know you followed your heart with respect to your new direction. This will mean positive things for you. I can imagine that the hours spent monthly for the Island Batik projects were substantial. I noticed that you always did your best job on these projects. Looking forward to following your creativity in 2021.

    ReplyDelete
  8. mmmany thanks for the mmmmug cozie pattern. I loved it as soon as I saw it. It’s so nice that scrap batting can be used.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you Sandra for the lovely little pattern. With all you do and the lovely patterns you design, I can imagine that deciding to step away from the time commitment that being an Island Batik Ambassodor is. Enjoy your holidays. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Be safe. 🤶🏻

    ReplyDelete
  10. When I saw your first post about the mug cozy, I thought of trying to make it for myself. Thank you so much for sharing the pattern. It will be so much better than the trial and error I usually do. I plan to make a larger one for my cylindrical tea pot by adding height to your pattern.

    I truly understand your decision to step away from being an Ambassador as I imagine it squeezes other idea to the side. I look forward to your blog so much.

    Have a great holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the pattern, it will be fun to whip up a few!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sandra, thank you so much for the mug cosy pattern. It will be used right away! As for your decision to take a hiatus from Island Batik, I'm sure you had many long conversations with yourself about it. I am always impressed with your projects and think that you take the commitment of ambassador seriously. I look forward to many more fun blog posts from you with new and different projects. As a designer and quilter you have really grown and I think you can take that experience and channel it into other projects. Have a happy holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Sandra! I love the mug cosy - it's a great idea. You're so sweet to have made a pattern! You know, I'll bet it was a difficult decision to step away as an IBA. You can't ask more than having had a good experience, grown as a quilter, and I think grown a whole lot as a designer. I am looking forward to this next decade - year one of the 20s. Just imagine all the time you'll have for patterns, and magazine submissions, etc. We'll all be able to say we knew you when! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks so much for the mug cosy pattern; I will enjoy making some for my husband and friends. Excited to see what you do with your 'free' time now you are no longer committed to Island Batiks; your quilts etc for them were always amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a fun and practical idea. You've made some very cute cosys (cosies? Spell check doesn't like either version) Sorry to hear that you are stepping away from being an Island Batik ambassador, you've made some beautiful projects with that fabric. But I can only imagine the amount of work it is to keep up with the monthly goals and such. Looking forward to seeing more of your projects and patterns.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, I love your mug cosies, and I’m very tempted to make one, we’ll see!
    I’m sure it must have been a very difficult choice to decide to move away from Island Batik! You have always made beautiful projects for them and I’m sure it must have been difficult working to time constraints! I look forward to seeing where you go from here!
    I hope you will keep showing plenty of squirrels along the way!
    I’m looking forward to seeing what you do next my friend!
    Have a wonderful Christmas!
    Hugs,
    Barbara xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for sharing this pattern for free! You're such a generous soul.

    I'm honestly relieved to hear you're taking a break from IB. Every time I read how much time you spend on their projects, I think, "Girl, you need to get PAID for all that labor!!" I think they are pushing their volunteer quilters too hard for all that free publicity. You are so talented and so conscientious, you should reap all the rewards including the ability to set your own dang schedule :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for sharing the pattern, Sandra!

    I always look forward to seeing what you do with the Island Batik challenges but of course I also know how much time and work goes into every challenge! I look forward to seeing what you continue to design and create!

    ReplyDelete
  19. You gotta love those squirrels for their ability to do whatever it takes to get at the food, whether it's meant for them or not. They have got to be one of the smartest little buggers out there, testing us humans, who try every which way we can to keep them out of our bird feeders. Well, it doesn't work, so don't waste your time or energy! They are too smart for their own good!!! Happy New Year, and praying that next year, at some point, we will be able to burn our masks and return to living life as we did before the Pandemic.

    ReplyDelete

I wholeheartedly appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment, as they make my day! I answer every one by personal email. :-) Unless... you are a "no-reply" blogger, which can occur for a few reasons. You can get around that by writing out your email within your comment so that I can answer you.