Hearts & Crafts Project #1: Big Heart Mug Mat

Welcome to Mattie's Hearts & Crafts Blog Series! To find out more about the series (projects and supply list - free instructions!), Click on this link:  Hearts & Crafts Bundle.

BIG HEART MUG MAT: Hearts & Crafts Project #1
STANDARD METHOD:  Zigzag Applique, "Zigzapping".
Use scraps or:
Big Heart: (1) 6" square
Small Heart: (1) 4" square
Background & Backing: (2) 7" squares backing
Batting: (1) 7" square fusible fleece OR Annie's Soft and Stable (TM)
Quiltsmart Interfacing: 1 heart from one panel of Sweet Hearts

INSTRUCTIONS: (Read first to get the gist of it!)

1) Cut fabrics.
2) NOTE: You can separate the hearts by cutting the little one out (you will see most other past Quiltsmart projects done this way already, and both ways do work) - BUT, Terri (Quiltsmart's awesome Customer Service Manager, came up with this TIP and I (Mattie) LOVE it!  It maximizes your interfacing margin, making it easier to sew and turn!  Thanks, Terri!
Very Smart Way (Terri's):
In the middle the small heart, there is a dotted line.  Cut along that.
Place interfacing rough side (glue dot side) to RIGHT side of SMALL heart fabric.  Stitch on the solid line.
TIP:  The smaller the stitch, the smoother the curve.   A 2.0mm or 1.5mm is great on this project.  Cut a small slit along the dashed line of the straight part of the heart.  Continue cutting out the SMALL heart on the dashed line with sharp scissors, clipping at the center inner angle. 

3) Turn right side out.  See pointer-creaser tool below for a great tool!

Use a pointer-creaser to get a great smooth line and points.  Keep the tool in between the fabric seam, not next to the interfacing! TIP:  I like to use the rounded end of the pointer-creaser first, then the pointed end. Be very careful!

 4)  Place the Big Heart rough side to the RIGHT side of the BIG heart fabric.  Stitch on the solid line as before.  Trim & turn as before. 
5)  Fuse the fusible fleece to the backing square. Your Quiltsmart Applique Pressing Sheet will help with fusing the batting to the square. Put the sheet on top of the batting and fuse.  

6) In the BACKGROUND fabric, cut a small slit - about 3" long - in the middle.  The heart will go over this.

7) RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER,  place the background square to the backing square.  Stitch around all 4 sides, overlapping by about a half inch the ending stitches over the beginning.  Before you turn, check the bottom side to make sure that you caught all seams, and that you have enough seam - if you do not, restitch a bit further in.  Gently turn right side out, through the slit on the background fabric, smoothing the seams and gently pushing out the corners. 

8) Position the hearts as you wish, layer and fuse to the Background (we have over 30 ZigZapp designs - you could use many of them!), covering the slit.  ZigZagg stitch around the edges of each heart.  You can use an invisible thread if you don't want the stitching to show, or use a thread that will blend, or contrast.  Keep the stitch on the heart, with the needle just piercing the background fabric.  For a zigzag, I like a 1.5mm width and a 3mm length, but use what you feel comfy with.  This stitching will show on the backside. You can also use a decorative stitch.  I like to start stitching at the bottom point of the heart.
9) "Top-stitch" around the outside edges.  Use the edge of your presser foot as a guide.  This will give a nice finished appearance. 
Clip threads, ENJOY!


NOTE:  The technique used in this project is to cover the slit with an applique instead of the more traditional approach which is to leave a side opening and whip-stitch by hand the opening shut.  This allows a very nice and structural outer seam, and no hand stitching.  The zigzag stitches will show on the backside of the applique.  I hope you like them, I do!

FUN OPTION:  You may quilt around the heart for more detail. This will show to the backside also, as will traditional quilting.