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Mug rug set of 4 at Listia | Money talk

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As if I don’t already spend enough time on Pinterest, I’ve discovered a new browsing destination today. Must share. It’s a barter website called Listia. Here’s how it works – true story. My daughter’s bestie had a bottle of expensive perfume she had received as a gift but had never used or opened. She listed it on Listia (bidding starts at between 1 and 100) and her auction was successful – meaning she got lots of points, more than expected. She then bid and won a set of used cloth diapers paid for by those auction credits. She plans to refurbish them and give to a friend who wants to cloth diaper but simply cannot afford the start-up costs. She described the experience as a total score.

Just like cloth diapering, getting started in quilting can be expensive. I’m getting on my soapbox here, but if you want to quilt, don’t let a lack of money keep you timidly on the sidelines. I do not own a fancy machine. It’s a mechanical Bernina I bought from a local fabric shop who refurbished them. I paid $200. A new mechanical Bernina costs $800+. I love this machine and it works just fine for my purposes. If you decide to take up “slow” sewing (piecing and quilting by hand) you don’t even need a machine.

All that said, you still need some things – fabric, needles, thread, cutting mat, cutters, scissors, rulers, the list goes on. I had a thought (it happens). Listia might help wanna be quilters get started in this craft with a minimal outlay of cash. Veteran quilters who are thrifty-minded or going through hard economic times might benefit too.

So yes, I joined Listia today. I searched on the word “quilt” and it brought back 119 results. My favorite find tonight is this Mug Rug Set by SarahsQuiltsnCrafts, shown. Her auction ends tomorrow.

If you get a hankering to join follow this link to sign up.

Ed. note 1: In the interest of full disclosure, the Listia link I provided above is my referral link, so feel free not to use it, but if you do, win/win. Wink.

Ed. note 2: SarahsQuiltsnCrafts did not ask for a mention or compensate this post in any way.
Image credit: SarahsQuiltsnCrafts at Listia

Looking for more Mug Rug Patterns? Check out these Mug Rug Patterns on Etsy and These Mug Rug Quilting Books.

Comments

  1. I would love to see how they are made… think they are nice… BUT really am tired of signing up and signing in for any and everything on the internet….

  2. I hear you Trayne. When Bed Bath and Beyond asks for my phone number I say, 999-999-9999. You don’t really miss anything by not signing up for Listia, the seller does not explain how she made it and from what I understand, when you follow the link in my post, you’ll see a photo of the item even if you are not a member. So it’s okay! Warmly, Scarlett

  3. I joined Listia in November and love it. I’ve “sold” so many things that I didn’t use and have won fabric and gift cards with the credits that I earned.

Have you read?

Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down and Learn Something Old – A Quilter’s Honest Look Inside the Book

I’ll be completely honest before we even start.

Hand sewing has never been my strong point. In fact, I have almost zero patience for hand quilting. I love the look of it, I admire the tradition of it, but sitting still long enough to stitch an entire quilt by hand has always felt like a test of endurance for me.

That’s exactly why I was curious when I started flipping through Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down & Learn Something Old. The title alone suggests something a lot of us probably need more of these days — a chance to slow down and reconnect with the craft itself.

After browsing through the book, it feels less like a strict instructional manual and more like an invitation to rethink how we approach sewing.

First Impressions While Flipping Through the Pages

One of the first things I noticed while browsing through the book is how calm and thoughtful the layout feels. The photography, the pacing of the instructions, and the tone of the content all lean toward the idea that sewing by hand is meant to be a slower, more intentional experience.

Instead of rushing through projects, the book encourages you to treat stitching as a quiet process.

And honestly, that might be exactly what makes it appealing.

Even for someone like me who usually gravitates toward a sewing machine and quick finishes, the book made me pause and consider the idea that hand sewing might actually be a way to slow my mind down a bit.

What This Book Focuses On

The book explores traditional hand-sewing techniques and projects that are designed to help you reconnect with slower sewing methods.

Rather than focusing only on large quilts, it introduces smaller projects and techniques that build confidence with hand stitching.

As I browsed through the pages, the emphasis seemed to be on:

  • Traditional hand stitching techniques

  • Mindful sewing and slowing down the creative process

  • Simple projects that highlight the beauty of handwork

  • Learning skills that have been passed down through generations

It feels very much like a return to the roots of sewing before everything became fast, digital, and machine-driven.

The Philosophy Behind Slow Sewing

What stood out most while flipping through the book wasn’t just the projects themselves — it was the mindset behind them.

There’s a clear theme running through the book that sewing doesn’t always have to be about speed or productivity.

Sometimes the act of stitching itself is the point.

For quilters and sewists who enjoy hand work, this philosophy will probably resonate immediately. For those of us who are used to finishing quilts quickly with a machine, it offers a completely different perspective.

And I’ll admit… even though hand quilting still tests my patience, the idea that it could be a way to quiet a busy mind is pretty appealing.

The Style of Projects in the Book

The projects inside the book lean toward simple, timeless designs that highlight the beauty of hand stitching.

Rather than complicated patterns or heavy piecing, many of the designs focus on techniques that allow the stitches themselves to become part of the visual design.

This makes the projects feel approachable, even for someone new to hand sewing.

You get the sense that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s enjoyment of the process.

Who This Book Is Best For

This book will likely appeal to:

  • Quilters who enjoy hand quilting

  • Sewists interested in traditional hand sewing techniques

  • Makers looking for slower, more mindful creative projects

  • Anyone wanting to step away from the machine occasionally

If you already love hand sewing, this book will probably feel like a natural fit. If you’re someone like me who usually relies on a sewing machine, it might just encourage you to try a few hand-stitched projects and see how it feels.

After spending some time flipping through Hand Sewing: A Journey to Unplug, Slow Down & Learn Something Old, I can see why the slow sewing movement has become more popular.

It reminds us that crafting doesn’t always have to be about finishing quickly. Sometimes it’s about enjoying the quiet rhythm of the stitches themselves.

Will I suddenly become a dedicated hand quilter overnight? Probably not.

But the book definitely made me think about giving hand stitching another try — if only as a way to slow my mind down for a little while.

And honestly, that might be the real value of a book like this.