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Book Review – The Patchsmith’s Christmas Mug Rugs

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The Patchsmith’s Christmas Mug Rugs

Add a touch of fabric fun to your Christmas with ten seasonal mug rug designs from the Patchsmith. Easy patchwork and quick fusible appliqué combine helping you create unique handmade mini quilts to keep and to give. (If you’re wondering what a ‘mug rug’ is – it is a little quilt, larger than a coaster but smaller than a placemat. A mug rug is small enough to fit on any table or desk yet large enough to hold a cup and cookie.

They are a great way to add colour and pattern to your home or office and they make the ideal gift for friends and family.) Open up the pages of the Patchsmith’s Christmas Mug Rug collection and you will find full-size appliqué sheets, colour diagrams and easy-to-follow instructions. Each design works as a stand-alone pattern. You will also find illustrated instructions on binding methods and a quick and easy way to hang your little quilts. The designs include: Gift Bag and Gift Parcels Reindeer Country Tree Tree Decorations Snowman Robin’s Gift Three Trees Mistletoe Santa’s Wheel Three Kings So join the Patchsmith today for some seasonal fabric fun and make your home the unique place you want it to be.

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In the Garden Layer Cake – A Bloom-Filled Fabric Collection for Spring Sewing

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.