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These cute little mug cosies and matching coasters will make the perfect gift to yourself... or someone else this Christmas. So why not try our quick and easy tutorial for both made out of our red and navy Scotty Dog fabric! Materials that you will need: Scotty Dogs fat quarter set by The Craft Cotton Company Pins Ruler Thread Needle Ribbon 40 cm long Batting To make a coaster... Cut out 4 squares of fabric 7 x 7 cm. I opted to use 2 different Scotty Dog fabrics, one red and one blue. Cut out a piece of Scotty Dog fabric and a piece batting, each 12 x 12 cm in size. Place a red and blue Scotty Dog fabric piece right sides together and sew down the right side to join. Press the seams. Repeat this for the other two pieces. Now place these two joined sets right sides together and sew along the top edge. Press the seams open. Place the patchwork fabric piece on top of the batting and add the quilted detail by sewing a line down either side of the joins between the fabric squares. Line your sewing machine foot up with the join to do this. Place the 12 x 12 cm piece of fabric and quilted patchwork fabric right sides together and sew around the edges leaving a 4 cm gap to turn. Cut the corners. Turn out and slip stitch closed. Repeat this process to make as many coasters as you require. To make the mug cosies: Cut out 5 squares of fabric, each 7 x 7 cm. I opted to use 2 different colours – the same I used for the coasters, cutting out 3 red and 2 blue. If you would like a wide cosy for a taller mug increase the length of the squares but don’t change the width. Cut out a piece of fabric and a piece of batting, each 28 x 7 cm. Cut the ribbon into 2 x 20 cm length pieces. Sew together these squares, alternating between the red and blue fabrics by placing the squares right sides together and sewing down the right hand side. Press the seams open. Check the size of the patchwork strip against the side of your mug. You want it to touch/slightly overlap where it meets at the handle. If it is too big trim it down. Lay the patchwork piece down on top of the batting and trim down the side of the batting if required. Repeat with the fabric piece. Lay the batting down first with the patchwork piece on top with its right side facing up. Place a piece of ribbon at each end of the mug cosy with its raw edge matching the raw edge of the cosy. Have the rest of the ribbon lying inwards. Pin and sew around the edge leaving a 5 cm gap for turning. Cut the corners. Finally, turn and slip stitch closed the gap. © by Lesley Foster at Hook, Stitch, Sew for The Craft Cotton Company 2016 #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco

As well as being perfect for tidying away all those loose bits and pieces, these fabric boxes also have the added bonus of looking so much better than a plain plastic or cardboard box. The small square boxes are ideal for small sewing items such as quilting clips, the larger square boxes are great for putting in larger sewing items, and the large rectangular ones are the perfect size for keeping your fat quarters all together in one place. They are also ideal for non-sewing related storage too such as storing make-up or jewellery. What you will need: Owl Boxes: Owl Christmas Fat quarter set by The Craft Cotton Company Christmas Stag Boxes: Stag Cotton print by The Craft Cotton Company Ombre Trends fabric by The Craft Cotton Company in blue for the lining. Pins or quilting clips Scissors Batting or interfacing for the lining, if you want to boxes to be sturdier you could also use cardboard Thread Needle Paper Pencil Ruler Firstly, make your paper templates... Make your paper templates for the size of boxes you would like to make. In this tutorial you will see 3 different sized square boxes (8 x 8 cm, 16 x 16 cm, 20 x 20cm), and one rectangular one (16 x 32 cm). When making a rectangular box, you will also need a square template for each end of the box, this will be the same width as the rectangle but half the length, e.g. 16 x 32 cm box has end pieces of 16 x 16 cm in size. If you would like a box with a different coloured band around the top of the sides of the box, you will need to cut the top part of the paper template off at the size of band you want. For example, 20 x 20cm box has a band of different coloured fabric 8 cm wide, so an 8 cm piece was cut from the top of the square pattern piece. Cut out your fabrics Square boxes: You will need 5 pieces of batting/interfacing, 5 pieces of lining fabric, and 5 pieces of outer box fabric for each box. Rectangles: You will need 3 pieces of batting/interfacing, 3 pieces of lining fabric, and 3 pieces of outer box fabric for each box. You will also need 2 square end pieces of batting, lining fabric, and outer box fabric. If you are making a box with a different band of fabric around the top, sew the separate pieces together now so you have your complete square/rectangle side pieces for sewing together the box in the next stage. Sew the lining together First start to sew the lining together by taking two of the side pieces and placing them right sides together; now sew down the right hand side stopping 1 cm from the bottom. Take the next side piece and place right sides together with one of these sewn together pieces and sew down the side to join making sure you stop 1 cm from the bottom. Repeat with the final side piece, then sew the first and last side piece together by placing right sides together. Press flat the seams to help with sewing on the base. Now take the base piece and sew to the base of the sides. Do NOT turn out. Repeat Repeat step 3 to make the outer box, making sure you include the batting/interfacing. When completed, turn out the right way. Right sides facing Place the outer box fabric into the lining so that the right sides are facing. Pin to hold in place and sew around the top edge, leaving a 4 cm gap for turning. Turn and slip stitch closed the gap. Finally... Sew a line of stitching around the top edge of the box 1 cm from the top of the box. © by Lesley Foster at Hook, Stitch, Sew for The Craft Cotton Company 2016 #freesewingtutorials #christmas #craftcottonco

As well as being perfect for tidying away all those loose bits and pieces, these fabric boxes also have the added bonus of looking so much better than a plain plastic or cardboard box. The small square boxes are ideal for small sewing items such as quilting clips, the larger square boxes are great for putting in larger sewing items, and the large rectangular ones are the perfect size for keeping your fat quarters all together in one place. They are also ideal for non-sewing related storage too such as storing make-up or jewellery. What you will need: Owl Boxes: Owl Christmas Fat quarter set by The Craft Cotton Company Christmas Stag Boxes: Stag Cotton print by The Craft Cotton Company Ombre Trends fabric by The Craft Cotton Company in blue for the lining. Pins or quilting clips Scissors Batting or interfacing for the lining, if you want to boxes to be sturdier you could also use cardboard Thread Needle Paper Pencil Ruler Firstly, make your paper templates... Make your paper templates for the size of boxes you would like to make. In this tutorial you will see 3 different sized square boxes (8 x 8 cm, 16 x 16 cm, 20 x 20cm), and one rectangular one (16 x 32 cm). When making a rectangular box, you will also need a square template for each end of the box, this will be the same width as the rectangle but half the length, e.g. 16 x 32 cm box has end pieces of 16 x 16 cm in size. If you would like a box with a different coloured band around the top of the sides of the box, you will need to cut the top part of the paper template off at the size of band you want. For example, 20 x 20cm box has a band of different coloured fabric 8 cm wide, so an 8 cm piece was cut from the top of the square pattern piece. Cut out your fabrics Square boxes: You will need 5 pieces of batting/interfacing, 5 pieces of lining fabric, and 5 pieces of outer box fabric for each box. Rectangles: You will need 3 pieces of batting/interfacing, 3 pieces of lining fabric, and 3 pieces of outer box fabric for each box. You will also need 2 square end pieces of batting, lining fabric, and outer box fabric. If you are making a box with a different band of fabric around the top, sew the separate pieces together now so you have your complete square/rectangle side pieces for sewing together the box in the next stage. Sew the lining together First start to sew the lining together by taking two of the side pieces and placing them right sides together; now sew down the right hand side stopping 1 cm from the bottom. Take the next side piece and place right sides together with one of these sewn together pieces and sew down the side to join making sure you stop 1 cm from the bottom. Repeat with the final side piece, then sew the first and last side piece together by placing right sides together. Press flat the seams to help with sewing on the base. Now take the base piece and sew to the base of the sides. Do NOT turn out. Repeat Repeat step 3 to make the outer box, making sure you include the batting/interfacing. When completed, turn out the right way. Right sides facing Place the outer box fabric into the lining so that the right sides are facing. Pin to hold in place and sew around the top edge, leaving a 4 cm gap for turning. Turn and slip stitch closed the gap. Finally... Sew a line of stitching around the top edge of the box 1 cm from the top of the box. © by Lesley Foster at Hook, Stitch, Sew for The Craft Cotton Company 2016 #freesewingtutorials #christmas #craftcottonco

Brrr... it's that time of year where we need to keep warm, so why not make the perfect last minute Christmas gift (to yourself) using just two fat quarters pieces! What you will need: 2 Heritage Christmas Fat Quarters Heritage Medium weight Quilt Batting Hot Water Bottle Paper/pen Sellotape Firstly, grab your rotary cutter and ruler: Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut your fat quarters into 3” strips along the longest edge of your fabric. Secondly, centralise your first strip onto your quilt batting with the right side facing up. Position your second strip on top of the first with right sides together and stitch along the edge with a ¼” seam allowance. Then fold open your first seam and iron along, making sure the fabric is lying nice and flat. Position your next strip on top with right sides together again and then stitch along the edge with a ¼” seam allowance. Repeat this process several times until you have used all the fabric strips up. It should look like something similar to this: Draw your hot water bottle... Join two pieces of A4 paper together using sellotape and draw around your chosen hot water bottle. Make sure you add a generous seam allowance which will give your hot water bottle plenty of room for when it is full! Then cut out your pattern piece. Pin your pattern piece onto your quilted fabric. You can choose the direction for the print to suit how you would like it to look. Then cut out the front cover piece. Carefully separate the sellotape on your pattern giving you a top and a bottom piece for the back of the hot water bottle. Position these onto your fabric leaving a space between the two and then cut out the two back pattern pieces. Fold over a generous seam on the straight edge of both back pattern pieces Pin the seam: this will give you the opening flap on the back of the hot water bottle cover. Stitch along this folded seam... Use your needle position on your sewing machine to get your needle as far left as you can. Sandwich the pieces together. The front piece right side facing up , the top back piece right side facing down and the top bottom piece right side facing down. Stitch all around your hot water bottle cover using ¼” seam allowance. Using the walking foot on your machine makes it much easier with the “quilt sandwich” layers. Finally, clip the corners and turn your hot water bottle cover the right way out. © by Angela Brown for The Craft Cotton Company 2016 #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #christmas

Brrr... it's that time of year where we need to keep warm, so why not make the perfect last minute Christmas gift (to yourself) using just two fat quarters pieces! What you will need: 2 Heritage Christmas Fat Quarters Heritage Medium weight Quilt Batting Hot Water Bottle Paper/pen Sellotape Firstly, grab your rotary cutter and ruler: Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut your fat quarters into 3” strips along the longest edge of your fabric. Secondly, centralise your first strip onto your quilt batting with the right side facing up. Position your second strip on top of the first with right sides together and stitch along the edge with a ¼” seam allowance. Then fold open your first seam and iron along, making sure the fabric is lying nice and flat. Position your next strip on top with right sides together again and then stitch along the edge with a ¼” seam allowance. Repeat this process several times until you have used all the fabric strips up. It should look like something similar to this: Draw your hot water bottle... Join two pieces of A4 paper together using sellotape and draw around your chosen hot water bottle. Make sure you add a generous seam allowance which will give your hot water bottle plenty of room for when it is full! Then cut out your pattern piece. Pin your pattern piece onto your quilted fabric. You can choose the direction for the print to suit how you would like it to look. Then cut out the front cover piece. Carefully separate the sellotape on your pattern giving you a top and a bottom piece for the back of the hot water bottle. Position these onto your fabric leaving a space between the two and then cut out the two back pattern pieces. Fold over a generous seam on the straight edge of both back pattern pieces Pin the seam: this will give you the opening flap on the back of the hot water bottle cover. Stitch along this folded seam... Use your needle position on your sewing machine to get your needle as far left as you can. Sandwich the pieces together. The front piece right side facing up , the top back piece right side facing down and the top bottom piece right side facing down. Stitch all around your hot water bottle cover using ¼” seam allowance. Using the walking foot on your machine makes it much easier with the “quilt sandwich” layers. Finally, clip the corners and turn your hot water bottle cover the right way out. © by Angela Brown for The Craft Cotton Company 2016 #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #christmas

This is an amazing idea to decorate your home for Christmas if you do not have much room. The bunting is a cute little calendar that you can use year after year and will perfectly match any of your Christmas decorations! The bunting was made using our Ski Penguin fat quarter set and brings a nice festive feeling to your home. 'Advent is always a fun tradition to follow at Christmas time. Make yours extra special this year by making some fabric advent bunting, a great make that will last for years to come, and you can fill with your favourite things!' Have a go at this tutorial to make a beautiful decoration that will last over time! Click here to see the tutorial. By Sooz In The Shed for Hobbycraft #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #hobbycraft #christmas #home

This is an amazing idea to decorate your home for Christmas if you do not have much room. The bunting is a cute little calendar that you can use year after year and will perfectly match any of your Christmas decorations! The bunting was made using our Ski Penguin fat quarter set and brings a nice festive feeling to your home. 'Advent is always a fun tradition to follow at Christmas time. Make yours extra special this year by making some fabric advent bunting, a great make that will last for years to come, and you can fill with your favourite things!' Have a go at this tutorial to make a beautiful decoration that will last over time! Click here to see the tutorial. By Sooz In The Shed for Hobbycraft #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #hobbycraft #christmas #home

This year's Quiltmarket was a truly international show, with visitors and exhibitors from all over the world. This was our second time exhibiting at Quiltmarket, and we had fun setting up the stand ready for the opening day, our new Peter Rabbit licenced designs generated a lot of excitement as well as our new upcoming quilt collections, and the American's loved our new London theme fabric which will be launching in January 2017. The hall was once again a mass of colour and inspiration, with exhibitors using new and innovative ways to display fabric ranges. The lifestyle booths were our favourite which helped people to see how a piece of fabric can be transformed into various items, and displayed in such a way that makes you want to recreate the look for yourself, quilts were displayed amongst cushions, dresses, and smaller craft items to set the scene. It was very apparent that the show catered for both the traditional quilter, and the modern enthusiast. There was an obvious contrast between the classic Autumnal colours used in quilting and the fresh, bright colours used for modern quilts. This was echoed again in the quilt exhibition hall which showcased a large variety of quilts made by talented designers, some of them almost photographic, and the attention to detail was second to none. The use of fabrics for both apparel and quilting continued from the last show and was still hugely relevant, children's wear was a popular way of displaying new designs in a different format. It wasn't just printed cottons we were seeing either, but a wider range of fabrics that can be used in craft, interiors and fashion such as; cotton voile's, fleeces, furs, jersey, lightweight denim and canvas. There wasn't any obvious colour trends this year, but bold and bright were definitely a repeated theme, with fabric designer Tula Pink really fitting this model. Pattern sizes have continued to grow in size, with quilters preferring to use an element of a pattern instead of the whole repeat. The biggest theme we saw at the show were flamingo and cactus prints, which work really well for craft, nursery and childrens wear. Nautical designs were still popular, with more sketchy whale and sea creature prints and the odd mermaid making an appearance too! #craftcottonco #quilt #quiltmarket #houston #craft

Make an adorable Peter Rabbit bib with a matching bag to go with it! This tutorial will show you step-by-step ow to make both a cute bag and bib. 'It’s easy for little ones to get their toys in a mess but this sweet little drawstring bag offers a great solution for keeping toys together, and helps to encourage toddlers to tidy!' Have a go at this tutorial to learn how to make an adorable matching set. Click here to see the tutorial for the bag. Click here to see the tutorial for the bib. By Andy Isaacs for Hobbycraft. #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #hobbycraft #bag #home #kids

Make an adorable Peter Rabbit bib with a matching bag to go with it! This tutorial will show you step-by-step ow to make both a cute bag and bib. 'It’s easy for little ones to get their toys in a mess but this sweet little drawstring bag offers a great solution for keeping toys together, and helps to encourage toddlers to tidy!' Have a go at this tutorial to learn how to make an adorable matching set. Click here to see the tutorial for the bag. Click here to see the tutorial for the bib. By Andy Isaacs for Hobbycraft. #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #hobbycraft #bag #home #kids

Want to add some decoration to the nursery? Try this tutorial to learn how to make bunting- ideal to hang around bare walls! This bunting was made out of our Peter Rabbit Collection, perfect for a little child's room. 'This is a great project for beginners to try their hand at, you’ll have yourself metres of bunting fit for any garden party in no time at all!' Have a go at this tutorial to learn how to make your own decoration! Click here to see the tutorial. By Andy Isaacs for Hobbycraft. #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #hobbycraft #home

Want to add some decoration to the nursery? Try this tutorial to learn how to make bunting- ideal to hang around bare walls! This bunting was made out of our Peter Rabbit Collection, perfect for a little child's room. 'This is a great project for beginners to try their hand at, you’ll have yourself metres of bunting fit for any garden party in no time at all!' Have a go at this tutorial to learn how to make your own decoration! Click here to see the tutorial. By Andy Isaacs for Hobbycraft. #freesewingtutorials #craftcottonco #hobbycraft #home