Again, my Scraphappy project this month comes out of looking for ideas for my sewing sessions on a Wednesday afternoon with my friend, Sandra. Having finished our coats (well, I have) I wanted something a bit less ‘major’ to do round at her house – lugging coat fabric, lining, my machine and all the other coat making paraphernalia round to her’s was a bit of a nightmare – so I bought a pattern I’d had my eye on for some time.
Patchwork Pottery’s teacup (or coffee/hot chocolate mugs) pattern.
When I’ve made make up and wash bags in the past I’ve generally used some linen/canvas type fabric for the outer and kept all the scraps as it tends to be a bit more expensive than cottons.
I thought they’d be perfect for this pattern not least because one of the fabrics actually has cups on it.
Of course, the teacup is my favourite.
But I made a coffee mug too.
The teacup is just the right size for bits and pieces for sewing – or even to keep tea bags in when travelling. A pair of reading glasses even fits inside.
The coffee cup is large enough for a pair of sunglasses or even a crochet hook and some yarn for a small project.
Apart from wool, fabric is my scrap of choice (in other words I have loads of it) but I know Kate welcomes all scrap projects. She reminded me recently, when blogging about her kitchen renovations and having shelves made from the same wood as her worktops, that Mr. Tialys had made a knife rack out of an offcut of our wooden worktops and a magnetic strip so, for the sake of variety, here it is.
If you want to turn scraps into something useful – doesn’t have to be fabric and doesn’t have to be every month – pop over to Kate’s blog and let her know. Have a look at what everybody else has been getting up to this month. – here’s a list of people who often participate if you want some inspiration.
Kate , Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn (me), Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan, Karen,
Moira, Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Johanna,
Joanne, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Connie, Bekki and Pauline
Tialys 
#1 by katechiconi on April 15, 2019 - 08:44
Oh well done, M. Tialys! That’s a very handsome knife rack indeed. Your tea and coffee cups confused me initially; I didn’t realise they were pouches, as the pattern doesn’t say so, and nor do you in so many words! It wasn’t till I saw the teabag tag was attached to a zip pull that I realised they weren’t mug rugs, but pouches. And very lovely they are too. I agree, the teacup is adorable. Did you have the devil’s own work getting the zips in?
#2 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:55
The zip is inserted while the sides are flat so not a problem – even for this zip avoiding sewist.
#3 by nanacathy2 on April 15, 2019 - 09:04
Well aren’t they the cutest teacup and coffee cup ever. I love them. As for the knife rack- genius, but blimey the knife on the left is a cleaver, serious damage to be inflicted with that one.
#4 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:53
It’s a good pattern actually – I’d been lusting after it for some time before I finally succumbed.
The cleaver stays where it is until it’s Mr. Tialys doing the cooking and then I steer clear.
#5 by The Snail of Happiness on April 15, 2019 - 09:05
Like Kate, I thought they were coasters initially, but little pouches are so much more useful – what a fun coin purse the cup would make.
#6 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:51
I’m not sure about fabric coasters – I’d be scared they’d be too uneven and the cup would fall over. It’s easy to find a use for a pouch though – the possibilities are many.
#7 by thecontentedcrafter on April 15, 2019 - 09:35
Love to see this use for scraps – so cute! And an excellent knife rack – and knives. It looks like some serious cutting goes on in your kitchen 🙂
#8 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:50
Usually the knife rack is full (some were in the washing up) and we’ve another knife holder out of shot too so I guess we must do a lot chopping.
#9 by thecontentedcrafter on April 15, 2019 - 21:48
I think it sounds like you are proper cooks – I have several small knives but tend to use the same one for almost everything – and that is in need of replacement after a fifteen year life…….
#10 by craftycreeky on April 15, 2019 - 09:39
Very cute, especially the tea cup 🙂
#11 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:49
Yes, the tea cup is my favourite too and I think I’ll stick to making that one in future.
#12 by Wild Daffodil on April 15, 2019 - 09:39
Fun! Love those little bags, they would make great presents. From the cosy to the cleaver! Clever!
#13 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:48
I think they’re the sort of little gift that friends could find a use for and I’m always looking for new ‘small’ things to give as gifts.
#14 by claire93 on April 15, 2019 - 10:57
those zippy cup pouches are really original!
#15 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:45
I kept seeing them around the internet and finally gave in and bought the pattern – perfect for scraps of fabric and ribbon and wadding.
#16 by Nanette on April 15, 2019 - 13:23
These are perfect, a very clever and creative use of your scraps!
#17 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:44
I think they’ll make unusual gifts for friends.
#18 by Nanette on April 15, 2019 - 14:58
Your friends will love them!
#19 by KerryCan on April 15, 2019 - 13:26
Such a scrap happy family! The projects couldn’t be much more different but so useful and attractive!
#20 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:43
‘Scrap Happy Family’ – it sounds a bit like a new Sitcom 😂
#21 by Lynda on April 15, 2019 - 13:28
Very darling cups, very handy knife rack, and very useful, but scary, cleaver!!!
#22 by tialys on April 15, 2019 - 13:42
The cleaver is a bit scary isn’t it? We have more knives in a separate knife rack which are Japanese and cost a fortune – they were my present to Mr. T. on our silver wedding anniversary. I’m not allowed to use them which is fine by me as they are super sharp.
#23 by Lynda on April 15, 2019 - 14:00
Not allowed to use them? You must be as handy as I am not with knives! 😉
#24 by CurlsnSkirls on April 15, 2019 - 15:48
Definitely adorable, and my fav is also that tea cup! 😘
#25 by Laurie Graves on April 15, 2019 - 15:51
Adorable as well as practical. What a combination! My favorite is the tea cup, too.
#26 by mlmcspadden on April 15, 2019 - 21:42
Very cute little bags, and so useful as well. Love the knife rack as well.
#27 by Dartmoor Yarns on April 16, 2019 - 10:29
Trust you to follow pics of cute fabric cups with one of menacing knives! Lulled me into a serene place then scared me witless.
Love the teacup best. What do you pad the handle with?
You’ve reminded me I need to have a sewing day with my friend. We do one, but it’s a bit hit and miss.
#28 by tialys on April 16, 2019 - 18:34
I used some piping cord. In the coffee cup I used two lengths and sewed a seam up the middle which I think looks better and sturdier than the single length.
#29 by Dartmoor Yarns on April 17, 2019 - 11:05
Thanks for the explanation.
#30 by Susan on April 16, 2019 - 22:04
Great project! Portable, and so cute when finished. Love the little tea tag. The knife rack is wonderful, too. What a handy man he is. And a badger finder!
#31 by kathyreeves on April 17, 2019 - 04:11
Those are wonderful, and I am quite impressed with Mr. Tyalis’ magnetic knife hanger!
#32 by Kim on April 17, 2019 - 10:09
Excellent use of scraps. I’m very impressed with the knife rack too!
#33 by magpiesue on April 17, 2019 - 19:32
Oh, you can put things in them! Wonderful! And so cute. 🙂 Good for Mr. Tialys; we could use such a rack in our kitchen.