Back in December I made this small patchwork crescent moon to hang on the wall and it turned out so lovely! It was on my list of things to sew for a few years (the list is so long) and it was awesome that on the first try it turned out just how I envisioned the final piece.
I have a thing for making, and sometimes buying, these small decorative things that hang on the walls. Let's call them wall ornaments. Or maybe they already have a name? Wall hangings doesn't seem quite right, but it's close. What I like about them is they are small, don't clutter up the top of tables/counters/furniture, and when you make them in patchwork, it's fun and inspiring to see some of your favorite fabrics all in one place.
Anyhoo...today the pattern piece I use for these is available for you at the link below, and then keep reading for info about making them:
Download Patchwork Crescent Moon
PATCHWORK COASTERS MOD
Making these is the basic idea as the Patchwork Coasters pattern. So there aren't detailed instructions here, but if have the pattern here are the mods + a few other things to pay attention to while making these:
- The foundation pieces should be rectangular. Just like in the pattern where you cut squares in step 2, you'll cut out rectangles here. The extra fabric adds stability to help make sewing easier.
- After step 2 trace the moon outline onto the batting. You'll do this again in step 4 for the back, but you need the outline on the batting to use as a reference while piecing your fabrics.
- For piecing the patchwork in step 3 I start with a 1.25" x 1.25" (#1 in the photo in the layout section below).
- The outline doesn't include an allowance, so make sure the fabric pieces extend far enough beyond the outline to leave some allowance (1/4" SA is good for little things like this) after you've sewn the front to the back.
- After completing the patchwork piece, go ahead and it quilt it (if you want). In the coasters pattern this is done at the end, but if you want to stuff this with a small amount of batting, you need to quilt it before step 4.
- When sewing the outline, it's kind of impossible to stitch around the tips and stay on the line drawn. But don't stress about it too much and just go back and touch them up after getting the main outline down (fix that up too, if needed).
- After step 5.d notch and clip around the outline. The coasters are fine without notching (another thing I love about them), but this shape is more complicated and does need notching and clipping.
- For the hanging loop cut a piece of twine or ribbon or whatever you are using and make a firm knot and then hand stitch it to the back. There's more info about this in the TWINE section below.
If you don't have the pattern, maybe you should get it? It is available at michellepatterns.com, etsy, or craftsy. The coasters are the perfect way to get started making patchwork. They are how I got my start in patchwork, and almost all my patchwork utilizes the same basic idea demonstrated in this pattern.
If you are going to wing it without instructions, here is the main thing to remember:
The pattern piece doesn't include any SA. For something small like this, you'd sew two squares or rectangles together that are big enough to include the allowance. Then stitch directly on the outline and trim away the excess fabric beyond your SA.
FABRIC
My basic patchwork strategy for these is to use any quilting cotton, light weight denim, cotton/linen, or chambray fabric that is predominantly blue. To add some visual variety I use a combination of florals, dots, stripes, and also some solids.
The moons I've made so far all have 7 pieces, so find seven blue fabrics in your collection, or consider buying one of the scrap bags in my etsy shop at the links below. These bags are more than enough to make a moon. I haven't done the math, but you could probably make 5 - 10 moons with one of these bags.
LAYOUT
The main point is to cover the surface of the foundation beyond the moon outline with enough fabric to include the SA. However you want to get there is fine, but above is the diagram of how I lay the pieces out. I start with a square about 1.25" x 1.25". Keep in mind, in most cases #6 & #7 need be joined together before stitching them to the foundation.
TWINE
I'm using hemp twine (like this) for these, but ribbon, yarn, or even wire could be used for the hanging loop.
This type of hemp twine is mostly what I use for the hanging loop and I used to sew it directly into the seam, but on a few of them the stitches weakened the twine and eventually the hanging loop came undone and fell off. So now I hand sew the loop to the back of my wall ornament so it can easily be replaced if/when it comes undone. I sew above and below the knot to hold it in place.
STARS
You don't have to have a star, but it's kind of adorable to add one! The stars on my moons are vintage buttons bought on etsy ages ago.
You can search etsy for star buttons, star beads, glass stars, etc. Beads like these should work well. You could probably even slide the twine through the holes and have the star on the loop, which would be super cute.
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