A couple of weeks ago two different people came up to me to say thank you for a tip on finishing small potholders etc. They had both had difficulty gluing down a finished back without bumps and globs showing through. Since I was just finishing up some mug rugs, I thought there might be others who would appreciate seeing how I do it.
I love hunting for mugs which have a “hookable” picture on them, since they are fun to hook, and my family really seems to appreciate them.
This one was an obvious choice as being easy to hook.
Both one son and his wife have names starting with “S” so this was really appropriate.
I thought this was really pretty as well. I chose to hook just the one flower on the bottom.
I enjoy rummaging through my bits and pieces to come up with appropriate colours. 
This one was a great exercise in hooking diagonally.
When the hooking is completed, I secure the edge by putting tacky glue right around the edge, and smoothing it out away from the hooking with a ruler.
This secures the hooking for when the backing is cut away.
I use a fairly heavy black felt for the back, and cut a piece that is slightly too big.
Oops….I grabbed very dull scissors to cut this piece.
Apply tacky glue to the back of the hooking…..
Then…(and this is the part I didn’t do at first, and ended up with a lumpy backing)….use a ruler or flat edge to smooth the glue into the hooking…
I make sure the wool is covered and as well as a bit of the backing on the edges…
….then gently press the felt down all over and let it dry.
Then cut away the backing and excess felt from the top side making a smooth edge right next to the hooking. (good sharp scissors needed )
The layers on the edge are even and ready to be covered.
I cut strips that are a few sizes bigger than the hooking (in this case the hooking is a #4 and the edging is a #6).
The final step is my least favourite, and I’m still trying to think of a way to make it less messy…..
I put a bead of glue along the strip and then drag the ruler along it to spread the glue (I did it on a plastic bag to save my desk from being covered in glue)
This piece is smoothed along the edges for the final finishing touch. Finally, by pinching and shaping the corners while the glue is still wet, you can get a nice square turn.
…….and here are the finished little mug rugs…..
I know that none of this is new to most hookers, but for those of you who are newbies, or have never tried this method, perhaps it will be helpful.
So from my house to yours…..
…..I wish you the happiest of holidays and the making of wonderful memories with your loved ones.
Thanks for stopping by.
I think Kathleen designed this pattern using templates brought by Sandra.
Teresa is working with finer wool and a different sized punch than what I chose. She says she’s having trouble deciding how close to punch the rows.
Mary’s mom had three boxes of embroidery floss like this, so she is doing some very fine punching with it…
(I have just such a box and I hope to try a similar project in the future)
It is just stunning. I should have taken a photo from the side so you could see the 3D effects .
I love the colour palette.
….a simple view of trees….and many shades of green.
….and Jean is finishing off another that was started by Hilda….
Aren’t those shaded flowers beautiful. I love the dark colour that Jean has chosen for the background (I’m always drawn to dark backgrounds)
Diane is still finishing Hilda Hayes last piece…
She said that little leaf by the bird will be coming out.
….she needs to produce a lot of her proddy broaches.
Janet has her prancing rooster under way…
Edie is using up scraps to make her ‘squares’ rug.
….and Marion is using a variety of textures….wool, yarn, sari silk, and quillies (standing wool circles).
….finally finished the whipping on my Lunenburg rug.
Chris is knitting this delightful outfit for a ‘baby doll’ .(apparently I am quite behind the times since I didn’t know what a ‘baby doll’ was).
She hand cuts her fabric and uses a wide variety of materials.
The results are always amazing.
….the border is made of wildflowers found around their Green River home
