project: blog hop honeybee candle mat

I'm so excited to be sharing this tutorial with you all today! First, I'm really loving the project, but I'm also very happy to be part of the STITCHED blog hop! This is a month-long hop, and I'm stop number three! (You'll find the list of other bloggers at the end of this post.) If you haven't heard of STITCHED, it's a collection of online video workshops, I'm one of the instructors, and you can read all about it here.

Now, on to the making! I first saw a candle mat a few years ago, and have wanted to make one ever since. Think of it as a coaster for your candle. Which makes it similar to a mug rug...in fact, you could even use this as a mug rug! It's all hand sewn, but it doesn't take too long to make. My kind of project!

Here's what you need:
Wool felt in two colors
Scraps of yellow quilting cotton
Thread
Embroidery floss
Scissors
Needle
Pins
Pinking shears (optional)
Template PDF



The template is designed so that you can print one copy and cut it down as you work. So, use the large circle and cut out the felt base. Trim the template down, and use the smaller circle to cut out the next felt piece. I used a pinking shears for this part.




Embroider on the little bee. It's made with satin stitch, and two lazy daisies. The pattern is in the template, but it's pretty easy to just freehand.



Cut out the hexagon templates. Pin one to the quilting cotton, and trim around the pattern leaving a border of 1/4". I find it easiest to make one complete hexagon at a time, so go to the next step, then come back and repeat the process for each hexagon.



With the pin still in place, fold the edges of the fabric over the paper one side at a time. Take a stitch at each angle of the hexagon to hold all edges as shown.

When you've completed all of the hexagons, carefully remove the papers from the backs.




Center the two felt circles together and pin. Figure out the placement of the honey comb hexagons (taking the bee embroidery into account), and start stitching them down. For this I've used a running stitch with all six strands. The stitches should go through all layers to help hold everything together and add some quilty texture.



Stitch a little running stitch trail from the bee to the honey comb. Again, this goes through both layers of felt.



Sew around the edge of the smaller circle to finish it off.




When ending my stitching, both on the edge and on the honey comb, I made a tiny knot as close to the fabric and under the surface as I could. Then I poked it through the backing felt, pulled it tight, and trimmed. It's good way to hide the knot.




The finished mat!




Add a candle in the center, and you're all set. I probably should have used a beeswax candle here, huh? Never mind. You get the idea. This is the perfect addition to the gift of a candle...it doesn't cost much, but it makes it extra special!

Now, be sure to check out these other talented bloggers in the STITCHED blog hop!

March 1st: Deborah
March 5th: Paula
March 6th: Jackie (and part 2!)
March 8th: Mollie (you're here!)
March 13th: Cindy
March 15th: Jennifer
March 20th: Kelli
March 22nd: Tracie
March 27th: Alma
March 29th: Ann