How to Applique a Round Penny Rug for A Mousehouse

     What mouse doesn't prefer a woolen penny rug for their home? Well I don't know any mice that wouldn't like such a thing. These are easy for older kids to make if they have some experience with embroidery stitches. If not they may just use an alternative fabric tack (glue) to secure the circle patterns together. They may also use a less expensive felt for the following project.

The blue penny rug has directions here if you would prefer to make this design instead. 

 Supply List:

1. wool scrapes (or circles cut from a craft store felt)
2. multicolored embroidery floss (or fabric glue if you have yet to learn how to use the floss)
3. an embroidery needle and threads
4. a variety of lids and bowls and a penny to begin the design with
5. # 2 pencil

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Using a soft number 2 pencil, trace around a penny on top of the wool to mark where to cut out the first circle. 
2. Then on a different color of wool place a slightly larger pill bottle or lid to mark a larger circle with the pencil.
3. Next use a larger lid and then a plate and so on... Until you have made a design for your rug using concentric circles. 
4. You may then sew these together with a fancy blanket stitch and embroidery floss or glue them together with fabric tack.

Left, the circles cut from wool. Right, the end wool rug with embroidered stitch around it's
edges. Use a wide variety of colors and textures. Watch here for more history. However,
our penny rug for a mouse is for her floor inside of her little house.

• Back through the mousehole . . .