‘Springtime Mug Rug’ Sewing Tutorial

As Spring is just around the corner, I’ve designed a little make to get us all in the mood. It’s a ‘Springtime Mug Rug’ featuring bright simple floral appliqué flowers.

It’s often nice to have a small project that you can easily complete in an afternoon and uses up any scraps of fabrics that you haven’t got the heart to throw out.

Items you will need:

• Cut (1) 5” x 8” backing fabric this also provides the edging.
• Cut (1) 5” x 8” wadding
• Cut (4) 1½” x 5” strips for the background in one colour
• Cut (3) 1½” x 5” strips for the background in another colour.
• A big enough piece of Bondaweb (or similar product) to cover the outline flower and grass shapes. 

Download the following template:
Mug Rug Flowers Template

Notes:
– RST = right sides together.
– The finished mug rug is approx. 4” x 7”

Layout the 1½” x 5” strips alternating the colours. Then sew together by starting at the lefthand side. Take the first 2 strips, place RST and sew along the long edge, repeat for the other 5 strips.

Trim the wadding so that it is the exact same size as your background piece.

Using a piece of Bondaweb (or similar adhesive product) trace around the outline of all the applique elements onto the paper side, also include the numbers. Roughly cut out all the pieces.

Iron your fabric scraps and place the different elements onto the wrong side of your fabrics with the paper side up and the glue side facing the fabric. Secure in place by ironing over the shapes to fuse the glue. Cut out the shapes carefully.

Starting with the grass, peel off the backing paper and place glue side down onto your background fabric. Position the edge of the grass clump 2” in from the lefthand side as shown in the photo below. Press in place with a hot iron with no steam.

Repeat for the all the flower elements labelled with a number 1.

Then add all of the elements labelled with a number 2.

Add decorative stitches to each of the applique elements to secure them in place and sew in the stalks to each of the flowers. I use a solid stitch and my applique sewing machine foot. I also like to change the colour sewing thread to fit with the fabrics.

You can easily check to see if you have secured all the elements in place by turning the piece over as it’s easier to see your stitches.

Position the finished applique piece on top of the backing fabric. Making sure it sits in the centre.

Fold in ¼” seam allowance on the top and bottom edge so that the raw edge meets the edge of your mat. Press with an iron. Then fold over the top of your mug rug and pin or clip in place. Top stitch along the folded edge as show by the white dotted line in the photo above.

Then repeat for the small sides, turning in the corners as you go.

Your “Springtime Mug Rug” is now complete and it’s time to relax, make a cuppa and try out your new mat.