Mug Rug n. – a small place mat on which to place a cup with enough room for a small snack.

No matter what size you make your mug rug, it is a great way to use those fabric scraps left over from making holiday gifts.

These directions are for a 9” x 6” finished size.

Front side:
One piece of focus fabric 4” x 6 1/4”
Seven strips coordinating fabric
– center strip 2” x 9”
– two strips 1 1/2” x 8”
– two strips 2” x 6 1/2”
– two strips 2” x 4 1/2”
– Your strips can be narrower or wider and you can cut the strip lengths as you go.
One piece of cotton or 80/20 batting 6 1/2” x 9 1/2”

Back side:
One piece of backing fabric 11 1/2” x 8 1/2”

Making the Mug Rug top:

1.    Draw a line 3 1/4” from the right edge of your batting.

2.    Draw a line from upper left corner to the bottom of the line you drew. (Optional)

3.    Fold the longest strip, right sides together, along its length and place the fold against the diagonal line. Open fabric strip out so it is centered over the line, right side up.

4.    Place one of the 8” long strips, right side down, on the center strip and stitch with a 1/4” seam allowance. Extend your stitching line approximately 1/4” past the line marking off the 3 1/4” rectangle.

5.    Flip the top strip over and finger press, or use your wooden iron.

6.    Continue working towards the corner.

First half of diagonal strips are now complete.

7.    Add strips from the center strip and work towards the opposite corner.

Diagonal strips are now complete.

8.    Trim the fabric strips and batting on the 3 sides where the fabric sticks out past the batting. The mug rug should now measure 6” x 9 1/4”.

9.    With the batting side up, fold the batting back onto itself at the 3 1/4” line.

10.    Trim the strip ends 1/4” from the folded batting edge.

11.    Place the 4” x 6 1/4” piece of fabric right side down on strips and stitch with a 1/4” seam allowance.

12.    Flip the fabric over and finger press.  Trim the mug rug to the final measurement of 6” x 9”.

13.    Center the mug rug on the backing fabric and pin in place, or use kk2000 to hold in place.
14.    Trim the backing fabric so it extends 1” on all sides of the mug rug.

Binding:

1.    Cut a 5/8” square from each corner of the backing fabric. This will reduce bulk.
2.    Fold a cut edge of the backing fabric to the cut edge of the mug rug.  Fold backing fabric over again to cover the mug rug raw edge. Press with iron. Pin to hold binding in place.

3.    Turn a corner edge over to form a 45 degree angle, press.
4.    Fold backing fabric as before. Adjust the corner so it forms a 45 degree angle. Press and pin.
5.    Repeat this process on remaining sides.
6.    Top stitch near the inside folded edge of the binding. This is a good place to use one of your machine’s decorative stitches.

Now, sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, pull out your Moore’s catalog and make your wish list.