With all the talk recently of Back to School sewing projects and Fall or Autumn on the way, I've actually been just that little bit homesick for the UK. It's been years since I visited and even longer since I moved away in search of everyday sunshine, but I still remember the seasons. There was always a very distinct Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Here in Cayman where the sun shines every day, we have 4 seasons as well. Hot, Hotter, Scorching, Still Hot. I do miss the time of year when the leaves turn golden, russet and burgundy – and then the trains stop running because too many leaves fell on the line.
So here is my little reminder of home and the trip we would take every Autumn to the local Westonbirt Arboretum to see the trees in their glorious colors. An Autumn table set complete with leaves and a pumpkin. After I've sometimes spent a week designing and working on a new clothing pattern, I love a simple project like this that I can complete in an afternoon.
Sew your Fall Mug Rug Pattern
Materials:
- Fabrics in autumn colors, brown, orange, dark reds
- Background fabric and backing fabric
- Matching threads
- Fleece or batting, or flannel for the inside
- Heat N Bond fusible web
- Fabric marker
- Template 1 – Pumpkin pattern from Kathryn Scraps
- Maple Leaf template (in the download) or other leaf templates
You can download the leaf template for the Fall Mug Rug, and general instructions on how to create an applique mug rug, from my design account at Payhip. It's a PDF file containing both instructions and pattern all in the same file. Enjoy! Trouble downloading the pattern? Check out this article - How to Download and Print PDF Sewing Patterns.
Start by tracing out your templates onto the paper side of the Heat N Bond. For the leaves because it was so intricate and I didn't want to loose the detail in the edges of the leaves, I used the UltraHold version that doesn't need to be sewn. Just cut and stick. The Lite version is designed to be sewn through for a permanent hold.
If you want to know more about how to get the best results with Fusible Applique, try the Fun with Fusible Applique class – So Sew Easy readers get an exclusive 50% off if you use my link. Click the image below.
Fuse the shapes onto the reverse of your fabric and carefully cut them out.
Cut your background fabric roughly to the size and shape you want it (we'll trim it later) and then layer up your pieces and fuse them into place. I made one larger piece and a couple of smaller ones to use as coasters (or something – they just look nice!). Don't do what I did and use a thin corduroy for your background – it never gave a nice finish, and looks rather uneven and stretched. Due to fabric choice restrictions locally, I gave it a try, but regular quilting cotton would have been a better choice.
Add a stabiliser to the back to keep the applique areas nice and flat. If you don't have anything suitable, you can just place a large sheet of regular printer paper under as you sew, and this helps it run through the machine smoothly.
For the leaves, I used a Frixion heat-erasable fabric marker to draw in the veins on the leaves and then stitched over to top. A quick pass with the iron and the lines disappear.
For the pumpkin, I would have liked to use an orange thread, but couldn't get any here so had to make do with a brown. My green wasn't exactly what I wanted either but my sewing shop doesn't have much choice of thread. It will do.
Once everything was in place, I added fleece to the back of each piece, trimmed and squared up and then cut a backing fabric which was 1 inch larger all the way around.
Turn in 1/2 inch on each edge and press, then turn the folded edge up to the top and secure in place. Stitch around all 4 edges and you are done. If you prefer, you can use a separate piece of fabric for the back, and then add a regular straight binding instead. I was a bit short on fabrics so I did this for the two smaller pieces.
And it's done. A nice quick and easy project to brighten up your home, dining table or entry table with something a little seasonal. A nice reminder of how much I loved Autumn back in the UK. Apart from the rain, I never loved that.
Thank you to Kathryn at the Scrap Beach for allowing me to use her Pumpkin Template.
I was unable to download the fall maple leaf.
I can’t access the PDF file for for your Autumn or Fall Mug Rug. When I click on “Download Here”, I get a set of three pictures of your completed mug rugs. Please look into this and email me when the problem has been corrected. I love the mug rugs, but especially need the maple leaf template for this project as J can’t draw worth a darn. I appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
Cee
Thanks so much for a great pattern! I’ve shared the link to this page on our guild website. https://www.eveningstarquilters.org/fall-mug-rugs/
Just wanted o let you know thee make wonderful placemats for fall.
soooo cute
Hi, just wanted to let you know that I linked to this tutorial from my blog: http://www.sewingshop.net/blog/thursday-treasures-3-theme-orange/
Love these mug rugs, they are just perfect for Autumn!
Thanks Linda, what a really interesting idea for an article!
Thanks Deby!
I can’t decide which I like best – the pumpkin or the leaf. They both look fabulous, Deby. Pinning.
THey are beautiful. THank you
I have a question. I ‘ve used Heat N’ Bond before. Both types. But the extra hold will create a sticky thing on my sewing machine needle making it very difficult to sew and it sticks to the fabric. So how is it that you could sew the veins if you used this type of bond? I am not clear on the stabilizer part.
I’ve never had a problem sewing through the Heat N Bond Ultrahold product.It works just fine for me and doesn’t create any gumminess. I wonder if that is anything to do with heat – its very hot here so the glue is soft perhaps? There is a product you can get where you apply a drop to your needle and its like a lubricant, for sewing with tough fabrics and thick layers. Maybe this would help ward off the glue? Its called Sewers Aid.
thanks for a wonderful post. these are great ideas. Yup fall is just begging to start here. I cant wait to start my first applique with these adorable pumpkins.
Ooh I know, isn’t that pumpkin great!
I’m enjoying your blog; didn’t know you were a fellow Brit. Yep, autumn is just starting here, though we’re still enjoying the remnants of summer! Jen
HI Deby
You life in the Camans sounds great, and I cant belive that you miss Autumn, its so annoying with all those leaves everywhere!!!
Your placemats are very clever, thanks for the post.
Best wishes from the UK