Spring Mug Rug with FREE Template

Template and directions to make

I've been spending a lot of time on bigger projects recently, designing and testing sewing patterns which is a lengthy process.  So I wanted something fun to sew, something seasonal, something not clothes!  It's feeling very much like Spring is here so I rummaged through my cottons and found some bright Spring colors and got to work on a simple mug rug.

Well, I'm not sure you could call it a mug rug unless its for the whole family to use. It's maybe more of a place mat.  Or maybe its just decorative.  I've not really decided yet, but it was fun to sew, so much so that I made a second so now hubby and I can have matching ones.  I've been using them as place mats when we eat our dinner out on the patio in the evening.

Want to make one? Course you do.

Make the Spring Mug Rug

First, pick some nice bright and coordinating fabrics.  I'm so happy with my choices.  I was always terrible at putting fabrics together, but I'm reasonably happy with my selection for this project.

Download and print the template.  Don't panic when you open and print it, it's supposed to be backwards.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Cut some suitable sized pieces of Heat N Bond, and with the paper side up, trace the letters onto one piece, the butterfly onto another and the little flower onto a third. I had a floral fabric and cut my flower from my backing fabric, but a little template is included if you want to use it.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Iron the pieces onto the reverse of your fabrics with a dry iron on medium heat, then carefully cut out the individual pieces.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Cut out a piece of fabric for your background.  I suggest making it 2 inches wider and taller than you intend for your finished piece to be, to allow for some shifting during quilting, so you can trim it to shape and size later on.  I don't have access to applique/embroidery stabilisers here, so I ironed a piece of fusible fleece to the back of my background piece. You could use some interfacing as an alternative.

Using a ruler as a guide, place your appliques.  When happy with the layout, remove the backing paper and iron them to fuse into place.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

How you sew your appliques is up to you.  You may choose to zigzag or satin stitch around the edges, or use a running stitch just inside the edge in either a contrasting or matching thread.  I chose a dark navy thread to help my letters stand out.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Pull your threads through to the back, knot and snip them off.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Now it's time to quilt.  Cut a piece of batting or fleece and a plain piece of cotton or calico as the backing and layer them with the decorative side facing up.  Pin, spray baste or hand baste the layers in place.

I started out by marking my lines where I wanted to sew using a Disappearing Fabric Marker.  This just fades in a few hours, or you can dampen it to make it disappear right away.  Having the lines all drawn out helped me to keep a little more even, although I'm the first to admit, this isn't my strong point! Drawing the lines will certainly help if you've not done much of this before.  Stitch along following your lines until the whole piece is quilted.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Now its time to decide on your finished size so take your ruler and rotary cutter and trim up those edges nice and neatly.  Measure your finished size.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Cut a piece of backing fabric which is 2 inches wider and taller than the trimmed panel.  Sit it wrong side up with the quilted panel in the middle and turn in 1/2 inch on each side and press.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Then turn the pressed edges over the raw edges of the quilted panel to hide those edges and pin in place.  Take care to make nice neat corners and stitch these edges in place on all 4 sides.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.

Your mug rug/place mat/quilted panel is finished.  I think it would look lovely in your entrance way with a vase of flowers on it.  What do you think?  How will you use yours?

Template and directions to make this Spring Mug Rug or placemat.


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Diane
Diane

Thank you!

KAREN BARNES
KAREN BARNES

I like the pattern for the mug rug. Hope you will do Summer, Fall and Winter too!

Elaine Giles
Elaine Giles

I like it but the template won’t open for me

Topazshell

I’m so embarrassed. I don’t see the pattern or template for the word spring, and I don’t see the butterfly template. Would love to ty this mug rug. It’s so cute.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Topazshell

Near the top under the section that says “Make the Spring Mug Rug” there are these words in Red and Bold. “DOWNLOAD THE SPRING MUG RUG TEMPLATE” Click on there to be taken over to the template download. Sorry I didn’t make it more clear.

Topazshell

It’s so cheerful. Seems easy too.

Cookie Crumbs
Cookie Crumbs

I absolutely love this! Every time I look at it, it pushes my ‘happy’ button!!!! 🙂

Emily Thompson
Emily Thompson

adorable! I love the colors, this would make a fun wall hanging or door welcome too! Thanks for linking up to Create Link Inspire, you are featured this weekend! I’ve shared it all around and would love for to as well if you get a chance ;o) Emily@Nap-Time Creations

Sandra Kumler
Sandra Kumler

Adorable! I even have some of the blue and white daisy fabric!

Elena

Such a cute idea and great tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

Alyssa
Alyssa

This is such a sweet idea! I just wanted to let you know that I am linking to this post at Simply Creative Living on 4/9 if you don’t mind.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Alyssa

I would be delighted! Thank you very much Alyssa.

France
France

Very beautiful! And lively too. I think that the marguerite on the “i” is what I like the most. It makes a simple but very effective link with the binding. Gorgeous!

anezinis

It’s awesome Mug Rug!!!So fresh and springly…
congrats

T'onna
T'onna

I love this mug rug! The bright colors are perfect for spring! I’m pinning it!
Navy Wifey Peters

T'onna Peters (Navy Wifey Peters)
T'onna Peters (Navy Wifey Peters)
Reply to  T'onna

And I also love your blog design!

Embroiderymad

Gorgeous, love the bright colours.

Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods

Your bright and springy Mug Rug is too stinking cute! That would make me happy every time I set down my cup!
~ Ashley

Cécile Martin

Very Pretty! I love this idea!

Il Gufo Creativo

Oh! It’s so cute, happy and fresh!
Thank you for this tutorial.

Clare

This is a really lovely idea, I think I’d need to go for a more general design though as I know that the spring ones would just be left out all the way through summer, autumn and winter too!

ROBIN
ROBIN

You did a great job. Love it! And many thanks for the pattern.

Fran
Fran

Love it.

Tammy

Sew so pretty!

Diane
Diane

Very cute and “springy” for sure! Thanks for the detailed tutorial – so easy to follow!