Who says quilts are just for beds? Bring a little color to your table or work space with these tiny works of art. This project is a great way to use up fabric scraps and is a perfect way to show off your favorite cup or glass. Instructions include two variations – one with stripes and one with checks. 

Materials to make a Mug Rug:

• Five different fabric scraps measuring at least 3″ x 9″
• One fabric scrap measuring at least 8″ x 10″ for backing
• 1/8 yard of fabric for binding
• One 8″ x 10″ rectangle of batting
• Thread
• Scissors
• Water-soluble marking pen or tailor’s chalk
• Ruler
• Hand-sewing needle
• Rotary cutter and mat (optional)
• 1/4″ foot (BERNINA Patchwork Foot #37 or Patchwork Foot with Guide #57)
• Walking foot (BERNINA Walking Foot #50)
• Free-motion quilting foot (BERNINA Stitch Regulator or Freehand Quilting Foot #29/29C)

Step 1) Piece the top.

Striped Mug Rug

Cut a 2 1/4″ x 7″ rectangle from each of the five fabric scraps.

With right sides together, sew the long edges of the rectangles together; press the seam allowances open.

Patchwork Mug Rug

Cut a 2 1/4″ x 9″ rectangle from each of the five fabric scraps.

With right sides together, sew the long edges of the rectangles together; press the seam allowances open.

Cut the striped block into four 2 1/4″-wide strips.

Rotate every other strip, then sew them together to make a patchwork design; press the seam allowances open.

Step 2) Assemble the “quilt sandwich.”

Cut a 7 1/2″ x 9″ rectangle of backing fabric.

Cut a 7 1/2″ x 9″ rectangle of batting.

Cut a 2 1/2″ x 44″ strip of fabric for the binding

Place the backing fabric right side down. Place the batting on the backing fabric. Place the patchwork rectangle on top, right side up (wrong side down).

Pin the “sandwich” together to keep the pieces from slipping.

Step 3) Quilt the layers together.

Quilting the layers together can be as simple as

• Stitching-in-the-ditch (sewing on the seam lines)

• Sewing a cross-hatch design (usually a 1″ grid of diagonal or horizontal/vertical lines forming diamonds or squares)
• Free-form meandering or stippling stitches (free-hand curved lines or swirls)

Choose your favorite and quilt the layers of your mug rug together.

Tip: For stitch-in-the-ditch quilting, match the line in the center of the foot with the seam line.

Sometimes, after being sewn and quilted, the quilted piece is no longer square. If this is the case, “square up” your block and trim it so all sides are even.

Step 4) Bind your mug rug.

There are a variety of ways to bind quilts and similar items – the method shown here is perfect for beginners because it has just a few easy-to-sew steps. If you prefer a different technique, feel free to replace this method with yours.

Fold the binding strips in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, matching the raw edges. Press.

Select a side of the mug rug to begin binding. Cut a binding strip 1″ longer than this side. For example, if your mug rug is 9″ long, then cut the binding strip 10″ long.

Pin the binding strip to the right side of the mug rug, extending the ends about 1/2″ past the edges of the mug rug, matching the raw edges.

Sew the binding to the mug rug using a 1/4″-wide seam allowance.

Flip the finished binding to the mug rug and slipstitch the edge in place by hand. Trim the ends of the binding even with the mug rug edges.

Repeat, applying binding to the opposite edge.

Cut a binding strip 1″ longer than one of the remaining edges. Pin the binding strip to the right side of the mug rug, extending the ends about 1/2″ past the edges of the mug rug, matching the raw edges. Stitch.

Before folding the finished edge of the binding to the back, fold the 1/2″-long tails around the end; this creates finished edges at the ends of the binding. Slipstitch in place.

Repeat for the opposite edge of the mug rug. Your mug is complete!