Machine Embroidery Designs at Embroidery Library!

Sweet Patch Mug Rug
(featuring applique Animals on the Edge)

Free project instructions to make an embroidered mug rug

Warm up your table with an adorable embroidered mug rug!

An applique Animal on the Edge design peeks out from the border (step-by-step instructions show you how to position the design on the edge just right). And fabric patches add a sweet homespun touch.

Read on for step-by-step instructions!

Supplies Needed:

**1/4 yard cotton fabric (for front -- I used flannel)

**1/4 yard cotton fabric (for back -- I used lightweight canvas)

**Small pieces of cotton fabric (for patches -- I used homespun and quilter's cotton)

**Small piece of fabric for applique piece -- I used flannel)

Supplies Continued:

**Two-sided fusible web (for adding patches)

**Medium weight cutaway stabilizer

**Temporary spray adhesive

**Air-erase pen or dressmaker's pencil

Designs Used:
I used the small size of the Peeking Owl (Applique). Choose designs that suit your personal preference and decor. With the patches on the right, designs 4" x 4" or smaller will fit well on the mug rug. Without patches, the embroidery area on the mug rug is 8 1/4" wide by 3 1/4" high.

Finished Size:
9 1/2" wide by 4 1/2" high

I began by drawing a 10 1/2" wide by 5 1/2" high rectangle on the cotton fabric (I used flannel) with an air-erase pen. Then I measured and marked 1/2" up along each side, starting at each bottom corner, and drew a line connecting the marks. I will use this line to place the design.

I like to use templates to position designs, so I created a paper template of my design by printing it at full size with embroidery software. If you are new to using templates, click here for a quick tutorial.

I trimmed the template by cutting right along the bottom edge of the design, and around the sides and top edge, leaving about 1" of excess around the design. I lined up the bottom edge of the template with the line I just drew, leaving the 1/2" space in between the template and the bottom edge of the shape.

I also centered the template side to side by measuring equal distances between the center point on the template and the side edges of the shape. I poked a hole in the center of the template and marked the fabric, and I marked the axis points.

Then I removed the template and drew lines connecting the marks.

Next I sprayed a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smoothed the fabric on top. I hooped the fabric and stabilizer together, lining up the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric.

To prepare the applique fabric piece for the design, I printed the dieline ("_DL" file) that is included in the download.

I printed a copy of the dieline file at full size with my embroidery software. If you don't have embroidery software, or you are unable to print from it, you can embroider the dieline file onto a sheet of paper. Load the dieline file into your machine, hoop a piece of paper, and embroider the dieline directly onto the paper.

After the dieline is printed or stitched, use the template to cut the fabric to the right size and shape.

Then make a "sandwich" of stabilizer, applique fabric, and the paper template. Spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer with a little temporary adhesive (I use KK100). Smooth the applique fabric on top of the stabilizer.

I sprayed the backside of the paper template with a quick shot of adhesive and smoothed it over the fabric.

Then I cut out the shape.

I attached the hoop to the machine and loaded the embroidery design (that's the file that begins with "Y" followed by four numbers).

I moved the hoop so that the needle is directly over the center point on the fabric and embroidered the design. The first thing that will sew is another dieline. After the dieline is finished, stop the machine and remove the hoop, but do not unhoop the fabric.

Next I sprayed the backside of the fabric piece with adhesive.

Then I placed the fabric right inside the dieline.

Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue with the design. A zigzag tack down stitch will sew next. This binds the applique piece to the fabric for the remainder of the design. Then all the inside elements will sew.

Continue embroidering the design. A satin stitch border will sew next.

When the design is finished, cut out the shape. You can trim the stabilizer from the backside of the embroidery if you like, however, leaving it in place can give the fabric more support, making for a slightly more durable mug rug.

I added two decorative patches on the right side of the fabric. To do this, I cut small pieces of cotton fabric (I used homespun and quilter's cotton) to about 2 1/2" by 2 1/2" and 1 1/2" by 1 1/2". Then I added the fusible web to the back of the fabric pieces, arranging them on the fabric with at least 3/4" between the edges of the patches and the outer edges of the fabric

I pressed them in place with an iron, following the directions on the fusible web packaging. Then I stitched around the fabric pieces with a zigzag stitch to tack them permanently in place. You can use any decorative stitch you like.

To prepare the fabric for the back of the mug rug, I laid the embroidered top piece on top of the fabric (I used lightweight canvas), right sides together, pinned in place, and trimmed the back fabric around the shape of the top piece.

Then I turned the mug rug right side out, pressed the seams with an iron, folded the fabric of the opening in 1/2", and pressed. I pinned the opening in place and top stitched a 1/8" seam around the entire outer edge of the mug rug, starting and stopping at the outer edge of the design (don't sew over the embroidery). And the mug rug is ready to go!

Sweeten your coffee break or tea time with a delightful embroidered mug rug!

Click here for a printable version of these project instructions.

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