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Applique Mug Rugs (In-the-Hoop)

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique coasters.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.

Treat your favorite coffee and tea lovers (including yourself!) with a cozy mug rug stitched entirely in-the-hoop. Applique details make these designs extra delicious. We'll show you step-by-step how to put them together!
 

Project Needs & Notes:

- Small pieces of quilter's cotton (three colors)
- Cotton batting
- Tear-away stabilizer
- Temporary spray adhesive (Gunold KK100)

The design featured in this tutorial is:
 X13690, Coffee Mug Rug (In-the-Hoop)

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
This in-the-hoop design has three files. One is the full embroidery file. The other two are dieline files marked with the letters DL. Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the right shape and size.

Open the dielines files with embroidery software and print them. If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom's TrueSizer is a free program to use.

Print two copies of the front dieline file. This will allow you to have all the paper dielines separate from one another, and make them easy to use.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Spray the backside of the printed dieline for the front square with a small amount of temporary adhesive.

Smooth it onto a piece of fabric. Then cut a piece of batting larger than the fabric, spray it with adhesive, and smooth it onto the back of the fabric.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Cut out the shape.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.

The other three dieline pieces do not use batting.

Repeat without batting to create the back fabric piece, making sure it is the same fabric as used in the front.

Then repeat for the two other dieline pieces, using fabrics that are different colors.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.

Now that the fabric pieces are cut to the proper shape and size, it's time to embroider the design.

Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Madeira E-Zee Tear 1.5 oz. or Floriani Tearaway Medium are good choices. Those brands are more fibrous, less paper-like, and will tear more cleanly.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Attach the hoop to the machine and load the full embroidery design (not the dieline files).

Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle, rather than an embroidery needle. A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle, so that will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer.

Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be a dieline or outline. This marks the area on the stabilizer for the front fabric.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer.

Spray the back side of the front fabric piece with a small amount of temporary adhesive. Place the fabric right inside the sewn outline.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Attach the hoop back onto the machine and continue with the design.

A tack down will sew next. This holds the front fabric in place for the remainder of the design.

Some of details will embroider, followed by the dieline for the pot.

Watch the color change sheet and stop the machine before sewing the next tack down step.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
After the dieline is finished sewing, stop the machine, and remove the hoop, but do not unhoop the stabilizer.

Take the fabric dieline for the pot, and spray the backside of the fabric with temporary adhesive. Place the fabric piece right in the sewn dieline.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Then continue to embroider the design.

A tack down will stitch the fabric piece into place, and then more details will sew.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Follow the color change sheet, and repeat the steps above to sew the cup dieline, place the fabric piece, and embroider the tack down and detail stitching.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
On the color change sheet, look for the note that says "back piece tack down," and stop the machine before sewing this step.

Take the hoop off of the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer.

Flip the hoop over, spray the backside of the back fabric piece, and place it inside of the sewn square on the back of the hoop.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Since both sides of the mug rug will be seen, wind a bobbin with the same thread used in the needle.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Place the hoop back on the machine and embroider the back piece tack down which includes the final edge details.

Free project instructions to stitch in-the-hoop applique mug rugs.
Once the embroidery is finished, remove the hoop from the machine. Unhoop the stabilizer, and carefully tear it away.
Applique Mug Rugs (In-the-Hoop)



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Products used in this Project: