QAYG Butterfly Patch Mug Rug

Sometimes you need a last minute gift but you don’t have much time.  And sometimes you just don’t feel like quilting.  Don’t worry – I have just the thing - my Butterfly Patch Mug Rug pattern.  The pattern isn’t designed as a quilt-as-you-go (QAYG) pattern but it works beautifully.  Here’s how ....

1.         Cut your strips according to the pattern but cut them slightly longer. And cut your batting slightly larger too. (I cut my strips 6" in length and my batting rectangle 12” x 8”.)

2.         Lay the first strip on top of the batting - 1” in from the left-hand side of the batting with at least 1” of batting showing at the top and the bottom.  (Of course you could always start from the right-hand side if you prefer.)

3.         Next lay the second strip on top of the first.  Pin in place and stitch to the first strip using a ¼” seam down the right-hand side.

4.         Finger press open.  NOTE:  If you are using synthetic batting do not press with an iron as the batting will melt onto the iron. 

5.         Next lay the third strip on top of the first two, aligning the right-hand side of the strip with the right-hand side of the first two strips.  Pin and stitch using a ¼” seam down the right-hand side as before.  Finger press open.

6.         Continue adding all the strips in this way.

 

7.         Once all the strips have been stitched onto the batting trim the patched rectangle to the size of the finished mug rug (you will find this on the front of the pattern).  Try to keep the strips straight but don’t worry too much – the band and butterfly will distract the eye from any imperfections.

8.         Add the center band exactly as detailed in the Butterfly Patch pattern.  

9.         Decide which fabrics you are going to use for the butterfly and applique this onto the mug rug.  I couldn’t make up my mind so I made a couple of butterflies.  I went with the orange (I am saving the pink butterfly for another project).

10.       Once all applique and stitching has been completed you are ready to add the backing.  The best way to do this is lay the mug rug onto the backing rectangle wrong sides together. 

11.       Pin and stitch ⅛” all around the edge of the mug rug to secure the backing fabric to the mug rug before trimming the backing to match the size of the mug rug.

12.       Then it is simply a case of binding the mug rug to finish.  I say ‘simply’ but I find choosing binding one of the hardest steps when mug rug making.

And there you have it – the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, a birthday or any day of the year.  

 The Butterfly Patchmug rug pattern includes a 6” butterfly block template) and is available for immediate download from my ETSY STORE.