MUM Mug Rug Tutorial

MUM Mug Rug

In 2012 I made my mother a mug rug which she has treasured. But it has been laundered once too often and is ready for a replacement.  Join with me as I revisit my MUM/MOM Mug Rug Pattern to create a replacement. 

My original MUM Mug Rug

Firstly, you will need the pattern. It costs just $2.50 from ETSY or my Pattern Store.  It comes with the option to create a MUM mug rug or a MOM mug rug.

The pattern includes a 'MOM' version

FRUGAL STITCHING TIP: If you have The Patchsmith’s Alphabet pattern you can use that to create a lovely MUM/MOM mug rug. It doesn’t have the flower additions but it does have the letters and the small heart (uppercase MUM and regular lower case ‘u’ or ‘o’).

You can cut the letters from charm squares or patch them using left-over binding scraps. The pattern includes cutting sizes for creating your MUM/MOM letters from strips of fabric.

Press your seams open or to the side - it really doesn't matter.

Once you have traced the letters from the pattern, position the tracings onto the WRONG SIDE of the patched rectangle. I turned the lowercase ‘u’ upside down but you don’t have to. Fuse in place and allow to cool before cutting them out.  Fuse any hearts and flowers to the WRONG SIDE of your chosen fabrics. Peel the backing paper from all shapes.

Fuse the MUM tracings onto the WRONG side of the patch

Now choose your mug rug background fabric and cut out a rectangle (you can always cut your rectangle larger than needed and trim to size once all applique/quilting has been completed.) 

Deciding which backing fabric to use.

Position all pieces onto the backing rectangle and, when happy with the look, fuse them into place to create your mug rug top.  

A well-dressed Mum all ready for stitching

If you are following the pattern exactly ensure you leave ½” between the applique and the edge of the background rectangle to allow for binding.

Leave ½” between all pieces and the edge of the mug rug top

Stitch the pieces into position by hand or machine.

Hand-stitching is suited to a country MUM.

Finally, layer the top, batting and backing fabric before quilting and binding.

There you have it – a wonderful gift for a new mother, Mothering Sunday or just to say ‘Thank You’ to a wonderful Mum.  I hope she likes it!

Until next time ......