A Super Simple Mug Rug Tutorial for Beginners

I’m super excited to talk to you guys today because today marks the first of many sewing tutorials I will be rolling out in the next few months! The sewing project I picked for today is fun, and I hope you like it.

I am going to give you a mug rug tutorial that you can use to make all kinds of mug rugs for your friends and family. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it, shall we?

What Is a Mug Rug?

If you just read my previous paragraph and you’re sitting there scratching your head wondering, “Uh…Miriam? What in the world is a mug rug?!” you are not alone! This is one of the most commonly searched questions surrounding this fun little sewing craft.

A mug rug is just another name for a coaster. I think they call it a mug rug instead of a coaster because it’s made from fabric. That’s my theory, anyways. It’s also just plain fun to say!

Mug rugs are super popular in the quilting community, but I would love to encourage ALL sewists to make some for fun. They’re a quick and easy project and make adorable gifts.

How To Make Mug Rugs

We’ll hop right into the mug rug tutorial because it’s so fun; I can’t wait! After the tutorial, I’m gonna answer a bunch of other questions that come up when searching for ideas and info on mug rugs. 

My favorite place to buy fabric is Missouri Star Quilt Co! They have a HUGE selection of quilting and sewing fabrics. If you use the button below, you can get 20% any $50+ order! (This is an affiliate link, and I may receive a commission from qualifying sales at no extra charge to you!)

Step 1: Cut the Fabric

I like using fabric scraps for sewing projects like this since they are smaller. 

The instructions I will give you today can be used to make a square 5” x 5” mug rug, or you could double the width to make a 5” x 10” large mug rug to hold your mug and some cookies!

I am using scrap jellyroll strips from “Songbook…A New Page” by Stephanie Sliwinski of Fancy That Design House for Moda Fabrics for my mug rugs.

First, I cut four strips to 2 ½” x 6”.

Then I sub-cut the strips in half, giving me eight 1 ¼” x 6” strips.

Step 2: Arrange the Strips

Arrange the strips into two sets of four in the order you would like them. I love the scrappy look you get when mixing colors and patterns. 

Step 3: Sew the Strips Together

Using a ¼” seam allowance, sew both sets up four strips. Our finished strips will be a super thin ¾” wide. 

Step 4: Press the Seams

This step is super important to get those crisp flat seams for your mug rugs. Press all the seams to one side (either side will work.) I also like to use a starch spray like Mary Ellen’s Best Press for this step to keep the fabric stiff and straight. 

Step 5: Cut the Strips in Half

Next, we are going to cut the strips in half and trim them so you have four 3” x 3” blocks.

Step 6: Arrange the Blocks

Now you can arrange the blocks to make a “thatched-like” design like the image below. I love this design because it’s equal parts cottage-y and modern. 

Step 7: Sew the Blocks Together

Sew the blocks together using a ¼” seam allowance. First, sew the two horizontal rows and then the rows together, making the finished mug rug block. 

Step 8: Press the Block

Pressing/ironing may seem tedious, but it really makes all the difference in the finished sewing project. Press the block so all the seams lay flat. The block will measure 5 ½”  x5 ½”. You are now ready to assemble the mug rug!

Step 9: Assemble the Mug Rug

Take your mug rug top, batting, and backing fabric and layer them as follows: 

• Batting
• Mug Rug Top facing up
• Backing fabric facing down

Step 10: Sew the Layers Together

Sew around the perimeter of the mug rug layers. Leave an approximately 2” wide gap to turn the mug rug right side out. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching so the stitches stay in place.

Step 11: Turn the Mug Rug Right Sides Out

Snip the corners of the mug rug square. This will help keep the corners less bulky when finishing the project. 

Carefully pull the right side of the mug rug through the 2” opening. Be careful not to rip any of the stitches at the opening. 

Use a blunt pencil, chopstick, or the end of a makeup brush to push out the corners. Don’t push too hard, or you could break the stitches.

Step 12: Press the Mug Rug

Our final pressing! Press the mug rug so it lays flat. Make sure you press the 2” opening seam so the raw edges are inside the mug rug.

Step 13: Topstitch the Edge

Now, all we need to do is topstitch the edge to give the edge a finished look and close up the 2” opening. To topstitch, simply stitch with a straight stitch about ⅛” away from the edge of the mug rug. 

Step 14: Quilt the Mug Rug (optional)

You don’t have to do this step if you don’t want to since the mug rug is so small, but I’m a quilter, and I love to quilt! Since this mug rug is quite simple and modern, I will do some simple straight-line quilting to finish it.

I use a hera marker to make where I want to quilt, and then quilt along that marked line. 

And there you have it! A finished mug rug!

If you want to make the wider 5” x 10” mug rug, all you need to do is make two blocks and sew them together after Step #7. Your batting and backing fabric for the larger mug rug should be 5 ½” x 10 ½” each.

FAQs About Mug Rug Patterns

Before I go, I want to address some common questions I’ve seen surrounding how to make mug rugs. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section below as well.

What Size Should a Mug Rug Be?

There’s really no right or wrong answer to this question. The size you make your mug rugs will depend on if you use large mugs (I personally love having a nice big cup of coffee every morning hehe) and if you prefer the square or rectangle-shaped mug rug. 

A standard size for a store-bought coaster is 4” x 4” to give you an idea of what is “normal.”

What Kind of Batting for Mug Rugs?

I recommend using 100% cotton batting. It has a relatively low volume, and that’s important if you are setting a cup or mug on it. If you were to use a thicker polyester blend batting, you risk the cup tipping over. 100% cotton batting also works great with heat and has no risk of melting.

What is the Point of a Mug Rug?

Not only are they just super cute since they’re basically little mini quilts for your tabletops, they also protect your table from the heat of the mug. They can also soak up any drips or minor spills and are machine washable. 

How Do You Bind a Mug Rug?

If you follow my tutorial, you don’t need to bind the mug rug since all the raw edges are inside the finished project. However, if you would like to bind it, you would simply bind it the way you would bind any other quilt project.

I’ll be doing a quilt binding tutorial soon, so if you want to learn my method, make sure to sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page!

I hope you enjoyed this mug rug tutorial as much as I did! I would love to see your finished mug rugs if you follow this tutorial! Tag me on Instagram @stitchobsessedwithmiriam. 

Happy Stitches!