June Sew & Tell

Our final meeting of the 2020-2021 year included quilts, submissions for the Canada - My HOme President's Challenge, Outreach quilts and more. Have a wonderful summer - we hope to see you in Sepetember!

Let's Make a Mug Rug

Let’s Make a Mug Rug July 1, 2021 10am on Zoom* Presented by Kemptville Quilt Guild Kits $5.00 available at Kemptville Fabric Shoppe. Image shown is one of the kits. There will also be other kits available that use different Canada theme fabric.

All proceeds will be donated to Kemptville Youth Centre

KQG - Mug Rug Instructions - Tips and Tricks Project size is approximately 6 inches by 9 inches. A mug rug is a mini quilt that is used to hold a beverage and a snack. This is a good beginner project. It is a good idea to prewash fabrics (please note that the kit fabrics HAVE been prewashed).

A mug rug is made with a fabric top, batting for the middle and a fabric bottom. Fabric is typically cotton. The right side of the fabric is the side that you want to see on the finished mug rug.

To make the mug rug - make a quilt sandwich using: 1-batting -the batting layer will be on the outside until you turn the Mug Rug right side out 2-place on top of this the backing fabric (right side up) 3-place on top of the this the top fabric (right side down) Pin to hold pieces in place. You are now ready to sew. We will be using a ¼” seam. Sew the 3 sides and on the 4 th side sew leaving a 2.5” opening.

Hand sewing: Make a mark to show ¼’ line along the four sides of the fabric. This will assist you when hand sewing and can be used for your sewing line.This can be done with chalk, pencil or fabric marker.

Machine sewing: Use the sewing foot as a guide, line up the outer edge of the sewing foot with the outer edge of the fabric and sew the 3 sides and on the 4th side leave an opening 2.5” wide.

Next steps hand sewing or machine sewing... Trim the 4 corners to remove the batting, going near but not into the seam line. Turn the mug rug right side out. To do this reach into the 2.5” opening and reach and pinch the fabric and pull to the outside. The corners may not look square - you can use a small ruler edge or crochet hook to put inside the mug rug opening and gently push the corners to look square. Close the 2.5” opening: You are now ready to close the opening. Fold over the edges that are open and pin - line up to match the sewn part of this side. Stitch to close using a whip stitch or blind applique stitch. Trim any threads.

You may wish to do a finishing stitch with the sewing machine - sewing ¼” from the edge around the 4 sides of the mug rug (using the outer edge of the sewing machine foot as your guide.

A mug rug is a small project. Larger projects would require quilting (additional stitching) to hold the batting in place and prevent it from shifting and lumping over time and multiple washings. If you would like to add your initials or the year to your project you could mark this on with chalk and then stitch. These extra stitches will give your work a personal touch.

There are some wonderful mug rug ideas and tutorials available on Pinterest and Youtube. Search for: Mug Rug tutorial or Mug Rug DIY or Mug Rug Embellishments or Easy Stitches Tutorials or Beginner Quilting or Easy Quilt Blocks

*Zoom link will be provided to those that purchase kits.

Email questions to kqg.newsletter18@gmail.com

Supply List for those who wish to use their own supplies: Cotton is the fabric typically used. Fabric for Mug Rug Front 6" x 9" Mug Rug back fabric: 6' x 9". A piece of batting will be needed for the middle and it should be slightly smaller than the 6' by 9". (5 7/8" by 8 7/8") . The mug rug can be sewn by hand or by sewing machine. You will also need a needle and thread (coordinating color). The needle and thread are also used for mug rugs made with the sewing machine to close the small opening. A pair of scissors for cutting/trimming thread.