A wee tutorial for a Cookie Coaster/Mug Rug!

Here it is...........a little tutorial/instruction on how to make a quick and easy mug rug that I have named a "Cookie Coaster". You already know that I got hooked on making these back in December when I made the coffee themed mug rug for my son's girlfriend. I liked it so much I made one for myself and then joined Michele's Quilting Gallery mug rug swap, etc. They are so quick to make!!

I happened to mention the mug rugs to Janice, owner of Firefly*Quilt*Shop in Mankato and she thought it sounded like something that would work for favors for the spring retreat that she was participating in. So I made up a sample in batiks and she liked it. I proceeded to write up a pattern and made a storyboard of the steps required to make a mug rug.

Two things you need to know.......if you'd like a kit for this project, please contact the shop as they have kits for sale and, of course, you can use your own fabric scraps!! The other thing you need to know is that sometimes mistakes are made in measuring, and yes, I made one. I cannot tell a lie.........I made a big mistake in my directions. Well, maybe not that big but I was a 1/2 off and that's a lot in a tiny little mug rug!! The finished mug rug measures 6 1/2" x 10 1/2". I told Janice 6 1/2" x 10" which meant the backing piece in all kits she'd prepared (a lot of them) was a 1/2" too short. Janice was very understanding. I was willing to retype directions and reprint and restuff kits but Janice felt that wasn't necessary. So, I typed a correction for the storyboard and Janice planned to share the correction/adjustment with retreat guests when they were given the kits. I was so bummed that I made this silly mistake but it did highlight a couple things.........one, I should have had someone else follow my kit instructions first, then finalize my storyboard and instructions. And two, this is, after all, just a mug rug not a full-size quilt and it doesn't have to be a certain size. Not all of my mug rugs are the same size. Sometimes, it depends on the size of the scraps that I want to use. As you follow these directions, I'll share a step that shows you how you can adjust the size, especially if you are using some favorite scraps and don't quite have enough fabric.

Here we go...........
I created a large storyboard that I made from a large piece of posterboard. I took photos and divided it up into four sections. You can double click on these photos and read the test on the photos or follow the additional text that I am providing here. You can also choose to print out the photos as a paper pattern.

To begin, gather some scraps of fabric and a bit of batting.

The largest piece needs to be 6 1/2" x 10 1/2" for your backing and you will need a WOF/width of fabric strip that is at least 1-1/4" wide.

I cut some 5" charm squares in several colors so that

I could select the ones I wanted as I laid out my design.
Step 1. Choose one 5" charm for the flower. I cut a simple flower shape by folding a piece of paper. You can also trace a flower from a cookie cutter or a coloring book. Apply fusible web product to reverse side of fabric. Cut out your paper flower pattern and trace to reverse side of fused fabric and cut out your flower shape.

Choose a 5" square, preferably green, for the background for your flower.

Iron the flower in center of the 5" green charm square. Refer to photo below.

Choose a small bit of fabric for flower center and fuse it in place. When flower is appliqued to charm square, you can go on to the next step.

Note: I prefer to add the outline stitches to the flower after the Cookie Coaster top is assembled.

Next step...........

Cut two 1-1/2" wide strips and two 2" wide strips from your choice of 5" charm squares. Sew together in this order............2" - 1-1/2" - 2" - 1-1/2" in a row. Refer to photo below.

The sewn strip set will be larger than what you need. Press the strip set and trim to 4-1/2" x 5". Look at the strip set in the photo and note that the side that must be 5" is the strip end side.

Note: This is where you easily adjust the size of your mug rug. If you have scraps that are only 3-1/2" long as I did when I was making my coffee themed mug rug, then use them. All you have to do is trim your backing to the correct size once you finish the top.

Next step.........

Sew the strip set to the flower square. This is now your Cookie Coaster top. You are ready for your WOF strip now. Cut two pieces that are 5" long from the 1-1/4" strip and sew one to each end of the Cookie Coaster top. Press.

Next step.........

Cut two 10-1/2" strips to the top and bottom of your Cookie Coaster top. If you used strips that were shorter than 4-1/2" please adjust strips accordingly. Also, double check this strip measurement as sometimes, depending on the seams, you may need more or less for this strip. Sew the top and bottom strips in place and press again.
When the top is finished, you can add any embellishement stitches. I did a blanket stitch by hand on my flower and center but you can also do it by machine.

Final steps.......

You are ready to add the batting and backing. Cut a piece of batting slightly larger than your Cookie Coaster top. You can pin or spray baste the top to the batting, then trim away your excess batting. Note: you are going to sew your top, batting and backing together as a sandwich and turn inside out. To make the opening area turn under nicely, I zig zag along a two inch area where I want the opening to be. This secures the batting to your top.

This is difficult to share in my photos. :-(

In the photo above, I have pictured my finished top with batting and the polka dot backing fabric that I used. Position your backing piece to the Cookie Coaster top, matching right sides of fabric. Pin together and then using 1/4" seam, stitch almost all the way around the Cookie Coaster top, leaving that 2" opening. Snip your corners carefully so they are not too bulky when turned inside out. Press and stitch opening closed and press again. You are ready to add a little quilting. You can stitch around the flower and also add a leaf shape in the strip area if desired. I did a "stitch-in-the-ditch" on my samples. I made several but did not take photos of all of them. The one below is trimmed in a slightly different purple fabric than the pieces I used for my storyboard.

Your Cookie Coaster is finished now and ready for your favorite cup of tea,

cocoa, or coffee and cookie or biscuit to go with it! Enjoy!!

If you have any questions, please e-mail me.
And ..........
if any of you can help me with the following issue, I would love to hear from you. Here's the scoop..........since switching to my new computer and Windows 7, I am unable to "cut and paste" in Blogger. This is proving very challenging. I cannot copy links and include them. I cannot type something in Word and then paste it to my blog. And for some reason, when I was half-way finished with this, it didn't save and all my typing disappeared. I was ready to scream!!!! This is only happening in Blogger, not when I am working on documents in other applications. Does anybody have any advice on what I may have done to cause this? It is really hampering my ability to create posts for my blog. Must get this fixed so I can easily do that tutorial when my GO!Baby arrives. It's due on Tuesday. I feel like a mother who has a baby coming and the crib isn't ready. I hope you quilter's out there know what I mean. LOL!

Sandi