Canadian Flag Mug Rug Pattern

Oh, Canada!

This is the second free project in our Canadian Flag series being made, in honor of my granddaughter-in-law, to celebrate and commemorate her Canadian spirit and national pride.  I decided to make her a Canadian Flag Mug Rug.

Mug rug patterns are fun, quick small quilts that can be completed in an afternoon.  With this free mug rug pattern, you will learn how to make this mug rug quilt just the right size for a mug or glass and a tasty snack.

All of us at Needlepointers.com have fallen in love with making little quickie mug rug projects.  That's the reason for this mug rug pattern.

Today's maple leaf mug rug pattern is super quick, super easy. 

To start the front of the Canadian Mug Rug pattern only has four fabric pieces with a quick-fuse applique.  There's also a no binding finish.   Instead, the piece is sewn together, all three layers, then flipped so that everything is right side out and the opening that’s left is machine sewn closed.

The non binding finish or the pillowcase technique, also known as the envelope finish, is perfect for small items such as baby quilts, wall hangings, placemats, coasters or mug rugs.  To learn the pillow case method of quilt finishing without using binding, head over to this page for a video and written tutorial.

No time to sew now? Make sure to save the project for later to Pinterest.

Let's get back to today's project.  Learn how to make a maple leaf mug rug with this really easy mug rug pattern by watching our video Or keep reading this post for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions.

WHAT IS A MUG RUG?

A quilted mug rug is a small, fun to create, mini quilt that is a cross between a coaster and a placemat.  It's the perfect size to hold a beverage and a tasty snack. They are sometimes referred to as mug mats or snack mats.

Mug rugs look super adorable on your desk, in the sewing room, on a small end table, worktables, anywhere!

Are you a knitter or crocheter?   Mug rugs can be created with yarn, too.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COASTER AND A MUG RUG?

A coaster is just big enough for a cup, mug or glass and nothing more. A mug rug is big enough to hold a beverage and a snack.

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF a MUG RUG?

There is no real set size for a mug rug. It's bigger than a coaster, smaller than a placemat.  The typical size is anywhere between 4" x 7" up to 12" x 8".  But the size and shape are completely up to the designer.

how do you use MUG RUG?

Mug rugs are used primarily to protect your tables or furniture from the spills and heat of hot beverages and snacks.

Mug rugs can be used for more things than just mugs and a snack.  They look stylish and can be color coordinated to your home.  Use them to protect your table or furniture against plant pots, hot serving bowls, use them as miniature wall hangings,  on dressing tables, as a place to hold keys and more.

I love a good fabric scrap project and these mug rugs are a great way to use up fabric scraps including batting. 

Canadian flag mug rug instructions

Here's everything you need to do to make your own beautiful Canadian Flag mug rug:

STEP 1: MAPLE LEAF APPLIQUE

Download the free maple leaf template which is located at the end of this article.

Place a piece of Heat n Bond (paper side up) over the template and trace the maple leaf onto the Heat n Bond with a pencil.

After it is drawn on the Heat n Bond you need to rough cut it out.  Cut it out about 1/4" from the design.  DO NOT CUT ON THE LINES.

With an iron and using the manufacturer's instructions, fuse the maple leaf applique to the wrong side of the red fabric. 

Next, use a scissor to cut out the applique on the pencil line. Set it aside. 

STEP 3: assembling the block unit

To assemble the Canadian Flag Block, remove the paper backing from the red maple leaf applique and center it on the pretty side (right side) of the white fabric.  Then, iron it to fuse it to the fabric.

Next, we need to sew the red rectangular pieces to the block.  To finish the Canadian Flag block, sew a red piece to each side of the white piece using a 1/4 inch seam.

Press the seam allowance toward the red fabric.

And the block is finished.  

STEP 4: create a quilt sandwich

Cutting Instructions:
Backing Fabric
Cut one rectangular piece 6 1/2" x 12 1/2"

Batting Fabric
Cut one rectangular piece 6 1/2" x 12 1/2"

Layering the mug rug sandwich (quilt sandwich): Place the backing fabric on a flat surface with the right side (pretty side) facing up.  Next, add the Canadian Flag block on top with the right side facing down.  The two right sides are together.  Finally, put the batting rectangle on top.

Pin the three layers together in a few places to hold everything together so it won't shift while sewing.

Step 5: Sewing the Layers Together

When stitching around the mug rug, on the bottom side you need to leave an opening of about 4" for turning the mug rug right side out. 

Go to the sewing machine, with the batting on top place begin sewing on the bottom long edge about 7 - 8 inches down from the short edge.  Using a 3/8" seam allowance sew the three layers together. 

Be sure to use a backstitch to tack the stitching securely at the beginning.

Continue stitching around all four sides, remembering to pivot at each corner and leaving an opening for turning on the bottom edge.  At the end of sewing, be sure to again backstitch to secure the stitching.

STEP 6: TRIM AND TURN

Trim the corners to remove some of the bulk.  Be careful not to trim into the stitches.

After clipping the corners, turn the mug rug right side out through the opening.  Push out the four corners of the mug rug and then use an iron to press it flat. When pressing with the iron, make sure to press in the seam allowance of the opening used for turning. Pin the opening in a few places.

STEP 7: EDGESTITCH 

The opening that's left to turn the project will now be closed securely by edge stitching.

At the sewing machine and with a straight stitch, sew close to the edge (1/8" - 1/4" away) of the mug rug around all four sides.  

Edge stitching gives the mug rug a very neat professional finish and is an easy way to close the opening.

If you need a lesson on edge stitching, this is a great video tutorial.

STEP 8: QUILTING

Since the maple leaf was appliqued onto the fabric, I suggest you edgestitch all the way around it to make sure it doesn't come off when the mug rug is laundered.  You could also use the zigzag stitch or blanket stitch if you prefer.

Then you can machine quilt the remainder of the mug rug any way you wish.

Ta-Da! It's finished.  

If you are Canadian, show your love for Canada by making this maple leaf mug rug to display on February 15 for Canada National Flag Day or on July 1 for Canada Day or anytime.

I hope all our Canadian readers have a wonderful day!

Happy Quilting!

Annette

FREE mug rug patterns

• Pumpkin Mug Rug Pattern
• Jelly Roll Mug Rug Pattern
• Heart Mug Rug
• Christmas Tree Mug Rug
• Mug Rug Using Selvage Fabric Strips