Easy Quilted Mug Rug
Whether you're wondering if fusible batting is worth it or looking for a quick yet lovely teacher or Mother's Day present, this post is for you!
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Hey Friend!
This blog could just as easily been titled "Hobbs Fusible Batting is My New Bestie," because I'm super excited to encourage you to try it as part of this easy mug rug project. Now, y'all know I loooove my homemade spray baste-- so much so that when Hobbs sent me this fusible batt to try, I wasn't even sure how I would use it. But, as the eager beaver I am, if I get the urge to try some little project, I don't want to wait for baste to dry! Enter my new hero, Hobbs Heirloom Fusible Cotton Batting. This batt is an 80/20 cotton poly blend, and I have not had any issues with my needle gumming up from the fusible feature. Simply layer your quilt sandwich, give it a quick press (I use a dry iron, but I've heard a few friends mention the fuse is even better with steam), and you're off to the races!
Now, since that review was quick and easy (because fabulous is fabulous, y'all, and this batt is fabulous), let's make a quick and easy mug rug to try out this batting.
First, cut out 3 8.5 inch by 16.5 inch rectangles-- two from fabric for the top and back of the rug, and one from the Hobbs Heirloom Fusible Cotton Batting. If you don't have a fabric lying about with some handy pre-printed squares on it, you can piece 2.5 inch squares together, draw a grid on a solid piece of fabric, or use a fun pattern like my friend Lindsay's Charming Mini pattern.
After you have cut and/or pieced your mug rug pieces, layer as a quilt sandwich and press to fuse.
Next, let's use this as an opportunity to practice some continuous curve quilting. My friend Dorie is a wonderful expert on continuous curves, and I highly recommend her book Making Connections. I'll include a basic video primer here, and if this kind of quilting is your jam, be sure to check out Dorie's book for all the really exciting ways you can develop continuous curves.
Finally, bind your mug rug! I love machine binding, and I've included all my favorite tips and techniques here. Now you're ready to snack in style with your own little quilted mug rug! Hobbs Heirloom Fusible Cotton Batting is excellent for small projects like this mug rug, but it has also become my go-to for creating sandwiches for practicing my free motion quilting. I in just a few minutes, I can turn some scraps and a bit of this fusible batt into a perfect little practice session. Thank you, Hobbs, for making small projects and free motion quilting practice easier than ever! (Also, since I love to give an extra little plug when I'm using products from companies that also support Quilts for Cure, please give three cheers for Hobbs as they are huge supporters of Quilts for Cure as well and our efforts to send quilts to kids fighting cancer)
Mug rugs make wonderful little friend and teacher gifts (just add a cute mug and a coffee shop gift card!), so keep them in mind as the school year comes to a close. And don't forget to pick up some Hobbs Heirloom Fusible Cotton Batting to make them a truly quick and easy project. Oh-- and be sure to tag me @stringandstory on Instagram if you share pics of your mug rugs!
Happy Quilting!
HollyAnne
