Snow Birds Mug Rug Tutorial

You can download the pdf instructions here:  Snow Birds Mug Rug

If I hadn’t been taking pictures along the way, I could have made this in an hour and a half.  Done!  There is very little piecing and the applique is pretty easy and no fancy stitching either.  Just straight stitches about 1/8″ inside the raw edges of the applique.  I even used a permanent fine-tip marker to add the bird’s eyes and stocking strings.  Easy peasy!

And you do the applique stitching and the quilting at the same time!  I don’t usually use a straight stitch on raw edge applique, but the pieces are so small that it gives it a more uncluttered look.  And I don’t think this little piece is going to end up in my will, if you know what I mean.  It might fray a little bit after some wear and tear, so if you want to zig zag the edges, then go for it.

I used “Sliver” thread by Sulky for some of the stitching.  You can see it in the snow and stockings above.  I love the shimmer that it adds to the applique!

The mistletoe at the top was an afterthought, and I happened to have the perfect fabric for it.  I would probably lower the placement of the tree limbs and birds in the future to allow more room for the mistletoe.

I made my first “practice” version out of batiks.  Do those birds look like a mustache in the trees?  (Thanks for the idea, Jan).

I think the three on-point squares would be a perfect place to add a monogram or spell out “JOY”.  Hmmm, maybe I DO need an embroidery machine!

I hope you can find time in the next few days to make one of these little mug rugs in time for Christmas.  I’m thinking you could easily make a dozen in a day!  Well, maybe with the help of some elves.  And there’s always next year!  Enjoy!