Pattern Description:
This free Embroidered Hexie Mug Rug pattern combines English Paper Piecing and hand embroidery to create a charming “but first, coffee” design.
Perfect for beginners, this mini quilt makes a lovely, washable coaster for your mug and snack. It’s a quick, creative project showcasing embroidery, quilting, and simple hexagon patchwork techniques.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
- Equipment & Tools: Basic Sewing Tools, Small Sharp Scissors, Hand Quilting Needles, Embroidery Hoop
- Templates & Supplies: ‘But first, coffee’ text template, five hexagon templates (downloadable), Aurifil 12 wt thread (hot pink), Aurifil 80 wt thread (Dove 2600), Spray baste
- Fabric & Measurements:
- Linen background: 11” x 8”
- Batting: 13” x 10”
- Backing fabric: 2 pieces, 13” x 10” each
- Hexagon fabrics: 5 scraps, 3” each
- Binding fabric: 1½” x 45” (single fold)
Instructions for Making the Hexie Mug Rug Pattern:
Hand Embroidering the Front
- Transferring the Text: First, print off the ‘But first coffee’ template. Using a light box or by holding the template up to a window, transfer the text onto the linen background fabric.
Ensure the text is kept toward the right of the fabric, positioned approximately 5” across from the left side, as the appliqué hexagons will be added on the left.
- Stitching the Phrase:
- Place the fabric into the embroidery hoop and ensure it is taut, which aids in obtaining even stitches.
- Using an embroidery thread (an Aurifil 12 weight thread in hot pink is suggested), stitch over the transferred text using a back stitch.
- To give the writing more definition and make it bolder, you can go over the text again using a whip stitch. To execute the whip stitch, take the needle in and out of each existing back stitch, making sure to enter each stitch from the same side every time.
- Once the embroidery is finished, remove the fabric from the hoop and press it well. Tip: Always remove the fabric from the hoop when not stitching to avoid creating permanent creases.
Creating and Assembling the Hexagons
- Cutting and Basting:
- Cut out the five hexagon templates. Take the fabric scraps and pin a paper hexagon to each scrap. Cut the fabric out, ensuring you include a 1/4” inch seam allowance around the template.
- Baste the fabric to the paper templates. This can be done by thread basting (using large stitches) or glue basting. Perform this step for all five hexagons.
- Remove the pins and press the hexagons to make sure they are flat.
- Joining the Strip: Stitch the five prepared hexagons together in a vertical row. You may use your preferred stitch, such as a ladder stitch or a whip stitch.
The tutorial suggests using 80 weight Aurifil thread in Dove (2600), as it beautifully disappears into the fabric to create almost invisible stitches.
Appliqué and Trimming:
- Carefully remove the paper templates. If thread basting was used, remove those basting stitches; if glue was used, carefully pull the papers away. Press the hexagons once more to retain their shape and seams.
- Protect your work surface and spray basting spray onto the back of the completed hexagon strip.
Adhere the strip to the embroidered background, overlapping the edges, and iron it in place to activate the glue. The strip will overhang the edges, but this will be trimmed later.
- Appliqué the hexagon strip to the background fabric using a small slip stitch. After securing the strip, trim off the excess hexagon fabric from the top and bottom edges.
Quilting and Binding:
- Layer up the project: the backing fabric, the batting, and the top embroidered piece. Use spray baste to secure these layers in place.
- Hand quilt the layers, specifically quilting around the outlines of the hexagons, and adding any other decorative quilting you choose.
- Use a sewing machine to stitch all the way around the outer edge to ‘seal’ the edges. Trim off the excess batting.
- Attach the binding fabric (1 ½” x 45”) to the front of the mat using the sewing machine, being sure to miter the corners. Hand stitch the binding to the back for a neat finish. Tip: Using single fold binding is recommended for small projects to reduce bulk and use less fabric, though this requires folding it over on the back.
Once completed, the mug rug is ready for enjoying your favorite coffee.
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