Pattern Description:
This Quilted Mug Rug is a fast and clever project, sized between a coaster and placemat, finishing at approximately 12″ wide x 8″ high.
The design features a patchwork top and includes a unique pocket specifically designed to hold its own accompanying 9″ x 9″ napkin. The edges are finished and framed using coordinating medium rick rack.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
| Material | Quantity | Use |
| Fat Quarters / Fabric | 2 Fat Quarters (18″ × 22″) – or ½ yard cuts, or large scraps | Two coordinating fabrics: – Fabric A: Back, pocket panel, and inner triangles – Fabric B: Napkin and inner triangles |
| Charm Squares / Scraps | 4 Charm Squares (5″ × 5″) – 2 of each coordinating fabric | Outer triangles (or use scraps large enough to cut two 3¾″ squares from each fabric) |
| Batting | Scrap or ⅓ yard | Low-loft cotton batting |
| Rick Rack | 1 yard | Medium width, coordinating color |
| Thread | As needed | All-purpose, matching fabric color |
Cutting Guide
From Fabric A (Back, Pocket Panel & Inner Triangles)
- (1) 8½″ × 12½″ rectangle – Back
- (1) 4½″ × 8½″ rectangle – Pocket Panel
- (2) 3″ × 4½″ rectangles – Pocket & Pocket Facing
- (2) 3¾″ × 3¾″ squares – cut each diagonally → 4 inner triangles
From Fabric B (Napkin & Inner Triangles)
- (1) 10″ × 10″ square – Napkin
- (2) 3¾″ × 3¾″ squares – cut each diagonally → 4 inner triangles
From Charm Squares / Scraps
- Set 1: (2) 3¾″ × 3¾″ squares – cut each diagonally → 4 outer triangles
- Set 2: (2) 3¾″ × 3¾″ squares – cut each diagonally → 4 outer triangles
From Batting
- (1) 10″ × 15″ rectangle – Base layer
Tools & Notions
- Sewing machine with standard presser foot
- Walking or Even Feed foot (e.g., Janome AcuFeed Flex™)
- ¼″ seam foot
- See-through quilting ruler
- Iron & ironing board
- Scissors or rotary cutter with matFabric pen or pencil (removable/vanishing)
- Straight pins
- Seam gauge & seam ripper
- Hand sewing needle
Finished Measurements
| Item | Size |
| Mug Rug | Approx. 12″ W × 8″ H (excluding rick rack) |
| Napkin | Approx. 9″ × 9″ (flat) |
| Patchwork Squares | 4½″ × 4½″ each (finished) |
Instructions for Making the Napkin Pocket Mug Rug Pattern:
This Mug Rug design incorporates several quilting and finishing techniques.
Getting Started (Cutting)
The following cuts are required from the specified fabrics:
- From the back/pocket/triangle fabric: Cut ONE 8½” x 12½” rectangle (back); TWO 3″ x 4½” rectangles (pocket/facing); ONE 4½” x 8½” rectangle (pocket panel); and TWO 3¾” x 3¾” squares, with each square cut diagonally to yield four triangles.
- From the napkin/triangle fabric: Cut ONE 10″ x 10″ square (napkin); and TWO 3¾” x 3¾” squares, with each square cut diagonally to yield four triangles.
- From the remaining charm squares/scraps (two sets): Cut two 3¾” x 3¾” squares from the first set, and two 3¾” x 3¾” squares from the second set. Cut each of these four squares along the diagonal to yield four triangles total from each.
- From the batting: Cut ONE 10″ x 15″ rectangle.
Patchwork
- Arrange each set of four triangles to form a square. The goal is for the four finished squares to each measure 4.5″ x 4.5″.
- Starting with one set, place the top two triangles right sides together (RST), aligning the center sides, and stitch using a ¼” seam allowance. Repeat this for the bottom two triangles.
- Place the two sewn pairs RST, carefully aligning the long center sides and matching the seams, and stitch together using a ¼” seam allowance to create one finished square.
- Trim the resulting “dog ears” at the corners so all four sides of the square are flush.
- Repeat steps 2-4 to complete the remaining three squares.
- Arrange the four small finished squares to create one larger square.
- Place the top two squares RST and stitch together using a ¼” seam. Repeat for the bottom two squares.
- Place the two sewn pairs RST, carefully aligning all seams and points, and stitch together using a ¼” seam allowance to create the final finished large square (the patchwork panel).
Pocket Panel
- Find the two 3″ x 4½” pocket pieces and identify the front piece.
- Cut approximately 5½” of medium rick rack. Pin the rick rack to the right side of the front pocket piece along the 4½” top edge, centering it so the middle of the rick rack is ¼” from the raw edge.
- Machine baste the rick rack in place using a ¼” seam, running down the middle of the rick rack. Trim the rick rack edges flush with the fabric.
- Place the front pocket piece RST with the plain back piece. Pin only along the top edge and sew the two pieces together using a ¼” seam allowance, optionally following the original basting line.
- Press the seam allowance to one side, then fold the two pieces wrong sides together, which causes the rick rack to stand up from the seam. Press well.
- Place the 4½” x 8½” base pocket panel right side up. Place the finished pocket on top, aligning the bottom raw edges and the sides, and pin along the left side only.
Assembling the Front Panels and Quilting
- Place the finished patchwork panel RST with the finished pocket panel, aligning the respective edges. Stitch together using a ¼” seam. Press the seam allowance toward the patchwork panel.
- Place the batting rectangle flat, then center the mug rug top on it so there is excess batting all around. Fold the pocket to the side to reveal the full pocket panel. Pin the top to the batting.
- Using a Walking foot (or similar system), stitch in the ditch along the vertical seam separating the patchwork and pocket panels.
- Continue to stitch in the ditch along all seams within the patchwork panel (the two diagonal seams and the horizontal and vertical straight seams).
- Using a see-through ruler and a vanishing fabric pen, mark straight vertical lines ½” apart across the pocket panel (keep the pocket folded out of the way). Stitch along the drawn lines to complete the quilting.
Edge Rick Rack and Finishing
- Ensure the pocket is folded into its proper position.
- Working along the top edge of the quilted top (right side up), pin the remaining rick rack so its middle is centered along the ¼” seam line. The rick rack should start and stop ¼” in from each corner.
- Machine baste the rick rack in place along the sides, stitching with a ¼” seam. Turn the corners, ensuring the peaks of the intersecting rick rack meet, and repeat the basting process until the rick rack has been applied to all four sides.
- Place the mug rug front and the back panel RST, sandwiching the rick rack. Pin around all sides, leaving an approximate 3″ opening along the bottom for turning.
- Stitch around all four sides, following the rick rack basting line. Pivot at the corners and lock the seam at both sides of the 3″ opening.
- Trim the corners and turn the mug rug right side out. Press well, ensuring the raw edges of the opening are pressed flush.
- Hand stitch the opening closed for extra security.
- Topstitch ¼” from the rick rack around all four sides.
Napkin
- Find the 10″ x 10″ napkin square.
- Press each side to create a narrow double-turn hem, forming clean diagonal point corners.
- Stitch the hem in place all around, pivoting at the corners.
- Fold the finished napkin and insert it into the pocket.
Download Free PDF:
