Tutorial: Maple Leaf Mug Rug

I shared my first version of this project, which was fall inspired, last year on FleeceFun.com and a second Canadian inspired version on Patchwork Posse this past June. I’m finally posting the Maple Leaf Mug Rug tutorial on my own blog here! I’m reposting the original here, if you want to make a Canadian flag inspired one see the link above to Patchwork Posse.

Supplies:

• Felt – 2 sheets (I prefer wool blend felt but you can use Eco-fi if you prefer. I don’t recommend the felt you can find in dollar stores though!)
• Fabric (quilting weight cotton works great)
• Scissors
• Thread, sewing machine, etc
• Maple leaf template: Download (and print) the leaf template >>HERE<< through Payhip. It’s a free download!
  Or you can go leaf hunting and trace around a found maple leaf.
• Optional: Freezer paper (see Freezer Paper tip at the bottom of the post)

New to felt? Check out my tips for working with felt here!

The finished project is approximately 7″ x 7″.

Mug Rug Instructions:

1. Print and cut out the leaf shape. Pin the leaf shape to your fabric and cut out one leaf out of fabric.
2. Pin your leaf-shaped fabric right sides up on top of two layers of felt. Cut down the felt to make it easier to handle while sewing, but don’t cut the leaf shape out of the felt yet. Felt can shift a lot while sewing it, so it’s easier to wait until it’s sewn together.
3. Quilt the three layers together in whatever design you choose. You can follow the pattern in your fabric or simply do straight lines across.
4. Using a tight zig-zag stitch, stitch all along the edge of your leaf shape. (If you want you can edgestitch along the fabric leaf shape first.)
5. Now you can cut it out! Using a sharp pair of scissors cut out your leaf. Trim any threads and voilà! A leaf shaped mug rug (or coaster if you prefer)!

Freezer Paper Tip:

If you decide to not do a fabric layer on the top, you can trace and cut out your shape onto freezer paper and then iron the freezer paper shiny side down to one sheet of felt. Then sew around the freezer paper shape to sew your two layers of felt together, then quilt the layers and cut the shape out.

Note: Felt will shrink if you wash it so I recommend spot cleaning only.

Play around with your printer settings and enlarge or reduce the size of your leaf and turn it into placemats, a smaller coaster, a leaf bunting banner maybe? Have fun with it! If you make one I’d love to see what you made so please share your links in the comments!

The Patchwork Posse version (on the right above) was shared on CraftGossip! So exciting!