Warm and Toasty Appliqué Mug Rug – FREE Pattern

The Warm and Toasty Appliqué Mug Rug Pattern is a quick, charming project that’s perfect for the cooler months, when you’re drinking hot beverages by a roaring fire. The mug rug protects surfaces from hot drinks and also looks cut displayed on your coffee table or sideboard. Grab the free pattern and create one (or several to give as gifts) today!

This pattern first appeared with our Warm & Toasty Mystery Box in 2024. If you purchased a box, you already have this pattern! If not, now’s your chance to see the items that were included in that box and discover the fun of our Mystery Box projects. Also included as a companion project was our Warm and Toasty In-the-Hoop Mug Rug, featuring a cute little “toast” bundles up in a winter sweater. Grab that design and stitch a mug rug entirely in the hoop of your embroidery machine!

MUG RUG PATTERN PARTICULARS

The free pattern includes an appliqué template page so you can transfer the lettering to the paper side of Sulky Perfect Appliqué Fusible Web. Remember to trace the mirror image of the design! A Daylight Wafer Light Box makes easy work of this step!

Sulky Felty is used for the Mug Rug top, providing extra cushion, texture and loft to the mug rug. Felty is polyester, so it can be washed, dried, fused and more without losing its texture.

Slightly larger than a coaster, this mug rug is designed to fit a mug or small bowl and room for a snack or roll. Create several using fabrics from the same collection for a unified set!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Thread
- 40wt Rayon (for Felty appliqué; featured color “Nutmeg”)
- 50wt Cotton (construction & appliqué; featured color “Sea Glass”)
- 30wt Poly Sparkle (quilting; featured color “Teal with Silver Sparkle”)
Needles: Universal Size 70/10 and 90/14
Stabilizer: One 6″ × 10″ rectangle of Sulky Stiffy™ stabilizer
Fusible web: Two small rectangles — 4″ × 8″ and 5″ × 9″ of Sulky Perfect Appliqué™ Fusible Web
Felty: 5″ × 9″ rectangle (featured color “light Beige”) of Sulky Felty™
Quilting Cotton Fabrics
- 4″ × 8″ rectangle of solid quilting cotton (background)
- Two 6″ × 10″ rectangles of coordinating print fabric (front & back)
- 2¼″ wide fabric strip(s) for binding
Batting: One 6″ × 10″ rectangle of low-loft batting
KK 2000 Temporary Spray Adhesive
Sulky Clear Embroidery Tape
Sulky Multipurpose Turning Tool

MAKE THE MUG RUG YOURS

Fabric choice: While the featured fabrics are winter-themed prints (Magical Wonderland by Riley Blake), you could swap in your favorite seasonal print (autumn leaves, holiday berries) or even non-seasonal colors for year-round use.
Thread accent: Use a metallic or sparkle thread for the decorative stitching edge to give it a little extra “pop.” The pattern invites optional quilting, so you can quilt in a fun pattern or keep it simple.
Gift version: Make a set of two (one for the mug, one for a snack) and tie them up as a cozy gift, adding maybe a favorite coffee or tea.
Size variation: If you love the pattern, consider sizing it up slightly to make a mini placemat, or adding extra border strips to create a coordinating set.
Home décor twist: Instead of using it only as a mug rug, you could frame it or mount it in a hoop to hang as wall décor, especially if you use a seasonal print

The “Warm & Toasty Appliqué Mug Rug” pattern is not only functional but also visually delightful. With minimal investment (just your time and creativity) you can whip up a piece that adds cozy charm to your home or becomes a heartfelt handmade gift. Download the pattern today!