Pattern Description:
This cheerful Snowman Mug Rug is a fun, beginner-friendly quilting project featuring a snowman face framed by patchwork borders.
Using simple piecing, raw-edge appliqué, and light quilting, it creates a cozy winter coaster perfect for holding a mug and a treat. Quick to sew and ideal for holiday gifting or festive home décor.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
- (1) 6″ white fabric square (snowman face)
- (4) 2″ squares (corner pieces)
- (2) 2″ × 6″ strips and (2) 2″ × 9″ strips (border pieces)
- Small orange fabric scrap + fusible web (carrot nose)
- (1) 11″ square batting
- (1) 12″ square backing fabric
- (1) 2¼” × width-of-fabric strip (binding)
- (2) small black buttons (eyes)
Finished Size: Approximately 9″ × 9″
Instructions for Making the Snowman Mug Rug Pattern:
1. Preparing the Fabric Pieces
Begin by cutting out all your fabric pieces according to the measurements listed: one 6-inch white square for the snowman’s face, four 2-inch squares for the corners, two 2″ × 6″ strips, and two 2″ × 9″ strips for the borders.
Cut a small orange fabric scrap for the snowman’s carrot nose and apply fusible web to the back.
Also prepare an 11-inch square of batting, a 12-inch backing square, and one 2¼-inch-wide strip of binding long enough to go around the mug rug (about 40 inches).
Press all fabric pieces to remove wrinkles and ensure clean, straight edges before assembling.
2. Creating the Center Snowman Block
Lay your 6-inch white fabric square right side up on your workspace. This piece will form the snowman’s face.
Next, take the four 2-inch corner squares and place one in each corner of the white square, right sides together.
Use a fabric marking pencil or a fine pen to draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the wrong side of each small square. This line will be your stitching guide.
Sew along each drawn diagonal line. After sewing, trim the excess fabric approximately ¼ inch from the seam, keeping the larger white square intact.
Press the corner triangles open and flat so they blend neatly with the white snowman block.
This step forms a rounded, snowball-style block that gives the illusion of a circular snowman face framed by small corner patches.
3. Adding the Side Borders
Now attach the borders to the center block. Begin by sewing the two 2″ × 6″ strips to the left and right sides of the snowman block.
Place each strip right sides together with the main block, align edges, and stitch using a ¼-inch seam allowance. Press seams toward the borders.
Next, attach the two longer 2″ × 9″ strips to the top and bottom edges in the same manner. Again, align edges, sew using a ¼-inch seam allowance, and press the seams outward. The bordered snowman face should now measure roughly 9 inches square.
4. Adding the Carrot Nose Appliqué
Cut a small triangle from the orange fabric scrap to resemble a carrot nose. Remove the paper backing from the fusible web and position the nose on the white snowman face.
When you’re satisfied with the placement, press with a hot iron according to the fusible web manufacturer’s instructions to bond it securely to the fabric.
To finish the nose, use a decorative stitch such as a blanket stitch or zigzag stitch around the edges to secure it in place and add charm.
You can use orange or matching thread for a clean look, or contrasting thread to make the stitching stand out.
5. Assembling the Quilt Sandwich
Lay the 12-inch backing square right side down on your workspace. Center the 11-inch batting square on top of it, followed by the completed snowman top, right side up. Smooth all layers to remove wrinkles.
Baste the layers together using your preferred method- 505 temporary spray adhesive, safety pins, or hand basting stitches. Ensure the layers are flat and smooth before quilting.
6. Quilting the Mug Rug
Quilting adds both texture and durability. You can quilt as simply or creatively as you like.
Some easy options include stitching straight lines around the snowman’s face, echo quilting around the borders, or free-motion quilting for a snowflake effect.
Make sure your quilting lines extend across all layers to secure the sandwich. When finished, trim the mug rug back to a neat 9-inch square.
7. Attaching the Binding
To bind the edges, fold your 2¼-inch-wide strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press.
Starting along one side of the mug rug, align raw edges of the binding with the raw edge of the mug rug. Sew using a ¼-inch seam allowance, mitering the corners as you go.
When you reach the starting point, overlap the ends slightly and finish the seam. Fold the binding over to the back, press, and hand-stitch or machine-stitch it in place for a clean finish.
8. Adding the Finishing Touches
For the final step, sew on two small black buttons for eyes. Position them evenly on the white snowman face above the carrot nose and hand-stitch securely using black thread.
You can also embroider a simple mouth or add small rosy cheeks with fabric paint for extra personality.
Give your mug rug one last press to smooth everything out. Your cheerful Snowman Mug Rug is now ready to brighten up your winter mornings or to gift to someone special!
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