A Spoonful of Sugar

Make. Bake. Create.

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Crafts
    • Crochet
    • DIY
    • Embroidery/Cross stitch
    • Gift Wrapping
    • Knitting
    • Miscellaneous
    • Paper Crafts
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Australia Day
    • Back to School
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • ANZAC Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bars & Slices
    • Bread & Pastries
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Confectionery
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Ice Cream
    • Jams/Preserves
    • Main Meals
  • Sewing
    • Sewing Tutorials
    • Quilting
    • Sewing & Quilting Patterns
  • Family
    • Back to School
    • Family Fun
    • Our Home
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Pattern Store
    • Etsy Store

How to Sew Mugrugs like a Pro: Essential Tips and Tricks

March 22, 2025 By A Spoonful of Sugar - Leave a Comment

Mugrugs may be small, but they’re mighty when it comes to creativity and functionality! These versatile mini quilts are the perfect project to brighten up your home, use up fabric scraps, and explore new sewing techniques. Whether you’re making one for yourself or gifting them to loved ones, mastering the art of mugrug construction ensures a polished, professional finish every time. In this post, I’m sharing my top tips to help you achieve mugrug perfection, along with a few clever tricks that make the process easier—even for beginners. Let’s dive in!

Tips for Perfect Mugrug Construction

  1. Pinking Shears: Use Pinking shears to reduce bulk and prevent puckering.
  2. Short Stitch Length: Use a shorter stitch length (around 1.5–2.0) for smooth, even seams—especially on curves.
  3. Turning Tool or Chopstick: A chopstick or turning tool helps you neatly turn out edges for a polished look.
  4. Press Well: Pressing is key! A hot iron will flatten seams and curves, giving your mugrug a crisp, professional finish.
  5. Backing Fabric: Use two pieces of fabric for the backing, leaving a gap in the middle of the seam to turn it right-side out. This avoids the tricky task of hand-stitching the gap closed around a curve—perfect for beginners.
  6. Use a Walking Foot: If your mugrug includes quilting, a walking foot can help prevent shifting and puckering.
  7. Topstitch for Extra Polish: Add a row of topstitching around the edge of your mugrug. It reinforces the seams and provides a clean, professional finish.
  8. Experiment with Techniques: Mugrugs are a great way to try new sewing techniques like applique, piecing, foundation paper piecing (FPP), English Paper Piecing (EPP), or embroidery—have fun experimenting!
  9. Play with Color and Fabric: Don’t be afraid to mix bold colors, patterns, and textures to create a unique mugrug that reflects your style.
  10. Layer with Care: Ensure your layers (top fabric, batting, and backing) are well-aligned before sewing to avoid uneven edges.

With these tips in your sewing toolkit, you’re all set to create beautiful, professional-quality mugrugs that stand out. Whether you’re adding a pop of color to your table, trying out a new technique, or sewing for fun, mugrugs offer endless possibilities for creativity. So grab your fabric scraps, fire up your sewing machine, and let your imagination run wild! I’d love to see your mugrug creations—be sure to share them and tag me for a chance to be featured.

Read More:

  • Popular Mugrug and Coaster Patterns
  • Why Sewing Mugrugs is Perfect for Seasonal Projects

Filed Under: Sewing Tagged With: coaster, mini quilt, mugrug, sewing tips

« Dresden Needlebook
Flower in a Square Quilt Block »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Categories

Archives

PURCHASE PDF PATTERNS

We offer over 100 affordable PDF sewing patterns available for download from our store website or Etsy store. Each pattern includes detailed instructions, numerous photos, and templates.

WEB STORE ETSY STORE

Instagram

🌟 Unlock Fabric Mastery! 🌟 Comment FABRIC be 🌟 Unlock Fabric Mastery! 🌟 Comment FABRIC below for a FREE eBook- Fabric Mastery : Unlock the secrets of Fabric Selection. Get expert tips to help you choose the perfect fabrics for any project.🎨 Now, let's talk Colour Fusion - the secret to smooth, blended transitions in quilting! Ombre effects and graduated hues create depth, movement, and effortless harmony. My Fusion Cat Coasters are the perfect example! Swipe for examples to see how colour fusion brings designs to life.💡 Quick Tips:
🌈 Stick to complementary hues for best blends
🌈 Use fabric gradients or hand-dye techniques
🌈 Mix bold and soft tones for stunning contrastWant to try it? Fusion Cat Coaster Pattern is available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop. (Link in our profile).Which colours would you love to fuse together? Drop your favourites below.#quiltinglove #fabricmagic #ombrequilting #colourfusion #quiltingcommunity #handmade #fusioncatcoaster
Pincushion Magic 🌟Transform your sewing space Pincushion Magic 🌟Transform your sewing space with these adorable pincushions. Whether you love epp, fpp, florals, patchwork, applique - there is something for everyone!Which one is your favourite? Tell me in the comments.Want to learn more about pins? Comment PINS  and get a link to my article - Pin Perfection and learn all you need to know about these handy sewing box staples.#sewinglove #pincushionmagic #sewingpins #diysewing #craftingfun
#sewcrafty
#quilting
🌟 Twisted Square Quilt Block in 5 Sizes 🌟P 🌟 Twisted Square Quilt Block in 5 Sizes 🌟Put a fresh spin on the classic Economy Block with the Twisted Square Quilt Block. I used solid fabrics in this duo which makes the angles pop. My goal this year is to use more solid fabrics in my projects.Twisted Square is perfect to incorporate in quilts, pillows, bags, and more!Twisted Square Quilt Block is available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop. Comment TWISTED and I'll send you a link.Let me know in the comments if you love solid fabrics. They are easy for beginner foundation paper piecers.#foundationpaperpiecing #fpp #quiltlove #iquilt #quiltblock #fabriclove #sewfun #economyblock
🐱 Introducing the Fusion Cat Coaster!🐱Cat 🐱 Introducing the Fusion Cat Coaster!🐱Cat lovers, this one's for you! The Fusion Cat Coaster is a beginner-friendly sewing project that blends style and function beautifully. Featuring five fabric stripes, it creates a stunning color fusion effect, making it perfect for using scraps.Why you'll love it:
✅ Quick and fun to sew—ideal for beginners
✅ Scrap-friendly—great for reducing fabric waste
✅ Solid fabrics, ombre, and gradient palettes shine in this design
✅ Perfect for cat lovers and handmade giftingOne of my goals this year was to incorporate more solid fabrics, and this pattern is perfect for experimenting with color fusion, ombre, or gradients. Whether you're making one for yourself or gifting it to a fellow cat enthusiast, this cute coaster adds a cozy, handmade touch to any space.Find the pattern in our Etsy shop and Pattern Store! Comment FUSION and I’ll send you the link.#Sewing #Handmade #DIYProjects #Quilting #ScrapFriendly #ColorFusion #FoundationPaperPiecing #SewingForBeginners #CatLover #HandmadeHome #GiftIdeas #SewMuchFun #EtsySeller
🧵 Tip of the Day: Snip as You Sew! ✂️Want 🧵 Tip of the Day: Snip as You Sew! ✂️Want cleaner seams and a professional finish? A quick trim after each seam keeps your project looking polished and prevents messy threads from getting in the way!I always reach for my SOHMO thread snips—sharp, precise, and perfect for effortless trimming while I sew! 🪡✨💡 Try this simple habit and see the difference in your sewing projects!💬 Do you snip as you sew? Let’s me know in the comments! ⬇️Comment NEWSLETTER to get on the list and receive helpful tips straight to your inbox.#SewingTips #SewingTools #ThreadSnips #SewingHacks #Handmade #DIYProjects #SewingForBeginners #SewingLove #CraftingTime #SewingCommunity
🌟 10 Quilt Blocks to Sew This Weekend! 🌟Wh 🌟 10 Quilt Blocks to Sew This Weekend! 🌟Whether you're looking for a scrap friendly, beginner friendly quilting project or want to try your hand at foundation paper piecing (FPP) - these blocks are just what you need!🧵 Multiple sizes and colouring sheet included. All patterns are available in both Letter Size and A4 format to suit your home printer.🎉 Limited time offer: All FPP blocks are 20% off in our Etsy Store. Grab your favourites before the sale ends. 🔥📌 Store link in our profile or comment ETSY and I'll send you the link.Swipe to see 10 of my favourite blocks. I have more than 55 blocks so head to the store to expand your quilt block library.Which block is your favourite?#quiltblocks #DIYquilting #FPPblocks #quiltingfun #scrapquilting #easyquilting #beginnerquilter
Follow on Instagram

Featured Pattern

Travel Sewing Kit Pattern

Featured Tutorial

Retro Drawstring Bag

Featured Recipe

Lemon Pound Cake

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Popular Posts

  • Pretty Liberty Drawstring Pouch
  • Pin Perfection: Everything you Need to Know about Sewing Pins
  • 10 Gifts to Sew for Mother’s Day
  • Lavender Sachets
  • Life Lessons from Sewing and Quilting
  • Charm Square Fabric Tray
  • Happy Scrappy Cards

Copyright © 2025 Lisa. K. Cox - A Spoonful of Sugar