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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

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The Luma Bucket — pretty storage in two sizes. Mak The Luma Bucket — pretty storage in two sizes.
Make it with the woven FPP star or keep it simple with two fabrics.Perfect for organising, gifting, storing sewing notions, and using up favourite scraps.Comment LUMA for the pattern link.Available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#lumabucket #beginnersewingproject #fpp #handmadegifts #sewingroomstorage
A sweet and super‑useful Luma Bucket stitched in t A sweet and super‑useful Luma Bucket stitched in the upcoming Tilda Village Life collection. Perfect for organising your sewing space, gifting, or adding a pretty handmade touch around the home. I’ve loved
working with these charming prints and colours.Village Life releases 1 October — thanks to @tilda_australia for the beautiful fabric.Comment LUMA for the pattern link.Pattern Details: Luma Bucket (2 Sizes) - Pattern available in the Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#lumabucket #tildavillagelife #tildafabrics #sewingpattern #sewingcommunity
Tiny makes with big Christmas charm. These Threade Tiny makes with big Christmas charm. These Threaded Tokens are the sweetest way to turn your festive scraps into handmade gift tags, ornaments, or keepsake toppers — and they sew up in minutes.In this reel, I’m sharing the quick step‑by‑step so you can stitch a few for your holiday gifting this week. Perfect for fussy‑cutting your favourite Christmas prints and adding a personal touch to every
parcel.🧵 Comment TOKEN and I’ll send you the free pattern!Fabric: Tilda Merry Little Christmas @tilda_australia#christmasdiyideas
#handmadegifttags
#festivesewing
#scrapbustingproject
#ilovetilda
Pumpkin season is officially here 🎃✨ I’ve gathered Pumpkin season is officially here 🎃✨
I’ve gathered nine of my favourite pumpkin projects — patchwork, mugrugs, charms, and four FPP blocks — to inspire your fall sewing this weekend.Pumpkins are the ultimate autumn motif: cosy, nostalgic, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you love farmhouse neutrals, bright Halloween prints, or modern solids, there’s a pumpkin style to match your fabric stash.Swipe through for ideas, colour palettes, and all nine designs.Comment PUMPKIN and I’ll send the pattern links straight to you.Happy fall stitching 🍂🧵#fallsewing #weekendsewing #beginnersew #ASpoonfulofSugarDesigns #sewfun
Quadra Pouch — Tilda Village Life ✨ Made with 8 be Quadra Pouch — Tilda Village Life ✨
Made with 8 beautiful fabrics from the upcoming Tilda Village Life collection (releasing 1 October), this scrappy Quadra Pouch is such a joy to sew. Each corner reveals a different print, and the shaped
panels give it a neat flat base that stands tall, then folds flat between uses.I’m sharing it so you can see every angle — the colours, the details, and that satisfying cinch‑close moment.Comment QUADRA and I’ll send the pattern link straight to your inbox.Available now in my Pattern Store + Etsy shop.With thanks to @tilda_australia for the beautiful fabric samples.#quadrapouch #tildavillagelife #scrapfriendlysewing
#beginnerfriendlysewing #sewingreels
A sweet little Christmas make that’s reusable and A sweet little Christmas make that’s reusable and so fun to sew. The Ribbon Gift Box stands tall with shaped panels, then folds flat between uses — a clever, eco‑friendly alternative to wrapping paper
and perfect for gifting treats, notions, or tiny treasures.Beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and beautiful in Tilda Merry Little Christmas.It’s also our Pattern of the Week, so it’s 25% off this week only.Comment BOX and I’ll send the pattern link straight to your inbox. Available now in my Pattern Store + Etsy shop.Fabric Credit: Tilda Merry Little Christmas with thanks to @tilda_australia#christmassewing #ribbongiftbox #scrapfriendlysewing #holidaysewing
#handmadegiftideas
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