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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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🎄 Say hello to the Elf Gift Tote! This sweet l 🎄 Say hello to the Elf Gift Tote! This sweet little tote is perfect for holiday gifting—fill it with treats, trinkets, or treasures. It folds flat for easy storage and comes together quickly using scrap or stash fabrics. Beginner-friendly and festive, it’s a joyful make that adds handmade charm to your celebrations.I love using mine for teacher gifts and to put under the Christmas tree.✨ Comment ELF for the pattern link! Available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop—link in profile.#elfgifttote #holidaysewingproject #scrapfriendlysewing #quicksewingproject #beginnersewingpattern #giftfriendlysewing #aspoonfulofsugardesigns #christmassewingideas #sewinggifts #handmadeholidaygifts #sewinginspiration #makersgiftguide  #festivesewingfun
Free Pattern: Add a little handmade cheer to your Free Pattern: Add a little handmade cheer to your holidays with the Holly Jolly Tree! 🎄 This sweet 3D ornament is made from two slotted panels and comes together in minutes. You’ll need four coordinating fabrics, felt, and double-sided fusible web—making it a perfect scrap-buster project. Whether you display it on your mantle, pop it into a gift basket, or use it as a festive table accent, it’s a joyful little make that adds charm to any space.I stitched mine in Tilda’s Merry Little Christmas fabric and love how nostalgic and cozy it feels 💕 ✨ Want the free pattern? Sign up via the link in bio or comment TREE and I’ll send it your way!#hollyjollytree #handmadeholidaydecor #scrapfriendlysewing #christmasornamentsewing #tildafabric #tildamerrylittlechristmas #beginnersewingproject #sewingforchristmas #holidaysewingideas #aspoonfulofsugardesigns #sewinginspiration #makersgiftguide #sewinggifts #australianmakers #quicksewingproject
Next up in our Makers Gift Guide series: Handmade Next up in our Makers Gift Guide series: Handmade Gifts for Teachers & Coaches 🎁✨ They’re mentors, motivators, and everyday heroes—so let’s celebrate them with something heartfelt and handmade. Whether it’s a fabric basket in team colours, a journal, or a pouch filled with treats, these projects are scrap-friendly, beginner-friendly, and full of meaning.💌 Comment TEACHER for the link to our guide
🧵 Includes sewing ideas + thoughtful extras to pair with your gift
🎄 Perfect for end-of-year, Christmas, or anytime appreciationLet’s make gratitude handmade this season 💕Check out our other guides too—just look for the Makers Gift Guide logo at the top of each post 🎁✨  #makersgiftguide #handmadeholiday #teacherthankyou #coachgiftideas #scrapfriendlysewing #beginnersewingprojects #giftfriendlysewing #sewingforothers #christmassewingideas
One festive pattern, three unique styles 🎄✨  One festive pattern, three unique styles 🎄✨ Whether you love monochrome magic, Tilda charm, or bright and cheery style, the Scrappy Mini Stocking is ready to match your holiday palette. It’s beginner-friendly, scrap-friendly, quick to sew, and perfect for gifting!🧵 Make one in around an hour  🎁 Use up your favourite fabric leftovers 🎄 Add handmade charm to your tree, table, or gift wrapComment STOCKING and I’ll send you the link to the pattern! Available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#scrappyministocking #christmassewing #handmadeholiday #scrapfriendlysewing #quicksewingproject #beginnersewingpattern #giftfriendlysewing #tildafabric #holidaycraftideas #aspoonfulofsugardesigns #australianmakers #sewingcarousel #christmasdiy
Add a handmade touch to your holidays with the Hol Add a handmade touch to your holidays with the Holly Jolly Tree 🎄✨ This cheerful 3D Christmas tree is one of our favourite festive makes—and it’s beginner-friendly, scrap-friendly, and quick to sew! Whether you’re decorating your mantle, gifting to a friend, or adding a pop of colour to your holiday table, these felt and fabric trees bring instant joy.🧵 You can make one in under 30 minutes using fabric scraps, felt, and a few simple stitches.
🎁 They’re perfect for ornaments and table decorations💡 Want to personalize it? Add a ribbon tag, embroidery, sequins, or a tiny star on top!The Holly Jolly Tree is a free sewing pattern available to our community. 📌 Comment TREE and I’ll send you the link to download it! Link is also in our profile.#hollyjollytree #handmadeholiday #christmassewing #freesewingpattern #scrapfriendlysewing #quicksewingproject #beginnersewingproject #giftfriendlysewing #feltornaments #holidaycraftideas #aspoonfulofsugardesigns #christmasdiy #sewingreel #australianmakers #sewingforchristmas
These sweet Scrappy Mini Stockings are a festive These sweet Scrappy Mini Stockings are a festive favourite in our home! For this trio, I used the charming Tilda Merry Little Christmas fabric—one print for the exterior, another for the lining, and a third for the cuff. I added a folded ribbon tag above the heel and a hanging loop so they’re ready to adorn your tree, gifts, or holiday table.✨ Want to turn them into an Advent calendar? Pair them with our free Threaded Tokens pattern and add numbers to each one!🧵 The Scrappy Mini Stocking pattern is beginner-friendly, scrap-friendly, and available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop. 📌 Comment STOCKING and I’ll send you the link!The link to our free Threaded Tokens pattern is in our profile.Fabric: Merry Little Christmas range by Tilda @tilda_australia#scrappyministocking #handmadechristmas #tildafabric #christmassewing #holidaytabledecor #sewingforchristmas #quicksewingproject #scrapfriendlysewing #aspoonfulofsugardesigns #australianmakers #sewingreel #tildamerrylittlechristmas #ministockingpattern #christmascraftideas
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