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Snow Birds Mug Rug Tutorial

Christmas Once a Month at The Crafty QuilterIt’s here!  The last project for my Christmas Once a Month series is a mug rug that is little in size but big on cuteness!

Snow Birds Mug Rug Tutorial @ The Crafty Quilter

You can download the pdf instructions here:  Snow Birds Mug Rug

If I hadn’t been taking pictures along the way, I could have made this in an hour and a half.  Done!  There is very little piecing and the applique is pretty easy and no fancy stitching either.  Just straight stitches about 1/8″ inside the raw edges of the applique.  I even used a permanent fine-tip marker to add the bird’s eyes and stocking strings.  Easy peasy!

Snow Birds Mug Rug Tutorial @ The Crafty QuilterAnd you do the applique stitching and the quilting at the same time!  I don’t usually use a straight stitch on raw edge applique, but the pieces are so small that it gives it a more uncluttered look.  And I don’t think this little piece is going to end up in my will, if you know what I mean.  It might fray a little bit after some wear and tear, so if you want to zig zag the edges, then go for it.

Snow Birds Mug Rug Tutorial @ The Crafty QuilterI used “Sliver” thread by Sulky for some of the stitching.  You can see it in the snow and stockings above.  I love the shimmer that it adds to the applique!

Snow Birds Mug Rug Tutorial @ The Crafty Quilter
Snow Birds Mug Rug, made by Julie Cefalu

The mistletoe at the top was an afterthought, and I happened to have the perfect fabric for it.  I would probably lower the placement of the tree limbs and birds in the future to allow more room for the mistletoe.

I made my first “practice” version out of batiks.  Do those birds look like a mustache in the trees?  (Thanks for the idea, Jan).

Blue Mug Rug copyI think the three on-point squares would be a perfect place to add a monogram or spell out “JOY”.  Hmmm, maybe I DO need an embroidery machine!

Snow Birds Mug Rug Tutorial @ The Crafty QuilterI hope you can find time in the next few days to make one of these little mug rugs in time for Christmas.  I’m thinking you could easily make a dozen in a day!  Well, maybe with the help of some elves.  And there’s always next year!  Enjoy!

Julie Siggy-1

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36 Comments

  1. Certainly going to try this project and follow your suggestion of “Joy”

    I’m in several Christmas swaps this will be ideal for

    One in particular I must send an item representing each letter of C H R I S T M A S
    Christmas mug rug takes up the ‘c’ amd mug with Christmas designn takes up the ‘m’

    Thank you

  2. GRACIAS,muchas felicidades en este nuevo año,y que realice muchas mas cosas lindas,sus obras son maravillosas.

  3. This little mug rug is so sweet and adorable!It is a great mug rug for Jan and Feb, too!!
    Thanks for the lovely patterns all year!!

  4. This is adorable. I’m saving it although I’m not that familiar with applique. Do you use a regular presser foot to do the applique or do you do it like free motion quilting (which I also haven’t attempted yet . . .). Believe me, I do know how to sew! 🙂

  5. I love the mug rug. So cute! Thank you for sharing. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

  6. Cute Mug-Rug. Too late for me this year, but I can see it for Valentine’s Day with some minor changes. I’m going to try it out with hearts, etc. I always make something special for my Sunday School class each holiday. I’ve already made bunches of stockings with a small amount of machine embroidery.

  7. There is just no end to your many talents Julie. Another very cute project. Well done. Thank you for sharing your Christmas ideas this year. It has been so much fun for me to recieve your email. I ALWAYS look forward to receiving them. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Have a wonderful holiday and I will see you in BOM class next year. Shirley

  8. Lovely. Mug rugs are at the top of list for gift giving next year. I will be starting with yours first and use the came colors. We have a newly married couple in our family and your rug used their wedding colors. This is what I needed to get flying for next year. Santa always starts working the day after Christmas.

  9. Beautiful finale, Julie. Merry, Merry Christmas and I hope the new year gifts you with as many blessings as you have given to others…10 fold.

  10. Thank you so much for your great tutorials. I got in on the tail end of your Christmas Once a Month series and am sad you won’t be doing this again next year, but I understand that all good things must come to an end. Thank you for all your great ideas and beautiful handmade items.

  11. Love your blog and I surely hope that you will continue this program into the year 2014. A quilting buddy and I have decided to do one project each month form our to do list but your blog would be our inspiration so please continue it.

  12. I love Eva’s idea of changing it for the season….. Not sure I will get one made for Christmas…. but Valentine’s day would be perfect too. Thank you Julie for all you share with fellow quilters. I am on a limited quilting budget and appreciate your lovely patterns. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
    Sally

  13. I’m tying to save all these wonderful ideas so I can get a head start on next Christmas. I’m thinking I need to start around Jan 15 to get it all done in time! 🙂

  14. So clever and sweet – especially the little mistletoe bough! I love the simplicity of this design and the red birds against the snow and tree branches. Maybe Santa will bring you an embroidery machine…you’ve been such a good quilter this year!!!

  15. Thank you so very much for sharing this cute mug rug. I have it downloaded to do sometime later. I am sure it can be interchanged to fit most of the special holidays and seasons. Have yourself a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks again. Eva

    1. Hi…..I’ve recently started a website, the information you offer on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work. “You do ill if you praise, but worse if you censure, what you do not understand.” by Leonardo DaVinci….

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