Raw Edge Appliqué Quilted Heart Mug Rug FREE Pattern

The day of love is just around the corner, and I know this holiday can sneak up on you (as it tends to do to me!). This is why I’m so excited to share my go-to quick-make that every quilter should have in their quilty back pocket: the raw edge appliqué quilted heart mug rug!

If you’re thinking “but, Shannon, I don’t have time to make something from scratch”, I hear you and that’s why this is the perfect project for when you find yourself in need of a last-minute DIY valentines day gift.

Here are 3 reasons why it’s the perfect last-minute DIY valentines day gift:

1. It’s quick
2. It’s easy, and
3. It’s cute (it is Valentine’s Day after all, cute is important!)

She checks all those boxes and is fun to stitch up too! Let me show you how.

Download your free copy of the Raw Edge Appliqué Quilted Heart Mug Rug here.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.

The story behind the quilted heart mug rug

I’ve been making these since 2016 when I initially designed this adorable mug rug for a friend of mine who had been going through a tough time. I wanted something she could set out and see on the daily to be reminded of how much she’s loved. She put it on her night table, so she saw it first thing in the morning and right before bed. I was so touched when she sent me a photo a couple of weeks ago of it still sitting on her nightstand all these years later. Aww, right?

Gifting handmade really is the best and with this beginner-friendly quilt tutorial, you’ll be whipping up a bunch in no time!

Materials needed to make your raw edge appliqué quilted heart mug rug

Before we dive in, let’s review what materials and notions you’ll need to make your own raw edge appliqué Heart mug rug.

• Heart Template – download the Heart Mug Rug pattern here
• Fabric – scraps work perfectly here! This is exactly what I’ve done in all the combinations you see throughout this post, including:
  • A solids version featuring scraps left over from making this Shattered Star quilt.
  • A print-only version featuring scraps leftover from making this baby girl Flight Plan quilt.
  • A print & solid version featuring fabric remnants from quilting the Pink Lemonade baby girl quilt (which I still need to share with you!). You can still find some of the Aerial fabric collection in Tamara’s shop.
• Batting – scraps work perfectly here too!
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Scissors
• Rotary cutter with these blades
• Quilting ruler
• Thread for piecing
• Thread for quilting (optional)
• Thread for hand sewing (optional)
• Sewing machine
• Sewing machine needle
• Small scissors
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Marking tool
• Clips
• Pincushion
• Hera marker

You can find all my most used notions here.

Step-by-step tutorial

With your materials and notions gathered, let’s dive into the step-by-step tutorial on how to make your own Raw Edge Appliqué Quilted Heart Mug Rug.

Step 1 – Download

Start by downloading your free copy of the Quilted Heart Mug Rug (free for Shannon Fraser Designs’ Newsletter Subscribers). Print a copy of the heart template included in the pattern.

Make sure to double-check the 1” test box to ensure you’ve printed your pattern at the correct scale. The template is already 100% to scale, so you don’t need to modify your printer settings. Just print ‘as is’ and you should be good to go.

Step 2 – Cut

The next step is to gather your supplies and fabric.

Start by pressing and cutting your pieces according to the pattern directions.

Step 3 – Trace

Take your square fabric, intended for your heart, and fold it in half.

Fold the heart template in half too!

Place the folded edge of the heart template along the folded edge of your square.

Pin in place to secure

Using your marking tool, trace around the heart template.

Step 4 – Cut

Using your fabric scissors, cut directly on your drawn line.

Step 5 – Piece

Piece your background squares together.

Place your fabric Right Sides Together (RST) and stitch together using a ¼” seam allowance.

Set your seams and press to the side.

Step 6 – Baste

Baste your mug rug using your preferred basting method. My go-to is to pin baste which you can see in action in this tutorial.

Steps 7 & 8 – Quilt

Quilt your mug rug using your preferred quilting method.

I used my Hera marker to plot ½” quilted lines going horizontally in the yellow background, 1″ quilted lines going vertically in the butterfly print section, and then machine quilted using 28wt Aurifil Thread.

Once quilted, trim the mug rug up to size.

Step 9 -Raw Edge Appliqué

Appliqué your heart to your quilted mug rug using either raw edge machine quilting appliqué or a hand-sewn blanket stitch.

To make quick work of it, use the blanket stitch on your sewing machine to tack down the raw edges.

Or, if you have a straight stitch-only sewing machine like me, then simply stitch close to the edge of the raw edge of your heart with a straight stitch using a 1/8″ seam allowance. I went around the edge a couple of times to anchor the heart down and add some visual interest.

You could also go with a hand-stitched blanket stitch using pearl cotton thread in size 8 for a lovely contrast stitch detail. See that approach in action in the picture below.

Step 10 – Bind

Bind your quilted heart mug rug for a lovely seamless finish!

There’re lots of ways you can finish the binding on your quilted Heart Mug Rug. Refer to the Quilt Binding Tutorial Series for all the help on that front!

• Quilt Binding Tutorial Part 1 – How to make binding
• Quilt Binding Tutorial Part 2 – How to attach your binding
• Quilt Binding Tutorial Part 3 – How to big stitch hand bind
• Quilt Binding Tutorial Part 4 – How to make bias binding

I dove into my scrap binding bin and found the binding remnant from making the Pink Lemonade quilt.

Step 11 – Share

The best part of making is sharing! So, don’t forget to post your finished quilted heart mug rug on Instagram or in our private Facebook group using #sfdheartmugrug

Benefits of gifting your handmade quilted heart mug rug

You don’t need a bunch of excuses to make something for those you love, but here are the top 3 benefits of gifting your handmade quilted heart mug rug:

1. It’s small enough that it can be left out on a desk or table on the regular without it feeling cumbersome.
2. It will make the recipient smile and feel loved every time they see their heart mug rug.
3. It’s a perfect scrap-buster size. Don’t forget your binding leftovers too!

Very early into my quilting journey, I discovered the joy that comes with gifting handmade.

I remember my SIL gifting me a hat that her sister had designed and knitted. It was super touching to be gifted such a thoughtful gift and I love wearing the knitted hat knowing it was created out of joy for their craft.

Since what I’m gifting is normally quilts or quilted goodies, I like to think of this as the circle of quilty joy 😊 and my hope is that you will help spread more joy and positivity by sharing the quilted heart mug rug you make this Valentine’s season.

Download your free copy of the Raw Edge Appliqué Quilted Heart Mug Rug here.

Happy day of love!

xo

Shannon

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