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Bryan House Quilts

Merry Mug Rug {Blog Hop}

quilt along· Tutorial

5 Dec

Hi friends!

As part of the Merry Mug Rug Blog Hop at Ellison Lane, I’ll be sharing a quick tutorial for a Mug Rug. It’s based on a traditional block that I’m calling it a Ribbon Star, but I’m sure it has another name.

BryanHouse_MerryMug

It’s so nice to have something wee to sew, consider the larger “to-dos” we have on our list during the Christmas season. Some of us, COUGH (me!), tend to take on larger Christmas projects that never seem to get finished despite how early one starts them. AHEM!

Materials: 

1/4 yard red solid
1/4 yard white solid
Batting scraps
Larger fabric scraps for the backing
Matching thread

Before getting started keep in mind that these instructions make 1 block and all seams are a scant 1/4”.

Alright, let’s start with cutting.

Ribbon star mug rug

Here’s a cutting diagram.

Star fabric:

From the star (red) fabric cut:
4 squares 2”
5 squares 2 1/2”

Background fabric:

From the background (white) fabric cut:
4 squares 2”
4 squares 1 1/2”
4 rectangles 1 1/2” x 2 1/2”

Alright, now make the Half Square Triangles (HSTs):

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each 2” background square. Then pair the 2” background and star squares together. Stitch using 1/4” seam allowance on either side of the marked line. Then cut along the marked line. Press seam toward the darker fabric. Make 8 and trim each to 1 1/2”.

RibbonStar_HST

Next, piece the “ribbons”.

Layout 2 HST blocks, 1 white square, and 1 red square as shown in the diagram below. Stitch the white square to a HST and the red square to the second HST. Press the seams toward the square. Finally sew Square/HST units together and press the seam open. Make 4 ribbon units.
RibbonStarTut_1

Piece the Block

Finally, lay out the pieces as shown in the diagram below. Sew the pieces together in rows as directed by the diagram. Press seams toward the 1 1/2” x 2 1/2” rectangles. Finally sew the rows together and press seams open.

RibbonStar_2

Finish by quilting and binding. Then make as many as you like! Be sure to make a nice toasty cup of hot cocoa!!

Ribbon star mug rug

Merry Christmas!

The Merry Mug blog hop runs from Dec. 1st – 11th.  Each blogger is sharing a fun tutorial!  There are so reallly cute tutorials!!! So be sure to check out the other participant’s tutorial. Also pop over to Ellison Lane to enter to win a gift certificate to Southern Fabric. The giveaway ends 12/14/14. 

Previous Post: « Sneak Peeks!! {Modern Rainbow}
Next Post: Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day {Winter 2014} »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Needled Mom says

    December 5, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Very cute and festive. Thanks for the tutorial.

  2. Anina says

    December 5, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    These are very cute! Don't worry about the large projects. There's always next Christmas. And the one after that, and the one after that…

  3. nick dawson says

    December 8, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    Awesome!! With Christmas approaching, these sneaky designs can be handy and useful. I've also learned some useful ways to design quilts and fabrics. DIY approach is extremely helpful to produce some innovative things. More people engaged in these activities can create a good atmosphere to learn & execute well. Recently, I visited a blog-http://www.warpandweft.ca/blog/ that also provided very useful info for fabrics & quilts.

  4. Teeeeeena says

    December 8, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    Heya, a minor fix— 5 red square- 1 1/2 inches not 2 1/2 inches.. Merry Christmas!

  5. Akansha Sharma says

    December 24, 2014 at 8:05 am

    It's awsome. I will surely try this. Wool rugs is considered crucial part of our homes.These days rugs are very popular and its demand is increasing day by day.Woolen rugs are excellent choice if you have young children. They have a natural advantage, if you have spilled some water or any other drink, the liquids will be easily cleaned away as they do not soak into the actual wool, they cling to the surface of the fibers.There are different designs and styles available for rugs. If you will opt for hand knotted wool rugs, they will be costly, but their life span is much greater. To decorate your home with beautiful rugs check this website out. http://www.navyasfashion.com/indian-rugs-carpets/wool-rugs/
    .

  6. Annmarie says

    February 29, 2016 at 1:50 am

    I know this web site presents quality based articles or reviews and other information, is there
    any other site which presents these kinds of things
    in quality?

  7. Faserz says

    October 28, 2020 at 2:30 am

    Great post. Perfect explanation.
    thank you for sharing.

Trackbacks

  1. Christmas Tutorial Round-Up {Repost} says:
    June 29, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    […] week, when I posted a tutorial for a Christmas mug rug, I saw that I’ve done quite a few Christmas tutorials over the years. I thought I would […]

  2. Handmade Holidays Nov. 19: Star Bright | Sew Mama Sew says:
    January 24, 2017 at 12:39 am

    […] Star Mug Rug A mug rug is a quick and small project to whip up for gifts, and the Ribbon Star Mug Rug from Bryan House Quilts is no exception. Make a whole set for a great hostess […]

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About

Hey there! I’m Rebecca, an author and teacher and freezer paper piecing evangelist. I’m also the founder of the Make Modern Triangles Quilt Club.

Disclosure

Just so you know, my site includes affiliate links from which I (it’s me! Rebecca!) receive payment or compensation. Something to consider as you peruse my website. Thanks!

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You want to know what REALLY scares a quilter? 👻😂 You want to know what REALLY scares a quilter? 👻😂

👉 Cutting your favorite fabric wrong.
👉 Hearing a brand-new sound come out of your sewing machine.
👉 Realizing you sewed an entire batch of blocks together on the wrong sides.

These are only a few of the things that haunt us and keep us up all night... I know you all have your own scaries! 

Quilters, share what haunts you in the comments! 👻

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
When I decided it would be fun to do TWO Block of When I decided it would be fun to do TWO Block of the Month programs in one year, I knew Alchemy was going to be A LOT. 😅

I wanted this quilt to be a challenge.

Something for my intermediate and advanced quilters who were ready to stretch their skills, try some trickier techniques, and make something that they’ll be super proud of but will make them a better quilter.

And now, getting to watch all of the Alchemy quilts coming together inside the Make Modern Triangles Club has been SO much fun.

Everyone is using different fabrics, different color palettes, making this quilt with different levels of experience. And block by block, everyone is making this design their own.

I think that’s one of my favorite things about teaching a challenging quilt this way.

You don’t have to look at the quilt design and feel like you know how to make every single part of it. You just have to be willing to learn the next part, and follow along block by block.

With good instructions, the right techniques, and a whole community of quilters figuring it out alongside you, you can make things that might have felt WAY outside your comfort zone when you started.

And then suddenly you’re looking at your blocks coming together, thinking...

Wait. I’M making that?! 🥹

If you’re making the Alchemy along with us, I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am, and if you want to make your own, comment ‘ALCHEMY’ and I’ll send you the details! 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
If you love the precision of foundation paper piec If you love the precision of foundation paper piecing but could happily live the rest of your quilting life without sitting there picking tiny bits of paper out of every. single. seam...

You need to try this.

With freezer paper piecing, I don’t sew through the paper at all.

Instead, I use the folded edge of my freezer paper template as my guide, sew right alongside it, press, fold, trim, and keep going.

Which means when my block is finished, I  simply peel the freezer paper off.

That’s it. 😭🙌

Have you tried freezer paper piecing yet, or is this the first time you’re seeing it? Tell me below because I want to know! 👇

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Finally! I remembered to post my clue! I’m working Finally! I remembered to post my clue! I’m working with 9 other quilters on a Collaborative Charity Quilt to benefit Social Justice Sewing Academy!

I’m capping off these wonderful makers:
❤️February: Kim Moos (@cotton_cuts)
❤️March: Ashelyn Down (@urbandwellstudio)
❤️April: Amanda Anderson (@mandyandydesigns)
❤️May: Tara Evans (@taraleequiltery)
❤️June: Yvonne Fuchs (@quiltingjetgirl)
❤️July: Jenna Hall (@jenna_hall)
❤️August: Kristy Lea (@quietplay)
❤️September: Vickeidy Plybon (@sewspicious)

I can’t wait to see the reveal! 

The raffle for the Mystery Quilt with a Mission is still open, and every ticket purchased goes directly to support the Social Justice Sewing Academy: 

https://bit.ly/support-SJSA
Every year there comes a moment when every quilter Every year there comes a moment when every quilter looks at the calendar and thinks...

WAIT. How is it almost November?! I was going to make Christmas gifts! 🎁

... Or is it just me?! 😅

The real question isn’t “When should I start holiday sewing?”

It’s “What am I making?”

If you’re planning a full quilt, I’d get sewing ASAP! 🤓 If you’re thinking table runners, pillows, stockings or smaller projects, you still have plenty of options. And there are lots of little handmade gifts you can realistically make much closer to the holidays.

The biggest thing is to work backward from when you actually need the gift, and be honest about how much sewing time you have.

But don’t turn something you love into a holiday obligation. I’d much rather see you make ONE gift you loved making than spend December stress-sewing twelve projects because you decided everyone you’ve ever met needed something handmade.

Are you making any handmade gifts this year? What are you making? 👇

#christmasquilting #handmadegifts #quiltingtips #holidayquilting
One of my favorite things about making a quilt lik One of my favorite things about making a quilt like this is watching it come together one block at a time. You spend all this time choosing fabrics, cutting, piecing, pressing (and occasionally questioning your color choices 😂)... and then you put another finished block up on the design wall and start to see the magic happening.

Alchemy is definitely one of those quilts where the more you make, the more exciting it gets.

So grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and come hang out in my sewing room for a bit. We’re making triangles today!

And tell me, what are YOU working on in your sewing room this week? 👇

#quiltteacher #quiltingtutorial #quiltingtips #modernquilting
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You want to know what REALLY scares a quilter? 👻😂 You want to know what REALLY scares a quilter? 👻😂

👉 Cutting your favorite fabric wrong.
👉 Hearing a brand-new sound come out of your sewing machine.
👉 Realizing you sewed an entire batch of blocks together on the wrong sides.

These are only a few of the things that haunt us and keep us up all night... I know you all have your own scaries! 

Quilters, share what haunts you in the comments! 👻

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
When I decided it would be fun to do TWO Block of When I decided it would be fun to do TWO Block of the Month programs in one year, I knew Alchemy was going to be A LOT. 😅

I wanted this quilt to be a challenge.

Something for my intermediate and advanced quilters who were ready to stretch their skills, try some trickier techniques, and make something that they’ll be super proud of but will make them a better quilter.

And now, getting to watch all of the Alchemy quilts coming together inside the Make Modern Triangles Club has been SO much fun.

Everyone is using different fabrics, different color palettes, making this quilt with different levels of experience. And block by block, everyone is making this design their own.

I think that’s one of my favorite things about teaching a challenging quilt this way.

You don’t have to look at the quilt design and feel like you know how to make every single part of it. You just have to be willing to learn the next part, and follow along block by block.

With good instructions, the right techniques, and a whole community of quilters figuring it out alongside you, you can make things that might have felt WAY outside your comfort zone when you started.

And then suddenly you’re looking at your blocks coming together, thinking...

Wait. I’M making that?! 🥹

If you’re making the Alchemy along with us, I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am, and if you want to make your own, comment ‘ALCHEMY’ and I’ll send you the details! 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
If you love the precision of foundation paper piec If you love the precision of foundation paper piecing but could happily live the rest of your quilting life without sitting there picking tiny bits of paper out of every. single. seam...

You need to try this.

With freezer paper piecing, I don’t sew through the paper at all.

Instead, I use the folded edge of my freezer paper template as my guide, sew right alongside it, press, fold, trim, and keep going.

Which means when my block is finished, I  simply peel the freezer paper off.

That’s it. 😭🙌

Have you tried freezer paper piecing yet, or is this the first time you’re seeing it? Tell me below because I want to know! 👇

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Finally! I remembered to post my clue! I’m working Finally! I remembered to post my clue! I’m working with 9 other quilters on a Collaborative Charity Quilt to benefit Social Justice Sewing Academy!

I’m capping off these wonderful makers:
❤️February: Kim Moos (@cotton_cuts)
❤️March: Ashelyn Down (@urbandwellstudio)
❤️April: Amanda Anderson (@mandyandydesigns)
❤️May: Tara Evans (@taraleequiltery)
❤️June: Yvonne Fuchs (@quiltingjetgirl)
❤️July: Jenna Hall (@jenna_hall)
❤️August: Kristy Lea (@quietplay)
❤️September: Vickeidy Plybon (@sewspicious)

I can’t wait to see the reveal! 

The raffle for the Mystery Quilt with a Mission is still open, and every ticket purchased goes directly to support the Social Justice Sewing Academy: 

https://bit.ly/support-SJSA
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