Christmas is a time for joy, creativity, and thoughtful gifts. As a craft enthusiast, I always look for unique ways to combine my love for sewing with the festive spirit. When the opportunity arose to participate in the Merry Mug Rug Blog Hop hosted by Jennifer of Ellison Lane, I eagerly accepted. Inspired by my original Merry Gift Boxes design, I decided to create a miniature version perfect for mug rugs. These adorable Small Gift Boxes finish at a charming 5″ x 7″, scaled down from the original 8″ x 16″ boxes, making them ideal for a cozy, handmade touch during the holidays.
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This project is a delightful way to use fabric scraps and create something both functional and festive. Imagine sipping your favorite hot beverage on a cold winter day, with this cheerful small gift boxes mug rug adding a touch of handmade warmth to your space.
Materials You’ll Need to Create Your Small Gift Boxes Mug Rug:
To embark on this fun sewing project, gather the following materials:
- PDF Pattern {print at 100% or actual size}: This essential template will guide you through the precise cuts and shapes needed for your small gift boxes.
- Fabric Scraps: Dive into your scrap bin! Colorful and patterned scraps will bring your gift boxes to life.
- 1 Fat Eighth Background Fabric: Choose a neutral or complementary fabric to make your gift boxes pop.
- 8″ x 10″ Backing Fabric: Select a fabric for the back of your mug rug that coordinates with your design.
- 8″ x 10″ Batting: For a quilted texture and heat resistance. I recommend using two layers for extra thickness and insulation, especially if you plan to use it as a trivet.
- 1 1/2″ x WOF (Width of Fabric) Binding Strip: This will create a clean and polished edge around your small gift boxes mug rug.
All seam allowances are 1/4″. Finished size approximately 7″ x 9″.
mini gift boxes
Assembling Your Small Gift Boxes Mug Rug: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating these charming small gift boxes is easier than you might think! Follow these steps to bring your mug rug to life:
- Pattern Placement: The PDF pattern includes pieces designed in Electric Quilt 7. Note the piece placements in the following image to ensure correct assembly of your gift box blocks.
Mini-Merry-Gift-Boxes-placement
- Add a Border: Enhance the design by adding a 1 1/4″ border around the completed block. A white-on-white hounds tooth fabric was used here, adding a subtle texture and framing the small gift boxes beautifully.
Quilting and Finishing Touches for Your Small Gift Boxes
Once the blocks and border are assembled, it’s time to add quilting and binding to complete your small gift boxes mug rug:
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Batting for Thickness: For mug rugs and trivets, a denser quilting is often preferred. Using two layers of batting gives a lovely thickness and added insulation. Alternatively, for enhanced heat resistance, consider using Pellon® 975 Insul-Fleece™.
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Quilting Design: A box-style quilting pattern was used here, offering a classic and visually appealing texture. Mug rugs are perfect for practicing quilting techniques in a smaller, manageable project.
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- Binding: Finish the edges with your 1 1/2″ binding strip. A single fold binding method, like this favorite single fold binding tutorial, is particularly well-suited for small projects like mug rugs, providing a neat and professional finish.
Enjoy Your Handmade Small Gift Boxes Mug Rug
The beauty of a mug rug is its versatility. It’s essentially an oversized coaster, offering ample space for your mug and a treat! This small gift boxes design adds a festive touch to your coffee table or desk, and also makes a thoughtful handmade gift.
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Mug rugs are also wonderful for swaps and gifting. In a mug swap with Jules of Procrasticraft, I received a beautiful bisonhome mug and some delicious Australian treats – highlighting the global appeal and joy of handmade exchanges!
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As December unfolds, embrace the spirit of crafting and create your own small gift boxes mug rug. Even if the winter weather is chilly, the warmth of Christmas lights, a cup of cocoa, and sharing handmade creations makes this season truly special. Enjoy the process and the delightful handmade charm these small gift boxes bring to your home or as heartfelt gifts.
