Mug Rug Tutorial: Using a Printable Image or Picture

I will say that I am super jealous of you who can print pictures. The color ink on my printer went kaput and I cannot print anything with color. Well, and have it look good. So color images for me is out. But I can still print in black. I decided to give it a try for gifts of the members in my MOPS Discussion Group that I led this past year.

I loved the theme, "Be You, Bravely". It spoke to me. I needed to be brave, and I needed to be me. So I decided to make the ladies mug rugs (I love Mug Rugs) using the theme. At first I wanted to make zipper pouches (hense the zipper pouch round-up a couple weeks ago) but decided to go with mug rugs instead.

So, printable mug rugs was born! You can use your own colored images. and make them especially personal.

First, cut down some fabric into 8.5" x 11" rectangles and an 8.5" x 11" rectangle of freezer paper, this helps the printer grab the fabric, and print cleanly.

Select the image and the size you want, I chose 5" x 7" images, and print. Using paper printer and the best printer quality will result in the best images.

Remove the freezer paper (you can reuse it, in my case I reused it 5 times!) and soak in a vinegar bath to set the ink. I let them sit about 10 minutes (some up to 20 because I forgot... oops). Then let dry (it wont smell really once it is done drying.)

Trim down to your preference. I trimmed down prior because my rectangle pan was dirty so the round one was the only clean one I had.

I was rushing to finish, so I missed the pictures of these steps :(

Frame the images in strips of fabric. In this case I used 1.5" x wof (width of fabric) left overs and scraps. This is a great scrap buster!
Sandwich with backing and batting

Quilt, I just did straight lines so the focus was the print.
Bind... check out the faux binding using the backing over at Made by Rae... it really is easier and quicker for a project like this!

Voila! A beautiful, personalized Mug Rug! Use with coffee or tea and enjoy!

Check out more mug rug inspiration on my Mug Rug Pinterest board...

Happy sewing!