An Apple Mug Rug for the Teacher

Though I’m sad that summer is coming to an end, I do love fall. I love the cool, crisp mornings and warm afternoons. The smell of spices and baked treats, crunching leaves as you walk down the sidewalk. Early sunsets and the trees that look like they’re on fire with their bright red and orange leaves. When I was little, I loved back to school time. New shoes and a new teacher!

Here’s a little Mug Rug tutorial for a great back to school teacher gift.

What you need:
Apple Block/Quilt Top:

6 1/2″ square of red, for the apple

4 – 2″ squares of white

1 piece 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ of brown for stem

2 pieces 3″ x 2 1/2″ of white for the rectangles sewn to the stem piece

1 green scrap for leaf appliqué

The rest of the quilt top:

8 – 2 1/2″ squares for patchwork part

3 pieces 1 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ of white for sashing/side borders

2 pieces of white 1 1/2″ x 13 3/8″ for top and bottom borders

To finish the quilt:

fat quarter for backing

quilt batting

binding

Let’s sew!

All seam allowances are 1/4″.

Apple block

Draw diagonal lines on the white squares.

Pin the squares to the right side of the red square at the corners.

Sew on the drawn lines. Trim to a 1/4″ seam allowance and press.

Stem

Sew the white rectangles to the brown rectangle right sides together and press the seam allowances.

Sew the stem to the apple block, with  right sides together, and press.

Square up the block, by trimming any excess white that is hanging off the edge of the apple block.

Patchwork

Sew 4 of the patchwork squares right sides together to create 1 column. Repeat for the remaining 4 squares.

Press the seam allowances, so the seam allowances of each column are going in opposite directions.

Pin and sew the 2 columns of squares right sides together and press.

Finish the quilt top

Sew the 3 white strips onto the 2 blocks right sides together, to create a middle sashing and 2 side borders. Press.

Sew the top and bottom borders to the quilt top, with right sides together.

Press well.

Cut out a cute leaf shape and sew it in place.

I like to sew it 1/8″ from the edge, so it has a shabby frayed look after its washed.

Quilt it!

Make a quilt sandwich and quilt as desired.

Square up the quilt sandwich.

Bind it!

Bind the quilted mug rug as desired. I like to add a label on the back when I bind.

Done and done!

Hope you enjoy this free little tutorial! And All your kids have a great first day of school!