Mug mats are great gifts for teachers, friends or just to have in your home. Using beautiful quilters squares you can easily create these fragrant coasters.
Did you ever buy a quilter’s charm pack? They are five inch squares of coordinated fabric for quilters. I have a sewing machine and I wish I had the time and patience to make a quilt because the fabric designs out there are crazy gorgeous. I am guilty of buying the charm packs. One of the ways I’ve used them is to make mug mats.
This is another fun gift to make using the quilters squares but really you can make them out of any fabric. For all of you burlap fans I think they would look very nice with a stamped monogram.
Spice Filled Mug Mats
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Materials
- 2 – 5 inch squares of fabric (I used coordinated fabrics with a different top and bottom)
- approx. 1/4 c. of spices (I used allspice
, clove
and cinnamon chips
)
To make the mug mats simply sew a 1/4 inch seam with right sides together leaving a one- inch gap on one of the of sides. Cut the corners and turn right side out.
Fill them using a funnel about 1/4-1/3 full of the spices. For the filling I used allspice, cloves and cinnamon sticks. First I placed them in a bag and smashed them with a wooden mallet. You could use any spice you like. You can even buy cellulose fiber and scent it with a fragrance or essential oil.
After you fill the pouch, go back to the sewing machine and sew a border along the edge on all sides, enclosing the opening.
They are really quick and easy to make-even if you are a simple seamstress like me.
pamela says
I have made these for years. Not sure why you would leave a 1″ opening on all four sides?? Sew 3 sides , clip corners, turn, fill and top stitch the last side. done. If u want fancier when u top stitch sew lace around all sides.
Patti Estep says
Hi Pamela,
Of course you are right. Duh, that was a typo and I thank you for pointing it out. Geesh. Thanks for the lace idea too.
Have a great weekend!
Patti
TrudieB says
I’ve seen these made using spice tea, like Constant Comment, or Cinnamon Spice– they smell divine when they are warmed up by a mug of hot tea. Thanks so much for the idea, I’m going to try my hand at these– however I’m worse than you, seamstress-wise: I don’t remember WHERE I put my sewing machine!!
Patti Estep says
Hi Trudie,
The tea bag idea is kind of genius. Beats having to by all the individual ingredients. Especially if you have some that you love. I might use an extra layer of something just to make sure that don’t bleed through if they got wet. And, don’t worry the sewing is super simple, once you find you machine :).
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Lee Deininger says
So you don’t have to do anything to the herbs, but smash them up and put them in the pouch? I bought one at a store, and it has a one-sided open layer on top of a front-an- back lined coaster in which they insert a spiced-filled muslin bag. You can take it out and use the coaster for cold drinks. It says you can taked the scented pouch out and wash/cold water and tumble dry it. Would this make the scent last longer or shorten it? Or I wonder why you would need to wash it.
Patti Estep says
Hi Lee,
I guess if something got spilled on the mug mat you might want to wash it. The one you bought sounds very nice and I can see why they took that added effort to make a pouch that could be removed. I think someone else mentioned using a tea bag such as chai tea inside for an easy option. It’s really up to you. I just made them simple and not for sale. The spices/herbs I used are pretty fragrant and when the heat hits them, even more so. Just a fun craft to use up my fabric stash.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Patti
Rebecca says
I used to make these for a company years ago.Do you hire ppl to make these for a company.i would be interested in making these since I’m a stay at home mom.
Patti Estep says
Hi Rebecca,
Currently I am not selling anything that I make on the blog. I am considering opening an Etsy shop in the future and will keep you in mind. This is something you may want to consider doing yourself. The cost is minimal and as I understand, pretty easy to set up.
Jamie says
Where did you purchase your spices?
Patti Estep says
Hi Jamie,
I typically buy stuff like that on Amazon or Atlantic Spice Co. If you’re not making too many you can even try places like Dollar Tree or Big Lots for good prices.
Brooke says
Do you think this would work ok with felt squares? I was thinking about embroidering a pretty snowflake design on the top part, but worry the felt may be too thick for the heat to spread the scent.
Patti Estep says
Hi Brooke,
Though I haven’t tried it, I think felt would work fine.