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    Home » DIY Projects

    Scented Mug Mats: Beautiful Spiced Filled Handmade Gifts

    November 5, 2019 by Patti Estep 22 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card

    Scented 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.

    Spice filled scented mug mats

    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.

    However, I am guilty of buying charm packs. One of the ways I've used them is to make scented mug mats. Mug mats are coasters made from squares of fabric and filled with spices or potpourri. The idea is when a hot mug sits on the mat it helps release some of the scent into the air.

    Spice Filled Scented Mug MatsQuilter squares and mug mats

    You can use the quilters squares or charm packs to make these but you can also make them out of any scrap fabric. Also, if you are a big fan of burlap I think they would look very nice with a stamped monogram.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there's no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    spices fabric and mug mat

    Materials Need to Make Mug Mats

    • 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)
    Mug mat filling with funnel

    How To Make Scented Mug Mats

    • Start by matching two 5 inch fabric squares together with the right sides facing each other.
    • Sew a 1/4 inch seam around all four sides leaving a one- inch gap on one of the sides.
    • Cut the corners and turn right side out.
    • Fill them using a funnel about 1/4-1/3 full of the spices.
    • Turn under the open edge and sew a border along the edge on all sides, enclosing the opening.
    Trio of mug mats tied with twine

    Mug Mat Filling Ideas

    For the filling, I used allspice, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Placed them in a bag and smashed them with a wooden mallet first.

    Other spices you may want to add or try are star anise, nutmeg, bay leaves, peppercorn, cardamom, and coriander.

    You can also buy cellulose fiber and scent it with fragrance oil blends or essential oils.

    Mug on mug mat

    They are really quick and easy to make. If you don't have a sewing machine you can hand stitch them or try something like fabric glue or stitch witchery.  

    Place one in your family's stocking or wrap up a trio for a teacher, helper or friend.

    I think it will be a valued and welcome fragrant gift to anyone on your list.

    Patti signature

    P.S. If you enjoy crafting with spices you may like these Pomander Spice Balls or these Spice Filled Pumpkins. You can find them and much more on my DIY Projects Page.

    Scented mug mats and spices
    Scented mug mats and spices
    Print

    Scented Mug Mats: Beautiful Spiced Filled Handmade Gifts

    You can use quilters squares to make beautiful and fragrant coasters with just a few supplies. They make great gifts for neighbors, teachers, or even a little treat for yourself! Add your favorite scents. Nothing better than a handmade gift.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Active Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Crafts
    Yield: 1 Mug Mat
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $5-$10

    Equipment

    • sewing machine

    Materials

    • 2 - 5 " squares of fabric
    • approx. 1/4 c. of spices

    Instructions

    • Start by matching two 5" fabric squares together with the right sides facing each other.
    • Sew a 1/4" seam around all four sides leaving a 1" gap on one of the sides.
    • Cut the corners and turn right side out.
    • Fill them using a funnel about 1/4-1/3 full of the spices.
    • Turn under the open edge and sew a border along the edge on all sides, enclosing the opening.

    More DIY Projects

    • Make Your Own Corn Heating Bags
    • How to Make Your Own Birdseed Cakes
    • Make an Emergency Candle Kit for Power Outages
    • Homemade Dusting Spray

    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lowetta

      July 23, 2022 at 8:28 am

      What happens to the spices/scents when you wash them? Eventually they will get dirty. Do they still have a scent? Or do you need to replace the spices?
      Guessing hand wash-not machine wash?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 23, 2022 at 8:36 am

        Lowetta, I'd spot wash them. However, you could also make a slightly smaller pouch out of muslin or cotton to fit inside the mug mat and remove it before washing. You would have to remove a few of the stitches to get it out and sew it back up again.

        Reply
    2. MrsSW

      November 06, 2019 at 11:54 am

      Hi Patti - so glad you posted these. I have just the fabric sitting on the table next to the sewing machine. I'm going to print a picture of your mats and hang it on the door so I won't forget about them ...again.
      Dollar Tree for the spices is a great idea.
      Thanks,
      Sheila

      Reply
    3. Jessica

      September 27, 2019 at 10:50 pm

      Will these sweat and mold the spices?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        September 28, 2019 at 7:14 am

        I suppose it could but I have not noticed that problem.

        Reply
    4. Brooke

      October 18, 2017 at 12:27 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 18, 2017 at 2:56 pm

        Hi Brooke,

        Though I haven't tried it, I think felt would work fine.

        Reply
        • Laney Breau

          October 21, 2018 at 6:42 am

          Hi Patti I'm thinking of making these for resale at booth rental I have.
          I have smashed up the cinnamon sticks (I had) , cloves, and added allspice! Do you recommend putting inside muslin bag or will they be alright just inserted inside fabric?
          Thanks very much!

        • Patti Estep

          October 21, 2018 at 6:46 am

          Laney, I think putting them in muslin would be a nice touch especially if you are going to sell them. Also, I think it would depend on the fabric you use for the mug mats. If it's not sturdy enough some of the powder and bits from the spices could seep through.

    5. Jamie

      October 05, 2017 at 5:00 pm

      Where did you purchase your spices?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 05, 2017 at 7:31 pm

        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.

        Reply
    6. Rebecca

      September 14, 2017 at 2:44 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        September 14, 2017 at 2:55 pm

        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.

        Reply
    7. Lee Deininger

      June 27, 2016 at 3:17 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 27, 2016 at 3:41 pm

        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

        Reply
    8. TrudieB

      May 31, 2016 at 7:38 pm

      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!!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 01, 2016 at 10:06 am

        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

        Reply
    9. pamela

      February 12, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        February 12, 2016 at 3:47 pm

        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

        Reply

    Trackbacks

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      September 25, 2015 at 9:33 am

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      February 2, 2015 at 6:03 am

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      November 9, 2014 at 7:23 am

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