Turned Mug Mats: How to Make an In-the-Hoop Mug Mat

Have you ever wondered how to make an in-the-hoop mug mat with beautifully finished edges and no satin stitching around the outside?

One of the first styles of mug mats we created at Embroidery by EdytheAnne was the turned mug mat. It's still one of my favorite construction methods!

With this technique, your embroidery machine does the quilting, embroidery, appliqué, and construction stitching. Then you turn the mug mat right side out for a neat, finished edge.

In this tutorial, I'll walk you through the process using our Happy Birthday Mug Mat, available in both boy and girl versions.

 

What Is a Turned In-the-Hoop Mug Mat?

A turned mug mat is constructed with the front and back fabrics stitched together, right sides facing, while still in the embroidery hoop.

A small opening is left along one edge so the project can be turned right side out. Once turned, the opening is closed, leaving a smooth fabric edge without the satin stitching commonly used on other ITH mug mats.

It's a lovely finish, and the entire construction seam is stitched by your embroidery machine!

Materials You'll Need

• Embroidery machine and appropriate hoop

• Turned mug mat embroidery design

• Lightweight cutaway stabilizer

• Batting

• Front fabric

• Backing fabric

• Small piece of fabric for the appliqué

• Embroidery thread

• Sharp embroidery scissors

• Point-turning tool

• Steam-A-Seam or similar fusible adhesive, or a hand-sewing needle and thread

My fabric tip: I like using duck cloth, canvas, or bottom-weight fabric for the front of my mug mats. These heavier fabrics provide a nice, sturdy surface for embroidery and quilting.

Your purchased embroidery design includes a written tutorial and color analysis sheets with the fabric measurements and stitching sequence.

Step 1: Hoop Your Stabilizer and Stitch the Placement Line

Begin by hooping lightweight cutaway stabilizer.

I prefer a lightweight stabilizer for turned mug mats because heavier stabilizer can make it more difficult to turn the project through the small opening.

Load your embroidery design and stitch the first sequence, which creates the placement outline.

This shows you exactly where your mug mat will be constructed.

Step 2: Add the Batting and Front Fabric

Place your batting over the placement outline, making sure the entire area is covered.

Return the hoop to your embroidery machine and stitch the batting tack-down sequence.

Trim away the excess batting around the stitching.

Next, position your front fabric according to the design instructions and continue with the quilting sequence.

For this particular design, we're using a stipple quilting pattern.

Step 3: Stitch the Embroidery and Appliqué

After the quilting is complete, the machine begins stitching the decorative embroidery.

On our Happy Birthday Mug Mat, the design includes a birthday cake with an appliqué section. ( not all of our designs have appliques, but the ones that do we have clear instructions.

The machine first stitches the placement line for the appliqué fabric.

Place a small piece of fabric over this outline and stitch the tack-down sequence.

Carefully trim the excess fabric close to the stitching.

My appliqué tip: Because the cake appliqué area is fairly small, choose a fabric with a small-scale print. Large prints can lose their effect when used in tiny appliqué areas.

I like using double-curved embroidery scissors for trimming appliqué. Their curved shape makes it easier to get close to the stitching without accidentally cutting the fabric underneath.

Return the hoop to your machine and finish stitching the remaining embroidery details.

Step 4: Add the Backing Fabric

Now comes the step that gives a turned mug mat its finished edge.

With the completed mug mat still in the hoop, place your backing fabric right side down over the embroidered front.

Make sure the backing fabric completely covers the original placement outline.

For this design, the turning opening will be along one side. Allow a little extra backing fabric to extend beyond that side so you'll have enough fabric to form a small tab.

Return the hoop to your embroidery machine.

The machine stitches around the mug mat using a reinforced bean stitch, leaving a small opening for turning.

Step 5: Remove, Trim, and Turn

Once the construction stitching is complete, remove the project from the hoop.

Trim away the excess stabilizer and fabric around the outside edges, taking care not to cut into the stitching.

Clip the corners carefully to reduce bulk.

Important: Leave a little extra fabric at the turning opening to create a tab. This will help you close the opening neatly.

Turn the mug mat right side out through the opening.

Use a point-turning tool to gently push out the corners. Be careful not to push through the stitching.

Press the mug mat, folding the fabric tab neatly inside the opening.

Step 6: Close the Turning Opening

There are two ways to finish the opening.

My Preferred Method: Steam-A-Seam

I like using Steam-A-Seam, a fusible adhesive that allows me to close the opening without hand sewing.

Cut a small piece to fit inside the opening.

Following the adhesive manufacturer's instructions, fuse it to one side of the folded opening, remove the release paper as directed, and press the two sides together to seal the opening.

Make sure the folded edges line up neatly before pressing.

Alternative: Hand Stitching

If you prefer, you can close the opening with small, nearly invisible hand stitches.

Either method gives your mug mat a clean, finished appearance.

And that's it! Your turned in-the-hoop mug mat is complete.

Watch the Video Tutorial

Sometimes it's easier to understand a technique when you can actually see it being done.

In my video tutorial, I demonstrate the steps for constructing the Happy Birthday Turned Mug Mat, including trimming the appliqué, adding the backing fabric, turning the project, and closing the opening.

Ready to Try a Turned Mug Mat?

Turned mug mats are a wonderful way to create useful gifts with a soft, finished fabric edge.

Once you've made one, you'll find that the same basic construction method can be used for many other turned in-the-hoop designs.

At Embroidery by EdytheAnne, you'll find a variety of mug mat designs for holidays, birthdays, special occasions, and everyday enjoyment.

Explore our In-the-Hoop Machine Embroidery Designs and discover your next project.

Embroidery by EdytheAnne