Mini Merry Gift Boxes Mug Rug {Tutorial}

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mini-merry-gift-boxes

I love Christmas and I love mug rugs! So, when Jennifer of Ellison Lane asked if I’d be part of her Merry Mug Rug Blog Hop, I instantly said yes. I knew I wanted to do a mini version of our Merry Gift Boxes {find the original here}. The original boxes finish at 8″ x 16″, this scaled down version of the boxes finishes as 5″ x 7″.

mini gift boxes

To make this mug rug, you’ll need:

All seam allowance are 1/4″. Finished size 7″ x 9″.

I made the blocks in Electric Quilt 7, and the letter layout was not what I was expecting, so here’s a guide to which pieces go where:

Mini-Merry-Gift-Boxes-placement

Then, I added a 1 1/4″ border of the white on white hounds tooth {which I may need to buy more of!} to the whole block. Over the years of making mug rugs, I realized that I like to quilt tiny things very dense, so I used two layers of batting this time and I’m so happy with the thickness {the last mug rug I made I only used one layer and it seemed too thin after the quilting}. You could also use Pellonยฎย 975 Insul-Fleeceโ„ข if you wanted to make this a trivet for your table.

mini-merry-gift-boxes-with-mug-quilting

Here’s a closeup of the quilting too, I used a box style, which I love, but have a hard time maneuvering, so a mug rug is the perfect time to practice. I also bound it with my favorite single fold binding, it’s ideal for those small projects!

mini-merry-gift-boxes-in-use

And, in case you’re new to mug rug making, the idea is an over sized coaster, with room for a mug and a cookie too! I did a mug swap with Jules of Procrasticraft, and she sent me this beautiful bisonhome mug from a local artist in Canberra, Australia, where she lives. She also sent some yummy Australian treats…how come chocolate from the rest of the world is so much better than in America?!

mini-merry-gift-boxes-with-mug

I hope your December is off to a great start! While I’m not in love with the cold weather that’s finally arrived, the Christmas lights, cocoa, and sharing the true meaning of Christmas with my children makes it one of my favorite times of year!

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35 Comments

  1. So happy I found this. My ironing board (my friend asked if people still used them, lol) and mine is so sad it needs an update and this is perfect! Thanks so much! I wish I would have entered your giveaway. I follow you so now I can get in on all the goodness. Happy Holidays. Thank You!
    ~Crystal

    1. Sorry, I jumped pages! When I entered I went to EllisonLane.com and pinned the ironing board tutorial. Love your site! Love the mug rugs, thats my to do project for today!

  2. This is so so cute Jennie! I love the patter and can’t wait to give it a try. I’ve pinned it too. ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks SO much for being part of the hop and sharing a link to my paper piecing video. Merry Christmas friend!

  3. Your mug rug is so cute! Perfect for Christmas and what a perfect size, too. I like that it can also hold a cookie. Or three. ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Hi Jennie, I love this little mug rug; it is sweet and so Christmas-y! I can tell you why chocolate from the rest of the world tastes better, but it’s long and drawn out, has to do with single sourcing and economics. ๐Ÿ™‚ Love and hugs for ALL of you! XOXO

  5. Thanks for the cute pattern. I’ve been looking for something cute & easy like this to make for my cousins.

  6. Your mug rug is so pretty and festive. Thank you for the pattern. I can go make some for some friends.

  7. I’ve been making the original size…I’m the one who plans to use them in a border for a quilt I’m making… ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Anyway…I’m just thrilled about this mini version of the Merry Gift Boxes block! This is so adorable! I think I’m going to make one and use it on the front of a tote/gift bag!
    Thanks again for such an awesome tutorial and pattern!

  8. This is adorable and I LOVE the quilting! (So glad I decided to catch up on the blog hop!)
    Happy holidays!

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