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estimated reading time: 8 min

Sew a bunny mug rug: Simple & magical

05.04.2022 by Sabine Schmidt

Hasen Tassenteppich nähen: Einfach & zauberhaft

Sewing a bunny mug rug: Instructions and a free pattern for a super easy DIY bunny-shaped mug rug.

The most important points at a glance

  • The bunny-shaped mug rug is quick to sew, even for beginners
  • You can download the bunny mug rug pattern as a free PDF template right here in this post
  • The mug rug is sewn using sturdy fabrics such as cotton, canvas, or linen
  • ✂️ Sewing level: easy
  • ⏰ Sewing time: 20 min.

Why should I sew a bunny mug rug?

Mug rugs are perfect as cup coasters for your desk. Why? Because this way, your cups won't leave any more coffee rings behind. After use, the mug rugs are simply tossed into the washing machine and are ready for their next mission in no time. My dear sewing friend Renate, who is also active online at Creativemadre, gave me this idea.

The mug rugs make lovely little gifts for your loved ones – and not just for Easter. :)

Really charming: A spoon can be tucked into the ribbon loop on one of the ears. 🐇 Genius, right?

A great idea: Whip up some mug rugs for your favorite colleagues that match their favorite mugs. If you like this mug rug sewing tutorial, take a look at my blog post where you can learn how to sew a placemat.

Decoration idea: To match the bunny mug rugs, you can also sew small bunny pouches for your guests and fill them with treats.

What do I need to sew a bunny mug rug?

You need sturdy fabric, for example, woven cotton, linen, or something similar. You also need some Vlieseline H640 or H630 and sewing thread that matches the fabric. You can also use a "middle-ground" color, such as a beige or light gray sewing thread, which almost always works. Of course, you can also work tone-on-tone.

A neutral thread is especially useful if you want to sew the mug rug from fabric scraps.

Reading tip: If you want to know more about sewing with cotton fabrics, check out my blog post on this topic.

Sewing a bunny mug rug

The cute carrot fabric is of course perfect for this project. I found it on Etsy. It is available there in a fabric bundle with many other beautiful vegetable fabrics from the long-established patchwork fabric brand Free Spirit. Dreamy fabrics of stunning quality! You can order the fabric bundle here*.

How big is the finished mug rug?

The finished mug rugs are: 23 x 28 cm

If you enlarge the printout of the pattern, you can also sew a bunny placemat from the mug rug. Or you can use the bunny template as an appliqué on a placemat. You can download a free pattern for a placemat in my tutorial Sewing a retro-look placemat.

How much fabric do I need for the mug rug?

You need the following fabric amounts for the mug rug:

  • Fabric for the top: 25 x 30 cm
  • Iron-on interfacing H630: 25 x 30 cm
  • Fabric for the bottom: 25 x 30 cm

All dimensions include a 1 cm seam allowance plus a little "wiggle room".

Bunny Mug Rug Pattern

Now you might be wondering where you can download the free pattern for the bunny mug rug. It's easy: Right here!

Download Bunny Mug Rug Pattern

Then print the pattern at 100% without scaling. Make sure to set it to "Document and Markups" so that all markings on the pattern are also printed. 🙂

If you would like to use the pattern commercially, you need a license from SewSimple.

  • Note: The pattern is free for our newsletter subscribers with a customer account
  • Important: The newsletter subscription and the email address in the customer account must be identical
  • If the download isn't working, please check our FAQs to see what the problem might be
  • Please understand that we cannot send our free patterns via email

What fabrics can I use to sew the bunny mug rug?

Sturdy fabrics are best for the mug rug. One of the fabric layers should be reinforced with Vlieseline H640 or H630; this helps the mug rug keep its beautiful shape and makes it absorbent.

You can easily use different fabrics for the top and bottom of the mug rug.

The following are very suitable:

It is important that you wash and iron the fabrics before processing them so that the mug rug doesn't shrink during the first wash and lose its shape.

TIP: You can also sew a very beautiful bunny mug rug from fabric scraps or discarded denim jeans. Do you already know my blog post "Sewing new things from old jeans"?

Sewing a bunny mug rug
Loop instead of ribbon: For the bunny on the right, I included a 6 cm wide loop in the seam.

What other accessories do I need?

What must my sewing machine be able to do to sew a mug rug?

All you need is the straight stitch of your sewing machine. It's best to equip the machine with a universal needle. An 80 size is perfectly sufficient here.

If you like, you can also use a quilting needle or an edge-stitching foot for topstitching. If you want to know more about sewing feet and their use, feel free to read my blog post on it.

YouTube Video Sewing a Bunny Mug Rug

Conclusion: Bunny mug rugs for everyone!

This spring-like sewing project is almost too cute to be true. And it is super easy to implement. The only tricky part is the narrow corners and curves. But with a bit of know-how and a sharp pair of scissors, you will master these hurdles in no time.

The fact remains: The little bunny is far too cute to stay alone for long. A small horde of bunnies will conjure up spring vibes in your four walls – and a smile on your guests' faces. :)

Happy simple sewing

your Sabine

Sewing a bunny mug rug

Frequently Asked Questions

What fabrics can I use to sew the bunny mug rug?

Ideal are sturdy woven fabrics such as patchwork fabrics, cotton poplin, decorative fabrics, canvas, or linen.

Can beginners also sew a bunny mug rug?

Of course! For the slightly tricky corners and narrow curves, you get plenty of tips and tricks in the instructions and the sewing video.

What interfacing can I use to reinforce the mug rug?

You can use any light batting you have on hand. Vlieseline H640 or H630 are great, but you can also use a cotton or soy batting for sewing in. It is nicely absorbent and even sustainable.

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Step-by-step instructions

hasen-tassenteppich-naehen

Sew a bunny mug rug

This bunny mug rug is a sweet eye-catcher on the Easter table. Grab your favourite fabrics and let's go!

  1. Step

    Prepare the pattern pieces and transfer the outline

    Tape the two pattern pieces together along the glue edge.

    Transfer the outline of the bunny, without seam allowance, onto the wrong side of the fabric for the top.

    Prepare the pattern pieces and transfer the outline
  2. Step

    Mark the loop positions

    Mark the positions where you want to sew on loops with pins.

    Mark the loop positions
  3. Step

    Secure the woven ribbon with Wondertape

    Stick a piece of Wondertape on the right side to hold the two pieces of woven ribbon in place. This is optional — you can also leave out the loops.

    Once the woven ribbon is secured, remove the pins. With printed woven ribbon, make sure the lettering is the right way up.

    Secure the woven ribbon with Wondertape
  4. Step

    Pin the top to the back

    Pin the prepared top right sides together onto the reinforced back.

    There should be at least 1 cm of seam allowance at the edges around the bunny outline.

    Pin the top to the back
  5. Step

    Sew along the bunny outline

    Sew exactly along the bunny outline. Leave a turning gap of about 6 cm open along the straight bottom edge.

    Start the seam before the turning gap and secure the beginning of the seam with a few stitches forwards and backwards.

    Sew the entire seam with a short straight stitch (1.5 - 2 mm stitch length) — this way the curved seams can be shaped especially nicely.

    Sew along the bunny outline
  6. Step

    Cut out the bunny, clip the curves

    Secure the seam before the turning gap.

    Cut out the bunny, leaving 3 - 4 mm seam allowance.

    On the tight curves, clip the seam allowance to just before the seam. This makes these areas especially easy to shape.

    Cut out the bunny, clip the curves
  7. Step

    Trim the seam allowance at the turning gap

    In the area of the turning gap, trim the seam allowance back so that it is still at least 1 cm wide.

    Trim the seam allowance at the turning gap
  8. Step

    Turn with tweezers and a wooden spoon

    Turn the bunny right side out. A pair of anatomical tweezers helps with this.

    A completely ordinary wooden spoon is great for the curves.

    Turn with tweezers and a wooden spoon
  9. Step

    Shape and press

    Shape the bunny neatly and press it smooth.

    Press the seam allowance of the turning gap 1 cm to the inside so that you get a straight edge at the bottom.

    Shape and press
  10. Step

    Edgestitch, close the turning gap

    Edgestitch all the way around the bunny with a longer straight stitch (3.5 mm stitch length). The topstitching closes the turning gap at the same time.

    Use the markings on your presser foot as a guide for the distance (2 - 4 mm from the fabric edge) — that works best.

    Edgestitch, close the turning gap
  11. Step

    Sew on a pompom as a tail

    A mini pompom makes a great little tail. Cut it off a pompom trim and sew it on by hand with a few stitches.

    Sew on a pompom as a tail

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.