Back to School Appliqué Mug Rug In The Hoop Embroidery Project [FREE Design Download!]

Back to School Mug Rug In The Hoop Embroidery Project

School is in full-swing and I am back with another in-the-hoop project! In this post, I am going to take you step-by-step on how to create this Back to School Appliqué Mug Rug - and I'm giving you the design for FREE! So let's gather your supplies and get started on this Back to School Appliqué Mug Rug In-the-Hoop embroidery project! I purchase all of my embroidery supplies from AllStitch Machine Embroidery Supplies. See supply list below for this project:

Supplies You Will Need:

An embroidery machine
Tear-away backing
Appliqué scissors
Fabric squares for the apple and the leaf
Coordinating thread colors
Batting square
Painter's tape

Step 1 - Download Your Design

Access your design files below to download the design for the mug rug and save it to your USB drive. The link includes one zipped folder with the design in the following file types: JEF, PES, VP3, HUS, XXX, EXP and DST.

Here is a video of how the design will stitch:

Step 2 - Load the Design

Load the design into your machine using your USB drive.

Step 3 - Hoop Your Backing

We are going to hoop one piece of tear-away backing.

Step 4 - Placement Stitch

We are ready to sew. First we are going to stich the placement stitch. This is going to serve as a guide for where to place our fabric.

Step 5 - Place Your Fabric

Remove your hoop from the embroidery machine. Cut your batting and your fabric square to fit inside your embroidery hoop. You can either float the fabric, or spray a light layer of spray adhesive to keep the fabric in place.

Step 6 - Tackdown Stitch and Stipple Stitch

Next we are going to stitch the tackdown stitch. This running stitch will hold our fabric and batting in place. The stipple stitch will stitch immediately after, giving your mug rug a quilted look.

Step 7 - Trim

Using a pair of sharp scissors or appliqué scissors, trim away your excess fabric and batting, leaving about 1/4" around the edge.

Step 8 - Stitch the Appliqué Leaf

Now that your fabric is cleanly trimmed, it's time to stitch the appliqué leaf. Stitch the placement stitch and place your green fabric over the placement stitch for the leaf.

Next, you will stitch the tackdown stitch.

Using a pair of sharp scissors or appliqué scissors, trim away your excess fabric from around your leaf.

Now, stitch the satin stitch around the leaf and stitch the apple stem.

Step 9 - Stitch the Appliqué Apple

Now that you have stitched your appliqué leaf, it's time to stitch the appliqué apple. Stitch the placement stitch and place your red fabric over the placement stitch for the apple.

Now stitch your tackdown stitch.

Remove your frame from the embroidery machine and trim around your apple.

Now stitch the satin stitch around your apple and switch to white thread to add the highlight and complete the appliqué design.

Step 10 - Stitch the Backing

Remove the frame from the embroidery machine. Cut 2 fabric squares and fold over one edge of each. Place the squares overlapping each other on TOP of the design - front to front with the design fabric. Hold the squares in place using painter's tape. Replace the frame and stitch around the entire design.

Step 10 - Trim Your Final Design

Remove the design from the frame and turn it over. Your design should look something like this.

Remove your tear-away backing, turn the design over and trim away your excess fabric and batting. Clip the corners at an angle.

Step 11 - Finishing Touches

Now that we are finished sewing and trimming the design, reach inside the envelope closure and flip the mug rug right-side out. Press firmly with an iron, and you have a sweet little back-to-school project. Give them away as teacher gifts or use one for yourself!