Dave and I order a lot of stuff online. And since we don’t have postal delivery to the door in this town (everyone has a post office box), anything too big to fit in our box (anything bigger than a letter), goes to the post office/township office next door for us to pick up.
Since moving here, we’ve gotten to know the two post office ladies VERY well. In fact, we’ve learned that we get the most parcels out of EVERYONE in the town!!! Since they have to put up with us stopping by so often, I gave them each a coffee gift card last year.
But this year, I wanted to do something more fun and personal. They know I quilt (since I’m always ordering fabric) so I thought why not something fun and quilty? Why not some mug rugs???
I did a quick search online, and came up with a cute little tree pattern, and the other night, I banged a couple out using up some scraps
Now let me explain something about how I sew… I don’t actually READ patterns. I mostly find pictures and then draft the blocks myself. But when I get an actual pattern, I usually just check the cutting instructions and start putting things together from the picture – because usually, it’s pretty intuitive. So it wasn’t until after I had everything cut, and I started sewing pieces together that I realized…. these were looking pretty big for a mug rug…. 8 inches to be exact.
Hmmmm… that just seems a little excessive. For a pot holder… fine… but a mug rug?
Yeah…. that’s way too big for a mug rug.
So… I did a little math to see if I could downsize it a bit…
I got it down to six inches… any smaller and the pieces would be much smaller than I want to work with.
It’s better… but it’s still a little bigger than I would like…
So…. anyone got a mug rug pattern they can recommend?
Wandering Cat Studio 
I’m sorry I don’t have a pattern for you, but those are going to be two very lucky post office ladies. I know they’ll love the mug rugs. I can’t imagine not following the directions exactly. I’m not a very good quilter at all. You, though, are a professional.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
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those mug rugs are so pretty. Val! the trees are so perfect. I love to gift for those who eork hard for us all year. the pharmacists for one’
im plugging alongwithcharity knits. my friend Regina gave me some donated acrylic. i switched to crochet bc Im faster.
we are promised 50s for the next 3 days! i can porch knit with the heater.
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Looks like it all involves a bit of math, so that leaves me OUT!
Am sure whatever you create will be much appreciated.
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You and Daddio would have worked very well together. You were of the same mind when it came to putting patterns together. I can’t do the math at all so I HAVE to rely on a pattern. They are very cute trees though. I use holiday mug rugs that dad made that are just about the size of the first one. I love the big size of them.
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They are so cute…hope you can figure out a way to do them!
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I use the flip and stitch method to make triangles for sawtooth stars and save the cutoffs for mug rugs.
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Actually, I think the last one looks like a pretty good size. Once you get the seams all put it, it will be a little smaller too, right. They are some very lucky mail ladies.
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I like them bigger than my cookie plate fits on it too. Like mini placemat.
Cheryl aka seajaes on ravelry
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I love your blocks and must admit that I don’t think they are too large (even the first ones). Most of the patterns I have seen are a good size – big enough for a cup of coffee and maybe a muffin. They will sometimes take a block like your tree blocks and then add a small pieced border at the top and bottom.
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You did well to get it down to a 6″ block! I’m working on that mini and I agree that smaller is miserable! lol They are sure pretty blocks, though!
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