Paper Piecing Tutorial & Free Mug Rug Pattern

Perfection is pursued by a lot of sewers.  There are a few ways we can achieve perfection is through pinning, cutting corretly and paper piecing.

Paper Piecing can be a tricky technique.  But, really when you understand it, the possiblities are endless!  There is no stopping what you can print and sew.  You name the topic, you can find it in a paper piecing pattern.

This project is perfect for your scraps bag.  Snatch up some fabric scraps and print off the pattern.  You will be sewing 1 mushroom of each kind. So one copy is just fine.

Understand that this paper piecing pattern DOES NOT include the 1/4 seam allowance.  The only time you need to worry about that is at the end when you are trimming your whole block, but just be aware.

Grab your scraps and your paper and let’s get going!

Paper Peicing Tutorial:

Download the pdf file for this project here

After you have cut out your template, lay the chosen fabric for the mushroom stem on the bottom of the pattern.  Notice that the right side is facing away from the paper.  I have pinned this piece it always shifts when you turn it to sew so pin it!  {a flat pin will work the best}

You will need to make sure that your piece is at least 1/4 larger than the template it is for. remember, the seam allowance is not given.  The lines that you see on the template are your SEWING LINES!!  So, you will need your fabric to go past this 1/4 so you won’t get holes in your mushrooms later.

With the paper on the bottom and the fabric on the top, fold back one edge until you line up the black line with the edge- Use your wooden pressure here to get a good crease.

Open the paper and fabric up- you will notice that there is a crease in the fabric.  If you can’t see it well enough, refold and repress with the wooden pressure.

Place your next piece right side down on top..let this piece go past the crease 1/4 for your seam allowance.

Pinch with your fingers or pin in place, then turn so the paper is now on top showing your sewing lines.

Sew on the lines with your sewing machine.  * backstitch at both ends- this will help the seam stay when you are removing the paper later.

Open up the fabric that you have just sewn and using your wooden iron, give it a good press.

Fold back the fabric and the paper {you don’t want to cut it!} and trim any extra fabric that is past the seam.  If you don’t, it will make the block bulky and if there is a lighter color on top the other seam will show through!

Repeat the same process with the other side.

Repeat the same process with the top of the mushroom.  It really is like sewing by number. lol  Make sure you use your wooden iron with each step and it will keep your seams nice and no puckers in the folds!

Place the block right sides facing down, paper on top.  Trim your block using the paper as a guide.  Cut 1/4 past the outside edge {remember this is your seam allowance!}

Sew the top of the mushroom to the bottom of the mushroom, making one complete mushroom block.

Repeat with the second mushroom block.

Sew the blocks together, side by side.  Trim to 8 1/2 X 7 1/2

Cut 4 strips for the border

2 2 X 7 1/2

2 2 X 11 1/2

Sew the borders to the sides and top and bottom

Trim to 10 1/2 X 11 1/2

Cut back and batting same size.

Sew all the way around leaving a 3 opening for turning.

Trim corners and turn right sides out.  Iron {with a real hot one this time}

Sew 1/8 all the way around closing the opening used for turning.  Sew again just inside the border

Load it and snack away!

Q&A:  What is your experience with paper piecing?  Do you love it or hate it? I’d love to hear your thoughts. leave a comment and lets discuss!

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