Combine Origami and Slow Stitching to Create this Unique Envelope Mug Rug

Origami

Inspiration comes in many different forms. I remembered making origami envelopes as a child. They were fun, cute and practical. My next memory was that they were rectangles and (here’s the wild leap of creative thought) mug rugs are rectangles! Where did that thought come from?

Fast forward to wanting to make a unique mug rug for a Father’s Day gift. I didn’t want to just make it with masculine colors and call it a “Father’s Day” theme. It had to be unique. And here is when the Origami Slow Stitch Father’s Day Mug Rug was born.

The folding is easy. The stitching is easy. The only part that took some extra time was making sure that all visible finished surfaces were embellished with fabric. After a bit of trial and error I got everything to look right. I decided to make it easy for you, so I created Layer Templates below with measurements so that you can make one without the trial and error that I went through. But once you understand how the folds affect the fabric layout then I strongly encourage you to make your own layouts and have lots of fun.

Things to think about: It is a mug rug so plan on washable fabrics. Don’t add a lot of dimensional embellishments (like buttons) or the mug rug might become too unstable.

Let’s make something meaningful — together, slowly, creatively, and with love

TOOLS

• DMC Washable Marker
• Embroidery needles