How to Make Mug Rug Easy DIY with Clawlab Tufting Kit

How to Make A Mug Rug Easy DIY with Clawlab Tufting Kit

Learn how to make adorable little mug rugs for the morning coffee, a cup filled with pens or just to add a little plushness to the desk.

These mug rugs are about six inches across and are the perfect size to get started tufting.

Let's get started!

WHAT IS A MUG RUG?

A mug rug is a fabric or rug coaster, perfect for a cup of coffee or a cup of tea.

I use mine under a cup filled with my favorite pens, so it works as a table or desk decoration as well.

This is a great opportunity to use up those scraps of yarn and make a tufted rug for your mug.

Makes a great handmade holiday gift too!

Key Features of Clawlab Tufting Kit H1:

• Frame mounts securely on any table
• No nails needed for framing and stretching cloth
• Tufting Gun has protective casing
• Tufting Gun is lightweight AND EASY TO USE

Clawlab Tufting Kit

Clawlab sent me this tufting kit to review. I love it, I've since become an affiliate and highly recommend this kit.

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE A TUFTED RUG WITH CLAWLAB TUFTING KIT:

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• CLAWLAB TUFTING KIT (includes frame, monk cloth, yarn, and tufting gun)
• MONK CLOTH
• CARPET ADHESIVE GLUE
• CARPET TRIMMERS
• PUTTY KNIFE
• MUCH MUCH MORE YARN
• DESIGN OR PATTERN
• PROJECTOR (OPTIONAL)

STEP 1: DRAW PATTERN

Begin by mounting your monk cloth to the frame. 

Then use a projector or a print out behind the cloth and trace the pattern or design right onto the fabric.

Again, this is the perfect project to use up those yarn fabric scraps in every shade and color.

You can plan out the pattern based on the yarn you need to use, or just buy the supplies you need for your mug rug patterns.

WHAT IS MONK CLOTH?

Monk cloth is the best of the fabric choices for rug making.

It is loose and big woven fabric which makes it forgiving when getting pierced with a needle repeatedly. 

I'm doing a few mug rugs at a time to maximize the space on the frame and use the monk cloth, these are about six inches across, but you can make a large mug rug as well.

Be sure not to put them too close together, or it will be too hard to cut them apart and tuck the monk cloth over under the backing.

STEP 2: BEGIN TUFTING

The yarn simply threads through the hole on the needle of the tufting gun and it's ready to use.

It's fun to watch the yarn tuft through the right side of the monk cloth pieces of fabric stretched on the frame.

Hold the tufting gun horizontal and firmly pressed against the monk cloth.

Move the tufting gun from the bottom seam of the pattern to the top.

Begin slow and get the hang of the tufting gun before speeding up the tufting, then just speed up the tufting when doing long passes.

Place your rows together tightly, but try not to go over the same sections more than once, this can cause holes to tear in the raw edges pf the monk cloth.

Repeat the tufting process for each of your mug rugs, just a straight stich up in each section of your design.

Change the yarn color as needed and continue tufting the rug pattern.

STEP 3: GLUING THE RUG BACK

(taken from previous rug making post)

Now each little piece of yarn is only an inch or 2 long, so the entire backing of the rug needs to be glued in place.

This carpet adhesive stays flexible and rubbery, so it's perfect for a rug that shouldn't be stiff and crumbly.

Use a putty knife to apply the glue all over the back of the yarns.

I found this was a super simple process and the smell of the glue was barely there.

Simply spread on a thin and even layer of the adhesive...keep the rug on the frame for the full gluing process.

The adhesive can be easily cleaned up with rubbing alcohol or goo gone.

Then let the adhesive dry for 24 hours, again, it will remain somewhat tacky and rubbery.

STEP 4: TRIMMING THE RUG

(taken from previous rug making post)

Now release the rug from the frame and cut around the rug, about a 1-2 inch seam allowance.

CARPET TRIMMER ON RUG YARNS:

Use the carpet trimmer to gently shave down the rug and make all the yarns the same length.

This is like trimming hair, you can always make it shorter, but not longer...so take it easy.

STEP 5: BACK A RUG WITH FELT

To finish off this mug rug tutorial, fold the edges of the monk cloth over onto the back adhesive side, cut a piece of felt the same size as the rug and press them together after spraying with a little adhesive spray.

Now design darling little mug rugs in any shape, size, color and pattern you desire!

This is a great way to learn how to use a tufting gun, by starting small.

It's also an easy project to make in less than an hour.

That's it!

Making Mug Rugs is easy, darling and a fun way to start learning tufting.

Clawlab's Tufting Kit is a great product, works right out of the box and has an easy learning curve...just a few other supplies needed for finished rugs.

Make different designs and patterns as the perfect handmade gifts for the holidays or birthdays.

Your cup of coffee will love its new home!

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