How to Make Fabric Mug Warmers

Use a mug wamer to keep your coffee hot.

A mug warmer will keep your cup of coffee or tea hot all morning long. Mug huggers are quick to make, and you can use recycled materials to keep the project inexpensive and eco-friendly. Reusable fabric mug warmers can also replace the throw-away cardboard ones on your morning latte. Choose an old wool sweater or recycled fabric that has a unique design or attractive colors and look for an extra button in your junk drawer. All you need after that is thread to finish it.

Things You'll Need

• Felted wool or fleece fabric
• Button
• Thread
• Needle
• Scissors
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Cut two pieces of fabric, 11 inches by 5 inches. Pin the fabric right sides together and sew around three of the sides, leaving one narrow side open. Turn the fabric right side out, and use a chopstick to push out the corners. Iron the fabric to press it smooth. Hold the warmer up to your mug to make sure the size is correct. The fabric should wrap around the mug and overlap about an inch. Make any size adjustments necessary to make the warmer fit better. Turn the raw edge in a quarter inch, press with the iron and pin. Sew the edge closed and then continue to sew around the entire rectangle to give it a finished top stitch.

2. Sew a button to the middle of one narrow end. Stitch the button securely into place. Align the other end of the rectangle and overlap the ends, then pull until it fits tightly. Mark the spot where the fabric aligns over the button, and carefully cut a button hole with a pair of scissors. Make sure the button hole is just big enough for the button to fit through, but no bigger. Hand stitch around the raw edge of the button hole to reinforce it.

3. Fit the mug warmer around your mug and secure it with the button. You can wash your mug warmer in the washing machine on the cool cycle.

Tips & Warnings

• If your favorite mug is a unique size, adjust the size of the fabric accordingly. Mug warmers can also be crocheted or knitted.

• Make sure your mug warmer fits snugly, or it could slip and cause you to spill.

References

• Handmade News: The Mug Hugger
• Ravelry: Mod Mug Hugger Pattern