Pocket Mug Rugs (In-the-Hoop)

When you download the design, you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files and some are dielines files (marked with "DL") that are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape.

Open and print each dieline file using an embroidery software. If you do not have an embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines

We also recommend Wilcom's Hatch software which comes in different levels depending on what you'd like to use the software for. Hatch Organizer works well to view your designs, print dielines and templates, change design colors, and create basic design layouts. (This is an affiliate link. We may earn commission on purchases made with this link.)

For the front fabric piece of file A, spray the back of the printed dieline for the front piece with temporary adhesive and smooth it onto the right side of the fabric.

Cut the front piece out of the adhered fabric and stabilizer.

Repeat to cut out the back piece of file A and the front piece of file B. If your design has any applique pieces, cut them out of the applique fabric using the printed dieline for the applique. Some mug rugs do not have an applique piece.

For the back fabric piece of File B only, spray a piece of cotton batting with temporary adhesive and smooth it onto the wrong side of the fabric. Then, spray the back of the printed dieline for the back piece with temporary adhesive and smooth it onto the right side of the fabric.

Cut the back piece of file B out of the adhered fabric and cotton batting following the dieline shape.

Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer tightly.

Attach the hoop onto the machine and load the first embroidery design labeled with the letter "A". For best results, use a 75/11 sharp sewing needle as it will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer.

Embroider the front piece dieline. This will mark on the stabilizer where the front piece needs to be placed.

After the dieline has sewn, spray the wrong side of the front piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth it in place inside of the sewn dieline on the front side of the hooped tear-away stabilizer.

Embroider the front piece tackdown. This tackdown will hold the fabric in place for the remainder of the design.

Follow the color change sheet and embroider the details of the design. Stop before embroidering the back piece tackdown.

Spray the wrong side of the back piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth it in place inside of the sewn dieline on the back side of the hoop.

As the rest of the embroidery will be visible from both sides of the finished mug rug, wind a bobbin to match every remaining thread color.

Place the hoop back on the machine and embroider the rest of the design. Use a matching bobbin for each of the remaining thread colors.

Once the embroidery is finished, unhoop the stabilizer and tear away the extra stabilizer from around the design.

Hoop another piece of tear-away stabilizer tightly. Attach the hoop onto the machine and load the second embroidery design labeled with the letter "B". For best results, use a 75/11 sharp sewing needle as it will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer.

Embroider the front piece dieline. This will mark on the stabilizer where the front piece needs to be placed.

After the dieline has sewn, spray the wrong side of the front piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth it in place inside of the sewn dieline on the front side of the hooped tear-away stabilizer.

Embroider the front piece tackdown. This tackdown will hold the fabric in place for the remainder of the design.

Follow the color change sheet and continue to embroider the design. If your design has an applique piece, embroider any details and stop before embroidering the applique dieline step.

If your design does not have any applique, embroider the details and stop when you get to the back piece tackdown step. Then, skip to the step about placing the back piece below.

To add an applique piece, first embroider the dieline for the applique shape on the machine. This will mark where to place the fabric pieces.

Spray the wrong side of the applique piece with temporary adhesive and smooth it into place inside the sewn dieline. The applique pieces will go on top of the front piece.

Embroider the tackdown for the applique piece. Follow the color change sheet and repeat the steps if there is multiple applique pieces.

For the pocket, first embroider the pocket dieline. This will show where to place the pocket we embroidered with file A.

Spray the back side of the pocket with temporary adhesive and smooth it into place inside the sewn dieline.

Place the hoop back onto the machine and embroider the "pocket tackdown". Then embroider any remaining details and stop before sewing the back piece tackdown.

Spray the batting side of the back piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth it in place inside of the sewn dieline on the back side of the hoop.

As the rest of the embroidery will be visible from both sides of the finished mug rug, wind a bobbin to match every remaining thread color.

Place the hoop back on the machine and embroider the rest of the design. Use a matching bobbin for each of the remaining thread colors.

Once the embroidery is finished, unhoop the stabilizer and tear away the extra stabilizer from around the design.

Pocket mug rugs make a fun gift. Slide small items like tea bags, decorative spoons, or gift cards into the pocket, and give the pocket to a friend or loved one.