In-the-Hoop Log Cabin Coffee Mug Rug

Project Description

I started by enlarging Log Cabin 2 from Cabin Fever: Piecing in the Hoop.

For this mug rug, I had to shrink a coffee cup design I had. Because shrinking bean stitch designs doesn’t always work well, I added this revised version to the shop.

I used Adine Script to add all sorts of coffee-related terminology into the “logs.” (I just googled “coffee terminology when I ran out of ideas.) This actually took quite a while to find just the right length to fit the space without repeating any phrases.

Once I had all the lettering where I wanted it, I sequenced it to sew in an optimal matter, coloring all the text on the light logs dark and the text on the dark logs light. If I stitch this again, I’ll increase the contrast between the lettering and fabric colors because it’s actually quite hard to read.

The instructions for Cabin Fever call for piecing in the hoop onto the stabilizer. Instead, I hooped the backing fabric (face down) with a layer of batting on top and pieced onto that.

This resulted in quilting the layers together as I pieced. You’ll want to use a backing fabric with a busy print to camouflage the stitching.

Think of creative ways to use your designs!