RJLinkletter

I’m making a couple of mug rugs and am thinking about how I will finish the edges. I don’t really want to bind them as the binding never looks as good on small things and I struggle with the corners being so small.

I was thinking about RST together, stitch and then turn inside out (birthing it?) before quilting but wouldn't this give me thick edges because of the extra batting?

What area your preferred methods for achieving a clean, sleek finish on the edges of smaller pieces?

sewbizgirl

I bind them like a big quilt, but I think 'birthing' and then topstitching can look great too. The bit of batting in the seam only gives you a nice full edge.

Rhonda K

That will leave thick edges. Another option is to place the front and back WST (wrong sides together) and then a satin stitch around the edge. Make a sample first to get the width setting wide enough to cover the edges.

A wave stitch works too if you have a serger.

You can also cut the backing fabric larger than the mug rug. Maybe 2 inches works. Then double fold and stitch down on the front. Easy to miter the borders.

RedGarnet222

Cut away just the extra batting from the seam allowance before you turn it. Just don't cut into the seam. Carefully, with a pair of applique scissors. I have the large six or eight inch ones. You know, the ones with the duck bill on one blade? No extra bulk.

Tartan

If you birth them, trim any extra batt away and after turning, top stitch around the edge 1/4 in from the edge for a nice finish.

bearisgray

Say you were going go make a 6 x 8 mug rug (finished size) - cut the fabrics 6.5 x 8.5 - cut the batting 6 x 8 -

barely catch the batting to one layer - or even baste or glue the batting to one layer - then sew right sides together of the fabrics - and then do the "birthing" method to turn it right side out.

This way, you would have the bulk of the seam allowances, but only one layer of batting at the seam lines.

geevee

When I do the birthing method, I trim the batting right up close to the stitch line and then grade the seam so everything lays as flat as possible, then top stitch. Good luck with yours!

QuiltE

I used to think that a small mug rug was too finicky for doing binding.
Then I looked at it as a good way to practice my binding skills.

After a few ... guess what?
Yup ... it became no big deal to do it ... even complete with a bias join for the binding ends!

SusieQOH

I don't blame you for not wanting to do bindings on small things. I feel that way about anything I put on my kitchen table. In my house they just don't last long enough to be worth all that work.
I would do the birthing method.

juliasb

I like the idea of birthing the mug rugs and topstitching to give a nice finish. I know what you mean about corners on something small when binding a quilt. It can be a bit more tricky.