Mug Rugs--what's the point?
 

I was making some Mug Rugs for my grandkids and my daughter thought the idea was silly--why not use a plate? I really didn't know what to say other than they are cute. Any thoughts?

I think they are really cute, but since i'm always spilling my coffee, i 'd have to wash them every day. So, i guess i'm with you...darling as they are, probably more trouble than they are worth for me.

Here's a few reasons for them. They're a little more fun than not using them, why not make having a cup of whatever a fun event instead of just having a drink? The mugrug won't break if you drop it. It will soak up spills too. I wash dishes by hand. A mugrug can be tossed in the wash when it needs it.
If you want to make them, go ahead and make them and have fun doing it.
Rodney

I love having my morning coffee while sitting at the computer...which is on a nice wood desk. The mug rug protects the desk from scratches and spills. Plus, it's pretty.

A sewing friend gave me one for Christmas. I like it and have it by my end table to have my coffee in the morning to sit the cup on...

This is probably a pretty obscure reference for most people, but your post reminded me of the dialogue in The Odd Couple (the original movie) when Felix is serving drinks at the poker game and before he will set the drink down, he asks "where is your coaster?" Then he proceeds to tell the guys they have to use their coasters to prevent "little white rings on the table." It was pretty funny!

My DD says the same thing about tabletoppers, and wallhangings. LOL She wants every quilted item to be queen size.

The only thing I have against mug rugs is when people think they're intended to be potholders and get burned. Gives all us homemade quilted potholder makers a bad name ; )

I think mug rugs are cute-- or call them mini-wall hangings, suitable for putting up in a locker or cubicle.

A friend gave me a set of woven mug rugs out of scraps, many years ago and I am down to one left and I really treasure it as every single day I use it and think of her often.

I look at them as oversized coasters. I have a slab of marble on the table near my chair. It's about 5" X 8". I use a variety of mugs and find that this large size landing pad is much easier to use than a 3" circle.

my dh has his a jets one, I have two I rec'd in swaps. I like them, a plate i'd need to wash all the time, and I need something small to cover the area on my wood table when im on the comp.

Micro quilts?

A plate? I have to say, it has never and would never occur to me to use a plate to set a glass or mug on. I know they have teacups with matching plates but I've never used those. I'm a mug girl.

I went to Angie's opening of her new shop. We were having a drink and talking. I opened my mouth and said " we could do with some coasters" reply, "well you know what to do about it"
So next day I made 8 coasters 6 small and 2 larger. After 2 years of a wonderful shop and classes they are still going strong and used by people everyday except Sunday.
I have always had coasters about so have my family. My Niece of 25 uses them my sister in law 44 and my aunts 91.
Even the children look for them . Beer mats I greatly missed in pubs. Bring back good ideas.

A plate surely a saucer is the correct thing. If you have coffee at Weatherspoons they have different size saucers for the different size coffee cups. The middles are the different circle sizes.

I like them to protect my furniture, and because I just like the look of them. We have wall hangings, runners, toppers, they just tie everything else together!!

I think they're adorable, can be personalized, and I don't have to wash it after every used (like I would a plate).

They protect the table surface from spills and heat or condensation. A plate would be slippery and take up more space.

Plus if you get company and have your cup on a mug rug instead of a plate, it won't look like you left your dirty dishes sitting around. I like them to protect, not only against rings on the table but also the heat from a cup can cause damage. I just got a new table for my living room and as soon as the Christmas stuff is made, I'm making some. I'd rather have the mug rugs than coasters because usually the kids eat at the coffee table and I can put both drink and snack on it and save on paper towels or plates. Plus, they are absorbant so if there is a little spill you have something at hand to wipe it up with until you can get something to clean it. Plates, slip on the table and can scratch fine wood. And, yes, they are pretty

Plus with a mug rug you can control what it looks like. A plate or saucer lets you pick a color (to a point) but with a mug rug you can match it perfectly to your or the recipient's decor and switch them out for the seasons.

I have no mug rugs but now i think I will make a few for our own house.

I always used coasters under my mugs, but like mug rugs better. That's a pretty good reason in my book :-)

I made 18 of them for my new neighbors most of who are 80 to 95 years old. Everyone of them was delighted but I said NOT to use them as potholders. They all thought they were very lovely.

Yup, I'm with your daughter. Silly in my book, too, but if it floats your boat, go right ahead. I use a 6" hand carved soapstone disc as a coaster. No quilted placemat, runner, topper, mug rug type doodads here at all. :)

Well, goodness, we make them because we enjoy not only making them but using them! A quick gift to brighten somebody's desk/bedside table, etc.

Why do we make quilts instead of going to a big box store and buying one for a fraction of the cost? It's a creative outlet, an enjoyment to make and to use.

Surely there is something your daughter likes that could be easier? Eating a nice meal instead of going to a fast food place or grabbing a frozen dinner? Pricey bags instead of a tote from the grocery.

Maybe, if you were making them for the grands, she was thinking it's one more thing for her to clean? I can kind of understand that, when you've got little ones and there is always something that needs wiping, scrubbing, etc. But these would not only remind the kids of Grandma and how much you love them, it would keep spots off of things. And they can be tossed in the wash - whether that's the washer with laundry or in the dish pan (which is what I do with pot holders!).

Okay, I think I'd better stop. Luckily, I took my blood pressure pill this morning...

besides, if the user insists on a plate, make it big enough that using the mug rug is still a choice and use them together. have a good holiday one and all....

Amen!:thumbup:

Oh, I thought the same thing at first. But then, thoughout my day, I kept thinking...oh, I could have used a mug rug for that...and my thinking changed. They are so cute to boot. Good tip about warning people that they are not hot pads. Wouldn't it be a dull place if we all liked the same things?

well said.I use them all the time for coffee/tea cups.they brighten up the tables also-kinda like a mini quilt.

Clearly she isn't interested. I don't use mugrugs, but as soon as my mom saw them, she wanted a half dozen. I told her not to worry about coffee spills. I'll just make more and my sister will take anything that is stained to use on her glass patio table. I have one hung up by my computer. They are cute.

I think it is just one more way to enjoy quilting.
peace

Because it's art, your art, and this is what you do. That's why I would make them. A house is so cozy with lots of quilted art works around, and I really like the look. Perhaps the mother was just thinking about how much extra wash she would do because kids tend to mess things up. I wouldn't give mug rugs to her kids, because she doesn't see the point and would probably just put them away. Try something else, such as a quilted can holder to keep pop cold, or little zipped bags for kids to store their "treasure" in -- something like that. Give the mug rugs to the adults to use. And please don't take what she said as an insult, or reason to wonder if you should give them to anyone. She is entitled to her own opinion, and a lot of people don't know how to use quilted products.

I offered to make my sister a quilt, and she was lukewarm about it. Didn't even care what kind I wanted to make. So I made her a nice quilt, and she's falling all over herself thanking me and telling me how beautiful it is. She thought a "quilt" was one of those cheap things you can get at Target. This was her first experience with a "real" quilt. It was so fun to watch!

Nobody I know wants them. I make my own quilts to suit my taste. I don't like tote bags, either. I prefer hands free so a backpack works better. Potholders are usually more welcome.

I like them because they add some color to my desk. I also like to change them frequently for different seasons or holidays (or whatever). We also have coasters that are wood, tile, stone and glass which my husband prefers. I prefer the fabric because I am usually drinking something cold and it absorbs the condensation.

Is there a specific size for mug rugs? Thanks.


Anita

I made my grandmother a double sided quilted tablecloth (one side is fall the other is Winter ) for her dining room table. I made it in darker colors so that any spills would never show but she still makes my grandfather use a mug rug under his coffee cup at the table so there is no risk of it getting stained ! So my son made my grandfather a new mug rug for Christmas in brown fabrics so it will hide coffee stains better ! ( he pieced mom quilted )
[ATTACH=CONFIG]452940[/ATTACH]

I love making mug rugs. I enjoy using them too. I gave one to my husband tonight and he was really glad to get it as there is glass on the table where he sits his coffee cup. He is a little messy so this keeps the glass clean and I can just toss it in the washer when dirty.

It's a personal choice just as some people use paper napkins and other prefer cloth napkins. I use a mug rug at my desk every single day. It catches drips, protects my desk, and makes me smile when I think of the time I spent making it.

They are fun and another 'excuse' to make something quilted. Actually I don't need an excuse-I really enjoy making little quilts. Sometimes I make them (or potholders) just to have something on hand to give away. They aren't any more silly than tissue box covers, little boxes or lots of other things. They are just fun and are practical. They also give you an excuse to practice your FMQ skills. Keep making them and let the cups rest where they may.

I love mug rugs! I have a bit different use for them. I sew on vintage machines, some are in beautiful wood cabinets. I am worried about laying pins, scissors, stiletto, etc on the wood as I sew. So I use a mug rug as a pad to lay these tools on to avoid scratching the wood. I have several mug rugs so I can pick one to match (or brighten) my mood s I sew!