I've noticed that most of the mug rugs I see on here are rectangle shaped. Just wondering why is that- because coasters are a perfect square---always. I know that we quilters are rebels at heart and feel the need to shake things up a bit lol but why rectangle btw I want to make some....soon.

they are big enough for a mug and a small plate too :D:D:D

And a spoon too!

Mine holds a rice cake and a cup of coffee. :D

I think you could make them any shape but...

it's easier to bind the rectangles?
fits on someones desk easier?
1/2 design and 1/2 more usable for goodies?
good for orphan blocks?

Just a few thoughts, lol

you can make them any size, have fun

I think they're cute, but won't they get stained?

Probably but so do placemats but we still make and use them. Mug rugs are usually made out of scraps and quick to make so I don't think I would let a stain upset me too much. Spray with a pre treater and wash and use until too badly stained then make some more. LOL

As long as there's room to set a mug------chose your shape.

Last Christmas a bunch of us made stocking shaped mug rugs.

Oxy-clean helps. But they are meant for coffee and tea and chocolate. Stains are part of their life.

I use Scotchgard on all my tablerunners and placemats (I'm not saying DH is sloppy or anything...) but it helps keep the stains from setting.

Stains add character! Sorta like wrinkles and lines on the face. LOL

And the real point of mug rugs is......?

Honestly, I don't have one but that's partly cause I can't imagine why I'd want one more thing to keep track of, wash, pry from grandbaby hands, etc. However, they seem so darn popular, I'm beginning to wonder if there's something wrong with me. Any ideas? Am I just a fuddy-duddy?

Naw, you aren't a fuddy-duddy..... For me it is all the nick nacks that everybody feels I need.... .I HATE to dust and nick nacks are always dusty..... Mug Rugs/Snack Mats are fun to make, use up scraps of fabric, don't take as much time as quilts/table runners/placemats and are great gifts....

I love them but still haven't made one!!

They also protect your table top when drinking a hot cup of tea of coffee.

I think they are so cute but I haven't made any. Around here we are addicted to the Thirsty Stone coasters and have them everywhere.

I've made a bunch, but I don't use one myself. I have a hard enough time keeping track of my coffee cup.

IMO, regardless of whether the gift recipient uses his/hers or not, they are nice gifts. Something from your hand that did not take months to complete.

When visiting my sister in law over the weekend I noticed that she was using hers underneath a plant on her counter. Works for me--at least it's not sitting in a drawer somewhere. I made them for gifts for our family (women) gift exchange this year.

Rectangle shape is for your mug AND a little snack (donut, coffee cake, cookies, etc).

I think they are a fad,but they are fun and quick to make,and help protect your surfaces,,notice I said YOUR surfaces...After 5 kids and 10 grandkids mine are beyond that stage.

use a drop of Dawn dish soap. gets almost all stains out. love the stuff

1st off thank you everyone for all the replys. Why didn't I think of that - room for a treat too. Of course! And I will admit I thought they were silly too- then my hubby bought me a new computer desk at walmart which is the fake wood stuff. and every time my glass sweats I noticed that it wanted to bubble up on the "wood" so I am going to make a ton of them and then i won't have to worry about that and they will catch the crumbs for my morning donut (bad bad bad ) And if they get stained I'll toss them in my furniture pile. I have a pile of old quilt squares that didn't make the final cut and I use them to put under customer's furniture when I have refinished their hardwood floors! Now that's upcycling!