Slow Stitch Mug Rug Workshop.  With Kathy Johnson.  Saturday, March 15, 2025.  12 PM-3 PM.  $95.00.  Includes all materials.  $25.00 deposit holds your space.  Call 203-245-5921 to register.   

What’s a Mug Rug?  

It’s a hand-stitched fabric coaster (6" x 9") designed to hold your favorite mug of tea, coffee, or cocoa—with space for a cookie or two! No sewing machine required—this is all about the meditative art of slow-stitching by hand. 

You’ll work with a selection of fabrics from my stash that contains repurposed clothing, household linens, hand-dyed textiles, and thrift stores and flea markets treasures. Fabric color to choose from include: yellow, blue, purple, green, pink, red, gray, and turquoise—along with rust-dyed and indigo-dyed fabrics, plus plenty of lace and trim to embellish your design. 

In class, we’ll start by arranging fabric pieces on a base layer, and I’ll guide you through several creative ways to use the running stitch to achieve a variety of looks. You’ll start stitching your Mug Rug in class and finish it at home. Before we wrap up, I’ll demonstrate the finishing steps and provide written instructions to take with you—plus a bonus biscotti recipe.   

I’ll also share my techniques for tea-staining and paint-staining fabrics and thread, that can be used for your future creations.

Bring your favorite mug and we’ll enjoy tea and cookies while we stitch together.  

All supplies included. Class kit contains: 2 skeins of white cotton embroidery floss, fabric pieces, 6.5 x 9.5 fabric for the stitching base, 6.5 x 9.5 fabric for the back, needle, and needle threader.  During class you’ll have access to: Scissors, rotary cutter, rulers, additional colors of embroidery floss, fabric marking pens, circle templates, and quilting straight pins.