Ghost Jelly Roll Mug Rug: A Spooky Scrappy Sewing Project
Looking for a fun and quick Halloween sewing project? This Ghost Jelly Roll Mug Rug is the perfect way to use up some of your fabric scraps and add a little spooky cuteness to your sewing room!
I created this adorable ghost using jelly roll strips, batting, and a simple technique that turns everything into a long fabric rope. Then, with a little zigzag stitching, you can shape your ghost into any size you want. Add a couple of felt eyes, and you've got the cutest little mug rug for your favorite Halloween beverage.
This project is beginner-friendly, takes about 30 minutes to make, and is a great way to use up those leftover jelly roll strips you've been saving.
Let's Make It Together!
This project is featured in the very first episode of The Stitch Show, my new weekly live sewing show on YouTube!
Join me Wednesday at 7 PM Central as we sew together, chat about all things creative, and kick off this new weekly sewing adventure.
Supplies You'll Need
One of my favorite things about this project is that you don't need much! You can use fabric scraps from your stash or grab a Halloween-themed jelly roll for a coordinated look.
Jelly roll fabric strips: You'll need approximately 3–5 strips, each 2.5" wide. You can use precut strips or cut your own from fabric scraps. Shop Halloween Jelly Roll Fabric
Batting strips: Use precut jelly roll batting or cut your own scraps into 2.25" wide strips. Shop Precut Jelly Roll Batting
Jelly roll tube maker: A tube maker makes it easy to fold your fabric and batting into a long, neat tube. Shop the Clover Tube Maker
Thread: I used white cotton thread, but choose a color that coordinates with your fabric.
Felt for the eyes: I used black felt to give my ghost its face. Adhesive-backed felt is a convenient option. Shop Adhesive-Backed Craft Felt
Sewing machine: You'll need a machine with a zigzag stitch.
Other tools: Rotary cutter or fabric scissors, iron, and sewing supplies.
Fabric starch: I recommend using starch to help your finished mug rug lay flat. Shop My Favorite Fabric Starch
How to Make Your Ghost Mug Rug
Finished size: Approximately 8" x 6"
You can easily adjust the size of your ghost by continuing to add rows of fabric rope until it reaches your desired size.
Step 1: Prepare your fabric strips
Sew your jelly roll fabric strips together end-to-end to create one long strip. You can use precut jelly roll strips or cut your own 2.5" wide strips from your fabric stash.
Step 2: Add the batting
Place your 2.25" wide batting strip against the wrong side of your fabric strip. Feed the fabric and batting through your jelly roll tube maker to create a folded fabric tube.
Step 3: Sew the tube
Using a longer straight stitch, sew the tube together along the open edge.
Step 4: Start shaping your ghost
Fold the tube approximately 6" from one end. Using a zigzag stitch, sew the two sides of the folded tube together.
I recommend a zigzag stitch length of 3.0 mm and a stitch width of 5.5–6 mm. Backstitch at the beginning and end to secure your stitching.
Step 5: Build your ghost
Trim the long end of the tube to line up with the short end.
Next, position the long tube along one side of the folded section and zigzag the sides together, following the shape of your ghost. Continue wrapping and stitching the tube around the shape, trimming the excess as needed.
Keep adding rows until your ghost is as big as you'd like!
Step 6: Finish the bottom
Trim the bottom of your ghost so it sits level and straight across. Zigzag stitch across the bottom edge to secure the ends.
Step 7: Press and add the face
Give your ghost a light spritz of fabric starch and press with a hot iron to help flatten it and hold its shape.
Cut two eyes from black felt and glue them onto your ghost.
Want to give your ghost a little personality? Add a hair bow, a cute smile, or other embellishments to make it your own!
And that's it! You've made an adorable little Halloween mug rug using scraps from your stash.
Make It Your Own!
The best part of this project is that every ghost can look a little different. Try different Halloween prints, experiment with the size, or add embellishments to create a whole family of spooky little ghosts.
I'd love to see what you make! Share your finished mug rug and tag me on social media so I can see your creations.
And don't forget to join me every Wednesday at 7 PM Central for The Stitch Show, where we'll be sewing, learning, and creating together!
Visit Craft with Bethany for more sewing patterns, tutorials, and creative events.
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