Microwave Mug Cozy

This mug cozy is designed to go into the microwave with the mug. This should keep hands from being burned.

There is nothing shiny or metallic in or on the fabric or batting. Ribbons were used instead of any buttons just in case there was a problem with the button in the microwave.

Measure the width around the mug. This measured almost 10 ½ inches. So the length of the fabric will be 11 ½ inches.

Measure the height of the mug. This one measured almost 4 inches. So the fabric will be have a width of 4 ½ inches. I’ll still use the one inch seam allowance, but this will allow a little bit of the mug showing above the fabric.

Use the mug as a template. Trace around the base of the mug onto the batting. (Because this batting will go into the microwave, DO NOT USE any insulated batting. Use only 100% cotton batting.) Cut approximately ½ inch bigger than the traced circle. Cut one for each cozy. (Use two if you feel that you will need the extra batting for heat protection.)

Cut batting to fit the exact measurements of the mug. Do not add seam allowances. This reduces bulk as you sew. For this project, I cut only one rectangular section of batting. If you feel that you need to, cut two for added protection for your hands.

Cut two (inside and outside of the cozy) pieces of rectangular strips of fabric the circumference of the mug by the height of the mug. For the mine, I cut the strips 11 ½ by 4 ½ inches.

*I made two cozies. So if you look closely, you will see 2 each of the batting and 4 each of the fabric sections.

Pin and quilt batting into place onto the wrong side of one of the corresponding fabric pieces. I cut the circles out with seam allowances later in the tutorial.

I did a very simple quilting job, just enough to keep the batting into place. For the rectangular pieces, I quilted three lines. (Top, bottom, and middle of the batting.) For the circles of batting, I quilted an “X” and then around the circle on the traced pattern to keep the batting in place.

Place the quilted pieces onto the corresponding fabric pieces wrong sides together. Pin in place.

Start with the circle batting. Sew three quarters around the circle leaving an opening so it can be turned inside out. Allow 1/8 to ¼ of space between the stitch line and the edge of the batting. This reduces bulk and makes for easier manipulation of the pieces.

For the rectangular section of fabric, sew alone the top and bottom with ¼ of a seam allowance. You should not catch the batting in this stitch. Again, this reduces bulk and allows for easier manipulation of the fabric.

Turn the circle piece inside out. Fold the fabric in the open edge so that it conforms to the circle, press or iron so the fabric stays folded. Tack with glue or pin the fabric into place to complete the circle.

Turn the rectangular piece inside out. Fold ¼ inch under at the opening so that you will have a finished edge after sewing. Do not sew at this time. You will need to add the ribbons first.

Add ribbon at the top and middle of the cozy. You may wish the ribbons to be longer than you think that you might need. You can trim them later. These will tie the cozy closed and keep it wrapped around your mug. Tuck the ribbon between the folded edges at the ends of the cozy. Make sure that you are placing the ribbons at the spot that will be the top and middle. Tack or pin into place.

Sew the ends of the cozy closed with 1/8 inch seam allowance making sure to secure the ribbons in place with the stitching.

Secure the ribbons out of the way so they will not inadvertently get caught and sewn into the wrong places. I used a binding clip and secured the ribbon to the top section of the cozy.

Pin the circular bottom to the cozy wrap section with the outside sections together. Think about what you want to see on the outside of the mug. Then make sure that section of the bottom and the side are facing each other as you sew. Sew into place.

Turn the cozy inside out. Now the fabric sections that you wanted outside should be facing outside. Tie knots on the edge of the ribbons to prevent unraveling. Trim the ribbons now if you wish to do so.

The cozies are now complete. You have a cozy that wraps around the sides and bottom of your mug and prevents your hands from getting burned.

Mug Cozy Tutorial

You will need: Fabric for front and back of cozy; Matching or contrasting thread; Batting (insulated or non-insulated); Buttons; And elastic hair ties.

Start by measuring the width of the cup. Choose the widest part near the middle. I measure my mugs through the handle as that is where the cozy will snuggle the mug. This will give you the length of the fabric. Remember to add seam allowances. Since this craft doesn’t require the cozy to be strong, I only used a quarter inch seam allowance on each side for a total of an extra half inch.

Then measure the height of the mug. This will give you the width of the cozy. Remember to add seam allowances. Again, I only used a quarter of an inch on each side.

Cut your fabric into 2 strips based on your width measurement (plus seam allowance) and the length measurement (plus seam allowance). Cut batting into strips based on width and length measurements without seam allowances. So your fabric will be bigger than the batting.

Place fabric right sides together. Center your batting on the top fabric (this should be the wrong side up) and pin in place. (It doesn’t look like it in the photo, but there is a seam allowance on the other side that doesn’t show.)

Sew lengthwise alone one edge of the batting approximately 1/8 of an inch from the edge of the batting. Trim off excess seam allowance. Trim up to the batting.

Turn the fabric pieces over so they sandwich the batting. The right sides should now be facing out. Fold the bottom fabric over the batting and pin in place. Then fold the top fabric so the folded edge meets the bottom fabric fold. Pin in place.

Sew lengthwise along the edge approximately 1/8 of an inch from the edge to stitch the side closed. I use the quarter inch foot and move the needle so that it sews 1/8 of an inch from the edge.

Now your cozy should be a tube open on both ends.

Fold the edge under ¼ of an inch so you will have a finished edge. Pin in place. Center the elastic band and pin in place. I found it easier to use one center pin to keep the elastic in place and two pins on the sides to keep the band closer to the center spot. Sew approximately 1/8 of an inch from the edge to seal the edge and to secure the elastic band.

Next add the button(s). Place the cozy around the mug and stretch the elastic to a point where it will hold the cozy snugly, but not too tightly. Mark that spot with a pin or marking pencil. Sew a button to that spot. I included a second button for decoration and also so I could use it with another sized mug.

The cozies can be angled on the ends so they fit through the handle better. I thought that the asymmetrical shape of this one would help it fit into the handle and keep it centered on the mug.

Here are the three mug cozies that I created today. The ends on each are different so I can experiment and decide which works better. They make inexpensive gifts. Embellishments and embroidery would personalize each. (I need to save up for an embroidery machine.)

Here is the finished product with the mug.