Christmas, Quilting Projects

How to Make Christmas Snack Mats with Fabric Panels

Finished quilted Christmas snack mat featuring a hedgehog panel and cutlery pocket, styled with holiday décor on a table runner in the background.

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LET’S GET AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH THESE ADORABLE CHRISTMAS SNACK MATS!

When I think of Christmas snack mats, I immediately conjure up visions of hot chocolate and cookies.  Just me?  I don’t think so.  Just thinking about it makes me feel comfy-cozy and ready for winter.

This year, why not add a little bit of homemade fun to your treats?  You can make these cute Christmas snack mats (or mug rugs, if you prefer), just the perfect size for a cup of steaming cocoa and a sweet treat.  Make them for yourself, or use them as fun gifts!

 

 

Supplies for Christmas Snack Mats

As with most sewing projects, you can make this as easy or complex as you like!  Here are the basic supplies you’ll need:

  • Fabric – you can use Christmas prints, colours or panels, plus extra for the backing and binding
  • Quilt batting – I will be using my favourite Insul-Brite, perfect for those hot mugs and warmed plates

 

 

You’ll also need:

  • Rotary cutter and mat or scissors
  • Quilting Ruler
  • Sewing Machine

 

Remember, keeping all your sewing and quilting supplies together in a Portable Sewing Room can help make this project even faster!

 

You can see how I put together my own Christmas Snack Mat in my YouTube video and take some inspiration for your own.

 

And remember to SUBSCRIBE to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL – you don’t want to miss any of the projects I have coming up!

 

Continue reading below to get the step-by-step instructions.  Note – all these instructions will be based on my own project, using panels that measure approximately 10 inches square.  You may need to adjust your own measurements based on the panels you choose.

 

Christmas snack mat made with a hedgehog fabric panel and pocket for cutlery, with text overlay that reads “Christmas Snack Mats: Easy Sewing Project with Panels”

 

Instructions for Christmas Snack Mats

Using the panels as guides, I started by cutting out 10-inch squares.  The panels are approximately 8 inches, and I left a 1-inch padding around all sides.  Next, I cut one strip of coordinating fabric measuring 10 inches long by 5 inches wide and a second strip measuring 6″ x 5″.  I also cut a small strip 5 inches wide by 2 inches high for the trim on the side pocket. I chose to use a jelly roll strip for my binding, so no cutting is necessary there.  You can mix and match the fabrics you use, but here is a picture of my fabric after cutting:

Christmas owl panel surrounded by coordinating green and snowflake fabric strips, laid out on a cutting mat for a snack mat project
Start with a fun holiday panel and build your Christmas snack mat with coordinating strips in festive prints.

 

The first step is to fold the 2-inch strip in half lengthwise with the right sides out.  Stitch this across one end of the 6-inch strip, as shown below.

Close-up of green and snowflake fabric strips pressed open on a wool pressing mat, part of a Christmas snack mat in progress
Adding the folded strip of fabric with raw edges together will give you a nice finish to the cutlery pocket.

 

Next, layer the two 5-inch wide pieces with the shorter piece on top.  Line them up from the bottom.  Finally, place the two shorter pieces with right sides down on the left of the panel and stitch, as shown in the image below.

Sewing festive Christmas fabrics together on a sewing machine to create a quilted snack mat, using winter-themed prints and greens
Take a look at how the layers fit together in these images.

 

Once you have the top of your mat assembled, cut your batting.  You can trim it to approximately 1 to 2 inches larger than the top layer.  Then cut your backing fabric, which should be roughly the same size as the batting.  Carefully pin or clip all three layers together and quilt your snack mat.  Because of the small size of this project, you don’t need to do much in the way of quilting unless you want to!  I’ve chosen to do some very simple quilting, following some of the straight lines formed by the pattern.

 

FABRIC + NOTIONS FOR EVERY PROJECT

From charm packs and jelly rolls to rulers and thread, Fat Quarter Shop is packed with everything a quilter or sewist could need. It’s one of my first stops when planning a project.

 

Now it’s time to add your binding and finish as desired.  I used two strips of a jelly roll to make my binding, as it’s what I had on hand, but you could use anything you like.  Once your binding is finished, your Christmas snack mat is done and ready to use!

 

Close-up of owl-themed Christmas fabric panel laid out on a cutting mat, with text overlay reading “Festive Snack Mats Tutorial – Use a Panel!”

 

This little Christmas snack mat is super cute and so quick and easy to put together.  Just think of everyone you know that might like one!  After all, handmade gifts are so welcome and special.  Of course, there’s nothing wrong with keeping one (or six …) for yourself.

 

 

For more fun projects for the kitchen, you might like:

 

 

 


 

Want to remember this?  Save these “How to Make Christmas Snack Mats with Fabric Panels” to your favourite Pinterest boards!

 

Quilted Christmas snack mat made with a hedgehog panel and pocket for cutlery, with text overlay that reads “Easy Christmas Snack Mats – Use a Panel!”

 

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Hi, I’m Tanya! I’m all about Quilting Made Simple – beginner-friendly block tutorials, easy projects and timeless patterns, all designed with beginner quilters in mind.

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