Stars, Stripes, and Snacks | New HeatnBond Products

Greetings, friends! It’s Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs, and I’m excited to welcome you back to the Therm O Web blog with a brand-new patriotic project that’s perfect for celebrating Independence Day—especially this milestone year as America marks its 250th birthday! If you love adding a handmade touch to your holiday gatherings, this Stars, Stripes, and Snacks Mug Rug tutorial is a fun and festive way to get into the red, white, and blue spirit. Best of all, there’s plenty of time to gather your supplies and create one (or several!) before the 4th of July festivities begin.

This project is not only a celebration of Americana style, but also a great opportunity to play with some fantastic new Therm O Web products that make the process smoother and more enjoyable. I’ll be using Bliss 100% Cotton Batting for a soft, high-quality finish, along with HeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Single-Sided Fusible Interfacing to give durable structure where it counts. PeelnStick Basting Tape Double-Sided Adhesive helps hold everything neatly in place during assembly, while HeatnBond Lite Quilter’s Edge Iron-On Adhesive Tape makes creating crisp, clean edges a breeze. These inventive supplies come together to take the guesswork out of construction so you can focus on the creative fun.

One of my favorite things about this snack mat is how perfectly it lends itself to using fabric scraps—those treasured bits and pieces we all hold onto! You can keep your strip widths uniform for a classic look or mix it up with varying sizes for a more playful, patchwork feel. The included PDF pattern even provides three different star template sizes, making it easy to customize your design. Whether you’re stitching for a backyard barbecue, a picnic, or a festive display, this project is a charming, functional way to celebrate the season in true patriotic style.

So let’s get creative! Gather your materials and follow along as I show you how to incorporate these new, innovative Therm O Web products. From prepping your layers with ease to achieving a polished, professional  finish, each product plays a role in simplifying the process while elevating your results—making it enjoyable whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned maker.

What you need:

• Bliss 100% Cotton Batting

• 1 — 11” W x 7 ½” H

• HeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Single-Sided Fusible Interfacing

• 1 — 10 ½” W x 7” H

• PeelnStick Basting Tape Double-Sided Adhesive 1/8 in
• HeatnBond Lite Quilter's Edge Iron-On Adhesive Tape, 1/4 in
• HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheet or HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive
• Cotton Fabric — Scraps/Various Strips of Red, White and Blue

(Model uses Branded by Sweetwater for Moda)

• • 8 — 7” x 2” Strips (or a Variety of Strip Sizes to cover Batting)
  • 1 —  10 ½” W x 7” H (Backing)
  • Various scraps 3” to 5” Squares for Star Appliqués

• ½” Rick Rack in a Coordinating Color

        (Model uses ½” Hand-Dyed Rick Rack from Lady Dot Creates)

• • 1 Yard

• Oliso Iron
• Basic Tools (sewing machine, cutting mat, rotary cutter, small sharp scissors, pencil, needle and thread)
• Wonder Clips
• Seam Roller

How to Make One Snack Mat

Finished Size: 10½” W x 7” H (with rick rack)

1. Download and print the Stars, Stripes and Snacks PDF.

Stars, Stripes and Snacks – A Project for the Therm O Web Blog

• • Print at actual size – do NOT “fit to page” or “shrink to fit.”
  • Print page 1 on regular printer paper.
  • Print page 2 on a sheet of HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheet or print on regular printer paper and trace the template(s) onto HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive.

2. Prepare appliqué stars. Choose the number of stars and sizes for your snack mat. Apply HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive to the back of the squares/scraps of fabric chosen for the star appliqués.

• • Print the star templates on a sheet of HeatnBond Lite EZ-Print Iron-On Adhesive Sheet or print on regular printer paper and trace desired template(s) on HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive with a pencil.
  • Pre-heat the iron to medium heat, no steam.
  • Place the printed/traced star template on the wrong side of the fabric (printed paper, smooth side should be face up).
  • Place and hold the iron on the paper for 2-3 seconds.
  • Allow it to cool.
  • Cut or trim the star(s) along the printed/traced line to create the star shape(s). Leave paper in place until ready to fuse in place.

3. Prepare backing fabric. Center and applyHeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Single-Sided Fusible Interfacingto the back of the cotton fabric selected for the backing of the snack mat. This interfacing will provide soft stability to your snack mat.

• • Pre-heat iron to cotton/high heat setting, no steam.
  • Use a non-stick pressing sheet to protect iron and ironing surface from accidental fusing.
  • Place interfacing on the wrong side of lining fabric, fusible side down. Cover with a light, dry press cloth. Press and hold iron in place with medium pressure for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat by lifting iron to a new area and pressing, slightly overlapping previous area until the entire surface is bonded.
  • Allow the fused piece to cool completely. If more ironing is needed, press an additional 5 seconds from the front of the project. Allow pieces to cool completely before sewing.

4. Piece the fabric strips for the top of the snack mat.

• • Place two fabric strips, right sides together (RST), on the left side edge of the 11” W x 7 ½” H piece of Bliss Batting.
  • Sew a ¼” seam down the right side of the fabric strips.
  • Flip the top strip to the right and press. A seam roller makes quick work of this step.
  • Place the next strip on top, RST, lining up the right side edges.
  • Sew a ¼” seam down the right side of the fabric strips.
  • Flip the top strip to the right and press.
  • Continue adding strips until the entire batting piece is covered.
    

5. Apply appliqué star(s). Determine star layout, keeping in mind the bating strip unit will be trimmed to 10 ½” W x 7” H. Fuse the star(s) in place.

• • Preheat iron to medium heat, no steam.
  • Remove paper backing from the star shape(s).
  • Place the star(s), adhesive side down, on the top of the batting strip unit.
  • Press and hold iron for 6-8 seconds on each star shape until fully bonded.
  • Allow it to cool.

Use your favorite appliqué stitch to sew the star(s) in place. The model used a Blanket Stitch.

6. Trim the combined batting unit to 10 ½” W x 7” H.

7. Apply the rick rack using PeelnStick Basting Tape. This will hold the rick rack in place for final construction of the snack mat and make sure it stays lined up properly.

• • Apply tape along the edge of the combined batting unit, firmly pressing the tape to the surface.
  • Tear end of tape by hand or cut with non-stick scissors.
  • To remove paper liner, lift fabric from your work surface. Grip fabric just in front of one end of the tape. Use your opposite thumb to gently roll the paper liner away from the side to separate it from the adhesive. NOTE: Pulling liner straight up from the end may cause the entire tape strip to lift off the surface.
  • Press the rick rack in place, lining up the edge of the rick rack with the edge of the combined batting unit.
  • For easiest application, apply the rick rack to the top and the bottom of the combined batting unit first, then apply to each side.

8. Assemble the snack mat.

• • Place the combined batting unit and the backing unit right sides together and line up all raw edges. Pin or clip in place.
  • Stitch around the perimeter with a ¼” seam allowance, leaving an opening for turning.
  • Clip corners.
  • Turn right side out, push out corners, and press.

9. Close the opening left for turning with help from HeatnBond Lite Quilter's Edge Iron-On Adhesive Tape. This tape provides a quick, easy way to hold the opening closed for stitching–giving a crisp, professional edge.

• • Iron the seam allowance, making sure the edges of the opening line up.
  • Preheat iron to medium heat, NO steam.
  • Cut a piece of HeatnBond Lite Quilter’s Edge slightly smaller than the opening.
  • Place adhesive in the opening, covering the seam allowance, leaving the paper on one side.
  • Place and hold iron over the opening with medium pressure for 6-8 seconds. Allow to cool.
  • Peel off paper liner.
  • Place and hold iron with medium pressure for 6-8 seconds over the opening until bonded.
  • Hand stitch the opening closed or top stitch around the entire snack mat using a machine. For the models, I hand stitched the opening closed.

I hope this snack mat tutorial has inspired you to dive into your fabric stash and create something festive and meaningful for your 4th of July celebrations. Whether you’re sewing for a backyard barbecue, a picnic in the park, or a cozy family gathering, this project is a beautiful way to showcase your creativity while honoring America’s 250th in handmade style. It’s amazing what a few simple materials—and the right supplies—can come together to create!

I also hope you discovered something new along the way, whether it’s working with these cutting-edge Therm O Web products or trying out fresh techniques to make your sewing process easier and more enjoyable. Don’t be afraid to experiment, mix and match your scraps, and truly make this project your own. Happy crafting, and here’s to a star-spangled celebration filled with creativity, color, and fun!

Thank you so much for joining me today on the Therm O Web blog for my newest project tutorial. For more creative inspiration, visit my blog, website, or Instagram—and be sure to tag me with your finished projects. Until next time, happy sewing!