This year, I am making many gifts for my family and friends, beginning with these coasters. While directions for these have appeared elsewhere, this method may be a little different.
The ingredients are simple: 6 charms squares (all the same size) and one piece of batting (sized 1/2" smaller). Note: the batting used should be cotton or wool.
Insul-Bright (a heat-sensitive batting made by
The Warm Company and is recommended for use in potholders) can be substituted for the square of batting. Click
here for more information on
Insul-Bright.
For this coaster I used 6" squares: two of the snowman holiday print, three of the holiday lights print and one of muslin. I cut one square of thin cotton batting that measures 5 1/2" square. Note: the 6" squares can each be different coordinating prints or solids, including the muslin square. This results with a scrappier looking coaster.
First step is to iron four of the squares in half on the diagonal -- two of one print and two of the other.
The next step is to make a quilt sandwich with the muslin on the bottom (it will disappear into the interior of the coaster when complete). Center the batting square on the muslin, and the final square on top with its right side facing up.
Note: if using a print fabric in place of the muslin, layer it face down so
that the wrong side will touch the batting. This square ends up inside the coaster, barely seen.
Second note: the top print of this
sandwich will end up being the bottom side of the coaster.
The next step is the mildly intricate one ...
Using the four triangles, place them around the four corners of the quilt-sandwich, alternating fabrics (if making a scrappy variation, arrange the triangles in any order that pleases). Tuck one
skinny corner of each triangle under its neighboring triangle. While I tucked under all the
left corners, it can be either the left or the right corners, as long as the same corner is consistently tucked under the neighboring triangles.
Pin carefully.
Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance around all four sides. Be sure to remove the pins rather than to sew over them. Warning: weird and hazardous things can happen to your machine if you get used to stitching over pins ... such as pins getting mysteriously stuck inside the feed dogs, or worse. No need to ask me how I know this....
After sewing all four sides, trim the corners to reduce the bulk in the coaster's edges.
Be careful not to snip into your stitching accidentally!
This next step is the magic one -- simply flip the coaster inside out, starting by holding the folded triangular sides. Use a chopstick to poke the corners out, shaping them as squarely as possible.
I like to add a single top-stitch 1/4" (or so) around the seamed edge (as seen on the left coaster below) for added stability to the coaster - especially if your seam allowances are skimpy or if you clipped the corners a bit too much.
This step is optional as the coaster on the right shows it is a completed coaster at this stage.
Final note: the batting layer is optional and can be eliminated. The resulting coaster will be thinner, though.
This is the collection of coasters I have made so far ... I like to gift them in sets of four, but have also given them in pairs or individually. The individual coasters are great for co-workers to use under their coffee mugs at their desk or work cubicle.
Pre-cut charm packs are great for making these coasters too. They are smaller in size, but still plenty big enough for a coaster. This project is a simple one and an excellent stash buster.
The coasters I made with the 6" fabric squares are great for larger coffee mugs yet they are not quite large enough to be mug rugs. They can be used in many ways besides as a coaster, too. My sister-in-law grabbed them to use as little potholders and another friend keeps one in the car to wipe-up windshield condensation. What other uses can you think of?
If you have any questions, I am happy to help answer them.
Be sure to share a photo if you make any coasters, too.
I love reading your comments!
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