How to Sew a Quilted Coaster

Make coasters out of colorful fabrics.

Quilted coasters can add a touch of country charm to any room in your house. Make the coasters all from the same fabric for a matched set, or make them from different scraps you have in your fabric stash; they will look unique and special when you get them all out. If you want to get started quilting, making coasters is a great first project because of their small size.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Batting
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Iron

Instructions

1. Cut your fabric to an inch larger than your desired finished coasters. For example, if you want your finished coaster to be 4 inches square, cut your fabric 5 inches square. Make two squares of fabric for each coaster.

2. Cut one piece of batting for each coaster. The batting should be the same size as the fabric squares. In our example, they should be 5 inches square.

3. Lay one square of fabric on the table, right side up. Place a square of batting on top, followed by another square of fabric right side down. Pin the layers together around the edges.

4. Sew around the square using a 1/2-inch seam. Leave an opening at least 6 inches wide along one side of the square. Remove the pins as you get to them so you don't hit them with your needle.

5. Turn the coaster right side out through the opening you left. Carefully poke each corner out completely using the point of your scissors.

6. Fold the open edges of the fabric inside and pin the opening shut. Press the entire coaster; this sharpens the edges so they look crisp and straight.

7. Sew around the edges of the coaster with a 1/4-inch seam. Not only does this close the opening, it helps the edges of the coaster lie flat.

8. Quilt the middle of the coaster. You can do this by sewing a design such as flowers or leaves, sewing straight lines up and down the coaster or sewing a random, curvy quilting design. Each coaster can be the same or different.

9. Trim any loose thread ends.

Tips & Warnings

• Make the two different fabrics on the coaster out of different fabric; when you get bored with one side, use the other.

• If the coasters get dirty, simply toss them in the laundry.

References

• Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts; by Joelle Hoverson and Anna Williams; 2007