Saturday, September 6, 2014

Tutorial: Spooky Coasters


Coaster tutorial! Coasters are a great way to use up scraps and left over batting. I like to mix and match the colors and fabrics for interest. Slink along for a spooky sewing good time...

For one coaster, cut two squares of coordinating fabric 5 1/2" square. Also cut a piece of batting 5 1/2" square. I prefer coasters in sets of four. So I chose 4 squares of the pumpkin fabric for the top and 2 orange and 2 black for the bottom of the coasters. I am showing more here as I made a few sets. The batting is sorted into stacks of four.



Place your choice of fabric for the top of the coaster right side up on a single square of batting. Sew it together using various stitches. Have fun! Mix it up. Make sure to sew along all four sides.


Place the bottom fabric choice on top of what you have just sewn. Right sides of fabric touching. Wrong side facing you.


Sew along all four sides, leaving a 2-3" gap. Clip corners without cutting into the seam. This results in sharper, more defined corners when you turn it right side out.


Turn right side out, and poke the corners out. I use a paint brush end for this. You can see on the right where the gap is located. Fold the fabric in, press with an iron and pin it closed.


Sew along all four sides, making sure to close the seam gap.


Continue to sew more lines haphazardly until satisfied. You have just quilted a coaster! Trim all loose threads.


Back and front view of finished product. Really simple sewing project, great for a beginner. These can be done in any colorway for everyday use or specific for holidays. Also they can be thrown in the washing machine and ironed flat again when dry.


Scary easy. Boo.

20 comments:

  1. These are so cute. And you make it look so easy. I bet if I chiseled the layer of dust off our sewing machine and learned how to use it even I could make some of these.

    ~Deb

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    1. You could!!! Just cutting and sewing squares together. With a few passes on each edge to seal the deal. AND it doesn't really require straight stitches. The more imperfect the stitching, the more character they have :-) I hope you bust out the machine one day! New hobbies are fun!

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    2. I might have to raid my mother-in-law's fabric stash some day and putter around. Hubby actually knows how to sew!

      Where do you usually buy material? JoAnn's is the closest craft store to me. There is a Hobby Lobby a little farther away, but we have no Michael's around here. I guess there is always good ol' Walmart.

      ~Deb

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    3. Oh, and another total noob question......are there different thicknesses of batting?

      ~Deb

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    4. I buy my fabric mostly from independent fabric stores, The Fabric Warehouse, here in Lakeland. But I do go to Joann's and Hancock Fabrics on occasion. This fabric came from Hancock's. Hobby Lobby, here, does not have much fabric selection. And I rarely buy it from Wal-Mart. It just feels rough to me. There IS a difference in battings. The amount of fluffiness it has is called "loft." If you want thicker coasters, get high loft. Thin coasters, get low. You can even double the amount of batting. :-D have hubby give you a lesson!!!

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    5. He was just asking me if I wanted him to show me how to get started. LOL! I told him not yet, that we have to go to Rosegirls first. When I told him I can wash and iron the coasters, he said "Oh, you'll have to learn to use an iron too?" DOH!

      ~Deb

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    6. Lol!!!! Blog it!!!! "Deb Learns to Sew... And Iron" I only iron when I am crafting. :-) so jelly!!!! Rosegirls!!!! Cranberry Lodge!!!!!!!!

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  2. Very cute! And you make it look so easy!! :-)

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    1. I promise they really are! :-) they would make a great first time project. Crafty fun!

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  3. You DO make it look so easy! I need a tutorial just to turn on a sewing machine. I am in love with my coasters --thank you again. I can't help but sing "SHE'S CRAFTY, she's just my type" lyrics over and over and over in my head.

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    1. Oh Sunnee!!! What a GReaT Beastie Boys jam. That is what I named my crafting board on Pinterest. "She's Crafty" I am glad you like then. I hope you get some use out of them!

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  4. These are absolutely adorable!!! I am a sucker for anything Halloween though, of course. Your instructions make me feel confident that I could TOTALLY make these but then I remember I can't use a sewing machine =P I always love seeing your crafts!!

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    1. Hahaha!!! Well! Joann's gives lessons :-) I am glad you don't mind my crafty posts. I have been on a crafting kick!

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  5. I agree that you make it look so easy! I could never do anything like this even though it looks relatively simple. And thank you for sharing your talented work with me! I lovd these coasters. ♡♡

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    1. I LOVE that you are using them! <3 Do you have any crafty hobbies?

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  6. I want to look into getting a machine now. Last year I took a beginner's sewing class at a fabric store, I though the hardest part was threading the machine the first time. Once I got the hang of the speed with the dial and foot pedal, it was fun and like meditation, just working with your hands and letting your mind wander.

    I looked at the Fandom in Stitches page, what a great site. I would like to tackle adult Simba some day, very cool.

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    1. Jean, you should! There are some great machines out there. Machine sewing is a skill anyone can learn with practice and familiarity. Like driving a car. What did you make? I learned from classes at our local fabric store too. Best way to learn. I would love for you to try your hand at some of the fandom projects! You can totes, coin purses, pillows, potholders, shirts or anything with those blocks.

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    2. We made pocket tissue pack covers, without being told what we were making. It was a one day intro class, most of the classes are geared towards clothing because of Project Runway, or window treatments, but I think there is a quilting class too.

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    3. I signed up for a class around Halloween and have to bring a few things like the mat and rulers you have. The self healing mat...sounds like something Mrs. Weasley might have invented. :)

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    4. Exciting Jean!! It does sound like something out of Hogwarts Home Ec class. I need a new self healing mat, the spell wore off and it has huge cuts. What are you going to make?

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