A Simple Coaster Tutorial

 Hey there…I wanted to show you an easy tutorial that would make a great gift out of a charm pack.  

Patchwork Coasters without all the work.

 I started with a Deep in the Heart of Texas charm pack.  I was checking to see if we still had these…it looks like we don’t but you could easily use a Deep in the Heart of Texas Fat Quarter Bundle or any of our other charm packs or precuts.  Just make sure you cut your fabrics to 5″ x 5″ squares.

 You will also need fusible fleece.  

 Separate your charms into 4 stacks of 5 pieces.   

 Cut a 5″ x 5″ square of fusible fleece for each stack.

 Iron your fleece to the wrong side of the fabric piece that you want as the bottom of the coaster.

 Take the other 4 pieces, fold them in half and press.

 Now you want to start “stacking your 4 folded pieces onto the back piece.  You want to lay the pieces down so that half of each strip is showing.  I took several pictures to demonstrate this step, above.

 Repeat the stacking for each stack of 5.

 Sew your pieces together using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Then cut the corners at an angle.

 Now you want to turn your coaster right side out.  Open the center and pull the back through the hole created by the 4 folded pieces.

 Keep pulling the piece through.

 This is what it will look like.

 You want to work your corners out so they are more square.  See that really pretty Classic Crystal Point Turner?  I absolutely adore this tool.  I always used scissors or a pencil and always wound up poking out my corners.  I would recommend that everyone needs one of these.

 Get your corners squared as much as possible and press your coaster.  You are now DONE!  Wasn’t that easy?

 Repeat for the other 3 stacks.  

 I had enough of the charm pack left to go ahead and make 8 coasters.  I have a certain someone in mind who I think will love this coaster set.

Here is the back of the coasters.  Just as cute as the front.

Enjoy the tutorial and I hope you are all having a fantastic day!

Charm Pack Coasters

Hey there!  Well, I have decided to try my hand at offering you a simple tutorial. 

These little cutie coasters are made using 8 pieces of fabric from a charm pack.  Choose 8 squares (if you don’t have a charm pack just cut 5″ x 5″ squares from your choice of fabric) Cut 4 pieces of batting that are 5 1/4″ square Layer your pieces in this order: 2 pieces of your fabric right sides facing together then a piece of batting.  Sew your layers together using a 1/4″ seam.  * I used my walking foot just took keep things from slipping.  Make sure you leave a 2″ opening on one side so you can turn your square right side out. Cut your four corners on an angle..this will help you have a crisper corner. Turn your square right side out. Once you have turned your square you will see that your corners are kind of rounded.  I am not a big fan of that.  I like nice crisp corners so i used the wonderful tool known as the Classic Crystal Point Turner. See how much prettier the corners are now?…I love this tool!  I really am not sure how my life existed without it.  I use it everytime I am turning items.  LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  (ok that was my little woohoo for the day :o) ) Now once you have turned everything you will have a small opening.  Press press press.  Make sure that your opening sides are lined up.  This might take a some negotiations with your iron but you can make it happen. Now you are are ready to sew around your edge to close the opening.  I like to sew as close as possible to the edge so I can make sure to catch all the fabric.  Now is also the time to do any kind of quilting you like.  I like to vary my quilting.  Now you are all done.  You can just throw them on your coffee table or tie a ribbon around them and give them as a great Thank You gift. Let’s Go Sew! Kristin