30-Minute Gift: Simply Colorful Coasters

 
 

Are you ready for a quick and easy gift idea? I'm Amy DeCesare from  Pennsylvania, and I'm so happy to be the newest chef here at Moda Bake Shop! My blog is called Amy Made That!...by eamylove and I hope you'll pop on over to visit me there. {You're welcome to stop by any time!}

Today I'll show you how to make a charming set of coasters to give as cute and practical gifts. These little sweeties stitch up quickly! Once you've gathered your materials, you can make a set in about 30 minutes. They would make an excellent project for a beginner or even a child.{I've been sewing for years, and I can't stop making these. The design possibilities are unlimited!}

1/3 yard Bella Solid fabric {I chose Gray}
(8) squares from a Moda Charm Pack OR (8) 3" squares from a Moda Layer Cake {I chose a Simply Color Layer Cake}
1/4 yard fusible interfacing, such as Pellon 987F


Matching thread
Iron and ironing surface
Pinking shears



Cutting:

First you will need to select your prints.
I chose to use the blue and green colorways from my layer cake.
{You could make all 8 coasters the same, or all different to coordinate.}

From solid fabric, cut background and backing pieces:
Cut (2) strips 5” x WOF
Cut each 5” strip into (8) 5” squares, for a total of (16) 5" squares.

From the charm pack or layer cake, select (8) prints, and cut each into a 3” square.

Cut (8) 3” squares.
Cut one strip 5” x WOF: Cut into (8) 5” squares.

Fuse the Pellon 987F as follows, using manufacturer’s directions:

Fuse one 3” square to the back of each charm print, for a total of 8 coaster centers.
Fuse one 5” square to the back of each of (8) of the solid  5” squares, for a total of 8 background squares.

{The remaining (8) solid 5” squares will not have Pellon 987F fleece fused to them.}

Center one of the 3” squares on one of the background pieces which have been fused with the 987F fleece. Pin the 3” square into place.

Using a straight stitch, take a few stitches very close to the edge of the charm square.

Switch to a zigzag stitch (or another decorative stitch) and sew around all 4 sides of the charm square.  When you arrive at the starting point, change back to a straight stitch and backstitch to secure the stitches.

Now layer your finished square on top of a bottom solid square. {Your coaster will not require any turning, so place the squares just as they will appear when the project it finished.} Using a straight stitch, sew ¼” all around the outside edge of the coaster, through all layers.  Backstitch at the end to lock the stitching.

Repeat these steps to assemble the remaining coasters.

To finish, use pinking shears to trim near the stitching on all four sides.

Look how cute and cushy they are, all stacked up...

Or all fanned out! Which one will you choose?

Use a beautiful ribbon or a fabric strip to tie your coaster set for a pretty presentation.  I used pinking shears to cut a ribbon of Bella Solid 1" x WOF.

 8 colorful and fun coasters

Don't forget to make a set for yourself! And speaking of gifts....head on over to my blog Amy Made That!...by eamylove for a chance to win my latest giveaway!

Amy DeCesare
{eamylove.blogspot.com}