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How to Sew a Fab Fabric Coaster!

by on Nov 13, 2007

From Fat Orange Cat:

Jox at The Knitted Blog requested an appliqued coaster tutorial, and I’m happy to oblige. Keep in mind that I’m completely self-taught, so just because I do it a certain way, that does not necessarily mean it’s the “right” way to do it! But I’ve established a way that works well for me, which I’m happy to share.

I used double stick fusible web to create my applique design. Finished coaster size is 4″x4″.

1. Cut two pieces of 4.5″x4.5″ fabric and one piece of 4.5″x4.5″ batting. Set aside.

2. Draw or trace a pattern or shape in reverse onto the liner of your double stick fusible web.  (First check to see which side of the liner you should draw on by peeling it apart slightly at the corner. You will draw on the side of the liner that’s still attached to the web.)

A pattern has been drawn on a piece of fabric to show where to cut or sew to make something.

3. Peel off and discard the side of the tracing paper that you did not draw on. Stick the remaining side to the wrong side of a piece of fabric (it will not permanently stick until you iron it into place, so reposition as necessary).

A person is showing drawn lines under a piece of paper with hand.

4. Cut the fusible web and the fabric together along the line that you drew.

5. Peel off and discard the remaining side of the tracing paper, ensuring that the web stays stuck to the fabric.

"A Fab Fabric Coaster"

6. Place the shape — web-side down — onto the right side of one of the pre-cut 4.5″x4.5″ pieces of fabric. Reposition as necessary. When you’re happy with the placement, iron it permanently into place by pressing for 10-15 seconds.

The tip of an iron pressing on a blue patch on a brown piece of cloth with tiny white dots.

7. Repeat steps two through six as necessary until you’re done with your applique design.

A light colored owl is on a brown fabric.

8. Stack your three 4.5″x4.5″ pieces: batting on the bottom, one piece of fabric in the middle with the right side facing up, and one piece of fabric on top with the right side facing down. (This picture is set up just to show you which way each piece of fabric should face. When you’re ready to sew the three pieces together, they should be stacked one directly on top of the other and pinned together.)

DIY instructions to sew a fabric coaster.

9. Sew all three pieces together with a .25″ seam allowance, leaving a 1.5″ opening so you can turn the coaster inside-out. Trim the corners as shown.

"Sewing a fabric coaster"

10. Turn the coaster inside-out, ensuring that the layer of batting is on the inside, between the two layers of fabric. Gently push the corners out using a knitting needle or a chopstick. Hand stitch the 1.5″ opening.

A felt coaster with a decorative owl peeking to its right.

11. Put something hot or cold on your new coaster. Repeat step 11 as neccessary.

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