Currently Stitching: Folded Coasters

If you're looking for a start to finish, do it in one afternoon type of project, this is the one! These folded coasters are so quick and satisfying to put together. They're another way to bring fabric and sewing into your home, other than quilting. They make wonderful gifts and can be a great way to use scraps! Read about how to make them below! 

I attempted to make some quilt and turn coasters in a previous episode and I was not thrilled with their outcome. I did learn a lot about how not to make a coaster, which was helpful in its own way. The nice thing about the coasters we're making today is how approachable and versatile they are. They're good for any sewing level or occasion. So let's get started! 

Materials you'll need for this project: 

80/20 batting - cut into 4 3/4 inch squares. Feel free to use leftovers from quilt trimmings. You could also use all cotton batting. 

5 inch fabric squares - I used a charm pack from my stash. You could work from your scraps, cut down yardage, pre-cuts, or whatever you like!

5 inch muslin or neutral fabric squares - You could also use scrap fabric, or less expensive fabric you're not as attached to. You will not see this fabric once you've turned the coasters inside out. Throughout this blog post, I will refer to these cuts of fabric as "no show" fabric. 

To make one coaster you need:

   1 x square of batting cut to 4 3/4 

   5 x squares of show fabric cut into 5 inch squares 

      (4 of these will become the folded coaster, and one will be for the backing).

   1 x square of muslin or "no show" fabric cut into a 5 inch square. 

To make two, double everything. To make 4, multiple the requirements by 4. And so on!

I like to make sets of four at a time. It means I'm using the most of my charm pack instead of adding to my scrap pile. And I like that to have a stack of matching coasters. I also prefer to sell coasters in a pack of four. If you like a more eclectic look, or live a minimalist lifestyle, feel free to make one at a time.

I have not tried to make these with anything other than quilters cotton, batting and muslin. But I'm sure you could use cork, linen, or whatever else inspires you. Just make sure you're using the best needle and thread for longevity and safety of your machine and project (and you of course). Another note before we get started: these are NOT microwave safe and are NOT meant to be used as hot pads.

Here is pile of my prepped fabrics and batting. At the most basic level, we're making a mini quilt sandwich! To get the braided look, we'll need to head over to the iron to prep our fabric. Take the 4 coordinating fabrics you want to use for folds, or braid. Fold each one in half and press them.

Make sure you're muslin or now show fabric, along with the fifth show fabric, are pressed flat so there's no wrinkles. You may wish to press your batting but ensure you read the instructions because it might melt if the heat is too high.

Now head back to your machine to make the sandwich. Using the folded and pressed show fabrics we're going to intertwine them like so:

Make sure you put the fold towards the center!! The raw edges should all be pointing to the outside of your square. 

Once you've gotten the order and display you want, it's time to build your layers. First the folded fabric. Then the layer of backing that will ultimately be visible (it's the base of your coaster). Then add your layer of batting. And top it with the square of no show fabric. It can feel kind of weird when you're laying it out like this, but please make sure the backing fabric is on the inside, touching the folded show fabrics. 

diagram and labelled pictures.

Now it's time to sew. Take your mini quilt sandwich, or soon to be coster, and move it under your needle. I recommend using a pretty strict quarter inch seam for this. If you're over, it doesn't look or lay right. If you're under some of the fabric pulls out at the corners. 

I like to start in the middle of one side, just above where two fabrics meet.

Sew all the way down one side. Once you reach the corner, lift your foot and turn the fabric. Then sew down the next side. I do this until you've gone all the way around the square, back to where you first started. For additional sturdiness, I like to sew around the square, in the same path, a second time. 

Cut your strings and remove your project from the sewing machine. Now is the only time someone is going to tell you to cut corners! Trim away the points from the four corners of your coaster. Make sure you don't cut too close and clip your thread and seams.

At this point I like to hit the iron again and make sure everything is laying flat. Then it's time to turn the coaster inside out! 

Reach into the center fold of the folded fabrics and start turning them out until the no show layer is hidden and the backing is visible. I like to go back with a turning tool and make sure my corners are all the way turned out. I also make sure the folds of show fabric are all flattened and there's no bunching. Then I visit the iron again and give it one final press.

And there you have it! Folded coasters!

Let me know how yours turn out!