Another fun tutorial today that's perfect for a quick summer-sewing finish. This guest post is by Stephanie from Swoodson Says where she shares so many creative ideas for a variety of fun sewing projects! These quilt block coasters would make a fun mug rug gift for a friend. It would also be a great way to use up scraps or orphan quilt blocks you might already have laying around!
Hi! I'm Stephanie from Swoodson Says and am happy to be a guest blogger here today! If you love seeing Amy's beautiful quilts but feel intimidated by sewing an entire blanket, I'm sharing a fun and easy project to start with first: quilt block coasters.
I am a novice quilter but I love experimenting and trying new things; this was my first time sewing this type of quilt block, using Amy's easy sawtooth star tutorial. I think coasters are a great, easy way to put practice or orphan blocks to good use! Coasters make a great gift, stocking stuffer, housewarming present, or an easy seasonal decor accent.
Riley Blake Designs generously provided the fabric for the tutorial, from the "I'd Rather Be Glamping" line by Dani Mogstad (available here or here), doesn't it scream summer? I thought about using my easy coaster sewing pattern with it but wanted to feature those cute little campers instead, and a fussy cut in the middle. There are so many different motifs that would look cute in that middle square; I can picture hand embroidery there too! It only took me a night to sew this tutorial so I added it to my 10+ small quilting projects to make in a weekend post.
Ready to make quilt block coasters?
Supplies
- Fat quarter bundle of quilting cotton (or favorite assorted fabric scraps)
- Rotary cutter
- Rotating cutting board (not necessary but useful!)
- Acrylic quilt ruler
- Batting scraps
- Coordinating thread
- Iron
Steps
Step 1
Make the 5" square sawtooth star blocks using the tutorial here on Diary of a Quilter!
Step 2
Lay each block on top of batting and quilt as desired. I just stitched in the ditch along the main lines, forming a #.
Step 3
Square up the blocks, trimming off the batting.
Step 4
Layer the quilt block & backing fabric right sides together and sew all 3 sides, leaving roughly a 2" gap for turning. Clip the corners off without going through the stitching.
Step 5
I like ironing the seam allowance back on the opening, to make it nice and crisp. Then turn it right side out and then poke the corners out gently. Press all seams.
Step 6
Gently tuck the raw edges inside the opening and press, then edge stitch all the way around. Press one more time and you're done! Repeat steps 1-6 until you have as many coasters as you'd like for a set.
You'll have scraps left from the fat quarter bundle; consider using them on one of these 30+ best fabric scrap projects. If you can't get enough coaster projects, check out these other options with 12+ fabric coaster tutorials!
Thanks, Stephanie! Be sure to check out Stephanie's blog for SO many fun sewing-themed ideas!
You can also find Stephanie on Instagram and Facebook.
*this post contains affiliate links
Candace says
I enjoyed the ideas in the "12+coasters" link! Love the new color and shape ideas. I used to have a larges pile of test or orphan blocks, then began turning them into mugrugs or coasters. I use the large orphans for tote bag fronts and backs and get a lot of comments on them. Keep up the great blog and interesting links!
Emily says
I have made a few coasters before but have noticed that the colors bleed when my cup condenses. 🙁 Do you experience the same, or did I just get unlucky? If you experience the same, how do you combat this pickle? These are so darn cute, I'd hate for the colors to run!!