Quilted Coasters Tutorial by Sedef Imer

I’m always excited for guest posts from the talented Sedef Imer. Check out this adorable quilted coasters tutorial – perfect for gifts or summer entertaining! This tutorial features Sedef’s beautiful new collection, Rhapsody coming out in June from Riley Blake Designs.

Quilted Coasters Tutorial

Hi, it’s Sedef Imer here, from Down Grapevine Lane . I’m delighted to be back as a guest blogger on Amy’s blog today! My sewing mantra is ‘sweetly modern’ so today I will be sharing a free tutorial to make this cute set of coasters that really reflects my sewing style. Happy, floral, and very Zakka!

The fabrics I used are from my new collection called ‘Rhapsody‘ for Riley Blake Designs, and is shipping to stores right now! The cheerful, bright colours of this line was inspired by the bohemian riot of multi-coloured houses in the beautiful Italian villages of Cinque Terre – a place that I visited with my husband many years back and have so many happy memories from.

Here are the materials you will need and the steps to make these sweet coasters. Happy sewing!

MATERIALS (FOR ONE COASTER)

(1) 7″ square print fabric (coaster top)
(2) 3 3/4″ x 7″ print fabric (coaster backing)
(1) 7″ square wadding (batting)

STEPS

1. Sew the two 3 3/4″ x 7″ pieces together along one long edge with a 1/4″ seam, leaving a 2″ unsewn gap in the middle – this is the gap through which we will turn the coaster inside out later on. Press the seam open. Your finished coaster backing piece should measure 7″ square.

2. Print the PDF coaster template and tape to a window (or use a lightbox if you have one). Place the 7″ coaster top fabric on top, right side facing towards you, lining it up with the 7″ square in the template. Using a removable fabric pen trace the leaf vein outline in the centre (no need to trace the outline of the leaf on this piece).

3. Next place the 7″ backing piece from step 1 on top of the template on the window (or light box), wrong side facing towards you, lining it up with the 7″ square in the pattern. Trace the leaf outline on the wrong side of the backing piece.

4. Place the 7″ square of wadding on the table, then place the coaster front on top, right side facing up, and the coaster backing on top of that, wrong side facing up. Pin the three pieces together.

5. Sew along the traced leaf outline all the way around, securing your beginning and end stitches well. Trim off the excess fabric and batting with pinking shears.

6. Turn the coaster inside out through the opening at the back. Using a turning tool or a blunt pointy instrument such as a chopstick push out the edges until you get a nice leaf shape. Hand sew the gap closed with a blind stitch or whip stitch.

7. Top stitch around the perimeter of the coaster. Quilt the coaster by sewing along the leaf vein tracing. I machine quilted using 12wt Aurifil thread in black and going over the veins a couple of times. You can hand quilt also.

And that concludes my quilted coasters tutorial – thank you for joining me today! Please come visit me over on my blog Down Grapevine Lane and you can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram where I share lots more ideas and inspiration. Also check out my new book Zakka Home which is full of sweet patterns similar to this one. Happy sewing!  

Thank you, Sedef!

Sedef’s Rhapsody fabric collection is available on Etsy and from the Fat Quarter Shop (while supplies last).

You can also check out Sedef’s popular past tutorials including this fun Scandi style throw pillow, and Simple Sprocket pincushion tutorial.

I’m also a fan of Sedef’s beautiful Zakka Home book – you can see my review and the project I made with it here.