12 Projects of Christmas: December, Coasters

I’m so pleased with this project. This is the first time ever I have decided to do a little something every month and actually followed through. And look at how great this stack of gifts looks! 

 

For December I have a very quick and easy project. I made a set of 4 coasters using dies and supplies I already have in my studio. My studio is remarkably well supplied, though. 

 

Here's the stocking Jen made plus all the gifts.

Dies and Materials

Dies used:

Materials:

  • 4 coasters
  • Fabric - ¼ yard
  • Cork - 6” x 24”
  • Fusible fleece - 6” x 24”
  • Fusible webbing - 6” x 24”
  • Green felt - 10” square
  • Red felt - 2” x 8”
  • Glue stick for fastening wool

 

Supplies together and ready to GO!

I work with a lot of wool felt in my studio, but I think craft felt will work just as well. 

I backed my coaster with cork fabric, which has found its way into my studio and I don’t know why. 

I stitched my coasters with some pretty copper metallic thread. I don’t use it often, because it is hard to work with, but it was lovely for these little pieces. I’m more likely to break out the fancy thread with small projects - it limits my frustration levels. 

Getting Started

1. Start by prepping your fabric. Press it nice and flat, maybe with a spritz of spray statch like Starch Savvy.

2. Cut a 6” x 24” strip of background fabric. Back it with fusible interfacing following manufacturer instructions. 

3. Back your cork or backing fabric with fusible fleece, following manufacturer instructions. My cork shrinks a bit when ironed, so be gentle with the iron. 

4. Attach the front fabric and cork/fleece combo together, fusing thoroughly. 

Prepping the materials.

5. Rough cut your prepared fabric into 6" squares. Place squares onto the 5" circle on the GO! Circles-2", 3", 5" die. Cover with a mat and run through your cutter, cutting one circle at a time.

TIP: Use your 6" x 6" cutting mat since you are only cutting the 5" circle!

Prepare Your Appliqué Shapes

For this project, I used the holly leaves and berries on the GO! Holiday Medley die.

1. Cut 8 - 2 1/2" x 4" rectangles of green felt.

2. Cut 4 - 1" x 2" rectangles of red felt.

3. Place over the shapes on the die and cut 8 leaves and 12 berries.

All ready to appliqué.
Apply a small amount of glue to the back of a leaf and position on your coaster.
Don't get too close to the edge! Repeat with remaining leaves and berries.
Stitch the shapes down using a straight stitch on your sewing machine.
My assistant and I stitched veins onto my leaves to give them a little more interest before stitching around the outside of each leaf and berry.
Do one final round of stitches around the outer edge and you are done. If you don’t like raw edges, you can use a decorative stitch on your machine to finish them off. I don’t mind the raw edges.
Just like that, four holiday-ready coasters.

Enjoy your holidays! I hope you enjoyed our little monthly projects, and if you followed along, please share a photo and tag me on social media! I’m @jenstrauser on Instagram and Dizzy Quilter on Facebook