- random fabric scraps from your cutting table, totaling about 12" square
- 12" square fabric for backing (or 4 different 6" squares)
- 9" square of heavy weight interfacing such as Timtex or Pelon Peltex
- masking tape
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Dear Sewfie,
I can’t bring myself to throw any any scrap of fabric, no matter how small. I’ve even gone through the trash after my kids clean up from a sewing project (shocking but true… they sometimes do clean up), re-claiming even the tiniest swatch that may be “still good for something”. As a result, every work surface in my sewing room is drowning in a sea of scraps… my sewing machine table, my cutting table, the book cases, even my knick-knack shelves… all covered in piles of scraps. What can I do with all of this without throwing them away?
- Scrappy
Dear Scrappy,
This easy, fun project will justify your obsessive frugality AND will make a whole stack of fun little gifts and craft fair fodder!
Table Scraps Coasters
Instructions (makes 4 coasters)
Collect your scraps
Pick different colors and prints. Don’t be afraid of combinations you may think “don’t go together”.
Trim scraps
Using rotary cutter, trim the edges of your scraps. You don’t have to make perfect squares: try uneven strips for that “scrappy” look.
Sew Together
Stitch scraps together until you have an assembly at least 4.25″ x 4.25″ or larger. Press.
Line up template
Make a 4.25″ x 4.25″ template by marking your quilting ruler with masking tape.
Cut to size
Using your taped “window” as a guide, position your template over your fabric. Experiment with different angles. Cut your fabric to a 4.25″ x 4.25″ block by cutting one side, then rotating template 90 degrees. Repeat to cut all four sides. This is your coaster top.
Stitch to interfacing
Cut the heavy weight interfacing into four 4.25″ x 4.25″ blocks. Using a long basting stitch, machine sew coaster top to one square of interfacing using a scant 1/4″ seam.
Self-binding
Cut backing fabric into 5.75″ x 5.75″ squares. Place backing fabric right side down. Position coaster top right side up in the center of one backing square. Pin. Finish by self-binding with mitered corners. Click here for complete illustrated instructions on Self-Binding and How to Make Mitered Corners.
Enjoy!
This Table Scrap Coaster is working hard at a U.S. Army Nanotechnology lab, keeping its owner’s desk dry and looking stylish to boot!
I am always looking for great projects for scraps and these are perfect! I need to make many and leave them all over the house (I am always putting my glasses on scrap paper or tissues, or whatever else I can find lying around…)
Andi,
That is what I was doing too! I thought these fabric ones would soak up the moisture and could always be laundered if necessary. But mostly, I just wanted to make some really tiny quilts. I’m going to make dozens of these for cute little gifts I am sure! Just think, you could even stick them in an envelope and mail them.
Great to hear from you again, Andi!
Very cute! I also save any and all scraps
Very cute! This would be a great project for my teenagers to do too! Easy and creative.
I really like the way you used your quilting ruler as a template. What a neat idea. That is a great way to see what your getting before you actually cut. I am definitely going to try this with some of my blue jean scraps. Thanks.
Hi I Really Like your great tutorials!!!
I Link to you on my Blog,
http://paneamoreecreativita.it/blog/2011/07/raccolta-di-progetti-di-cucito-creativo-per-lestate
Thanks for sharing
Hello! I luv the coasters. However I wish you could post a picture of the back of the coaster for us to see what the back looks like for reference.
Other then that great job!