I’m obsessed with DIY coasters, and I want you to be, too!
DIY coasters are the perfect craft project, in my opinion. They’re small enough that you can make even the most intricate one in less than a day. You can make them using your favorite craft techniques and materials, whether that’s quilling or mosaics or sewing or woodworking. And you can never have too many! There’s always room for one more set of Halloween coasters that come out only in October, or just one more quilted mug rug so you can always have one living on your night stand.
DIY coasters also make great gifts, and since they’re so small they’re not too much trouble to whip up as a housewarming gift or, my personal favorite, a gift for a young adult. Even thrifted, dumpster-dived, or IKEA furniture deserves to be kept nice!
Below, check out my list of favorite DIY coasters that involve sewing. I think that you’re going to find YOUR newest favorite stitched coaster there, too!
Easy Sewn DIY Coasters
These stitched coasters are the simplest to make–perfect for beginning sewists! The tutorial calls for insulated batting, but unless you plan to also use these coasters as hot pads, feel free to substitute any thick batting or even scrap felt.
Four Patch Coasters
Here’s another easy project that any beginning sewist could do. It also involves a nifty little turning trick that is super cool, especially if you’ve never seen it before. Sewing is magic!
Hexie Coasters
If you thought it looked cool to turn the four-patch coaster, then try it with these hexie coasters! These are a little more advanced than the four-patch coasters above, but look at all the extra scraps you can incorporate.
Mini Quilt Block Coaster
I’m very partial to how neatly symmetrical a log cabin quilt block looks as a coaster, but you can turn any mini quilt block into a coaster. If the quilt block won’t look good square, then make a mug rug!
45 rpm Record Coasters
These stitched record coasters are my favorite project to make and give! I love using a novelty print of something the recipient will really like for the label. And the quilting around the record to make the grooves is the niftiest little trick!
Coaster Flowers
These stitched flower coasters remind me of the quilt that my Nanna made in 1970–who needs something understated and sedate when you can have wild and COLOR?!? These would make a fun seasonal coaster set for Spring, or the perfect gift for your favorite maximalist.
Scrappy Coaster Set
You know I love using up my fabric scraps, and this is the scrappiest coaster yet! The piecing is easy enough for a beginner, and it’s a good chance to learn how to quilt with stitch in a ditch. If you’ve got more stash fabric to play with, a matching set of these coasters makes an excellent gift.
Felt Wood Slice Coasters
The tutorial calls for felt, but you could substitute stash fleece, denim, or even quilting cotton with a layer of batting underneath. The important part is the quilting that makes the tree rings, so feel free to have fun with it!
Wool Felt Coasters
If you craft with wool felt, then you know how special it is. Polyester felt really can’t compare in terms of color saturation, heft, drape, and the way it feels against your skin. That being said, of course you can substitute fleece, polyester felt, or any fabric that won’t fray–just remember that the results won’t be quite the same as with wool felt.
Felted Wool Sweater Coasters
I think that everyone else also figured out how awesome wool sweaters are to craft with, because it’s been years since I’ve found 100% wool sweaters in my favorite local thrift store. But if your thrifting experience is more fruitful than mine, give these felted wool sweater coasters a try! Felted wool is quite water repellant on its own, so a single layer plus embellishments is plenty of protection for your coffee table.
Quilted Pumpkin Rag Coasters
Turning fabric is soooo annoying, and that’s why rag coasters are the best! These pumpkins are a cute seasonal coaster that you could keep out from September through November. Then, tuck them away until next fall!
Woven Jeans Seam Coasters
Sewing machines traditionally don’t love to stitch through several layers of denim, so use a sharp jeans needle and go slowly. But when you’re finished, image how thick and sturdy and absorbent your beautiful denim coasters will be!
Stay tuned next week, when I’ll share my favorite coaster projects that use any method BUT sewing!
