Easy Fabric Coasters are fun and easy sewing project that makes a lovely handmade gift.
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Happy Fall! I absolutely LOVE this season. I love everything about it ... well .... except the fact that it leads to winter, but everything else is lovely this time of year. The trees are gorgeous. The weather is just a bit chilly. You can finally bring out the sweaters and boots and wool blankets. There's something about this season that is just so ... cozy.
We are going minimal on the fall decor around our house this year, but we did make a couple changes. We're going with a neutral palette inside and out with lots of black, white, and grey. One way I attempted to up the cozy factor in our home was with some wool blankets, flannel throw pillows, and these easy DIY Fabric Coasters.
They are the perfect for your hot apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, or hot chocolate. They also help soften up your coffee table, side table, or wherever else you decide to throw 'em. They really do add that comfy, fall-into-winter feeling to your home ... in just a very slight way.
Now... I know you may be thinking that flannel as coasters doesn't seem like a great idea. Hello stains, right?!?
However, the good news is that they're easily washable (and dry-able). Also, they're reversible, so just flip 'em over for a quick fix! They're also beyond easy to make and can help use up any scrap fabric (or old flannel shirts???) you have lying around.
Before we get to the project, I want to mention a really cool organization called The Sewing Machine Project. They not only have classes and offer free mending but also donating thousands of sewing machines all over the world to help people. It just reminds me that there are so many ways to make the world a better place!
Fabric Coaster Supplies
Here's what you'll need for each coaster:
- Two 5" squares of flannel
- One 5" square of felt (this will be hidden on the inside, so color doesn't matter!)
- Sewing machine and coordinating or contrasting thread - your choice!
- Scissors
- An iron (ideally)
How to Make Fabric Coasters
For the full tutorial on how to make cloth coasters which you can easily print out, scroll down to the bottom of this post.
Here's how to make your own Flannel Coasters:
- Cut your three squares (two of the flannel, one of the felt)
- Stack these three squares on top of one another IN THIS ORDER from bottom up:
- Felt
- One piece of flannel FACE UP (right side up ... if your fabric has a 'right' side)
- And finally, the second piece of flannel FACE DOWN.
- Pin your fabric sandwich in place and begin sewing around the edges with a ~¼" seam allowance. One one side of the square, you'll want to leave a gap to allow you to flip the coaster right side out. I suggest leaving about 2 ½" in the middle of one side (not on a corner). The white dashes in the picture above are highlighting where you should sew. Be sure to backstitch both ends of your gap.
- Next, trim any excess fabric from around your seam. When you're trimming, however, try to leave more fabric around the gap ... since you'll be tucking this inside and top stitching to close gap.
- One more tip when trimming ... leave the flannel fabric around the gap (like I just described above), but trim the felt down as shown (so the gap doesn't get bulky when you top stitch it closed).
- Next, we'll be flipping the coasters right-side-out. To do this, open up the coaster at the gap ... between the two flannel pieces.
- Flip it right side out!
- If you flipped correctly, the felt should be tucked inside and there should be a little extra fabric at the gap.
- Tuck that extra fabric into the gap as shown and iron in place.
- To finish (and to close that gap), simply top stitch around the coaster on all four sides. Here's where you can choose a contrasting thread color for fun.
That's it! Each fabric coaster only takes a couple minutes. I like that they don't look 'perfect' when they're done. They're just a little shabby chic, cozy comfort on my coffee table!
Don't they just make you want to sip hot apple cider by the fireplace while reading a good book?!?
PS - If you enjoy sewing tutorials, don't miss this Anthropologie Inspired DIY Oven Mitt tutorial.
More Fall DIY Crafts
We have loads of fun Fall projects and crafts. Here are some of our most popular ones:
from left to right
- Easy 5 Minute Fall Wreath
- Pumpkin Garland Cricut Project
- Easy Pumpkin Tealights
- Autumn Bucket List Printable
DIY Flannel Coasters
This sewing project is perfect for adding a little Fall charm to your home!
Materials
- Two 5" squares of flannel
- One 5" square of felt (this will be hidden on the inside, so color doesn't matter!)
Tools
- Sewing machine and coordinating or contrasting thread - your choice!
- Scissors
- An iron (ideally)
Instructions
- Cut your three squares (two of the flannel, one of the felt)
- Stack these three squares on top of one another IN THIS ORDER from bottom up:
- Pin your fabric sandwich in place and begin sewing around the edges with a ~¼" seam allowance.
- One one side of the square, you'll want to leave a gap to allow you to flip the coaster right side out. I suggest leaving about 2 ½" in the middle of one side (not on a corner). The white dashes in the picture above are highlighting where you should sew.
- Be sure to backstitch both ends of your gap.
- Next, trim any excess fabric from around your seam. When you're trimming, however, try to leave more fabric around the gap ... since you'll be tucking this inside and top stitching to close gap.
- One more tip when trimming ... leave the flannel fabric around the gap (like I just described above), but trim the felt down as shown (so the gap doesn't get bulky when you top stitch it closed).
- Next, we'll be flipping the coasters right-side-out. To do this, open up the coaster at the gap ... between the two flannel pieces.
- Flip it right side out!
- If you flipped correctly, the felt should be tucked inside and there should be a little extra fabric at the gap.
- Tuck that extra fabric into the gap as shown and iron in place.
- To finish (and to close that gap), simply top stitch around the coaster on all four sides. Here's where you can choose a contrasting thread color for fun.
Notes
More DIY Project Ideas:
Pamela Smith says
These are great! and so simple! I think I will make a few and then wrap them up cute for Christmas gifts. Thanks for the great idea!
Adrienne says
Oh my these are adorable! I know I've got flannel just sitting in my fabric bin. I probably even have felt, too. I think I'll get some of these made for gifts. Thanks for sharing such a cute craft! ~Adrienne
Addi Ganley says
These are so cute and seem very easy for a novice sewer.
I even have flannels of my husbands that he does not wear anymore that I can use as fabric. Thank you for this post.
gail says
wow Katie, I love everything flannel. I hate to sew, but even I could whip these up! I seriously love how these coasters turned out.
pinning!
gail
Kate says
These are beautiful - I love the black and white plaid!!
Kim says
Awesome! I'm sharing these in tomorrow's fall post, and I'll link to your post, of course. Thank you! 🙂
Pat says
To get a nice square corner, stop stitching just before turning the corner, and instead of making a 90° turn, take one or two small stitches diagonally across the corner. Repeat at each corner. Since sewing is an "inside-out" job, what we see on the outside is opposite to what we see on the inside. When turned right side out, the diagonals show up as nice, square corners.
Banana says
These are so FABULOUS!
Do you make these for sale...like on ebay or Etsy?
Also, is there a "no sew" version?
Ang Paris says
Thanks for your note! There is not a no sew tutorial at this time.
Cindy says
I would suggest sewing down the center or corner to corner when they are right side out. Otherwise the felt will bunch up when you wash them.
jv austen says
These are great! In making coasters in the past I find that Foamies Foam Sheets work better inside than felt in high humidity areas. The foam keeps the condensation from cold drinks from soaking through.
Ang Paris says
What a great tip, thanks!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Can they go through the wash ok?
Ang Paris says
Hi Vanessa! You know, I haven't tried putting them through the wash. I hand wash them and hang to dry.
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie says
Love this idea for Fall! I wonder if you could add a few drops of pumpkin spice or cinnamon essential oils to the felt? A warm cup of tea would smell nice!
Holly says
Could you use fusible fleece? I have that on hand so I thought I would try that:)
Ang Paris says
We've not tried that before so I'm not sure. Let us know how it turns out if you decide to make them that way!