How To Make Fabric Coasters With Crocheted Edging

Coasters are wonderful to have at home and at the office not only to catch the condensation dripping out of cold glasses, but also as part of the decor. There are many types of coasters sold nowadays, the most popular being the plastic ones but I like to make my own fabric coasters which I embellish with crochet edgings. Crocheted coasters are also very pretty but they take more time to complete.

Fabric Coaster with Crocheted Edging

I made dozens of these fabric coasters with crocheted edgings as a part of Teacher’s Day appreciation gifts last May.  This is one of those rare instances when my poor neglected Janone sewing machine gets to work.

Now, the most important thing is, of course, the fabric.  I like to use colourful fabrics and then let my recipient choose their favourite designs/colours.  Here are 2 cotton fabrics that I have cut myself.

Cut fabric into squares, according to desired size

I prefer to use cotton fabrics for this because cotton absorbs water very well.  Pre-cut moda charm packs are most convenient, if you have them.  Saves you the time doing all the cutting.

Fabric for the upper and down sides

I like to use dark colours for the down part to hide any stains that will surely accumulate with time.  But it’s just as nice to use patterned fabric for both sides – you’ll get 2 designs in 1 coaster.

Right sides facing

Align both fabrics together, right sides facing, and stitch.  Hand stitching also works fine.  In my case, even though I’m terrible at using the sewing machine, hand stitching would not produce better results… and sewing machine gives faster results.  I can make dozens coasters in an hour using sewing machine.

Leave some space unstitched for turning the fabric

I left a bit of space unstitched for turning the fabric inside out.  I didn’t adjust the tension of the sewing machine, so it looks quite tight.  But I don’t mind at all – that’s why I don’t quilt, I can’t follow the rules!  😀 The long extra threads are for the purpose of hand stitching the opening later.

Turn the stitched fabric right side out

I made a few more coasters using pre-cut Moda Charm Packs such as Hubba Hubba, Color Me Happy and another that I can’t recall its name.  Aren’t they pretty?  I really adore these charm packs even though I don’t quilt.  I bought mine at Ebay Malaysia (cheaper postage, but less choice).

More coasters using fabric from Moda Charm Packs of various designs

After all openings are stitched, the coasters are ironed.  The purpose of ironing is to even out the sides of the coasters, so it’ll be easier to stitch later on.  During crocheting, they’ll get crumpled again…

Hand stitch the opening using the leftover machine thread

After all gaps are properly stitched and ironed, I would do a blanket stitch around the fabric coaster.  For my coasters, I make sure that there are 12 spaces on each side, it really depend on the edging designs that I want to crochet.  The spaces are smallest at the corners.  Here is a video on how to do blanket stitch.  And here’s my blanket stitch – I’m so proud of myself, it’s embarassing! :>

I’m going to crochet 3 SC into each space created in between 2 blanket stitches

Then, the crocheting begins.  Just click on the respective links for tutorials on how to do a Slip Stitch (SS), a Single Crochet (SC), and a Double Crochet (DC).  Beginning with 3 single crochet (SC) in each space, all around the coaster, starting from here.

3 SC in each space beginning from the 1st space after the corner space

Another coaster that has SC all around.

SC all around

Next, *make a slip stitch on the first SC, skip 2 SC, and make 5 double crochet (DC) on the next SC, skip 2 SC, slip stitch on the next SC.  Do this until you reach the 3rd SC from the corner.  SC on the 3rd SC from the corner, skip 2 SC, make 7 DC on the next SC, skip 2 SC **.    Repeat from * till ** 3 times, and slip stitch on the first SC.  Confused???

This is where the DC begins

This is the finished piece, the mug is empty because I’m fasting now. 😀

Coaster & Mug

I apologise in advance for any inconsistencies, errors, etc.  I think this is my first crochet tutorial ever, I really hope it’s understandable.  If you have any question, correction or suggestion, please drop me a line in the comment box below.

Thank you for reading & happy crafting!