Monday, November 28, 2011

HOTH Day 1: Fussy Cut Quilted Coasters with Gwenny Penny

Welcome to Day 1 of Haul Out the Holly!!! If you thought last year's event was fun, this year promises to be even bigger and better. The next three weeks will be filled with fabulous Christmas tutorials from fifteen different bloggers. Stay tuned... you won't want to miss the awesome projects coming up!

Let's get started! I'm kicking off the series today with a set of fussy cut quilted coasters...


Last Christmas I bought this Alexander Henry "Merry Main Street" fabric...


It's very busy, and I couldn't figure out what to do with it, so I didn't make anything with it last year. I dug it out a few weeks ago and decided that if I fussy cut some of the scenes I could use them to make some cute Christmas coasters (another item that has been on my to-do list for a while). That's how I ended up making these...


There are a lot of great Christmas fabrics that lend themselves to fussy cutting. I just bought some fabric with an adorable vintage Santa print that would be great for this project. I also decided that these would make really cute quilt squares, too, so that may be in the works, but definitely not probably not until next year :) These coasters would be a great addition to your Christmas decor or a great gift for someone on your list this year. Want to put together a set of your own? Here's the how-to...

Materials (to make four coasters):
  • main fabric (enough to cut four 3.5" squares of the motifs that you want)
  • border fabric (1 fat quarter or 4 charm squares)
  • backing fabric (1 fat quarter or 4 charm squares)
  • binding fabric (1 fat quarter)
  • batting (1/4 yd)
  • coordinating thread
  • safety pins
  • rotary cutter or scissors
  • ruler
  • fabric marking pen or pencil
Instructions:

Step 1: Start by fussy cutting your motifs from your main fabric. Decide which areas of the fabric you want to cut for the centers of your coasters. I cut mine 3.5" square, but you may need to make them larger or smaller depending on the fabric print that you choose (note: doing so will require you to alter the border fabric dimensions). Cut four of these squares, one for each coaster...


Step 2: Next, cut your border fabric. I used a charm square (5"), so all I did was cut it into four 1.25" strips...


I then trimmed two of the strips down to 3.5" long and left the other two 5" long.


You'll need to do this for each of your four coasters.

Step 3: Lay out one of your main fabric squares and one set of your border strips like so...


Flip the two 3.5" long border strips over onto the main fabric square, lining up the raw edges. Your fabrics should be right sides together. Pin in place...


Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance...


Press seams open, and lay out like so...


Flip the two 5" long border strips over onto the main fabric square, lining up the raw edges. Your fabrics should be right sides together. Pin in place...


Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance...


Press seams open...

See what I mean… wouldn't a bunch of these make an adorable Christmas quilt?

Repeat Step 3 for all four coasters.

Step 4: Time to put your layers together. I cut my batting to 5" square because I was using charm squares (5”) for the back of my coasters. Lay your fabric like so: backing right side down, batting, then your pieced square from Step 3 right side up on top...


Use a couple of safety pins to pin your layers together so they won't shift around when you start quilting...


Repeat for all four coasters.

Step 5: Time to quilt, and don't be afraid if you've never quilted before because these are small and easy to handle. First, stitch in the ditch... right in the seam where your fussy cut square meets your border fabric. Stitch all the way around your main fabric square. I used a bit longer stitch length (3) and a walking foot, but if you don't have one, just use your standard presser foot. Next, stitch a square 1/4" outside of your first quilting stitches all the way around your main fabric square...


Repeat for all four coasters.

Step 6: Next you’ll make the binding for your coasters. I took my binding fabric fat quarter and cut it into 2.25" x 22” strips. In order to make a continuous strip of binding, lay one strip vertically right side up and one on top of it at a 90 degree angle to it right side down

IMG_9253
It’s important that the ends of your strips are square. Pin in place, and draw a line from one outside corner where the two fabrics meet to the other outside corner where they meet…


Sew along the line you just drew. Trim the corner to 1/4” from the seam…

IMG_9255
Continue doing this until all of your strips are sewn together. Press the seams to one side. Fold the entire strip in half lengthwise and press. Your binding is ready.

Step 7: I'm going to refer you to the binding tutorial over at Crazy Mom Quilts. There are tons of binding tutorials out there (you can even find one that I did in my Out to Eat Place Mat tutorial), but I recently started using this method, and I really like the results. I'm going to share a few tips for adapting it to this project. Start at the bottom right corner of your coaster. Leaving a 6" tail of fabric, start pinning your binding to your coaster, lining up the raw edges of the binding with the raw edges of the coaster. Place a pin at the corner 1/4" from the edge of the coaster...

Do as I say, not as I do :) This picture doesn't truly show 3/4"... notice that the final binding fabric is different ;)
If you don't want to break out the seam ripper, stick with 3/4". 
Sew 1/4" from the right edge of your coaster, starting 3/4" up from the bottom. Believe me, you do not want to start sewing any further than 3/4” up from the bottom, or you will run into problems later when you try to join your tails together. Stop sewing when you reach your marking pin (1/4" before the edge). Leaving your needle down, rotate your coaster 90 degrees counterclockwise. Backstitch to the edge of the coaster...


That backstitching step is what I really like about the Crazy Mom Quilts tutorial. You need to be pretty precise with your 1/4 inches, though. Follow the binding tutorial, paying special attention to properly folding your corners. Once you get back around to the right side where you started, only stitch down 3/4” from the top edge. Cut the tail to 5”. Then you will have two tails of binding that need to be sewn together…

Gwenny_Penny_Fussy_Cut_Quilted_Coasters_23
Take your two tails and fold them back so that the two folded edges meet in the middle along the edge of the coaster…

IMG_9246
Press the folded ends really well.

IMG_9244
Unfold the ends and use your pencil to mark the fold lines on both tails. Fold your entire coaster in half and pin it, leaving the tails hanging out. Pin the tails right sides together, matching up the fold lines…


Sew along the fold lines that you matched up/marked. There isn't a whole lot of room to play here, so it's a little tricky (that's why that 3/4" was so important). Just take your time. Trim the seam back to 1/4”.

IMG_9251
Press the seam open. Refold your binding in half lengthwise and pin along the right edge of the coaster…

IMG_9252
Finish sewing the binding down along the right side of the coaster 1/4” from the edge. Repeat for all four coasters.

Step 8: Finally, you'll need to bring the folded edge of the binding around to the back of the coasters. You'll need to decide whether you are going to finish by hand or machine. I went the machine route (if you stop by here regularly, you know I have very little patience for hand-sewing :) Continue following the Crazy Mom Quilts binding tutorial, or follow my tutorial (Step 13... My tutorial uses bias tape, but it's the same idea.)


All done!

Gwenny_Penny_Fussy_Cut_Quilted_Christmas_Coasters_2_TXT
We were away for Thanksgiving, so I’m getting out my Christmas decorations today. I can’t wait! These coasters will be finding a home on my coffee table for the next five weeks, although I’m sure my girls will be toting them all over the house :)

Thanks so much for joining me for Day 1 of Haul Out the Holly. I can’t wait for you to see all of the projects that will be shared over the next three weeks. Come back tomorrow for another fun Christmas tutorial!

Haul_Out_the_Holly_2011_Button
Gwen_New_Signature


Click HERE to see more Haul Out the Holly 2011 tutorials!


I'm linking up...
Made by You Mondays on Skip to my Lou
{Sew} Modern Monday on Canoe Ridge Creations
Fabric Tuesday on Quilt Story

33 comments:

Amanda said...

These are lovely! I've been wondering what on earth fussy cuts are, now I know, thanks for sharing!

Debbie said...

I can't think of a better use for that fabric - these are so darling!!

SewLindaAnn said...

That is a beautifully done tutorial Gwen!

Fowl Single File said...

I often shy away from "busy" fabric but this is a perfect idea for it! Highlighting the different scenes makes the fabric even cuter!

Lee said...

How perfect! thanks for sharing - I have been looking forward to HOTH! :)

Amy at Ameroonie Designs said...

I love the scenes you chose, Gwen. I think they highlight the fabric beautifully! This is a great project for setting the holiday mood! Looking forward to the coming weeks.
xoxo,
Amy

Heather D. said...

Thanks for this tute. I love the fussy cuts! It makes something very wonderful and focal out of a very busy fabric. Wonderful.

PinkGranny said...

What cute coasters!!!! Great gift ideas.

Maureen Cracknell Handmade said...

Gwen!! I love them!!!

Caroline @ Artfully Caroline said...

Those are super adorable and perfect for the holidays ! Thanks for the inspiration

Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road said...

Love the fabrics you chose Gwen. Great job!!

Unknown said...

Definitely a great way to use those pretty yet busy fabrics. And I totally see the quilt... It'll be awesome!

What a lovely way to kick start this event. Looking forward to tomorrow's post!

Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane said...

Gwen these are adorable and I love the fabric! SO cute!

Go-Go Kim said...

Those are super CUTE!

Catskill Quilter said...

Very cute project! Thanks for the excellent tutorial!

Amy @ Increasingly Domestic said...

These are so cute! Great tutorial too:)

chris said...

These are absolutely adorable. I love the gray to set off the festive design. Your stitching and binding look perfect.

Jess@craftiness is not optional said...

I adore these! That fabric was just begging to become coasters. Perfect!

regan said...

These coaster are fantastic....I love that polkadot binding....Perfect! Thanks for the inspiration.

Hele said...

how funny and festive!!!

i love them

Carla said...

Love that center fabric! It really gives a very festive feel to the coasters.

jmday said...

OMG! So cute! And what a great idea to fussy cut a busy fabric. Now I know what to do with a few that I have. Thanks!!!! (ps... LOVE the polka dotted binding)

Jill said...

My goodness I LOVE that fabric and a great idea for how to use it! Where did you find the fabric?

malia said...

OMG
I am flipping out over the cuteness!

Tasha said...

In LOVE with these Gwen. Love love love. I want to make some for me :)

Unknown said...

I have been looking for that Alexander Henry "Merry Main Street" fabric for a year now. I have to find some somewhere!!! Cute coasters.

Megan said...

So fun and festive! LOVE! :) Thanks for linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday and have a great week!

KJ@letsgoflyakite said...

Oh, I love the word fussy cut and this is a perfect project for this print (which is so fun!). Great project and very festive!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for a great tutorial. I love your idea..will have to try to make something similar. :)

Margaret said...

Brilliant. I also bought this fabric last year and have been mulling ideas in my head for months. This is perfect and so simple. Why didn't I think of it?!

jan said...

I picked up that fabric at Joann's a couple of weeks ago! What an inspired idea!

TRICIA3 said...

I just loved these= What a neat idea. Thank you for the idea and pattern. Tricia

Miss Mike said...

Oh how I LOVE your idea! I bought this fabric too and have not done anything with it. I just couldn't think of anything worthy to showcase it properly. These are adorable! I'm going to make some for last minute gifts.

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts with Thumbnails