Hexagon Coasters in Photo Instructions......

 I made a couple sets of hexagon Xmas coasters for gifts.  This time I took photos along the way.  Here are the instructions.

Supplies Needed:

Fabric with subjects you can cut out and fit inside 3 1/2" hexagon.

Background fabric to suit

Batting or flannel for sturdiness

Adhesive fusible to glue the subject to the background bits.

Hexagon ruler that cuts different sizes for ease in making the patterns

A Pencil for tracing

Teflon ironing sheet to keep from gumming up your iron when you press

Here are the two sets of coasters I made while photographing the process.

Here is the hexagon ruler I used.  I place it over the subject I want to cut out.

Measure the subject from flat edge to flat edge and draw the hexagon around it.

See the pencil lines.  Now cut out the subject just a bit outside the drawn lines.  You want to leave a bit of fabric that you can cut off when you have the fusible in place so you get a smoother edge.  Set these aside for later.

You need to do the same for the background edges but this time you need to place your fabrics right sides together before you draw the lines and then you cut out again, just outside the drawn lines.  You will need batting or flannel inside these coasters for body.  You do not want anything fluffy.  You want something smooth and flat.

Cut a slit in the top one about 2 inches long for turning your piece after its sewn. Layer your fabrics on top of a larger bit of batting or flannel.

Sew along the drawn lines all around thru all 3 pieces, the 2 fabrics and 1 batting/or flannel piece.. 

Cut around the pieces trimming away the excess batting/flannel.

Turn your piece right side out thru the slit you made earlier.

Using a point turner of some kind push the fabric out smoothly and get into those points.  I do not trim the points away before hand like many do.  I find that I get smoother points without taking that step.

Press the background flat and smooth so the slit is no longer showing.  You want a smooth surface on which to place your main subject fabric. The main subject fabric will cover the slit.

The next step is doing the fusibles.  I used SteamASeam 2 for this project.  Whatever fusible you use, be sure to read the instructions on how to do it.  I placed my cutouts on the sticky side of my fusible and pressed with my fingers to just hold it in place.

Use a Teflon sheet for this next step or you could ruin your ironing board and your iron.  Press with your iron on the Teflon sheet over the subject pieces onto the fusible for about 3 seconds, just enough to get it to stick.  You can see some of the sticky stuff on the Teflon sheet.  Its easily removed from the Teflon, but not from your ironing board or iron.

Should you get any gummy residue on your iron, you can clean it off after it cools using a wet rag and table salt.  Just pour salt on the rag and rub it over and over the iron's plate until its cleaned off.  The salt is abrasive enough to remove the gummy residue.

Now you can cut out your main subject directly on the drawn lines to get a smooth edge.

Use the point of a common pin or needle to scratch a strip on the fusible from about an inch inside the edge to the edge.

Just lift one edge and then pull the fusible gently away from the back of your subject fabric.  It will be a bit sticky.

Align your main fabric on the background piece and center it, then press it down a bit with your fingers.

When its aligned how you want it, again using your Teflon sheet, press the top piece onto the background piece for about 10 seconds to adhere nicely.

To keep your main subject piece from falling off, you need to stitch it down.  Use whatever suits you.  I used a blanket stitch but you can use a blind hem stitch or even a decorative stitch of your choosing.

Here are my finished sets of coasters.  The top coasters I stitched with a blanket stitch set with a 3 length.  The bottom coasters are set with a 4 length.  You can adjust your stitches any way you like.  Its your project.

I just pressed them when I was done and they are ready for gifts for others.

I hope these instructions are clear and you have a good time making these little gifts for any time during the year and for any Holiday.  They are cute and simple to make.

Enjoy.

If you do not have any fusibles handy, you can do the same with a little tweaking.

When you draw your main subject, make sure you cut about a quarter inch beyond the drawn lines.  When it comes to setting the subject on your background, you can just press under the quarter inch of excess by turning it under on the drawn lines and pressing with your iron to give you a smooth sewing edge.  Center it where you want it.  Pin in place and stitch in place.  You can use your machine or you can do it by hand.  A blanket stitch by hand with embroidery floss is always nice.

Sometimes it feels good to just do some hand stitching while watching TV or waiting in the Doctor's office for your appointment or while waiting for your kids after dance class or sports.

Whatever pleases you, just enjoy the process.