This first set of coasters was my practice set. I had not been using my sewing machine lately and had to get my mind adjusted to how it works best and how it aligns for stitching best.
As you can see from the photo, the top left coaster is sort of raggedy. That's because I did not use any SteamASeam2 to press down the subject. These coasters really need it.
The top right coaster I used the sticky stuff but did not align my machine properly so that the blanket stitching was not where it should be, along the very edge of the subject. The bottom two I improved a bit.
I have to admit to having trouble when I have to use any sticky sheets to adhere fabrics to other fabrics. My mind gets mixed up. I call it my personal elderly dyslexia (though I was lucky and never suffered from any dyslexia in my life before). I also have trouble either pressing the fabrics too much or not enuf. If you press to long, the sticky stuff just seems to melt and you have nothing to stick down your fabrics. I have to wrestle with those things all the time when I use this method when sewing.
But all in all, after hemming and hawing a great deal, I usually can come up with a rather decent finished piece. This set I will keep because there are too many errors, but I will continue to make more gift sets doing it correctly now that it is familiar for now.
Here are the instructions. I did not take photos as I did this so just jotted down the instructions.
I have an acrylic hexagon ruler I use to cut out my hexagons. I draw around my main subject with a pencil and then I cut my center piece out. I measure that center piece 3 1/2" across the even sides and my background fabrics 4 3/4" across.
The backs need to have their rt sides together on top of a flat piece of batting or flannel (you want something flat and not soft and bumpy) and then sew them together. I also cut a slit in one side of the backs (which will hide under the center piece) for turning right side out.
Sew the backings together close to the edge, trim away the excess batting or flannel, and turn thru the slit, using something pointed to even out the corners. Personal note......I never cut off the points. I find that I get smoother and flatter points if they are not chopped off.
Press the backgrounds flat and smooth with the slit on the top so you can place the centerpiece in the middle of the background piece and iron to stick together. I use SteamASeam2 to adhere my centerpieces to the background pieces.
Final thing to do is stitch around the centerpiece. I use the blanket stitch on my machine but a blind hem stitch also works fine.
I have cut out another 2 sets this afternoon but won't sew them til tomorrow.
I made a booboo when I pressed my sticky stuff to the centerpieces. I forgot to put my non-stick sheet over them so I got sticky goo on my iron this morning. Yikes. I had to let it cool down and then using a wet cloth and table salt, I scrubbed the bottom plate on my iron til it was clean again. I find that using salt works very well for removing gunk. It takes a bit of muscle and work, but it cleans nicely.
I hope these instructions are clear. Maybe in the future I will do a photo piece with the instructions for those that need to see something to get the idea.
These are quick and easy and make great gifts for any holiday or anytime during the year.
Enjoy.
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