Tutorial: Quilted Heart Coaster

Hi! This tutorial for the Quilted Heart Coaster was one I originally shared over at Wally and Grace. I love making coasters… They’re fairly quick projects that are great for using up scraps and for upcycling, and they also make great gifts! Make a couple coasters, buy a pretty mug and add some tea bags (or coffee), and voilà! You have a fun gift.

I also love working with wool-blend felt, so I’m using it here to back these coasters. Felt is great for backing coasters as it is heat resistant so will help to protect your furniture and is a lot less slippery than a plain cotton backing.

Supplies (to make one heart coaster):

1 sheet (9″x12″) of wool-blend felt in colour of choice
scrap fabric for top layer (I used some scraps of upcycled jeans)
scrap fabric to make hearts
thread, scissors, pinking shears, rotary cutter, cutting mat and clear acrylic ruler
Optional: small square Heat’n Bond Lite Iron-on Adhesive (optional but highly recommended)

Need tips for sewing with felt? I have a post HERE that might help!

Finished size is approximately 4.5″ x 5.25″.

Instructions to make heart coaster:

Step 1: Cut out the pieces

Cut from your felt two rectangles 5″ x 5.5″
Cut from your top fabric one rectangle 5″ x 5.5″
If using the Heat ‘n Bond: Fuse the Heat ‘n Bond to the scrap of fabric for the hearts. Draw two small hearts about 1.5″ across on the paper side and then cut the hearts out. If not using the Heat ‘n Bond simply cut the two hearts out of your fabric.

Step 2: Fuse hearts to top fabric

If using Heat ‘n Bond, follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse the hearts to your top layer of fabric, then stitch just inside the hearts. Otherwise simply stitch the hearts to the top fabric. Try to keep the hearts about 1/2″ from each edge.

Step 3: Quilt your coaster

Lay your top fabric right sides up on top the two rectangles of felt. Quilt the three layers however you’d like. I simply did straight lines: using the presser foot of machine as a guide I started by stitching the first line a presser foot width from the top edge of the front fabric and stitching each line the same distance from the line above it. When I got to the heart shapes I did a couple backstitches then lifted the needle and continued on at the other side of the heart. Just remember to backstitch again before continuing on the line.

When I finished the last line, I moved the needle on my machine so that I stitched 1/4″ around the entire edge of the coaster (accounting for any shifting in the fabric). It may be easier if you cut your felt pieces larger than your top fabric and then trim the felt layers down at the end.

Close up of the stitching so you can see I ‘skipped over’ the heart:

Step 4: Trim threads and edges

Trim all loose threads on the front and back. Then using the pinking shears trim close to the outside stitching line. The pinked edges of the top shouldn’t fray much and the felt won’t fray at all.

Step 5: Quilt around the heart

Since I like the drawn look of free motion applique (FMA) I decided to stitch along the inside if the heart. I stitched the lines twice to give it the FMA look. Another idea would be to do some simple quilting around the outside of the hearts either by hand or machine.

And the back:

That’s it! Make yourself a heart coaster then boil up a pot of tea and enjoy. When you’re done, sew up a bunch more coasters for your friends or family!