31 Days of Handmade Christmas Gifts: Day 18 - Coasters

I have a confession to make - today's Handmade Christmas Gift is taken from Martha Stewart's website for an idea, BUT  I didn't agree with her directions too much.  So I am going to give you a tutorial on what I think is the best way to do this today.  On top of that, Martha didn't have pictures for the steps to making these.

To make a set of four coasters you will need:

• 8 pieces of 4 1/2" X 4 1/2" material
• 4 pieces of 4" X 4" batting
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• ScissorsAfter cutting the pieces, stack two pieces of material with the right sides together and a piece of the batting on one side (on the wrong side of the material.)  Pin it in the center to hold the batting in place.

Sew around three sides of the coaster 1/4" away from the edge.  You will catch most of the batting, but don't worry if you don't catch all edges.  You just want the batting to stay put and not have too much on the edges, or it will add bulk to the coasters.

Clip all the corners.

Turn the coasters to the right sides out.  Push out the corners with a chopstick to make the corners square.  Also, turn the open edge in 1/4", putting one side over the batting.  Press.

Sew, starting with the open edge, less than a 1/4" away from the edge, around all four sides.  Be sure to sew a straight line and back stitch when you start.  When you get to the corner, stop with the needle down and turn the piece to make a sharp corner stitch.

Before you get to the end of the final side, stop 1/4" away from next side stitching.  Turn the corner and sew around the square lining up the edge of the stitching to the edge of the sewing maching foot.  (This is usually 1/4" away). 

Keep going around and around until you get to the center.

 Hopefully you can see this on the picture, but it starts to look quilted.

When you get to the center, back stitch to end your stitching.

Here's the set - cute, huh?

Tie with a ribbon or a piece of twine to present as a gift.  These would make a wonderful hostess gift!

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