National Sewing Circle announced the week 1 challenge several weeks ago. Took me some extra time to get the first project completed, but here it is!! I decided to add these coasters to an Easter gift box we sent to my MIL, so I couldn’t post until she received them. This is gift #3 of my “handmade gifting year”.
Finished Gift!
In this challenge, they showed how to create a set of coasters made out of felt. Here’s the LINK to the week 1 post with the instructions for making this project if you missed it. This was something new to me and not within my comfort zone. It’s good to venture out now and then don’t you think?? The goal of this challenge was to sew round coasters and make them look like slices of fruit by layering different colored sections of felt and then stitching them down. The project could be either stitched down or glued down. I chose to stitch my coasters, however I did use a fusible bonding to hold my slices in place and I’m happy with the results.
Here’s what I did: I started with many different citrusy (is that even a word??) colors of felt that all blended together for a fun mix of shades. Lime green, orange, lemon yellow and tangerine.
I did things exactly as the directions suggested. I cut 3 different size circles and then use the smallest circle to cut into the small pie shaped sections.
Circle Templates
I cut one large circle in one of my colors, a medium size circle in white and then a smaller circle in a color cut into the wedges for the top applique.
Started by tracing the template circle onto the fusible backing. Ironed on the fusible to the felt. Then cut out the circle.
Here’s my fruit sections cut in half, quartered and then in 8th sections. They have fusible backing ironed on so they can be easily ironed on to each white circle of felt.
Here I’ve stitched the fused sections down onto the white medium size circle with a double blanket stitch. Love the hand sewn effect!
Instead of matching the largest circle to the wedge color, I mixed them up for fun. Why not, huh?? I asked the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 members what they thought and the overwhelming consensus was to mix it up! So I did!! Then I stitched each section down to the colored backing circle and Finished!!
Mixed Colors
Monotone Colors
Here’s how I presented the coasters in the Easter Box! In a lovely organza gift bag.
This is what sewing and creating is all about! Taking an idea, and giving it your own twist! Week 1’s challenge was FUN!! Bonus that this was another handmade gift I was able to create and give to brighten someone’s Easter! Hope you give this easy project a try. Thanks National Sewing Circle for the inspiration!!
