How to make Christmas patchwork coasters

Use up your fabric scraps to make this charming patchwork coaster set designed by Jess Entwistle

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Jessica Entwistle

Published: September 20, 2021 at 2:57 pm

If you’re hosting guests for Christmas, make sure they have somewhere to rest their mulled wine with a set of festive coasters from Jess Entwistle.

These only need a small amount of fabric, so can be whipped up from leftovers from larger Christmas makes or using some fat quarters. Make sure you opt for dark colours in case any wine or coffee gets spilled on them!

They make a thoughtful stocking filler – make a set of four and tie with ribbon for a last-minute gift. If you're looking for more last-minute gift ideas, check out our quick gifts to sew picks for lots of great ideas.

This Christmas patchwork coaster pattern was created by Jess Entwistle for Simply Sewing magazine. Simply Sewing is a practical magazine for anyone who sews, or wants to start. It's packed with patterns to sew and lots of expert tips and advice.

Looking for more Christmas craft inspiration? Explore our crochet Christmas decorations and free Christmas knitting patterns, plus learn how to make a Christmas stocking step by step.

If you're new to sewing, check out our guides for beginners to pick up lots of tips and techniques. Take a look at our sewing for beginners, how to use a sewing machine, best sewing machines for beginners and sewing kits for beginners guides to help you get started.

Read on to learn how to make your own Christmas patchwork coasters…

Notes

The fabric used is from the Christmas Past collection by Lori Rudolph for Cloud9 Fabrics: 227087 Winter Wreaths, 227090 Snowfall and 227092 Baubles and Branches. For stockists visit: www.cloud9fabrics.com
HST and QST in the instructions stand for half square triangles and quarter square triangles

You will need:

Fabric A (Baubles and Branches) (11x5 1/2in – coaster large triangle HST fabric)
Fabric B (Winter Wreaths) (6 1/2in square – coaster smaller triangle QST fabric)
Fabric C (Snowfall) (16x9in – coaster smaller triangle QST fabric and coaster back fabric)
Thermolam (9in square)
Quilter's square ruler (minimum size 5 1/2in)
Matching sewing thread
Erasable pen
Basic sewing kit

Cutting out

Step 1

Cut out the following:

Fabric A – cut two 5½in squares (coaster large triangle HST fabric).
Fabric C – cut one 6½in square (coaster smaller triangle QST fabric), cut four 4½in squares (coaster backs).
Thermolam – cut into four 4½in squares.

Piecing your coaster outers

Step 1

Take one of your 6½in squares and draw a diagonal line from the top left corner down to the bottom right corner on the WS.

Step 2

Place your two 6½in squares RS together with the marked fabric square on top. Fold back the top fabric along the diagonal line to check that the fabrics are both facing the right direction (if your fabric is directional). Rotate the fabric bottom square if necessary to ensure they are. Pin together.

Step 3

Sew ¼in away from the marked diagonal line on both sides of the line. Press, then cut along the marked line.

Step 4

Press seams open for both sewn half square triangles.

Step 5

Use your quilter’s square ruler to trim your HSTs down to 5½in square

Step 6

Draw a diagonal line on the WS of both of your HSTs across the square (the diagonal line and sewn pressed open seam should cross each other).

Step 7

Place your two HSTs RS together on top of your two 5½in squares. Fold back along the diagonal marked lines and check the direction of the fabrics lines up as before. Rotate the bottom fabric squares if necessary. Pin together then sew ¼in either side of the diagonal lines as before. Repeat these steps, pressing, cutting along the diagonal lines, and pressing seams open for your now four coaster fronts.

Step 8

Trim each coaster front to 4½in using your quilter's square ruler.

Sewing your coasters together

Step 1

Place one of your coaster fronts RS up on top of one of your Thermolam pieces aligning all edges. Place one of your coaster backs RS down on top. Clip/pin together. Mark a turning gap along one side.

Step 2

Sew together all the way around leaving the turning gap unsewn.

Step 3

Clip corners and trim excess fabric/Thermolam for the three fully sewn sides (not the side with the turning gap).

Step 4

Turn RS out through the turning gap, push out corners and seams and press, tucking the turning gap inside.

Step 5

Close turning gap with a neat small ladder stitch, then topstitch all the way around. Note you could just topstitch if you wish though we hand sewed the turning gap also for neatness.

You’re finished! We hope you enjoy whipping up batches of Christmas patchwork coasters in time for the festive season.

Christmas patchwork coasters

Jessica Entwistle

Designer and Maker

Jess is a fabric crafts designer who’s work is regularly published in Simply Sewing and Love Patchwork & Quilting magazines. She shares her work on her website www.jellybgood.com. She inherited her love of fabric, colour and sewing from her mother and specializes in creating easy-to-sew, accessible designs with a fresh modern style, making her projects popular with magazine readers and crafters online alike. She’s got a thing for neon threads and a serious love of fabric. She runs her own craft business creating everything from hair slides and brooches to bunting and quilts. She has previously appeared as a guest designer on Sewing Quarter TV and shares her work on Instagram @jessjelllybgood