diy coasters {what would you make?}

August 15, 2011

A while back Lisa of Lil Boo Blue asked if I wanted to participate in a craft series, What Would You Make? The idea was to send the same fabric to several bloggers and see what projects would be created. It wouldn’t be a contest, just a fun idea. At the end of the series, one Lil Boo Blue reader would win the same fabric the bloggers received. I admit to laughing a bit when I was asked to participate. If you’ve ever visited Lil Boo Blue, you know there is some series sewing skills going on there. I reminded Lisa that I only know how to sew a straight line.

Here is the fabric that arrived in my mail:

I really liked the fabric as it was, but my half used bottle of Teal RIT fabric dye was beckoning me to use it. Since it was a small amount of fabric, I did it all in the kitchen sink. Before I dyed it all teal, I did some experimenting with other fabric dyes I had on hand. I didn’t have any rubber gloves, so I wrapped one hand in a plastic shopping bag. Why do I look like I have a man arm in this picture?

It took me what seemed like forever to come up with an idea on what to make. I liked the fabric, but I just couldn’t come up with an idea. If I knew how to sew, I could have made all kinds of cute things…which I am sure those other bloggers did with theirs! One afternoon I was wiping a water ring from my drink off the table, and knew what to make – SIMPLE COASTERS!

I cut some of the dyed fabric into 5×5 inch squares. I did the same with a little bit of 2 old sheets.

Next I put two squares together (right sides facing in). I did my straight line sewing around most of the square, leaving a small opening to turn it out. I trimmed the corners too. Honestly, here is where my lack of sewing knowledge comes in. I’m sure there is a better way to do corners, but this works so I’m good.

Next, I turned the right side out, ironed it all down and sewed along all four edges.

If you are a seamstress, don’t examine my sewing. It is not perfect. I know.

If you aren’t a seamstress, examine my sewing…it is not perfect. That is totally fine with me. I have a stack of super cute coasters now. They are wonky like the rest of this house!