These pretty little coasters are a great use for fabric scraps.  They are easy to make, and give you a chance to master your free-motion embroidery skills.

You will need:

• Fabric for the coaster base (enough to make two squares approx. 12cmx12cm)
• Scraps of pretty fabric for the cupcake
• Iron-on adhesive (eg. bondaweb)
• A button and matching thread
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Embroidery or darning sewing machine foot
• Pins
• Wadding or batting (approx 12cm square)
• A pencil
• Scissors

Download the pattern pieces here.

Use the square template to cut out two pieces from your coaster base fabric, and one piece of wadding.

Cut out two small pieces of the iron-on adhesive and draw round each of the cupcake templates (draw on the non-sticky side).  I’ve used pen to illustrate below, but its far better for you to use pencil.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, iron these pieces onto the back of your chosen cupcake fabric.

Cut out your pieces.

Starting with the cupcake base, peel off the backing paper and position on one of your coaster pieces.  Iron in place to secure.

Repeat for the frosting; peel off the backing paper, position on the coaster fabric and iron in place.

Now, use your sewing machine to free-motion embroider on top of your cupcake (if you’ve never done this before, check out my blog post here).  You can trace the outline of the cupcake, add some detail on the cupcake case, and even some swirls on the frosting.  The choice is yours!  Remember, the joy of free-motion embroidery is its care-free style so don’t feel under pressure to be too neat!

Take your remaining piece of coaster fabric and lay it on top of your wadding.  Now position your embroidered fabric on top, with right sides together.  Pin in place.

Change your sewing machine foot back to the standard presser foot, raise the feed-dog, and re-set the stitch to a standard running stitch (don’t forget to change the stitch length too).  Sew around the edge of your coaster using a 0.5mm seam.  Remember to leave a gap in one side so that you can turn your coaster ride-side out.

Turn your coaster right-side out.  Press it flat, and then stop stitch all around the edge (this will also close up the hole you left earlier, although I find it helps to put a pin in to hold the gap closed as you sew).  If you need help with top-stitching, check out my post here.

An optional stage is to return to your free-motion embroidery set up once again, and embroider the background of the coaster.  This additional bit of quilting adds interest and texture, and is a great way to practice a new pattern you may be trying to master (or like me you could just have some free-flow fun and see what happens!)

And finally, sew a cute little button for the cherry on top of your cake (totally impractical for putting a drink on top but I can never resist a button!).

You can make these in all manner of styles; chose subtle tones for a chic matching set, or go crazy with as many contrasting colours you can find.  They would make a great house-warming present for a friend, or add a bit of home-spun pride of place for your very own brew.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  This was made as part of my Creative Sewing Challenge, a monthly source of inspiration for people who love to sew.  Anyone can take part, sign up below…

…and feel free to share the pin if anyone you know you might like to join in!