Instagram Coasters DIY Part 2: Assembly
Yesterday, we learned how to use Google Picasa to create a perfect grid of images, and ordered our fabric on Spoonflower. Now for the fun part: putting it all together!
You’ll need:
- Quilting tools: Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler
- Scraps of sock yarn, or embroidery floss, in your choice of colors
- A craft needle with an eye wide enough for your yarn, but sharp enough to go through two layers of thick fabric
- A Fat Quarter of Heavy Cotton Twill from Spoonflower, with your custom design
- An 18 x 29 inch scrap of canvas, felt, denim, or upholstery weight fabric for backing
- Applique adhesive (pictured) or quilting spray adhesive
- Bias tape or ribbon (Optional)
Assembly:
- Iron your front and backing fabrics. Lay it down on the floor and admire it for a minute.
- Using your applique or spray adhesive, attach the front fabric to the backing. Follow package instructions for best results. If you only intend to make a specific number of coasters from your fabric, you should cut those specific images out before sticking the two fabrics together. Otherwise, go for the whole piece at once – much easier that way.
- Use your rotary cutters or scissors to cut out your 5 x 4 image grid. Be sure to line up your cuts with the edge of the images – you don’t need any extra space. This can be difficult if all of your images have white or black borders around them, so take your time!
- You should now have a nice grid of images with clean edges, with your backing fabric fully attached.
- Cut your grid into strips, carefully lining up each edge…
- …and finally cut into individual squares.
- Using your needle and sock yarn or embroidery thread, blanket stitch around the edges! I used this excellent tutorial from FutureGirl. Even though I had used applique adhesive to stick my fabrics together, I was still able to insert my needle between both layers as she suggests to start! It is the best way to hide your knots.
- Repeat up to 28 times, depending on how many coasters you are making – and you’re done! Find some stuff and put them on your coasters!
Bias tape variation: See the nice clean finished edges of that green coaster above? I used vintage bias tape from my sewing stash and held it in place while I did blanket stitch over it. It’s a little finicky and definitely takes longer than just blanket stitch alone, but the final product is a bit more polished. I could totally see using a fancy ribbon, too, which might be great for wedding favors – just iron it in half lengthwise first to make it easier.
And enjoy! I can’t wait to see how other people interpret this idea; definitely leave a comment if you’ve sewn up some fabric Instagram coasters of your own!