How to Make Decorative Felt Drink Coasters
Felt and plastic canvas can be used to make one-of-a-kind drink coasters that effectively absorb moisture and serve as attractive table embellishments. These unique coasters make impressive decorations as well as useful items to help protect furniture. They can be designed to correspond with seasons, special occasions, or they can be personalized for special events. The following easy instructions explain how to make eight felt-covered drink coasters.
Required Supplies
Eight, 4-inch by 4-inch plastic canvas squares
Sixteen, 4 �½ inch by 4 �½ inch felt squares
Colored felt
Embroidery floss
Embroidery needle
Fabric pencil
Pointed fabric scissors
Fabric glue
Lots of Creativity and Imagination
Optional Supplies
Decorative-edge fabric scissors
Design Patterns
Ideas and Helpful Hints
For those who aren’t artistically inclined, coloring books and craft stencils make wonderful patterns. Cut shapes from coloring books, or use stencils to make paper cutouts. If necessary, resize the shapes using a copy machine.
Make the designs more interesting and ornamental by cutting them out using decorative-edge fabric scissors or pinking shears. Practice on scraps of felt to determine which scissors are the most appropriate for the design.
These coasters would make fantastic party favors. They would also be great for a group project or as a party activity for children or adults. Put together individual kits in advance, and give each party guest the necessary supplies to complete a coaster.
Consider using metallic embroidery floss for holiday coasters. Variegated flosses are also great for embellishing felt coasters. There are hundreds of floss colors available, and design options are virtually endless.
Embossed felt can be used to create coasters that appear much more detailed than those created using basic felt. Try using regular felt for the design background, and piece together cutout shapes using various textures and patterns of embossed felt. The result will be intricate patterns on coasters that appear to be meticulously designed.
Rather than using blank felt squares for the bottoms of coasters, consider making reversible coasters by placing a design on each side. They will become doubly decorative and twice as useful.
Don’t layer too many pieces of felt to create a design, and don’t make the designs too small. Designs should take up most of the surface space on the base squares. Keep the designs simple so drinking glasses placed upon them remain stable.
Instructions
Create patterns by drawing them freehand, or obtain ready-made stencils or patterns cut from coloring books. Carefully cut out the paper patterns, place them on felt pieces of your choice, and trace around them using a fabric pencil. Cut out the felt shapes, and glue them to the four �½ inch felt squares. Set them aside to dry.
After the glue has dried completely, thread the embroidery needle with two strands of floss. Blanket stitch all the way around each design, and change colors when necessary. After stitching around each design, center a plastic canvas square between two felt squares. Whipstitch around the edges of each coaster with contrasting or color-coordinated embroidery floss.
Consider making sets of drink coasters to give as gifts to family and friends. A set of coasters along with personalized mugs would make a wonderful gift. Create a gift basket containing these items, and include flavored tea or coffee. Personalize the coasters and accessories for each recipient according to their interests. They will surely love this uniquely thoughtful gift of handmade felt coasters.
