Small projects are a great stress-free way to try a new technique. Try making this cool set of coasters with curved piecing, using the backing fabric as binding.

Finished size: 4 ½” square each
Difficulty: Intermediate
Project time: 1 ½ hours

These colourful coasters are made with the Jungle Paradise fabric collection by Stacy Iest Hsu for Moda. Four fat eighths comfortably makes a set of four coasters—and you could even use fabric scraps, if you prefer. 

You will need:

• Four fat eighths
• A scrap of batting at least 9” square
• Hot Hemmer tool (optional)
• General sewing notions: sewing machine, fabric marker, pins, scissors, thread, cutting tools, iron
• You will also need to print a copy of this template and cut out the pieces

Seams are ¼” throughout.

Cut out and draw around the templates onto your fabric. You should cut one each of pieces A, B and C, including the seam allowance from each of your four fabrics, for a total of 12 pieces. You will also need to cut a 6” square from each of the four fabrics for backing.

Also cut four 4½” squares of batting.

Sort all your cut pieces into four piles so that you have a different colour for each of the three curve pieces and backing fabric for each coaster.

Start by sewing a piece C (quarter circle) to a piece B (arc). Sew so the convex piece is on top to minimize stretching. Go slowly, adjusting after a couple of stitches to bring the raw edges together. Back stitch at the beginning and end.

Press the seam so that the seam allowances are pressed towards the curve and that it lays flat, and make sure to press rather than iron to avoid stretching.

For further details on sewing the curves together, please refer to our tip article on one-pin curve sewing.

Attach piece A in the same way, with the concave piece on top.

Press and then check the size: it should be a square measuring 4 ½”. Trim if needed.

Make the remaining three coaster fronts.

Take a 6 “ square and press each edge over to the wrong side by ¼”. You can use a Hot Hemmer tool to make this task easier.

Centre a batting square on the wrong side of the fabric, and then layer one of your pieced blocks on top.

Quilt as desired. On these coasters, we stitched in the ditch along the curved lines.

Fold the backing to the front on one edge, and starting from just past the centre, top-stitch close to the fold with a matching colour thread.

When you get close to a corner, fold the point in to meet the edge of the batting and front, forming a triangle. Next, fold in the adjacent side to form a mitre. Stitch at a right angle to catch the fold on both corners. If this step is fiddly, you can add a bit of fabric glue to the corners and heat set it with an iron. Alternately, you can fold all of the sides and use Wonder Clips around the perimeter, removing them as you go.

Continue to sew all the sides until you return to the beginning of the top stitching.

Repeat these steps to make four coasters.

Great job!

Did you make a curved coaster set you’re proud of? Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see and celebrate your design! #TrendTexFabrics @trendtexfabrics