Okay, I admit it...I'm not a quilt creator, I'm a quilt cutter! I just appreciate their beauty so much, I can't stand to let them go to the garbage heap! One of these days I will share my cannibalized treasures with you, but today I will walk you through a complete project (which for me is really an accomplishment)!
This quilt was comprised of lots of little squares (=lots of work). I was able to save some nice big sections that will turn into place-mats, but I decided the little squares would be perfect coasters.
This is the easiest beginning sewing project I can think of. So dust off that machine and make a stack of your own!
First, I cut a backing fabric the same size as the squares. I used a simple cotton utility fabric-kind of a beige muslin.
Sew around three sides. I sewed with a pretty small seam allowance (the distance between the edge of the fabric and where you're sewing) because I didn't want to lose much of the little squares design.
Iron flat, pulling out edges and pushing out corners (the point of a butter knife works great). Tuck under the last edge, press and pin. Sew shut. I also top-stitched around all the sides, so they'd all look the same.
If there's a few boo-boo's from years of wear and tear-just give them a little band-aid of a couple zig-zag stitches. It will be in keeping with the folkish look.
Enjoy saving a quilt and having some one-of-a-kind coasters! Now to get the place-mats done...
