Molly's back on the Purl Bee with another set of her adorable felt coasters. If you made the cute citrus coasters or felt apple coasters from Molly's Sketchbook, you can make an updated set for fall with these beautiful leaf coasters. Get the pattern and how-to over on the Purl Bee. I love the idea of having sets of sweet felt coasters to put out for each season!
Last spring, Molly at the Purl Bee shared some fun, bright felt citrus coasters that were perfect for welcoming the high temps of the summer. Now she's back with a fall edition, this time in the form of felt apples. See how to make a set for yourself over on The Purl Bee.
Last spring, Molly at the Purl Bee shared some fun, bright felt citrus coasters that were perfect for welcoming the high temps of the summer. Now she's back with a fall edition, this time in the form of felt apples. See how to make a set for yourself over on The Purl Bee.
Marlene assked earlier this week about how to finish a coaster. It’s not hard to do, so let’s talk about how to do it.
Begin by selecting the size for the coasters. Square coasters are vastly easier to make than round coasters (I’ll put some notes about that in a bit). Coasters generally are 3 or 4 inches square, so plan on that for the finished size of the stitching.
Because coasters get sone wear, you will want to use stitches that won’t snag. Because you will be putting something directly on the stitches, you will also want stitches that are flat and not bumpy. This is not the place for smyrna crosses, padding, or exposed canvas.
Every thread you use MUST be colorfast. Glasses are often wet on the bottom or sweat and this moisture will cause non-colorfast threads to bleed.
It’s better if threads are absorbent and somewhat water resistant. This makes wool a fantastic choice for coasters.
I had been thinking that all the ready-made needlepoint coasters I had seen were wool in Tent Stitch because it was cheap to make. That is why, but it turns out, it’s also a good choice.
You will need something inside your coaster to give it some strength. The best thing for this is 14 count plastic canvas. It’s strong and flexible. You can cut it to the size you need.
If you want your coaster to be thicker, buy some thing sheets of cork and add them to the inside.
Cut both the plastic canvas and the cork to be 1/4″ smaller than the finished needlepoint.
For a backing you will want something like Ultrasuede, that is rough enough to keep the coaster in place. I like Ultrasuede because you can often find small pieces, it comes in lots of colors, and you can cut it to fit. To begin, cut it slightly large than the finished needlepoint. You’ll trim it later.
If you want to make round coasters begin by finding plastic canvas rounds that are the size you want. Use one of them as the template for your needlepoint, but stitch about three stitches beyond the outline from the plastic canvas.
The other important difference is in finishing, you will need to clip the unstitched margin of the canvas in order to make the edge smooth. You can find directions in clipping seams in many sewing books and on sewing sites.
Assemble the sandwich so that you have the needlepoint on top, then the cork (if you are using it), then the plastic canvas. Make sure the innards are centered on the needlepoint.
Make diagonal cuts at each corner of the needlepoint to reduce bulk. Turn the edges of the needlepoint t the back and temporarily secure with clothespins.
Look at the edges to make sure no canvas shows. If it does, trim your innards a bit to make them smaller then repeat the steps above.
Once you are happy with the edges, lash the needlepoint to the plastic canvas using perle cotton or linen (perle cotton and linen are very strong). Do this one side at a time by removing the clothespin, pulling the needlepoint taut, and then sewing through the margin and the plastic canvas many times to secure it.
Now your coaster needs a backing. Trim your backing to be slightly smaller than the coaster top. With two strands of matching floss, sew the back to the coaster using blind hemstitch or another binding stitch.
YOur coaster is ready to go!
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How to Make a Coaster
Originally posted 2007-11-16 15:46:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
This is the final coaster in a set for Raymond Crawford. Not only are these coasters tons of fun, they will also give you lots and lots of new stitches.
There are four coasters in the set, two in warm colors, two in cool ones. Each one has a different shape for a theme. This one is circles. There are stripes, squares and rectangles, and geodes. I use similar threads but different stitches throughout.
Many of these stitches are fun new variations on familiar stitches. Others will give you good ideas which you can apply to other canvases. This coaster is a case in point. Each color in the circles uses a different method to stitch the circle. Some are simple stitches, others take advantage of unusual threads, still others use Jean Hilton stitches or outlinging techniques.
I’m so excited about this guide because it’s like a mini stitch dictionary in a guide.
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Slurp! – Sneak Peek
Originally posted 2006-06-08 07:02:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
I just finished this coaster this morning and wanted to share it with you. It’s one of four by Raymond M. Crawford. The other ones say Sip! Gulp! and Slurp! I only have Slurp! left to do.
Each one uses a different shape for its graphic elements and each stitch in each coaster is different.
The stitch guide is going to be a ton of fun, with all these really cool stitches and effects.
Slurp! which I’m just starting is all circles and will be challenging to do as making good circles in needlepoint is challenging.
As a result I’m stitching the background first.
I’ve been writing and writing but most of the guides I’m doing right now are a bit long, so I can’t cross things off my list.
Oh well.
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Raymond Crawford Coasters
I’ve been thinking about offering a monthly needlepoint club for 2011 but I’m torn about what to do and I’d like you to help me decide by participating in this poll.
My plan is to offer one project per month. The packet will include line-drawn canvas, instructions and, possibly, threads (I’m still debating that one).
One aspect of the club will be color, and it’s use in needlepoint. Each of the color schemes I use will be explored in two of the projects. You’ll not only see the scheme in use, you’ll learn about it and get ideas for how to make this type of color scheme on your own.
Now to the choices:
Little Bargello Treasures – An eclectic mix of Bargello projects, including cupcakes, items for personal accessories, and other shapes filled with Bargello. The emphasis in this will be on different types of Bargello patterns.
Exploring Threads – These will be designs of various kinds in 3″ round ornaments. The emphasis here will be on learning about different types of threads, including some traditionally not used for needlepoint. And on picking the right thread (and stitch) to depict many types of items. The designs will be in rounds, but not holiday-oriented. The 3″ round can be used in many of the Lee and Stirling items, so you can finish them yourself.
Stitches and Quilt Blocks — The endlessly fascinating world of needlepoint stitches will be explored using quilt blocks for each of the programs. Quilt blocks have the advantage of requiring little compensation, so you can learn the stitch, and are an easy way to explore color.
Vote in the poll below to let me know which one you would prefer. The poll will close next Tuesday.
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What Kind of Needlepoint Club Would You Like to See?
Originally posted 2006-05-11 07:06:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
I love Raymond Crawford’s designs. This is the fourth(!) set of stitch guides I’m wokring on for him and the second set of coasters.
This set is so fun. Each coaster has a drink word (Drink! Sip! Slurp! Gulp!) and each uses a different kind of shape, either in cool or hot colors.
Sip & Gulp are in warm color. Sip has stripes, Gulp rectangles.
Drink and Gulp are in cool colors. Drink is as you see above, Gulp has circles.
Each colored box on each coaster is using a different stitch and there are four different backgrounds stitches as well.
Several of the stitches are brand new (I designed them) and there is also a wealth of threads used. This means that besides being a delightful stitch guide, the book will make a great reference guide. I’m especially excited about all the different ways to deal with circles, a problem I always have.
I have had so much fun stitching them, I can’t wait to do more. I’ll post Gulp sometime after I start it.
The book ought to be available for your shop to order (from Raymond) sometime over the summer — I’m hoping for TNNA next month.
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Sip! Gulp! Coaster from Raymond Crawford
Why not use a birthday plaid as the background for a monogram?
Birthday plaids and tartans are so much fun, it’s a shame not to make one just because you don’t know what to do with it. Some of my recent commissions give an idea of some of the wonderful things you can do with a stitched plaid.
The boxtop above uses a birthday plaid as the background for a simple monogram. The colors chosen match the room where it will live. Birthday plaids can be done in any colors and are great for this purpose.
You could use this idea for a great baby present. Do it in the nursery’s colors or in a traditional baby palette of pastels.
What about a belt?
Stitch it in perle cotton and finish it as a belt for a unique gift.
The rage for tartan in the 1800’s made lots of tartan-embellished items to appear. Look at some of them for more ideas for stitched plaids. Then visit Needlepoint Plaids to order your tartan or birthday plaid. My experience in creating stitched plaids will create a wonderful result.
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What Can I Do with a Plaid?
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Updated – Link to Quilt Block Coasters
