Scrappy Flower Coaster and Applique

The other night, I was making fabric rosettes for my new pillows, when I got this idea for some flower appliques.  Then while making the appliques I thought, hey! Coasters!  This is a great project for using up your fabric scraps.  Click on through for the full tutorial:)

These instructions aren't going to be real exact.  If you've been following me, then you know that the only time I'm exact is when I crochet.

To start, cut out two circles, about 4 1/2 or 5 inches across.  You can use a small bowl or large glass to trace around.  (I learned that rubbing alcohol will take Sharpie ink off a ceramic bowl; enough of the other kind of alcohol and you don't care about the ink on your new bowl:)  Sew a 1/4 inch seam around the edge, leaving a small space for turning. 

Clip the seam allowance to aid in turning. 

Turn the circle right side out and iron it.  This is the base of your coaster.  If you are making appliques, then you just need a single layer of fabric.

Cut several strips of fabric about 1 1/2 inches wide and 12 inches or so long.  It's easiest to just clip the fabric and then tear.  It doesn't really matter how long you make them, because you'll see in the next steps how you can just add in another strip as you need it.  Fold the strips in half length-wise and iron.

Now you are going to sew the first strip to your circle base.  Lay the end of the strip over the edge of the circle, at a bit of an angle.  Fold the strip back and forth, going around the edge of the circle, about 1/4 inch in to make the petals.  You can pin this down and then sew, or fold and sew as you go.

Go all the way around until you reach the first petal and overlap the base of that one.  If your strip runs out, just add in another.

For the inner ring you can use the same color or add in a second color.  Sew it on the same way, but bring this row farther in.  For my second row, I folded the petals in the opposite direction.

Next I took a piece of cotton batting, but you could use any piece of thick, absorbent fabric really.  Cut a smaller circle, a little larger then a glass or cup base.

Cut some fabric scraps.  Pinking shears are fun:)  Layer these scraps, any which way, over the smaller circle, and pin them down.

Sew around in a circle to hold all the pieces in place.

Trim up the edges, and place this circle on top of your petal base.

Now sew around and around, in any pattern you desire, through all layers.

Now go have a cup of coffee.  You deserve it!