Coaster/Hot Pad/Placemat Tutorial

My friend, Karen, taught me this really simple way to use up fabric scraps and create some unique handmade gifts.  Her idea was to make coasters, but I also used the same concept to make a matching hot pad and placemat set.  This is a great beginner sewing project too, because it requires very little sewing.  For my tutorial, I made a set of 8 coasters.

Supplies:

• Fabric scraps cut into 5" squares (1 for the bottom, 4 for the top, and one for the middle - I used a piece of flannel for the middle, because it's a little sturdier)
• Thread (You can choose whatever color thread you want to match your fabric or just use a plain white or black thread.)
• Iron & Ironing Board

Directions:

Isn't that super easy?  It makes a quick and cute gift idea, especially with the limited time that comes with having two little ones under two.  I'd love to see your own version of this tutorial, so please send pictures so I can share some them here!

A Sew Inspired Giveaway

I thought it would be fun to launch this blog with my first tutorial and a giveaway too. I don't have much time to sew these days, but I still try to find time every so often. Sewing is such a stress reliever for me, because I enjoy it and it always feels good to finish something I made myself.

One of my recent projects was a flax seed hot/cold pack. My mother-in-law first introduced the idea of a hot/cold pack when she made my husband and I rice hot packs for Christmas one year. Then I discovered a little Etsy shop that sells hot/cold packs made with flax seed and I thought, "Hey, I can totally make that myself!" We always have flax seed in the house, because it's one of our favorite ingredients for yogurt parfaits or smoothies.

Flax seed has more oil content than rice and other fillers, so it holds heat longer. It also doesn't produce an odor like rice does and it can be used hot OR cold. It's a great alternative to an ice pack or heating pad for your little one's every day bumps and bruises. Remember when your mom would kiss your boo-boo and make it all better? Well, this little heart can do the same thing.

Step 1: Gather supplies (flax seed, fabric, pencil or marker, thread, sewing machine)

Step 2: Cut out your fabric. You can use any shape you want. If the pattern is not symmetrical, make sure to trace your fabric using opposite sides of the pattern so you have a front and back that matches up. 

 Step 3: Place fabric right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam leaving a small opening for turning it right side out.

Step 4: Turn fabric right side out.

 Step 5: Using a funnel, pour flax seed through opening of hot/cold pack slowly. If you used ground flax seed like I did, you may need to use a pencil to push the flax seed through the funnel.

Step 6: Top stitch a 1/4" seam on your hot/cold pack, making sure to sew the opening closed first.

Ta da! So easy, right...or, should I say sew easy? Of course, if you don't have any idea how to sew, it's probably not. So, I've decided to give away the hot/cold pack I made. All you have to do is leave a comment here. Winner will be drawn after 10 pm CST Thursday, April 29th.

Extra entries (not required, but optional ways to increase your chances of winning):

1. Follow this blog through Google Friend Connect so you don't miss another tutorial or sewing project as I begin sharing my sewing journey.

2. Share this blog through a blog post, twitter, or facebook.

3. Grab my button (on the sidebar) and add it to your blog.

Thanks so much for visiting!

* This giveaway is now CLOSED! *