How to make a coaster

1. Materials & tools

Materials (standard size, 10 cm square)

• Outer fabric (linen or cotton) — about 13 × 13 cm per coaster
• Lining fabric — the same amount
• Optional: lightweight quilt batting — the same amount

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Home” → “Coaster” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the side length and the corner radius. Presets cover standard, large and round. Set the radius to half the side length and you get a circle.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Lay the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric and trace both the cutting line and the finished line.
2. Cut the pieces
   Cut 1 outer and 1 lining. If you are adding batting, cut 1 of that too.
3. Cut in batches
   If you are making several, stack the fabric and cut them all at once.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew and turn

1. Place the outer and lining right sides together (with the batting underneath everything, if you are using it).
2. Sew all the way round, leaving a 4 cm opening for turning.
3. If the corners are rounded, clip the seam allowance; if they are square, trim them diagonally.
4. Turn right side out through the opening and press into shape.

4-2. Finish

1. Fold the opening edges in and topstitch all the way round. That single line of stitching closes the opening at the same time.

✏️ The final round of topstitching closes the opening for you, so there is no hand sewing at all. Stitching 2–3 mm from the edge looks the neatest.

5. Tips & variations

• More absorbent: use terry or waffle cloth for the lining and it will soak up the condensation from a cold glass.
• As a gift: a set of four tied with a ribbon makes a lovely little present.
• Scale it up: at 18–20 cm a side with thicker batting, the same pattern becomes a trivet.