Quilted Circle Coasters

Sew patchwork coaster top pieces.
 
Cut the 16 fabric scraps into 3-in/7.5-cm squares. Lay out the squares to decide what order you want them: There will be four used in each coaster. Begin with two squares and sew them together, right sides facing, to form one piece (see figure A). Press open the seam. Sew two more squares together, and press open the seam. Next, pin the two joined pieces together, right sides facing and the seams aligned. Sew together, to form the coaster top (see figure B). Press open the seam. Repeat to make three more coaster tops.

Cut circle shapes.
 
Using a circle template such as a coaster, glass or other round object, trace and cut each of the four patchwork top pieces into a circle, making sure to center the circle template on your fabric. Then using the template, cut the coaster backing fabric and the fusible fleece into four circles each.

Fuse fleece to coaster top.
 
Place one coaster top, right-side up, on a fusible fleece circle, wrong side facing the fusible (textured) side of the fleece circle. Using a hot iron, fuse the fabric to the fleece. Repeat with the remaining three coaster tops and three fleece circles.

Quilt the tops.
 
With a chalk pencil or erasable marking pen, mark the stitch lines on a coaster top as shown on the template, with the two lines intersecting in the center. You will be stitching through the coaster top and fleece only (the backing will be added in the next step). Quilt according to your marked
lines (see figure C). Repeat with the other three remaining coaster tops.

Sew backing to quilted top piece.
 
With a backing fabric piece and a quilted top piece together, right sides facing, sew around the edge with a 1/4-in/6-mm seam allowance, leaving a 1½-in/4-cm opening to turn the coaster right-side out (see figure D). Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitches. Repeat with the other three coasters.

Close and topstitch.
 
Turn one coaster right-side out by pulling it gently through the opening. Push out the inner seam so it makes a smooth circular shape. Turn the fabric under at the opening by ¼ in/6 mm and press flat and pin if necessary. Topstitch around the edge of the coaster, about 1/8 in/3 mm from the edge, sewing the opening closed and flattening the edges (see figure E). Repeat to finish the other three coasters.

This coaster sewing pattern is excerpted with permission from "1, 2, 3 Quilt: Shape Up Your Skills with 24 Stylish Projects" by Ellen Luckett Baker and published by Chronicle Books.