Tutorial: CD coasters

Here is a quick tutorial for the CD coasters I made last week. You should give it a go. It is a a, quick, easy and fun project!

What you need:
CDs- as many as you need for your set. I used six.
Your choice of fabric- I used a fat quarter but I had to piece the last two coasters to be able to make the whole set out of the same fabric.
Batting
Glue- I used Elmer's School Glue
Pen to trace around the CD
Bias binding
Other basic quilting supplies

How to make the coasters:
1. First, trace around your CD on to the batting and cut two pieces per CD.

2. Then, place your CDs on to your fabric. Allow at least 1/2" on either sides and top and bottom. You need this because when you quilt it, it will shrink a little. Now, cut out your squares; two per CD.

3. Put the circle batting you cut out on to one of your squares and quilt it as you desire. You can pin the batting to the fabric on one place just to prevent the batting from shifting. I did straight stitching.

4. Now, lightly glue your quilted piece and place a CD over it. 

 5. Again, lightly glue the CD and place another piece of batting over it.

6. Again, and one last time, glue your fabric lightly and place a square fabric over it. Gently press and leave it aside for a while to dry. 

This is the first time I have used glue on fabric and am quite happy with it. You don't need to apply lots to hold your material in place. As you see in the photos, I have only applied two thin circles.

7. Now it is time to sew around the CD. (Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos in this step, but just now took a quick photo to show the placement of the foot and the CD.)

Use your zipper foot of your machine for this step. 

Do you see how the CD's edge is snugged under the foot? When you place your piece under the zipper foot, feel the edge of the CD before start sewing and sew slowly. Maintain the position by gently pushing your piece towards the foot and turn it slowly as you sew.

You can see in the picture that I sewed one more time around it to get as close as possible.

8. Trim your piece by leaving at least 1/4" seam allowance.

9. Now, you will machine sew the bias binding on the quilted side the same way, hand bind it on to the back and finish it just like how you finish binding your quilt. I used a store-bought bias binding. You can trim the seam allowance a little more if you find the binding is too tight around it and it is difficult to stitch it to the back.

And here is your finished CD coaster! Enjoy it!  

 Please let me know in your comments if you have any questions. 

Till next time, keep sewing!