Monogrammed Fabric Coasters

I had a lot of fun creating the Holiday placemats a few weeks ago and when I started thinking about gift ideas for Christmas, an idea came to mind to create fabric coasters.  I had made a set for myself a while ago that sit in my living room, and they perfectly coordinate with the matching pillows.  At the same time of having this gift idea, I received a box in the mail from Plaid to try out their silk screening kit.  I originally had intended on making t-shirts, but my idea didn’t pan out as planned (more on that later)…

Instead, I decided to monogram the backs of the fabric coasters.  Everyone loves a monogram and it would be the perfect way to personalize a gift!

The other side with the fabric…

To make the fabric coasters is quite easy and guess what…  I used drop cloth material, AGAIN!  If you’d like to make a set for yourself or for a gift, this is what you’ll need:

• Fabric (leftover scraps will do)
• Scissors or Rotary Cutter
• Sewing Machine
• Misc sewing tools (pins, thread, yada, yada, yada…)

Here is a pictorial of the steps and then I’ll share the verbal steps on the other side~

1. The size of the coasters I created were 5 x 5, so I cut the fabric 1″ bigger on each side, so 6″ x 6″ (Make any size you’d like).  The front side is a decorative fabric and the backside is drop cloth fabric.
2. Pin the “right” sides together.
3. Use a 1/2″ inseam.
4. Sew all the way around, except leave a 3″+/- opening on one side so you can pull the fabric through to the “right” side.
5. Clip the corners of the wrong side and pull the “right” side through using the opening.
6. Iron all the edges and sew a top stitch around the entire perimeter.  I used a basic stitch, but you can use a pretty decorative stitch like I did when creating my Holiday placemats.

And it’s complete.  This is how it looks when done~

I made a complete set and here’s the result!

Onto the Silk Screening

The Plaid Silk Screening kit that has delivered to me, came with a light box, silk screen paints, and screens (to create the design).

I have NEVER used a silk screen product before, so I was a complete newbie!  I was a little apprehensive at first, but also excited to try something new.  As soon as I received the kit, I had intended on making t-shirts for an upcoming Family Vacation.  I thought it would be cute (and dorky) that all 14 of us (which includes my immediate and extended family) had the same shirt.  RIGHT?!  I was so gung-ho and ready to make these shirts…  I even got the t-shirts at a huge discount from AC Moore on Black Friday.

I designed the image through using a Word Document, and printed it.  Then I used the silk screen kit to develop the screen stencil.  WELL… it sadly didn’t turn out as planned.  The light box didn’t develop the screen stencil as I envisioned, so it was a fail!  I was kind of upset, but I had to move on…

No worries, No worries…  Onto Plan B: Monogramming my newly made Fabric Coasters.  I was planning on monogramming the coasters anyway using a stencil, but decided to use the silk screen kit instead.

1. Using a Word document, I created my design, which was the initial: B

2. Then I added my the screen sheet on top of the white paper with my initial and put it into the light box.  (I’m being a little vague on these steps because it’s REALLY important to  read the instructions thoroughly if you decide to use this product).

3. Set it and Forget it for 25 minutes.

4. Then you fill the tray provided with water and lightly scrub the silk screen to reveal your design.  It took a few tries to finally work!

5. Then it’s time to use the paint.  I added a thin row of the paint above the design.

6. Then using the flat spreader, slowly and carefully, I dragged the paint over the screen stencil.

(Those are not my hands… they’re the Misters.  He was helping me out with this project – what a guy!)

7. If the design isn’t completely covered with the paint on the first spread, repeat steps 4 and 5.

And it’s complete (+ 5 more to make a full set)!

Here they are all beautifully packaged together ready to give to a sweet friend.

In all, the Plaid Silk Screen Kit is a great concept and idea to make customized designs and creations.  As you read above, I had a few hurdles to cross throughout the process, and hopefully Plaid will take those thoughts into consideration to refine their product. It’s crucial to read the instructions thoroughly before jumping into this project and smaller designs work better.  Give it a try and see how you make out.  It’s always fun to experiment and try something new!

All the opinions in this post are 100% mine! Full post disclosure here

Interested in seeing more creations using the Silk Screen Kit by Plaid?  Check them out!

I link my projects to some of these parties: Skip to My Lou, Dittle Dattle, Between Naps on the Porch, Today’s Creative Blog, Stories of A to Z, All Things Heart & Home, Savvy Southern Style, House of Hepworths, Finding Fabulous, Creation Corner, The Shabby Nest, Tatertots and Jello, Funky Junk, Under the Table & Dreaming