When you download a coaster design you'll find two files. One file will end with "_DL," and that stands for "dieline." That's the file that we'll use to cut the circle shape for the coaster front and back.

Open the "_DL" file with your embroidery software and print it at full size.

If you don't have embroidery software, you can get a free 30 day trial of Embird from www.Embird.com.

Spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive.

Smooth the fabric for your coaster on top of the stabilizer.

You can use any fabric to make a coaster; we're using a sturdy canvas.

Place the printed dieline on top of the fabric and stabilizer, and cut out the shape.

This is for the front of the coaster.

Place the printed dieline on top of a piece of fabric, and cut the shape again. This is for the back of the coaster.

Now that the fabric is cut, we're ready to embroider the design. Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer.

Begin embroidering the coaster design (that's the file that is named with an "X" followed by 4 numbers). The first thing to sew will be a dieline. This dieline traces the coaster shape on the stabilizer.

Spray a bit of temporary adhesive on the backside of the fabric and stabilizer piece for the front of the coaster.

Place the fabric and stabilizer piece inside the sewn dieline.

Continue embroidering the design. The next thing to sew will be a zig-zag or tack down stitch. This stitch binds the fabric and stabilizer to the tear-away stabilizer to hold it in place during the rest of the embroidery.

Other elements of the design will sew next.

On the color change sheet you'll see a note that says "back piece tack down." When you get to this step, stop the machine.

Spray a bit of temporary adhesive on the edges of the fabric circle for the back of the coaster.

Place that fabric on the backside of the embroidery.

For the remaining steps, wind a bobbin with the same thread that you're using in the top.

Continue embroidering the design. The tack down stitch will sew next, binding the back and front of the coaster together.

And finally, a satin stitch border, giving the coaster a nice finish.

After the embroidery has finished, gently tear the excess stabilizer away.

If you're working with stemware coasters, there's just one extra step. Cut carefully between the two satin stitch rows to make a pocket for the bottom of the glass.

And there you have it! A beautifully embroidered coaster -- fashionable, and functional!

Imagine a set of four coasters nestled in a gift bag or basket, along with stemware glasses and a bottle of wine. That's a gift that will be treasured long after the last drop of wine has been drunk!

Click here to see the coaster designs!