Embroidery Library
Inspiration Studio Lookbooks Stitchers Showcase Christmas Inspiration
Videos Fabrics 101 Helpful How-To's Search Projects Projects by Category ▾
Christmas Club Free Designs Gift Certificates Thread Exchange Happy Hour & VIP

Coasters (In-the-Hoop)

Free project instructions to create an embroidered coaster.

Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.

Unique drink coasters are a great way to bring personal style or seasonal flair to your decor! These little creations stitch up entirely in-the-hoop, complete with embroidered embellishment. We'll show you step-by-step how to stitch your own charming coasters!

Project Needs & Notes:

- Small pieces of quilter's cotton, felt, twill or linen
- Embroidery thread
- Tear-away stabilizer
- Temporary spray adhesive (such as Gunold KK100)
- Scissors

Design featured in this tutorial is:
- X14658, Seaside Sand Dollar Coaster (In-the-Hoop)
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
When you download the in-the-hoop coaster design, you will find multiple files. Some are the embroidery files, and the others are dieline files marked with the letters "DL". Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape and size.

If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom TrueSizer is a free program to use.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Spray the back side of the first paper dieline with temporary adhesive. Then smooth it onto the right side of the chosen fabric.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Cut out the shape, and remove the paper. The repeat to cut out all the remaining fabric pieces.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Once all the fabric pieces are cut to the correct shapes, it's time to embroider the design.

Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer. Madeira E-Zee 1.5 oz or Floriani Tearaway Medium are good choices. Those brands are more fibrous, less like paper, and will tear more cleanly.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Attach the hoop onto the machine, and load the embroidery file (not the dieline files).

Use a 75/11 sharp sewing needle instead of an embroidery needle. The sharp sewing needle has a finer point, and it will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer.

Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be a dieline (or outline stitch). This marks the area on the stabilizer where the fabric piece will be placed.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the wrong side of the first fabric piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth the fabric piece onto the stabilizer inside of the sewn dieline.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Then place the hoop back onto the machine, and embroider the tackdown for the fabric piece. The tackdown will hold the fabric piece in place for the remainder of the design.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Once the front fabric piece is stitched in place, embroider all the inner details. Make sure to stop before sewing the "finishing seam" step.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Before sewing the "finishing seam" step, remove the hoop from the machine, and turn it over so the back side of the embroidery is facing up. Then spray the back side of the back piece with temporary adhesive and smooth it into place on the back side of the embroidery.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
As all the embroidery from here on out will be seen from both sides, wind a bobbin to match each of the remaining thread colors used into the design.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Place the bobbin into the machine, and follow the color change sheet to embroider the rest of the design.

Make sure to match the bobbin to every thread color used in the top needle as the embroidery will be seen from both sides.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Some in-the-hoop coasters have a E-stitch finishing seam like on the design used in this tutorial. Others have a satin finishing seam instead. Both finishing seam types with embroider last with a matching bobbin.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
Once the embroidery is finished, carefully tear the excess stabilizer away from the outside edges of the design.
Free project instructions to create an in-the-hoop coaster.
If making a stemware coaster, carefully cut between the two satin stitch rows with scissors. This will create the opening for sliding in the bottom of the wine glass. Make sure not to also cut through the back fabric piece.
Coasters (In-the-Hoop)

This project is featured on the Embroidery Library Pinterest page.

Pin it yourself using the "Pin It" button on this page.

Questions or comments? Let us know! Send an email to us; the address is support@emblibrary.com.

Products used in this Project:
Aspen Leaf Coaster (In-the-Hoop) $1.99 - $2.99

Available in 2 Sizes:

4.85" x 4.85" | 3.86" x 3.86"
Ginkgo Leaf Coaster (In-the-Hoop) $1.99 - $2.99

Available in 2 Sizes:

4.85" x 4.85" | 3.86" x 3.86"
Maple Leaf Coaster (In-the-Hoop) $1.99 - $2.99

Available in 2 Sizes:

4.85" x 4.85" | 3.86" x 3.86"
A Hawaiian Coasters Design Pack $24.39

Available in 1 Size:

3.83" x 3.83"
A Wine Coasters Design Pack $29.39

Available in 1 Size:

3.83" x 3.83"
A Fruit & Fruit Coaster Design Pack $27.89

Available in 1 Size:

4.61" x 5.02"