Oilcloth Coasters

Back for more oilcloth fun?
Fantastic!
Today I’ve got a simple gift idea for a friend or teacher.
And it maximizes the cute factor of oilcloth with all those bright colors.


I mean, Oilcloth is just screaming to have a party, right?
Let’s help throw one!


If you’re new to our series, I’m sharing a week of projects using Oilcloth fabric—and Kate is tackling Leather.  (Yesterday I shared a very detailed post about How to Sew with Oilcloth.  This is a continuation…)

Something I love about Oilcloth is how unique the prints are, and what the designs have to offer.
The doily fabric on the left is adorable on it’s own, but what if you cut out the doily shapes?  Twice as many projects!  And the fabric on the right is full of hidden images.  I’ve had it for years and only today did I notice that there’s a skeleton riding on bicycle!….and wearing a sombrero with fruit.  YES.  I love it even more now.

So when you’re thinking of project ideas for your oilcloth, use the unique features that the fabric has to offer.
For this project we’re going to make drink coasters.
Because everyone needs a coaster to protect their table.
And even if they don’t….a drink can always use an accessory this cute.

So let’s start with square coasters:
• Cut 5×5 squares of fabric using a rotary cutter and mat.
• Place two squares together, with right sides of the fabric together, and sew around 3 of the sides using about a 3/8 inch seam allowance.  Leave the 4th side open.


(Note: if you’ve never sewn with oilcloth refer to my detailed post How to Sew with Oilcloth)
• When you’re done sewing, trim the corners.  The more fabric you can trim off, the easier it will be to poke out those corners.

• Turn the coaster right-side out.   This will feel awkward and stiff, because oilcloth is stiff.  But just be firm and work it out.  It’s okay to wrinkle and squish the fabric.  It will smooth back out when you’re done.
• Really try your best to poke out all the corners so they look square.
• Fold the opening under and hold it in place with WONDER CLIPS or binder clips—remember that you don’t want to place pins in the fabric because they’ll leave holes behind.
• Sew a topstitch around the entire coaster, sewing the opening closed.

And you’re done!

Now repeat that 3 more times.
Tie them all up into a little bundle.
Throw in some of your favorite drink items (and maybe a recipe or two?  Delia’s got a bunch of good ones)


And you’ve got a simple gift for a simple celebration.


Now if you’re a bit more girly, and frilly, and lemonade is more your flavor….
Here’s another coaster idea.


Cut a few doilies from your oilcloth fabric (btw, this doily fabric comes in a variety of colors.  How fun would it be to use them all in a set of coasters??)

And this time around, we’ll make the sewing even easier.  We’ll leave the the edges raw because oilcloth doesn’t fray.
• Cut loosely around your doily (don’t worry about trimming perfectly, we’ll do that after we sew)
• Cut another piece of oilcloth for the bottom of the coaster.   This makes the coaster reversible!  I used solid white oilcloth for the bottom of mine.

• Place the two fabrics together, with wrong sides of the fabric together and sew in a circle around the two layers.
• When you’re done, trim the edges in a scalloped pattern around the doily.

And you’re done!

Now place them in a mason jar mug with straws and lemonade…and your gift is ready!
When life gives you lemons….

Make doily coasters.

Cheers!

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Now head over to See Kate Sew where she’ll show you how to make the most darling leather + smashed fabric pouches.  Clever!  I love that Kate.

  1. 1) Sara

    My absolute favorite project for oilcloth is a changing pad cover. All of the changing pad covers offered in stores are made of a soft fabric, which is probably nice on the baby’s skin, but is certainly not waterproof. Newborns make a mess… Using oilcloth allows you to wipe up the mess quickly, rather than replacing the entire cover and throwing it in the wash. I made a cover out of some leftover oil cloth that does not match the nursery, but your oilcloth links are encouraging me to find a nice print and make something cuter. Hopefully your sewing with oilcloth tips will make it easier this time around!

  2. 2) Maya

    Is it okay to put hot things on the oilcloth? Will the plastic melt?

    • 3) Dana

      I wouldn’t put anything too hot on them, but something warm would be fine. They’re best for cold drinks.

  3. Dana, these are super cute! I actually don’t have any oilcloth in my fabric stash. I’ve always wanted to sew with it but I wasn’t sure exactly what I’d do. So, I’m going to try these! 🙂 – Dori –

    • 5) Dana

      You definitely need to try it out! It’s so much fun!
      If you’re not sure how committed you are, just buy a 1/2 yard and make something small…like these! yes! 🙂

  4. 6) Melissa

    I am looking for something to cover the top of a child’s table. Do you think that oilcloth could be used with an adhesive? I like the bright colors and the plastic covering but would need something that wouldn’t move! If you don’t think this would work, any ideas appreciated. Love the coaster idea too.

    • 7) Kael Alford

      I have the same question. Did you get an answer to this? I’d like to use oilcloth to cover the headliner in a vintage RV trailer and we’d need to use adhesive. Seems like it would be okay but would like to one
      If anyone else has tried adhesive.

  5. 8) Sarah K

    I love these! Thank you!

  6. 9) Kim

    If you sew a seam on an oilcloth tablecloth will it still be waterproof?

    • 10) Dana

      It won’t be “waterproof” exactly….some liquids could get through the seams. But it will be water resistant.

  7. 11) Courtney A Wilson

    Do you think oil cloth would work to have under plant pots that are placed on a nice piece of furniture? Will they hold liquid that may leak from the pot?

    • 12) Dana

      Hmmm….I don’t think that would work because an liquid would just run off the oilcloth onto your table.
      Maybe take a planter disc and cover it with oilcloth to look decorative? Or a white plate?
      That might work.

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