Perfect Little Stitches -- Coasters and Stocking

~ How to make the Coasters and Stocking ~
Print this page or refer to .zip file of instructions included with purchase.

~ How to Make the Coasters ~

Supplies (for one coaster):
Water-soluble stabilizer -- 2 squares 6" x 6" (or one of extra-heavy)
Plain Fabric -- 6" x 6" square (denim was used in the coasters shown)
Flannel -- two 5" x 5" squares
Embroidery threads
Coaster designs from Perfect Little Stitches

Steps refer to illustrations above.

1 -- Place the fabric square on top of stabilizers and hoop. Embroider the design in the desired color(s). Switch to red thread (or desired color for satin-stitched edge) and use matching color in bobbin. Sew the circle of running stitches. Remove hoop from your sewing machine but do not unhoop the fabric. Trim close to stitching, leaving no more than 1/16" of fabric outside of the stitches. Trim a bit of fabric from around the coaster,
taking care not to cut the stabilizer.

2 -- Slide two layers of flannel under the hoop. Smooth the layers, then pin in place, one pin on each side and one in each corner. Re-attach hoop to machine.

3 -- Sew the next set of stitches with the same thread. This is a set of loose zig-zag stitches to anchor the extra layers.

4 -- Remove hoop from sewing machine, but do not unhoop fabrics. Remove pins. On the back, trim both layers of flannel very close to zig-zag stitches. Re-attach hoop to machine.

5 -- Using the same thread, sew the next set of zig-zag stitches, which should fall just beyond the edge of the fabric. If not, stop the stitching and trim. (The machine will not stop for you.) Continue with the same color for the final round of satin stitches.

6 -- Remove the coaster from the stabilizer. Wash out stabilizer.

Use the basic coaster design in combination with any other embroidery design that will fit inside the circle. Be sure to sew the design first. If possible, combine the designs in your embroidery software to be sure of the positioning of the design.

The embroidery files in coasters.zip are:
Coaster (empty coaster design)
CoasterHH (Happy Holidays)
CoasterMC (Merry Christmas)
CoasterNY (Happy New Year)
CoasterSG (Seasons Greetings)

For a holiday ornament, add a 6-inch loop of ribbon (folded in half) during step 2 so that the ends of the ribbon will be hidden inside the coaster (ornament). Take care when trimming the batting and 2nd fabric so as not to clip the ribbon.

~ How to Make the 3-D Stocking ~

Supplies (for one stocking):
Water-soluble stabilizer -- 4 squares 6" x 6" (or two of extra-heavy)
Red fabric -- two 5" x 5" squares
Red embroidery thread and bobbin
White embroidery thread and bobbin
5 inches of narrow red ribbon
Stocking designs from Perfect Little Stitches

Refer to illustration stocking.jpg.

1 -- Hoop two layers of stabilizer (or one if extra-heavy). Pin fabric to stabilizer as shown in illustration 1. Use red thread on top and in bobbin.

2 -- Sew the first color of Stockng1 (running stitches form the outline of a stocking) as shown in illustration 2. Remove hoop from your sewing machine but do not unhoop the stabilizer.

3 -- Trim fabric very close to stitching taking care not to cut the stabilizer (illustration 3).

4 -- Switch to white bobbin and white thread. Re-attach hoop to sewing machine. Sew next color of the design (illustration 4).

Remove the stabilizer from the hoop and set aside (do not repeat this step for Stockng2).

Repeat steps 1 through 4 with Stockng2 design (mirror image of Stockng1).

5 -- Position embroidery from Stockng1 under the hoop and pin through center of the stocking and through stabilizer, stretching stabilizer slightly to make sure all the edges line up (illustration 5).

6 -- Switch back to red bobbin and thread. Embroider next color. Switch back to white bobbin and thread. Embroider final color (illustration 6).

For a holiday ornament, add a 5-inch loop of ribbon (folded in half) and secure ends with a few stitches (hand sewing).

For a small gift, tuck a candy stick, coins or rolled money inside.