Got Sheet Bags? Got Coasters!

You know those cute little drawstring or Velcro fabric bags that sheets come in? You know – the ones that will never ever hold the sheets again because you have to be a magician to be able to fold them that precisely again? I have scoured Pinterest for clever uses for my small stock pile but I came up empty handed.

Since I consistently have a water glass (or four) on my nightstand, I thought some fabric coasters would be great to prevent water stains/damage on the wood. Using the sheet bag seemed like a perfect idea, because it would match my bedding! The project ended up being so quick and easy that I will definitely be making them again in the future.

Beginners are encouraged to try this project. Two coasters will take approx. 30 minutes to make. These instructions were made with a queen size sheet bag. You may need to adjust your cut sizes, based on the size of your sheet bag.

You will need:
One fabric sheet bag
Fusible Fleece (may be substituted with batting and adhesive spray).
Coordinating thread
Standard supplies include sewing machine, scissors, ¼” foot, iron, starch, water soluble pen, acrylic ruler, seam ripper, and straight pens.

1. If your fabric sheet bag uses Velcro for closure, carefully remove it with your seam ripper. Be careful not to puncture the fabric with the seam ripper.

2. Iron the bag to get any wrinkles out. Use starch or sizing to give it some crispness.

3. Place the side that had the Velcro face down on your cutting mat. Using your rotary cutter and acrylic ruler, cut a 6″ strip out of the bag. Try to keep the printed pattern straight before making the cut. Make another cut so the the 6″ strip is 11″ wide.

4. Cut a 6×11″ piece from your fusible fleece. Iron the fusible fleece to the piece that had the Velcro on it. (tip: the bubbly side of the fleece faces the back side of your fabric.)

5. Place your 6×11″ pieces right sides together. Use your ruler and water soluble pen to draw two 5”x5” squares. The squares should be spaced at least ¼” apart. Try to look at the fabric pattern underneath the ruler to see if the pattern is straight. This will only be important for the top side of the coaster.

6. Pin the layers together.

7. Sew directly onto the squares you drew leaving a 2” wide opening for turning right side out (one square at a time). Fix the stitch or back-stitch at the beginning and end.

8. Use scissors to separate the squares. Trim each one so there is about 1/4″ on each side and 1/2″ at the opening. At the opening, cut the excess fusible fleece so that it is even with the rest of the coaster. Leave the fabric at the 1/2″ size. Clip the corners and the strings. Here is what it will look like on the front and back.

9. Flip the squares right side out through the opening.  Iron each square. Iron the tab at the opening so that it is evenly inside the coaster.

10. You can hand sew the opening shut, but I prefer to let the sewing machine do the work. Begin stitching 1/8” from the outside of the square. Sew all the way around. Fix the stitch or back-stitch at the beginning and end. Tie the strings from the front together and the ones from the back together before trimming the strings (i.e make knots with the strings on the front and the back). You may quilt the coasters as desired. I used my ¼” foot to make a labyrinth pattern.

I am using my second coaster under my Scentsy warmer. It is just the right size and will prevent the heat from damaging the finish on my nightstand.

Do you have any other suggestions for using a sheet bag? If so, please share in the comments!