How to Make Folded Fabric Coasters and Pot Holders: Easy Sewing Pattern

Sew up some cute coasters to protect your furniture and use up fabric scraps! This free sewing tutorial also includes a matching potholder pattern. This sewing project is easy for any beginner and makes great holiday gifts.

The folded fabric coasters use 5” squares of fabric (that’s all!) so they are perfect for sewing with charm squares and scraps. Since it’s holiday season, I made some in traditional red and green Christmas fabrics, and then I made more in crazy Christmas scraps.

For more fun projects like this, check out all my free sewing patterns.

While at it, make some hot pads in complimentary fabrics so your kitchen accessories will match. Thanks to insulated batting, they also work as trivets to protect your table from the heat.

This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing. Find it here. The free Folded Fabric Coasters and Potholders Pattern is included in the blog post below and is free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The PDF download is inexpensive and optional. Did you know you can get ALL the Optimized for Printing PDF files organized in a library to access anytime you want? Check it out.

I couldn’t stop myself, I made crazy scrappy Christmas potholders to match my coasters too! Now I need to decide which set to keep for myself and which set to give as a gift. I love them both!

Folded Fabric Coasters Finished Dimensions

The finished coasters are approximately 4 1/2” x 4 1/2”.

Folded Fabric Potholders Finished Dimensions

The finished pot holders are approximately 9 1/2” x 9 1/2”, not including the hanging loop.

For bigger holiday potholders, try my Christmas Tree Holiday Potholder Pattern.

Tips for Choosing Materials

This project works best with cotton quilting fabric because of all the folded fabric layers. The coasters are especially scrap-friendly because you only need 5” squares (charm squares). Ten-inch layer cake squares of fabric are perfect for the pot holders.

The top of the potholder or coaster uses 4 fabric squares. I suggest using at least two different fabrics for the top so you get that great woven effect. Of course, you can use up to 5 different fabrics if you wish!

Any kind of thread that you can use on your sewing machine will work great. I used cotton thread on most of my potholders and coaster, but polyester thread is fine too, and embroidery thread will add some extra shine.

The coasters do not need any interfacing, but the potholders do require insulated batting. I used Insulbrite thermal insulated batting. It is reversible so it doesn’t matter what side is up – both sides are protective.

So let’s get started making beautiful fabric coasters and hot pads!

To Make One Coaster, You Will Need:

• 5 squares of fabric, 5” x 5” (at least 2 different prints or solids)

To Make One Potholder, You Will Need:

• 5 squares of fabric, 10” x 10” (at least 2 different prints or solids)
• 1 square of insulated batting 10” x 10” (such as Insulbright, link above)
• 1 rectangle of fabric 2 1/2” x 6” to make the hanging loop

You will also need:

• Thread
• Optional: Quilt basting spray (such as 505 or SpraynBond) and fabric glue (such as Fabric Fuse)
• Cutting tools: scissors, rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, and cutting mat
• Sewing pins
• A sewing machine and sewing machine needle (size 90/14 suggested)
• Chopstick or turning tool

How to Make a Folded Fabric Coaster

Use a 1/4” seam allowance.

1. Pick one fabric square to use for the back of the coaster. Set that one aside. Fold the rest of the 5” fabric squares in half, wrong sides together and press to make 2 1/2” x 5” rectangles.

2. Lay the 5” square for the back of the coaster on your workspace, right side up.

Place a folded fabric rectangle on top of the square with the folded edge toward the center.

Working counter-clockwise, place another folded fabric rectangle on the left side, with the folded edge toward the center. Then place a folded fabric rectangle on the bottom of the square with the folded edge toward the center.

Place the last folded fabric rectangle on the right side, lifting up the first rectangle part way to weave the last one in. Make sure the fold of the fabric is toward the center.

3. Snug the pieces together and place pins on each quarter of the square.

4. Using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew all the way around the square. You do not need to leave an opening for turning. Pivot with your needle down at all of the corners.

5. Trim away the extra fabric at the corners.

6. Turn the coaster right side out by reaching your fingers inside the folds and pulling out the backing fabric. Use a chopstick or turning tool to push out the corners gently. Press the coaster flat.

6. Topstitch around the coaster 1/8-1/4” from the edge, as desired.

How to Make a Folded Fabric Pot Holder

Use a 1/4” seam allowance.

Make the Hanging Loop

1. Fold the 2 1/2” x 6” fabric strip in half lengthwise (wrong sides together) and press. Then open it and fold the long edges to the center, press.

2. Topstitch along both long edges, close to the edge.

Prepare the Back of the Potholder

1. Pick one 10” fabric square for the back of the potholder.

Spray the 10” square of insulated batting with quilt basting spray and adhere it to the wrong side of the back of the potholder.

Tip: if you do not have quilt basting spray, you can layer the fabric and insulated batting together and baste around the piece, 1/8” from the edge.

2. Fold the hanging loop in half or in a twisted loop shape (as seen above) and pin it 1/2” away from one of the corners of the square for the back. The raw edges of the loop should line up with the raw edges of the fabric and insulated batting.

3. Sew the hanging loop in place close to the edge.

Assemble the Potholder or Trivet

This part of the step-by-step photo tutorial does not have as many photos as were shown for the coaster. Refer to the coaster instructions, if needed.

1. Fold the rest of the 10” fabric squares in half, wrong sides together and press to make 5” x 10” rectangles.

2. Lay the 5” square for the back of the coaster on your workspace, right side up. Place a folded fabric rectangle on top of the square with the folded edge toward the center.

Working counter-clockwise, place another folded fabric rectangle on the left side, with the folded edge toward the center.

Then place a folded fabric rectangle on the bottom of the square with the folded edge toward the center.

Place the last folded fabric rectangle on the right side, lifting up the first rectangle part way to weave the last one in. Make sure the fold of the fabric is toward the center.

3. Snug the pieces together and place pins on each quarter of the square.

4. Using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew all the way around the square. You do not need to leave an opening for turning. Pivot with your needle down at all of the corners.

5. Trim away the extra fabric at the corners.

6. Turn the pot holder right side out by reaching your fingers inside the folds and pulling out the insulated batting and backing fabric. Use a chopstick or turning tool to push out the corners gently. Press the hot pad flat.

6. Topstitch around the hot pad 1/4” from the edge.

7. The potholders are significantly larger than the coasters, so I felt it necessary to close the folded fabric openings.

On some of my potholders, I sewed 2 straight quilting lines in each direction 1/4” away from the center folds.

On others, I used a small line of fabric glue to secure the folds closed. Both methods worked great!

Now you know how to make folded fabric coasters and folded fabric potholders for any occasion!

As always, I love to see what you make with my tutorials. Please post a picture to Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or #sewcanshe so I can see!

Are you looking for more fast and easy fabric gifts to sew? Check out:

• Every friend and family member loves a new apron. This free apron pattern takes only a yard of fabric.
• I made a bunch of these card kitties (cardholders) for my kids but it’s the adults who are always using them!
• Work some magic by whipping up this messenger bag faster than someone else could find a parking spot at the store!

Or see my collection of 25+ Easy Sewing Gift Ideas.

Happy sewing,