Stem-Wear - Sew News Library

From our November 2003 Issue


	Stem-Wear LINDA WYMAN Keep partygoers' drinks identified and protect your tabletop at the same time with these clever stemware slip-ons.

MATERIALS

Seasonal fabric(s) (1/4 yard of 45"-wide fabric makes 10 coasters for 3"-diameter base stemware)

Lightweight fusible interfacing

Tear-away stabilizer

Decorative threads, trims and/or ribbons

Monofilament thread

Pinking shears

Instructions

To determine the cut fabric size for the coaster, measure the diameter of the stemware base and add 7/8" for the width. Double the base diameter and add 1 3/4" for the length. For a 3"-diameter base glass, cut a 3 7/8"x 7 3/4" rectangle. Note: For very lightweight or ravel-prone fabrics such as lamé, fuse interfacing to the wrong side before cutting.

Cut rectangles using pinking shears to reduce raveling with repeated washings.

Clip-mark the center of both long rectangle edges by clipping 1/8" into the seamline.

Press under a 1/2" hem on the rectangle short ends. Insert a 3/8"-wide fusible interfacing strip in the hem allowance and fuse in place.

Using tear-away stabilizer under the fabric, add trim or decorative stitching 1/4" to 3/8" from the folds to secure the hems (1). To keep narrow trims in place while stitching, guide them through the opening of a couching, piping or rolled hemmer foot. Use monofilament thread for an invisible application.
Add decorative stitching or trim to secure hem.

Add decorative stitching or trim to secure hem.

With right sides together, fold in the finished edges to meet the center clip marks. Stitch along the raw edges using a 1/4" seam (2).

Turn the coaster right side out; press. Hand-tack embellishments, such as buttons, charms or iron-on appliqués, to individualize the coasters. Note: Other ideas for making each coaster different include using the same fabric in different colorways, selecting a variety of coordinating seasonal fabrics or using the same base fabric and varying the stitching or trim colors.

Embellishment Options

Beads, charms or buttons

Couch trims over the folded hem. If the trim has a "lip," position it beneath the coaster folded edge and topstitch before assembling

Lace trims or appliqués

Bias tape, rickrack or soutache braid

Decorative stitches

Pintucks, corded pintucks or folded tucks. Stitch tucks before measuring and cutting the fabric length.

Bobbinwork. Wind thicker threads on a bobbin by hand, use regular sewing thread in the needle, and stitch with the right side down.

Machine or iron-on appliqués

Machine embroidery or monogram. For proper placement, hoop and stitch the design before cutting the rectangle.

Linda Wyman enjoys stitching, scrapbooking and quilting in the foothills west of Denver when she's not busy as Sew News' editorial assistant.


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