Hey, wait!! Don’t toss your old worn out cutting mat.
Cut it up and make some really cute coasters.
Want to make your own? You only need a few supplies. Which you probably already have. Now Go. Collect up this stuff.
Sturdy, heavy duty scissors
Fabric/Thread
Iron-on interfacing
Ruler/measuring tool
DIRECTIONS TO MAKE CUTTING MAT COASTERS
Cut Up Cutting Mat
Decide on dimensions for your coasters and cut mat into workable pieces.
Next, cut the sizes you want from the larger pieces. I made a template from an old VCR cassette case.
Round the corners so the ends won’t poke through your fabric pouch.
Fabric/Interfacing
Determine the size of the fabric needed by laying mat down on top of folded fabric.
Allow about an inch on the bottom and also one side. (Will only have a seam on one side.) Leave about 1 1/2″ at the top where mat will be inserted.
Iron on the interfacing. (I used Fusible Fleece for some and lightweight Pellon for others.)
Sewing
Sew down one side and along the bottom (1/2″ seams, you can trim later). Backstitch beginning and ending stitches.
Test it by slipping your mat inside the fabric pouch to make sure it fits OK. You may have to “squeeze” your mat to ease it inside.
While the mat is inside the pouch, turn down the cuff to get an idea of how much top you have to work with.
If you are happy, remove mat, turn pouch right side out, gently poke out the corners, fold the top down along your prefolded lines. Press. Slip mat back inside pouch.
Sew up the top opening either by sewing machine or by hand. I did mine by machine (with the mat inside). Use matching or coordinating thread. I tried both.
And done!!
You can use your scraps, too. Quilt or leave plain. Make them in lots of sizes and colors. Coordinate with coffee mugs and give as gift sets.
Take them to work, use at home. Great for the kiddies. If they spill something on the coaster, sponge it off with liquid dish detergent, rinse, blot with a paper towel, air dry. And ready to put back in use.
So easy to make, inexpensive. And Think Green. You are putting reusable materials back into circulation instead of contributing to an unsightly landfill.
Don’t have a sewing machine. No problem. You can hand sew these if you do not own one.
And what a great project for kids!! Have fun recycling.
Fabric Note: The scissors fabric I used is called Half Moon by Moda. I have it in all the colors you see up above.
I found this navy scissors fabric at JoAnn’s.
Don’t love it as much as Half Moon, but I still like it. Will use it in a project soon.
Still more October finishes to show you. Do come back. Thanks much for visiting me!!
Linking to…
http://richardquilts.blogspot.com/2012/11/laff-40.html
http://www.sew-much-ado.com/2012/11/we-did-it-wednesday.html
This Year's Dozen 
Wonderful. Love your little project. Thanks so much for the great tute.
I love that! Such a wonderful project!
Hi Donna!
Read this post and then went back to the beginning of it to see a photo once more . . . Next, I quickly scrolled down to the bottom so I could leave this comment – but by the time I got there the photos of the scissors fabric flying by had me feeling dizzy! lol
Great example of recycling. You are definitely the recycling maven with all of your creative uses for scraps and do-dads. Please remind me about the frames you took from the office? I remember you made something very clever with them. š
(Sorry I haven’t been by lately – our power was out too.)
Crystal, Crystal… you made me laugh. Hope you aren’t feeling dizzy any longer. Don’t scroll so FAST!! LOL!!
You remembered my frames project, did ya. I am going to be showing the frames in a couple days for one of my October projects I finished. But you can see them here. Thanks for asking!!
Yes! There they are! So clever!!! š
What a clever idea! I think all of us that quilt eventually find ourselves with a worn out cutting mat, and that’s a wonderful way to recycle it!
What a great Idea!
Great project, Donna!
I thought in green too this weekend.
Look this coasters I made with plastic bags:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/posavasos.jpg/
Gaby, those are amazing!! Is that crochet. Did you make the larger one too? Too cute. I need to start doing something with all the ones I have. But mine aren’t as colorful as yours.
Yes! Is made all in double crochet. I did the large too, is a carpet. Very easy. Look here how to make the ball http://plasticbagbag.com/how.html
What a great idea, Donna! I have a worn out cutting mat and lots of scraps–fabric and interfacing scraps–so this sounds like a great idea! I have said it before and I will say it again; your creativity never ceases to amaze me!
Just gorgeous!!! Love the idea and the colours of fabrics! Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial! I’d love for you to visit my blog.
Happy week!
Hugs from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
http://www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
cool idea! my rotary mat still has lots of life left in it, but if it ever gets tough looking i’ll keep this idea in mind! i’ve noticed a lot of copy-cat prints at joanns lately, those scissors are pretty cute!
Fantastic idea! I will keep it in mind! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your comment love. I love all of ya!!
I go through cutting mats so fast that I always have a new one in the waiting. I guess I am heavy handed. Even with a new cutting blade I have to press down hard. Thanks goodness for JoAnn’s 50% off coupons. I couldn’t afford them any other way. š
Wow, what a great idea! My cutting mat is close to being worn out, but I am still using it. Maybe Santa will bring me a new one this year! š Love the coasters!
Sure wish my cutting mat would wear out. Great idea.
I have one that warped on me. I now use it below my hot glue projects so I dont get hot glue on my ironing board.