How to Sew July 4th Banner Coasters

Need a fun way to dress up your Independence Day table? How about July 4^th Banner Coasters? These playful coasters can be used individually, or can be arranged together to make a festive banner garland centerpiece.

Supplies:
1/3 yard blue fabric
1/3 yard red fabric
Batting scraps (enough for eight 4 x 5 inch rectangles)
1 pkg medium rick rack in iridescent white
1/2 yard flag ribbon (or any red, white and blue ribbon)

Begin by cutting eight rectangles out of each color, 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches. Create a simple triangle template, 4 1/2 inches wide by 1 1/4 inches tall. Align template at the bottom of each rectangle and mark a cutting line. Cut each rectangle into a banner shape.

Cut the rick rack to length for the top of each banner – about 4 inches. Sew at the top of 4 red banners and 4 blue banners, using a 1/4 seam allowance. Note that the rick rack stops 1/4 inch away from the right and left edges of the banner, and the ends are in the seam allowance. These steps will help it fit inside the top seam and no frayed ends will show when the banner is turned right side out.

Cut the flag ribbon to 1 1/2 inches and fold in half to make a small loop. Sew to the sides of the 4 red banners and 4 blue banners with the rick rack, using a 1/4 seam allowance and positioning the ribbon 1 1/2 inches from the bottom point of the banner.

Cut pieces of the batting to size, about 4 x 5 inches and with the same triangle cut at the bottom. Note: I found it works better for the batting to be slightly too small and to avoid sewing over it. That will help give crisper points and corners when turning right side out.

Create a stack for sewing, using one red (with the rick rack and ribbon attached) and one plain blue piece, placing them right sides together. Then add the batting on top.

Sew around the edge using 1/4 inch seam allowance, and leaving an opening along one of the sides of the banner stack. Repeat with 3 more embellished red pieces and plain blue pieces. Then repeat again with the 4 embellished blue pieces with the 4 plain reds.

Turn the stacks right side out, carefully adjusting the batting into place and poking out points and corners with a skewer or turning tool. Iron flat, avoiding the ribbon.

Top stitch all around very close to the edge to close the opening, and to add a finished look.

Now you have eight banner coasters that can be stacked, or arranged together to create a festive July 4th centerpiece. Happy Independence Day!