A vintage tea cup filled with tea and topped with a custom sewn fabric coaster makes one of the greatest gifts you can give to a sweet friend. After all, is there anything more beautifully whimsical than a one-of-a-kind tea cup at the thrift store? You can often find really pretty ones that have lost their saucer or a saucer one cup short of a set. Though it seems counterintuitive, these lonely pieces are actually a goldmine for crafting ideas. When I’m at the thrift store, I always make a beeline for these teacup set singles and use them for anything from under-plant dish decor to craft organizing.
Instructions
Step 1:
Iron on some Heat n’ Bond to the back side of a pretty colored, mostly solid fabric. If you use a print, the delicate die cutting won’t show the words clearly. For this fabric coaster tea gift topper I used the Die’sire Decorative Sentiment “Sweet Friend” from the 3 pack set. This is an “interior die” so it needs to be cut a second time for the outside circle.
Step 2:
For the under layer, again fuse Heat n’ Bond onto the back side of a coordinating cotton fabric.
Step 3:
Use the outer circle of the pop out circle card Die’sire die to cut the under layer of cotton and felt. Snip the scored areas to release the full circle of fabric from the background area.
Step 4:
Fuse the letter layer onto the backing cotton.
Step 5:
Then, iron the fabric layers to the felt layer.
Step 6:
For a final touch, satin stitched around the coaster in a contrasting thread color.
Step 7:
Fill the tea cup with tea and tie the coaster topper onto the cup with a bit of ribbon. You may want to add a temporary glue dot or two to secure it.
You can fill these DIY teacup crafts with all sorts of little treats—chocolates, jewelry, or a special note?
Who will you make this adorable craft for? Let us know below in the comments!
Stefanie Girard is a crafter with a re-purpose. She has been cutting stuff up since she was old enough to hold a pair of scissors in her tiny hands. She earned her degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute and move to Los Angeles to work in the entertainment industry first as a Set Decorator and Prop Master then onto TV Producer specializing in How-To TV shows for HGTV and the DIY Networks. After writing 5 craft books for the Quarto Publishing Group she now spreads the crafty word online through book reviews and original projects with a focus on recycled elements at SweaterSurgery.blogspot.com.
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