How to make Patriotic Flag Coasters

If you are planning a festive Memorial Day, 4th of July or summer get-together, make fun red, white and blue patriotic coasters as functional decorations.  These coasters also make fabulous hostess gifts.

Are you interested in more patriotic plastic canvas projects? Our Patriotic Theme page has craft ideas for you.

Learn how to make red, white and blue patriotic flag coasters using plastic canvas with this video tutorial or read on for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions.

WHAT YOU NEED

• 7 mesh plastic canvas
• red yarn
• blue yarn
• white yarn
• Tapestry needle
• Scissor

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: CUTTING AND OUTLINING BLUE AREA

From a piece of 7 mesh plastic canvas, cut a square piece which measures  27 holes x 27 holes.

To outline the blue area, start counting on the upper left-hand corner.  On second row, count over 13 holes and using the continental stitch cover the 14th thread.  On the 14th thread stitch down 10 stitches.  Then stitch across horizontally. 

For our tutorial on how to do the continental stitch, click here. The blue outlined area should look like photo above.

STEP 2: MAKE HEART

To start the heart, next to vertical blue line count down 4 holes and then across 4 holes. This is the starting point for stitching the heart.

With the red yarn on a tapestry needle, use the continental stitch to stitch the heart as follows:

Row 1 - Stitch 2 threads, skip one thread, stitch 2 threads
Row 2 - Stitch 7
Row 3 - Stitch 7
Row 4 - Stitch 5
Row 5 - Stitch 3
Row 6 - Stitch 1

See the photo above to see how the heart should appear after it's finished.

STEP 3: FILL IN BLUE AREA

Thread the tapestry needle with blue yarn and completely fill in the blue area using the continental stitch.

STEP 4: MAKE STRIPES

To make the flag stripes, a Slanted Gobelin Stitch will be used. Are you familiar with the Slanted Gobelin Stitch?  If not, check out our Slanted Gobelin Stitch video.

Beginning the red yarn, stitch the first strip at the top of the coaster using the Slanted Gobelin stitch.

After finishing the first stripe, make a white stripe using the Slanted Gobelin stitch.

Continue making stripes alternating colors until you have a total of 13 stripes.

STEP 5: FINISHING

It is time to finish the edges of the coaster.  With blue yarn, use the overcast stitch around the entire outside of the coaster.

The final step is to finish the coaster by gluing cork or felt on the back.

If you are not sure how to finish the coaster using cork on the back, watch our video tutorial by clicking this link.

It's Finished!