How to Make Autumn Punch Needle Coasters

Before beginning your punch needle project you will need to construct a basic square wooden frame using timber and screws purchased from a DIY shop. The frame used for this project is 30 x 30cm but it will be reusable for future projects, so you may wish to adjust the size according to your needs. Alternatively, you can use an embroidery hoop, or a canvas frame with the canvas removed.

Stretch your fabric over the frame, ensuring that it is taut and secure it with drawing pins.

Print out the templates provided, ensuring they are big enough to place a cup on. Place the templates on the back of the fabric and use a marker to carefully trace out each template onto the fabric. Ensure that there is a good amount of space between each design (5-6 cm) as you will need to leave a border around each coaster for finishing off at a later stage. 

To thread your punch needle, feed the threader through the tip of the needle until it reaches the top. Then open up the threader and place the orange wool through the centre (you will start by punching the pumpkin.) Then pull your threader back through the needle and finally pull the threader and wool through the eye of the needle. Remove the threader once the needle has been threaded.

Begin punching your pumpkin by following along the lines of the template, and then filling in the gaps. You may wish to use two shade of orange as shown in the picture, or just use one shade. Once completed, move on to the stem and leaves of the pumpkin, using the appropriate colours.

When you have completed the pumpkin, move on to the other two coasters, one colour at a time.

Once you have finished with your punch needle and have created your three coasters, you will need to secure them with a layer of PVA craft glue on the back (NOT the looped side.) I would strongly advise completing this stage whilst the fabric is attached to your frame to prevent warping. Apply a generous coat of glue with a paintbrush and leave to dry until hardened.

Once the glue has dried, remove the fabric from your frame. Trim around the edges of each coaster leaving at least a 2/3cm border at each side.

Next, create small cuts around the edges of each of the borders and then use a glue gun to glue down these edges to the back of the coasters.

Measure around the edge of each coaster onto a piece of felt of your choice and cut around the edges. Secure the felt onto the back of your coaster using your glue gun (you could also sew the felt backing onto the coaster using a whip stitch if you prefer.)

You now have a beautiful set of autumnal coasters!