Vintage Valentine Coasters

I'm not sure what happened to January, but I'm already changing my table over to the Valentine's Day linens!  Since I just started using fiber art coasters scattered around it last summer, I was didn't have any Valentine ones.  I've been trying to figure out what to do with vintage Valentine's I've  collected for awhile and coasters seemed like a great idea!  These make up quickly - the crochet trim takes a bit longer, but if you're not into crochet or don't have the time, just sewing a nice lace around the edges would look great.

Materials:
*2 sheets Photo Fabric
*small amount of backing fabric
*small amount of fusible felt
*size 30 crochet thread
*size 12 steel crochet hook
*vintage Valentine files found here

1.  Print the valentine file pages (select print actual size) onto Photo Fabric, following directions on the package on how to fix the fabric.  See this past post for more info on using Photo Fabric.

2.  Trim the edges to the size you want and cut matching pieces from backing fabric and fusible felt.  Fuse felt to the wrong side of the backing fabric.

3.  Pin layers together.  Sew around the edges with a small zigzag stitch.

Edging:
1.  With size 30 crochet thread, sew around the edges in a blanket stitch.  Make the stitches very close together.

2.  Starting in one of the blanket stitch openings, join crochet thread and chain 1.  Row 1:  Single crochet in each blanket stitch opening around the coaster.  Join to first single crochet with a slip stitch.  

Row 2:  Chain 3, *skip two single crochets, single crochet in the following stitch*.  Repeat between *'s all the way around - at the corners, switch to skipping only one single crochet for the stitch in front of the corner, the corner, and the stitch after the corner.  Join to bottom of first chain 3 with a slip stitch.   

Row 3:  Chain 3, single stitch in first chain 2 space.  *Chain 2, single crochet in next chain 2 space.*  Repeat between *'s all the way around - at the corners, put two chain 2/single crochets in each corner opening.  Join to bottom of first chain 3 with a slip stitch. 

Row 4:  Chain 1. *In first chain 2 space, crochet one single crochet, one half double crochet, one double crochet, one chain, one double crochet, one half double crochet, and one single crochet.*  Repeat between *'s in each chain 2 space all the way around.  Join to first single crochet with a slip stitch.  Fasten off, weave in and trim ends of crochet thread.

3.  Iron to flatten.

I've finished these three so far and have three to go!

Happy Creating!  Deborah