A coordinated tableware set is a wonderful way to bring warmth and seasonal energy to your dining space, and the Sunflower Placemats and Coasters Set designed by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics is an exceptional project for doing just that.
Created as part of the popular August Table Glitz series, this project combines traditional patchwork piecing with simple fusible web appliqué to create vibrant sunflower placemats and matching drink coasters.
What makes this tutorial particularly enticing is its quick assembly method: using heat-activated fusible adhesive allows you to shape, position, and topstitch sunflower petals with precision without tedious needle-turn applique.
Below, you’ll find an overview of the project, fabric selection strategies, step-by-step assembly guidance, common mistakes to avoid, practical sewing tips, and direct links to Jennifer Bosworth’s free pattern and video walkthrough.
Sunflower Table Set at a Glance
| Project Name | Sunflower Placemats and Coasters (August Table Glitz) |
| Designer / Author | Jennifer Bosworth / Shabby Fabrics |
| Main Techniques | Patchwork piecing, Fusible web appliqué, Topstitching |
| Main Fabrics | Golden yellows, rusts, ambers, browns, and neutral backgrounds |
| Key Notions | Fusible web (e.g., Heat 'n Bond Lite), Open-toe presser foot |
| Scrap Friendly | Yes — excellent for scrap stash busting |
| Skill Level | Confident Beginner and up |
| Source Format | Free Printable PDF Pattern & Video Tutorial |
What Is the Sunflower Table Glitz Project?
The Sunflower Table Glitz set is a functional tableware project that features a large sunflower focal motif stitched onto pieced fabric placemats and miniature versions scaled down for drink coasters.
Sunflowers represent joy and hospitality in home decor, making this set ideal for summer patio dining, late summer gatherings, or autumn dinner tables.
Because the petal shapes are applied using raw-edge fusible appliqué, the project stays flat and crisp, ensuring dishes and drink glasses sit stably on top.
Why This Project Is Great for Fabric Scraps
Sunflower motifs rely heavily on color variation across individual petals to achieve depth. Rather than cutting every petal from the exact same yellow fabric, using a mix of yellow and gold cotton scraps gives the project much more life.
You can easily utilize small leftover pieces from your scrap bin for the petal templates, sunflower centers, and accent borders.
Recommended Sunflower Fabrics
- Golden yellow tone-on-tone prints
- Warm amber and rust orange floral scraps
- Bright yellow polka dots and geometric prints
- Deep brown or textured black fabrics for the sunflower center
Recommended Background Fabrics
- Light beige or cream low-volume prints
- Subtle green grass-like textures
- Neutral linen-look cotton scraps
Why Value Contrast Matters
Because fusible appliqué sits directly on top of the pieced background, strong value contrast is essential to ensure the sunflower motif pops.
If your background fabric is too bright or close in shade to your golden yellow petals, the flower outline will blend into the background.
A helpful tip before pressing your appliqué pieces in place is to step back or take a quick black-and-white picture with your smartphone. If the flower shape remains clearly defined in grayscale, your contrast is spot on.
How the Fusible Web Appliqué Technique Works
Fusible web adhesive (such as Heat 'n Bond Lite) makes detailed shape raw-edge appliqué remarkably simple:
- Trace the petal and center templates onto the smooth paper side of the fusible web.
- Roughly cut out around the shapes, leaving a small margin.
- Fuse the adhesive web to the wrong side of your selected fabrics using a dry iron.
- Cut out the shapes precisely along the traced lines.
- Peel off the paper backing and arrange the petals symmetrically on your pieced placemat or coaster top.
- Press thoroughly with steam to lock the pieces onto the background.
- Stitch around the raw edges using a straight stitch, zig-zag, or blanket stitch to secure the shapes permanently.
🌻 Use Jennifer Bosworth’s Original Tutorial While Sewing
The original Shabby Fabrics tutorial includes exact template printouts, cutting dimensions, fabric requirements, and video demonstrations. This Quilting Time guide provides technique advice, layout ideas, and troubleshooting to complement Jennifer's complete original instructions.
Tips for Clean Appliqué and Flat Tableware
Use Lightweight Fusible Adhesive
Always choose a lightweight paper-backed fusible web designed for sewing (such as Heat 'n Bond Lite). Heavyweight adhesives make fabric stiff and difficult for sewing machine needles to penetrate.
Use an Open-Toe Presser Foot
When topstitching along the edges of small petals, an open-toe foot provides a clear view of your needle line, making curved stitching much cleaner.
Press Without Distortion
When fusing your flower layout, press the iron straight down vertically rather than sliding it across the fabric. Sliding can warp the shape of delicate petal tips.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Forgetting to Mirror Templates
When tracing directional templates onto fusible web paper, remember that the fused image will be reversed on the right side of the fabric.
Over-Saturating with Heavy Thread
Using standard 40wt or 50wt cotton thread for edge stitching keeps the placemats supple. Extra thick thread on small coaster petals can make the edges feel bumpy.
Skipping the Paper Backing Removal
Always ensure you peel away the paper backing before pressing your cut pieces onto your placemat, otherwise the adhesive will stick to the paper instead of the fabric.
What Can You Make with This Pattern?
- Matching Table Set: A set of 4 or 6 placemats with matching drink coasters for family dining.
- Seasonal Table Runner: Join multiple sunflower placemat blocks side-by-side to create a long table runner.
- Wall Decor: A single finished block framed or bound as a decorative seasonal mini quilt.
- Handmade Gift Set: A set of 4 coasters bundled with ribbon makes a lovely housewarming gift.
Sunflower Placemats and Coasters FAQ
Is the Sunflower Table Glitz pattern free?
Yes, Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics offers the downloadable August Table Glitz Sunflower PDF pattern and video tutorial for free.
Who designed the pattern?
The project was created by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics.
What stitching is best for securing the appliqué edges?
A small straight stitch placed just inside the raw edge, a standard machine blanket stitch, or a narrow zig-zag stitch all work exceptionally well.
Is this project suitable for beginner quilters?
Yes! Fusible web appliqué is one of the easiest ways for confident beginners to tackle detailed shapes without complex curved piecing.
View the Original Free Sunflower Pattern & Video
Access Jennifer Bosworth’s complete printable PDF templates, exact cutting instructions, and full video walkthrough below:
Download Free Sunflower Table Glitz PDF Pattern →
Watch the Free Shabby Fabrics Video Tutorial →
Tutorial Source
August Table Glitz - Sunflower Placemats and Coasters is an original pattern and tutorial designed by Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics.
The Quilting Time does not reproduce the full pattern templates or proprietary cutting guides. This article adds fabric selection tips, technique guidance, troubleshooting, and project ideas while referring readers directly to Shabby Fabrics for the original pattern downloads.
Happy quilting!
