Wooden Coaster Set with Wool Tweed Fabric

Wooden Coaster Set with Wool Tweed Fabric

Salvaged wood is something I love to work with when I find the right piece. I haven’t made loads of projects with it, simply because I tend to create smaller projects. But, I had an idea in my my mind for a wooden coaster set. I just needed to find the right salvaged wood to repurpose.

As it turned out, an architectural salvage store near me had closed. And the new owners were all but giving away the salvaged wood on the property.

Salvaged wood for easy upcycling projects

The options for making my wooden coaster set were endless! No joke, the pile of salvaged wood went on…and on…and on…

Reclaimed lumber for making DIY coasters

I actually made a similar set of wooden coasters for my book, “Crafting with Flannel”, as well!

diy wood coasters with flannel fabric

Anyway, back to the project at hand. I scored a few select boards that could fit in my little hatchback and headed home to work on my project.

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Testing the Salvaged Wood for Lead Based Paint

My original plan was to upcycle a board that had chippy white paint on it. But because I was working on coasters that would hold drinks and could come near food, I needed to do something first.

Check the paint for lead.

So, I purchased a 3M Lead Check to do just that.

3M Lead Check for testing for lead paint

The test kit was comprised of several swabs that you wipe on the painted surface in question. If the area turns red or pink, then lead based paint was detected.

Testing the salvaged wood for lead based paint

And wouldn’t you know it, but the swabbed areas turned a bright shade of fuchsia.

Lead paint test on salvaged wood

So, I set aside my the bad board and went back to the drawing board, so to speak.

This time around, I selected one that was unpainted: a nice 4” wide plank that would yield a wooden coaster set that were safe to use.

Using the salvaged wood to make the wooden coaster set

Now I needed a new vision for how my coasters would look. Without the whitewashed (and lead-covered) board, my original plan just wouldn’t be as exciting. With my yearnings for autumn in full swing, I decided to add a little plaid my coasters. Would I use flannel scraps from my table runner or hand warmer project from last year?

No.

I’d use tweed! Tweed would coordinate nicely with the salvaged wood, like a cozy, Hygge, back-to-school feel that would match the nip in the air as Fall approached.

Recycling Tweed Jackets for a Wooden Coaster Set

First, we used our miter saw to slice the board into several 4” x 4” wooden coasters. Then, I used our orbital sander on each one until they were satiny smooth.

Next, I selected a rich, warm wood stain that would give the wooden coaster set a good foundation for the tweed material.

Wood stain for a wooden coaster set

After the wood stain had thoroughly cured overnight, sealed them with butcher block oil and furniture wax.

English chestnut wood stain for drink coasters

I had already collected several tweed jackets from the clearance racks at various thrift stores. Cottonball took an immediate liking to them, as you can see!

Tweed jackets for easy upcycling projects

I wanted mug-sized circles of tweed material on my wooden coaster set. So, I made a pattern with scrap paper, pinned it to a swatch of tweed, and used my pinking shears to cut it out.

Decorating a wooden coaster set with tweed material

Next, I swirled a very thin coat of Mod Podge in a circle on each coaster. After I fixed the tweed to the circle, I then dabbed a wee bit more Mod Podge under the circle’s edges.

I wanted enough “glue” to hold my tweed in place, but not so much that it would bleed through.

Decoupaging fabric on wood with Mod Podge

Finally, I set the wooden coaster set aside to allow the Mod Podge to dry thoroughly!

Wooden Coaster Set with Wool Tweed Fabric

And there you have it! A wooden coaster set that looks just like autumn to me.

Wooden drink coasters from a recycled coat and salvaged lumber

Perfect for holding steaming mugs of tea or hot cider, and they act as fall home decor to boot

Upcycling a tweed sport coat for a wooden coaster set

Maybe I didn’t get to try my original idea thanks to some pesky lead paint, but these turned out better than I could have imagined. So I think it was meant to be after all!

Along the same lines as this project, did you know I wrote an entire book on flannel crafts? If you enjoy small fabric projects like these coasters, then I think you will LOVE my book!

Flannel craft ideas and projects

If you enjoyed this upcycling idea with a tweed jacket, then you’ll also love these decorative acorns for fall decor, too!

acorn decorations from tweed jackets

Craft on (and welcome Fall!)!

S

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wool tweed fabric on diy coasters

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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.

Comments

  1. Fabulous project! Shared and enjoyed:)
    Thanks for joining us at TOHOT!

  2. Those are awesome…at first I thought you were using carpet for the circles. Didn’t think of tweed. Great job!

  3. I would have been scared of that wood pile. It has to house more than a few rats!

  4. I love love love this!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this evening that features your tutorial:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=89527
    –Anne

  5. These are really quaint. I love them, so perfect for fall. I am pinning this as well. Nicely done.

  6. So cute and perfect for fall!

  7. very cute indeed……especially this time of year!

  8. So stinking cute! Love the coasters. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

  9. chris aka monkey says

    awesome look sarah xx

  10. Very cute and I love the tweed. Will look great in a basket with all the tweeds showing off their patterns.

  11. What clever coasters! I would have taken all of that wood if I could have. You are so creative.
    Bev

  12. What a truly creative set of coasters you have now! I love them!

  13. This is a perfect fall project. Lovely. Pinned & shared. Not sure if you saw but, you were featured this week on the Inspiration Spotlight party! Thanks for sharing each week at the party. Have a great Labor day weekend. Pinned & shared your post.

  14. Aww, perfect Fall coasters, they look so pretty and cozy! Good for you that you tested that piece of wood for lead!

  15. How cute these are. Lately I have been attracted to coasters and these are eye catching.

  16. These really are wonderful, and look like a lot of fun to make! Thank you for sharing! Pinning!

  17. Fun idea and this would be so perfect for a cabin!! Thanks for sharing with us at throwback thursday!

    Mollie

  18. Sew Crafty Crochet says

    Such a cool and unique idea! Your coasters look great!

  19. Another fabulous simple but beautiful project, love it.

  20. Sarah, I love these!! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party-

  21. Good info about the lead paint and a very cute project!

  22. Love the idea and tutorial. So adorable for fall. Thank you for sharing with us at Vintage Charm.

  23. Love these Sarah! What an original idea with the tweed! They are so my style! Thanks for sharing!
    ~Laurie

  24. What a gold mine on that salvaged wood pile!! Love the old wood and tweed combo!

  25. These are just darling, Sarah! If you’re not careful, you’ll end up with stacks of “junk” wood, like me 🙂 Pinning–

  26. Sarah, these coasters look so nice and cozy. Love how you repurposed the wood and tweed, great combination.

  27. You were very well prepared and these are so nice. I love that they are gender neutral also, good job my friend! As always we thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend!

  28. Aww…these are too cute! 🙂

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

  29. This project is so cute! I look forward to your next post where you repurpose those tweed coats into a bed, right? 😉 I love your fur baby by the way. Mine will sleep on anything as long as it’s soft and warm. I never would have thought to check for lead when using repurposed wood, brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing with us this week at Dishing It & Digging It!

  30. Thank you so much for sharing this at last week’s {nifty thrifty things}!
    You have been featured today! – http://www.niftythriftythings.com/nifty-thrifty-sunday-247/
    XO! Vanessa

  31. These are so neat! I think the wood + tweed combo is perfect. Thanks for linking up with Creative Spark; your coasters were our most-clicked project last week! Hope you’ll stop by tomorrow and link up again 🙂

  32. These are gorgeous — I wish we had old scrap wood around here! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!

  33. These ARE sublime! I love them! -Marci @Stone Cottage Adventures

  34. Loved your coaster idea! It looked like your cat liked the idea too, but he had something different in mind for “re-purr-posing”

  35. These turned out really nice. Its too bad you couldn’t of used the other board, but these turned out very pretty even if they were what you had planned. Adding the tweed was a nice touch, perfect for fall!

  36. Love this – what a find that salvage was!! Man I’d love to have dug through that! Your coasters are so pretty and fall-like! Great idea!

  37. Last fall I had this brilliant idea to channel my inner Sadie Seasongoods and bought a plaid blazer from the thrift store. I took it apart thinking I would use the bigger pieces to make plaid chargers. Well it’s still in a bag in the back of my linen closet. I think I can handle making coasters but the Mr. will have to cut the wood for me. You’re going to make a crafter out of me Sarah!!

  38. What a creative way to add a touch of fall decor. Another great idea, Sarah! Visiting from Best Friday Features.

  39. Sadie, I love this craft too! I am so inspired!! Excited to have found your site!

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  1. […] then I saw Sadie Seasongoods gorgeous wooden flannel coasters HERE and got inspired! If you don’t know her, go check out the blog and you’ll find tons of […]

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