DIY Spider Halloween Coasters & Placemat Tutorial (Machine embroidery)

Decorate this fall with these DIY Spider Halloween coasters & placemat featuring Kingstar Metallic Threads!

I was looking for a fun project to make with Kingstar Metallic Threads Fall Quartet since Designs in Machine Embroidery sent us these metallic machine embroidery threads to try out.

While browsing the Kreative Kiwi website, I found a design for Spider Placemats and Coasters.  I decided that the metallic threads would look wonderful on this project.

Best of all, the design was on sale for $1!  I hope it's still on sale for you when we release this video.

About the Kingstar Metallic Threads

Honestly, I was worried about using this thread because I’ve tried other metallic threads in the past and they have been very frustrating!  They would require special needles and no matter what I tried, the thread would break over and over again.  I had totally decided to never use metallics again!

But, since we are a DIME affiliate and they sent us these threads to try out for free, I decided to give them a chance.  I’m actually really glad I did.  They performed beautifully and I only have one special tip to share with you for these threads.

According to DIME's website, these metallic threads can be used like all high-quality embroidery threads.  No special needles are required and you don’t need to slow down your machine!  I found this to be true in my testing.

The thread colors are the "Fall Quartet" and include Copper, Purple, Dark Orange, and Gold 3.  These threads can be purchased individually also.

If you would like a quick tip on stitching with metallic threads, click the link.

Thanksgiving Turkey Mug Rug Pattern

The first project I made with these metallic threads was this Thanksgiving In-the-hoop Turkey Mug Rug pattern by Sweet Pea Machine Embroidery designs (see at the end of this post for a link to the design). 

I used each of the four colors in the lettering and the feathers.  I like how sparkly the metallic threads appear in the satin stitching.

This was a quick and easy in-the-hoop design and the mug rug comes out completely finished except for this small opening that needs to be glued or hand-stitched closed.

Spider Coaster Machine Embroidery Design

Kreative Kiwi is one of my favorite designers of machine embroidery patterns.  The pattern includes both a spider placemat and spider Halloween coasters.

The placemat (not shown) is sewn completely in-the-hoop.  I love Kreative Kiwi's in-the-hoop placemat designs as there is no additional sewing needed.  The sections of the placemat are attached together in-the-hoop!

If you have never made one of Kreative Kiwi’s in the hoop placemats, don’t be afraid because the designs come with a full written photo PDF tutorial that steps you through the process.

The Halloween coasters are stitched in one hooping, so these are a really quick and easy project to make.

Below is a photo of the back of the completed Halloween coaster.

On the first two coasters, I used gold, purple, and orange Kingstar Metallic threads.  I really like how the orange and purple show up when stitched on the black fabric.

For the next coaster, I will use the same black fabric and thread colors but I will try to use purple fabric for spider fabric and see how it turns out.

Watch how I make this spider Halloween coaster by clicking the link to YouTube below or keep reading this page for a photo tutorial.

uick WHAT YOU NEED to make a spider Coaster

• Spider Placemat & Coaster Machine Embroidery Design by Kreative Kiwi
• Embroidery Machine
• Fabric type water soluble stabilizer like Exquisite Sew 'N Wash by Dime or Pellon 541 Wash-n-Gone
• 2 pieces of fabric for the front and back of the coaster. See machine embroidery instructions for sizes.
• A small piece of fabric for the spider.
• Pellon 988 for between the layers of the coaster.
• Kingstar Metallic Fall Quartet thread colors - Use as few as two colors (spider web and spider)
• Black or white machine embroidery thread
• Thread nets
• Hoop & Press Pads - Wool Mats
• Curved Applique Scissors
• Sewing Scissors
• Schmetz Embroidery needle size 90/14

INSTRUCTIONS to Machine embroider the Spider Coaster

Step 1: Gather the Supplies Needed

The supplies needed for this project are listed above.  The coaster pattern comes in different sizes so the fabrics and batting will be cut to the sizes specified in the Kreative Kiwi design instructions.

Hoop fabric type water soluble stabilizer like the DIME Exquisite Sew 'n Wash or Pellon 941 in the embroidery hoop.  I used my largest hoop for this project.

Load the pattern into your embroidery machine.

Place the hoop with the stabilizer in the embroidery machine.  For the first steps, thread your machine with a neutral thread, black, white, or cream.  Use a bobbin with white bobbin fil thread.  

I like using Schmetz Embroidery needles of size 90/14 in my embroidery machine.

Step 2: Stitch Placement Stitch

Stitch the first stitch.  This will be a placement stitch for the batting and coaster fabric.

Place the batting so it covers past the stitch line. Then place the coaster fabric on top of the batting.

Stitch color 2 to attach the batting & fabric to the stabilizer.

Step 3: Stitch Spider Web

Change the thread to the Kingstar Metallic Orange.  This thread stitched nicely with my machine without breaking very often (only once before my tip!). 

One tip I can share for using these Kingstar Metallic threads.  I found that the metallic threads may unwind too quickly and this can cause loops of the thread to feed incorrectly into the machine.  This can cause the thread to break.

I decided to try placing a thread net over the thread spool.  I didn't cover the entire top of the spool, place it over the main part of the spool up to where the thread begins to taper (see the photo above).  The end of the thread should be sticking out of the front as normal. Tuck the extra netting into the base of the spool. 

The spool is then placed on the machine like normal with the spool cap on. Using the thread net, keeps the thread together and unwinding and feeding correctly into the machine and I had no breaks after that!

I have been very impressed. Even without using the thread net, this metallic thread did not break a lot.  I have used metallic threads in the past that would break all the time and they were very frustrating!

These thread nets are not very expensive and can come in handy when using spools of thread. So they are good to have around in your sewing room.  I've included a link to them at the end of this article.

Thread the machine with the orange thread and then stitch the spider web step.  The metallic thread shows up sparkly on the black fabric.

Step 4: Stitch the spider

For the next step of the design, switch back to black or white thread to stitch spider outline #4.

Place the spider fabric over the placement stitch.  Be sure it covers the entire stitch area.

Stitch #5 to attach the fabric to the project.  The stitch will leave an opening.

The small opening is to stuff the spider. This is optional, but I did it with my coasters.

Use a very small amount of stuffing and don’t stuff too much.  A poking stick (or pencil) can be useful to push the stuffing into the spider.  

Stitch the #6 to close the opening. For the spider coasters, I found that the stitch to close the spider doesn’t always catch.  So, make sure it stitches properly before proceeding.  If necessary, back up a step and stitch it again. 

I believe it didn't stitch correctly because I put in too much stuffing the first couple of times.

Trim the excess fabric around the spider close to the stitching line.  I like to use curved applique embroidery scissors to trim the fabric.  The curve helps to keep the point and the cutting edge away from the project so you won't accidentally cut your project fabric.

I also recommend leaving a bit extra fabric around where the opening for the stuffing was.  My first two coasters the opening did not get stitched down completely so extra fabric probably would have helped.

The thread to the purple Kingstar Metallic and stitch steps #7 & #8.  Don't forget to use the thread net.

The spider is complete.

Step 5: Add the backing fabric to the coaster

Remove the hoop from the machine.  The next step is to place the backing fabric onto the back of the hoop.

This is where I used the wool Hoop 'n Press mat.  DIME sent us these to try out.

They are made to fit many sizes of embroidery hoops and are sold individually or in a bundle.  The bundle for standard hoops includes 5x7, 6x10, 8x8, and 8x12 pads.

These Hoop 'n Press pads are helpful when working on in-the-hoop projects like this one.  The 1/2" thick mats are pinnable and have a grip backing so they won't slide around.  

They are perfect for supporting your hooped project when you need to press from the back of the hoop.  It can also support the hooped design when taping or trimming from the back.

In the photo below, I have my hoop turned over and on top of the mat.

This helps to support the design when I tape the backing fabric right side up to the back of the hoop.  I don't want the design to shift or pop out of the hoop.

Change back to the Spider web color metallic thread and stitch #9.

Step 6: Trim around the coaster

Remove the hoop from the machine. Using the curved applique scissors, trim around the edge of the coaster on the front and back being careful to not cut through the stabilizer.

The Hoop 'n Press mat is helpful to support the design while cutting around on the back of the hoop.

Step 7: Stitch the Coaster Edge

Place the hoop back in the machine and thread the Kingstar Metallic Orange thread or thread used for the spider web color.

Stitch steps #10 & #11 to stitch the satin stitch and decorative stitch around the edge of the coaster.

Step 8: Remove Stabilizer

The stitching is completed!  Remove the hoop from the embroidery machine and project from the hoop.

Trim the stabilizer around the coaster.  I like to cut off the larger sections of leftover stabilizers and set them aside for use when I stitch a smaller project.  The stabilizer is EXPENSIVE so I want to use as much of it as I can.

Use a damp Q-Tip to remove the remaining water-soluble stabilizer from the edges of the coaster.

Below are the finished coasters!  This was a quick and easy in-the-hoop machine embroidery project and perfect for Halloween!

Spider Placemat

After completing the coasters, I decided to make one of the spider placemats.  On our Facebook Group, Free Quilting & Sewing Patterns, many voted for their favorite spider coaster.  The most votes were for the one with the black fabric, orange web, and black spider with a purple outline.  So, I decided to make the placemat with those fabrics.

The placemat turned out stunning with the metallic threads!

The whole placemat is stitched in-the-hoop and each section is connected to the previous section during the stitching process.  So, when the stitching is completed, no other sewing is required!

The spider placemat is made in five hoopings.  The first four hoopings make the circle of the placemat and the final hooping stitches the spider center. Once the center section is completed, the placemat is complete and no other sewing is needed.

Kreative Kiwi includes a photo tutorial with the design describing how to attach the sections together with each of their designs.  It’s not difficult!  If you would like to see a video and photo tutorial on how to join the sections of a placemat, visit our page How to Join Sections of Kreative Kiwi Placemat Designs.

I like how this placemat turned out using the black fabrics and the orange & purple metallic thread.  The thread really sparkles on this placemat!

Kreative Kiwi has many different designs of these placemats.  I have made several of them including the swirly placemat. Check out their web site for all of the different designs available.

I like to use them as a table topper or decoration than a placemat for eating on. I plan to make a couple of other placemat designs for holiday gifts this year.

I hope you enjoyed learning about this coaster and placemat project, metallic threads and the wool mats!  

Some other machine embroidery projects you may be interested in:

• Anita Goodesign Coasters & Wine Charms 
• DIME Just Earrings
• Swirly Placemat a Kreative Kiwi Design
• Octagon Splendor Placemat a Kreative Kiwi Design
• Spooky Stockings Quilt Block Wall Hanging