DIY Sunflower Coasters (Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial)

You can turn craft foam, jute twine, and a little yarn into a set of DIY sunflower coasters in about 30 minutes, no sewing or template required.

This is a genuinely beginner project. Hot glue, scissors, and a bit of patience with the yarn loops are the only real skills involved, and once you get the coiling rhythm down, each coaster takes about 10 minutes. Make a set of four to six and you have an instant table refresh, or wrap one up as a small handmade gift.

If you like how the twine coils look here, my Stylish Twine Coaster tutorial uses the same coiling technique in a simpler, single-color design that’s worth trying next.

Sunflower Coasters at a Glance

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Time: 30 to 40 minutes for a set of four
• Cost: Under $10 if you’re starting from scratch
• Ages: 8+ with adult help for the glue gun
• Best for: A quick handmade gift or a fall table refresh

What You Need to Make Sunflower Coasters

Materials

• Craft foam sheet or felt, yellow, one sheet: the base of each coaster. Craft foam holds its shape a little better over time than felt.
• Natural jute twine, one ball: coils into the sunflower’s center.
• Brown yarn, one skein: makes the ring the petals attach to.
• Yellow yarn, one skein: loops into the sunflower’s petals.

Tools

• Hot glue gun: locks twine and yarn in place instantly as you work.
• Scissors: for trimming twine and yarn ends flush.

How to Make Sunflower Coasters

Step 1: Cut a Round Base From Craft Foam or Felt

Decide how big you want the finished coaster, then cut a circle from your craft foam or felt about 2 cm smaller than that target size. That extra margin is what the twine and yarn build back out to once the petals are on.

Yellow is worth sticking to here. Only slivers of the base end up showing once the petals are glued down, and a yellow base blends into them instead of standing out as a mismatched edge.

Step 2: Coil the Twine Into the Sunflower Center

Dab hot glue in the exact center of the base and press the end of your twine into it. Wind the twine around itself in a tight spiral, gluing as you go, and keep each ring flush against the one before it.

Aim to cover about two-thirds of the base before you stop. That leaves the right amount of room at the edge for the petal border in the next two steps, and it’s the part of the coaster that hides any uneven gluing underneath.

Step 3: Glue the Brown Border and Start the First Petals

Run a line of hot glue around the outer edge of the twine spiral and press a length of brown yarn into it, tracing the full circle. This border is what every petal attaches to from here on.

Take the yellow yarn, fold a small loop, and glue the two open ends down onto the brown border. That single loop is your first petal, and every petal after it is made exactly the same way.

Step 4: Fill In the Rest of the Petal Border

Keep folding and gluing yellow loops shoulder to shoulder around the brown border until the whole circle is ringed in petals. Snug each loop against the last as you go.

Tip: gaps between petals are the easiest way to tell an early coaster from a later one, so it’s worth taking your time on this last stretch. Trim any stray yarn ends flush once the ring is closed.

Here’s the finished set, ready for the table.

Tips for DIY Sunflower Coasters

• Trace a small plate or use a compass so every base circle comes out the same size across a full set.
• Make four to six at once. It goes faster once you’ve got the coiling and looping rhythm down, and a matching set looks more finished than a single coaster.
• Swap in a rust or burnt-orange yarn for a few petals if you want the coasters to read more fall than summer.
• Glue a thin felt circle to the back of each coaster so the twine ends don’t scratch a wood table.

Video Tutorial

If you’d rather follow along by video, here’s the full sunflower coaster tutorial on our YouTube channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use instead of craft foam for the coaster base?

Felt works just as well as craft foam for the base. It’s a little softer to glue but holds up fine under normal coaster use. Stick with a yellow or cream shade so the small amount that peeks through the petals blends in rather than standing out.

How long does it take to make a sunflower coaster?

One coaster takes about 10 minutes once you have the coiling and looping rhythm down, so a set of four runs closer to 30 to 40 minutes total. The base and twine center go fastest; gluing all the petal loops is the part that takes the most patience.

Can I make these without a hot glue gun?

Hot glue is really the right tool here; it grabs twine and yarn instantly and holds while you keep building, so I wouldn’t swap it for craft glue on this project. If you don’t own a glue gun, an inexpensive mini or low-temp version works fine.

Will twine coasters hold up under hot mugs or cold glasses?

Yes, for everyday use. Twine and yarn pick up a little moisture from a cold glass, so wipe them dry after use rather than leaving them wet, and they’re better suited to warm mugs than anything scalding straight off the stove.

How do I store sunflower coasters when I’m not using them?

Stack them flat in a drawer or a small basket by the table; they don’t need anything special. Keeping them flat rather than standing them on edge helps the petal loops hold their shape over time.

More Coasters & Table Decor Tutorials

• How to Make Beautiful Felt Coasters at Home
• How to Crochet Heart Coasters
• Easy to Crochet Twine Coasters

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