Now you have seen my Locker Hook tutorial on the Basic Locker Hook Preparation and Hook-Loop-Lock, and probably finishing a project up to this point (pattern here). I am going to show you how to tidy up the locker hook project by hiding away all the ends (fabric strips and locking yarn) and cover up the back of the work.
I am so proud of myself to come out with these locker hook coasters which I am giving them away! I brought them to Starbucks one afternoon when I needed a coffee kick to get my brains going. Took some photos of them with the coffee mug for the keepsake as I am going to mail this to Diana, the lucky winner who won them in my January Giveaway Draw. Well, I can always reproduce them, but the feeling will be different.
Part 1: Basic Locker Hook Preparation
Part 2: Let’s Hook And Lock The Loops!!!
Hiding The Ends
Turn to the back, bring all the ends to the front by using a tapestry needle. Insert the needle to the next square of the end, pass the end through the eye of the needle and pull it over to the front. Never use the same square when passing the ends from back to front as you will undo your last loop.
the back of the coaster is so tidy…
The front is full of “ends”.
Just like looping the ends of the border in the previous post, traverse the end by using the tapestry needle and bring them into the loops and hide it there. Trim off the excessive length. If you are afraid that end will come off for some heavy usage project eg. rug, you can apply some glue to the end.
Do the same to the locking yarn ends.
After all the ends are hidden!
Handling The Back
Iron on a piece of interfacing with the size smaller than the border. The loops will be extra secure if you do this step. The interfacing will glue the fabric in place and hence further lock it there.
Cut a piece of lining fabric for the back of the coaster with the size exactly to the dimension of the coaster. Fold the 4 edges in so that it is slightly smaller than the coaster, iron it to fix the fold.
Place it on the back of the coaster and secure it with pins.
Stitch them up with slip stitch. Stitching on the coaster.
Stitching on the lining.
You can use heatnbond double-sided adhesive interfacing for non-wash projects, in that case, you don’t have to fold the edges and stitch them up, just cut the lining to the exact size you want, iron it with heatnbond onto the coaster’s back.
Personally, I like to stitch them up though it is more time consuming, I like everything to be long-lasting and flexible, as I never know if I will wash the project one day even though it is just an ornament, it will cover with dust over time, right!
The locker hook coasters are ready to get into service!!!!
I hope you enjoy these 3 parts of tutorials. Just like all my handmade and tutorials, I have put a lot of afford on them because I believe beautiful crafts are meant to be shared and not to be kept to myself. Please throw in any questions or comments as it is always opened for you. I will try my best to answer, if I can’t, I believe Theresa would be happy to help.
Also, you should get a copy of Theresa‘s “Hook, Loop ‘n’ Lock: Create Fun and Easy Locker Hooked Projects
I am starting to try this but the mesh is so stiff it is very difficult to work with, is there a way to soften it to make it more pliable?
Hi Jenny, probably you have bought the different mesh which is made from poly fibre. Try massage it by rolling up the mesh then press it. Hope this helps.
What size strips do you use For a coaster and rug. Thanks for the instructions. I’ve always wanted to do this but didn’t know how to get started.
Please read all the 3 parts of tutorial, starting with “the basic preparation” tutorial and you will be able to start this beautiful project very soon.
Hi, I have tried to watch Theresa’s video and my computer freezes before I can see the ending! How does she attach the tile to the center of the trivet? Just strong glue? I am dying to try this one. I just bought her book and this particular pattern is not in the book. Thanks for all your great ideas and help.
Hi Candy, Theresa used a strong permanent adhesive called Quick Grip to attach the tile on the trivet 🙂
How about rugs in a circle shape? locking the ends? Securing the loops?
I never did any circular rugs before. This technique is more on square net.
But, if you are using square net to make round rug, the basic is the same, instead of going horizontal and vertical, you go circular as well the locking and the looping.
Hope this explained.
Let me know if I didn’t 🙂
I’m locker hooking a rug. To cover up the wrong side and to secure the ends, what kind of fabric would you recommend to use for the backing?
I used upholstery fabric for the back. Before I sew the fabric on it, I iron a piece of fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the rug to make the wrong side loops more secure. Hope this answer your question 🙂
ooooo this is so cute 🙂 thanks for sharing 🙂
What a great idea to take your craft to shot at Starbuck! Miss the cuppa coffee you treat me that day. Thanks a lot, fren! Next trip will be my turn to treat you, alright?
Sure, when is your next trip back here?
I am loving this series! Thanks so much, I’ll be linking.
Thanks a lot. Nice to share this with your readers :0
Went shopping as soon as I saw this, tried it and shared it with a friend. Super idea to do with the rests of my own sewing projects, it looks great! I admire your other creations too!
Thank you, Marleen!!! Hope you enjoy making it!!
Thanks for your 3 tutorials and sharing making things look so easy to work.Will start right now my coaster design.I look forward to find Theresa’s
book in Abudhabi.
Hope to see your version soon 🙂
If you can’t get the book at the bookstore, you can always order it thru Amazon.