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Handmade rolled-paper coasters on a rustic wooden table surrounded by fabric, cork and paper coaster ideas.

Small scraps, patiently made useful

Rolled-Paper Coasters

With a few strips of unwanted paper, a little glue and some patient rolling, something destined for the recycling bin can become a surprisingly useful handmade gift.

Before You Begin

Skill level Beginner
Materials Mostly recycled
Time An afternoon
Makes A set of 4

You Will Need

  • Old magazines, newspapers or unwanted paper
  • A ruler
  • Scissors or a paper cutter
  • PVA or suitable craft glue
  • A small paintbrush for spreading glue
  • A flat surface for drying
  • A suitable clear water-resistant craft sealer

Paper to Look Out For

  • Old magazines and catalogues
  • Newspaper and unwanted leaflets
  • Leftover wrapping paper
  • Brown paper bags
  • Old maps or atlas pages
  • Damaged gift bags
  • Scraps left from other paper projects

Before buying anything new, have a rummage through the paper you already have. Different colours, print and textures appearing through the finished spiral are part of the charm.

Making the Coasters

The principle is simple: create long folded strips of paper and coil them tightly around themselves, adding new strips until the coaster reaches the size you want.

  1. Choose your paper Pick a mixture of paper that works well together. You can keep to one palette or let colours and printed words appear randomly through the finished coaster.
  2. Cut long strips Cut the paper into long strips approximately 2–3cm wide. Try to keep them reasonably even, but they do not need to be perfect.
  3. Fold the strips Fold each long edge towards the middle and then fold the strip in half again lengthways. This hides the raw edges and creates a stronger, narrower strip for coiling.
  4. Begin the centre Take one folded strip and start rolling it tightly from one end. Add a tiny amount of glue as you go so that the centre does not spring apart.
  5. Join another strip As you reach the end of a strip, overlap the next one slightly and glue it securely in place. Continue rolling without allowing the coil to loosen.
  6. Build the spiral Keep wrapping the paper around the centre, occasionally pressing the coaster flat against the table. Add small amounts of glue between the layers as needed.
  7. Check the size Continue until the coaster measures roughly 9–11cm across, or is large enough to hold your usual mugs and glasses comfortably.
  8. Finish the edge Trim the final strip neatly, glue it firmly against the outer edge and hold it in place until secure.
  9. Let it dry Place the coaster on a flat surface and allow all the glue to dry completely. If necessary, place a flat board or book over it while drying to help prevent curling.
  10. Protect the surface Apply a clear water-resistant craft sealer suitable for paper, following the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Seal both sides and the outer edge, allowing each coat to dry fully.

Paper and craft sealers vary considerably. Choose a product intended for the material and expected use, follow its safety and curing instructions, and test a finished coaster before gifting it. Do not assume a sealer is heatproof simply because it is water-resistant.

Let the Paper Choose the Look

Part of the pleasure of this project is never knowing quite how the spiral will look until it is finished.

Quiet & Rustic

  • Newspaper
  • Brown paper bags
  • Kraft paper
  • Muted book or catalogue pages

Colourful & Playful

  • Magazine pages
  • Old gift wrap
  • Colourful catalogues
  • Painted or printed paper scraps

Personal & Meaningful

  • Copies of old maps
  • Leftover paper from a special celebration
  • Children's drawings that would otherwise be discarded
  • Copies of handwritten recipes or letters

Autumn at the Cottage

  • Rust and burnt orange
  • Ochre and faded gold
  • Moss and olive green
  • Warm brown and cream

If using something precious or irreplaceable, make a photocopy or scan first. The Cottage is very much in favour of preserving the original while finding a new use for the copy.

A Familiar Little Skill

If you have already tried one of the Cottage's coiled or woven scrap projects, the rhythm of this one may feel surprisingly familiar.

The Same Quiet Principle

Small pieces that seem insignificant become stronger when they are joined together. Strip by strip and circle by circle, the coaster grows beneath your hands.

Try It Your Own Way

Once you understand the basic coil, experiment with different widths, colours and materials. A technique learned in one little Cottage project often finds its way into another.

What Else Could Become a Coaster?

Paper is only the beginning. Before throwing away small leftovers, ask whether four of them together might have another life.

Fabric Scraps

Piece together small scraps into patchwork squares and add visible hand stitching for a soft, wonderfully mismatched set.

Wine Corks

Corks can be sliced and arranged onto a sturdy base to create a naturally heat-resistant-looking, rustic surface. Use appropriate tools carefully and choose an adhesive suited to cork.

Old Maps & Paper

Decoupage a sturdy coaster base with copies of maps, botanical illustrations, old sheet music or scraps of favourite paper.

Bits & Pieces

Wooden tiles, sturdy cardboard, leftover cork sheet and other small craft remnants may all suggest possibilities. Let what you already have inspire the project.

Make a Set to Give

Make Them Belong Together

  • Use the same papers for all four
  • Keep to one colour palette
  • Make each coaster deliberately different
  • Create one for each season
  • Choose paper with meaning for the recipient

Simple Presentation

  • Stack four coasters together
  • Tie them with natural twine
  • Use a leftover strip of fabric as ribbon
  • Add a small handmade gift tag
  • Include a note explaining what they were made from

A gift made from reused materials does not need to look apologetic. Thoughtful colours, careful finishing and a simple piece of twine can turn a handful of scraps into something anyone would be pleased to unwrap.

A Little Note to Include

Copy this onto a tag or small folded card and tuck it beneath the twine.

Made From Little Things

Once only scraps and little things,
now somewhere for your cup to rest.

Made slowly,
used often,
and given a second life.

Seasonal gift tags, care cards and printable little notes will be added to the Cottage Market in time.

Waste Not the Little Things

Useful things do not always begin with new materials. Sometimes they begin with yesterday's paper, a little patience and the thought that perhaps something is not quite finished with us yet.