My daughter loved doing Perler bead patterns when she was younger.  She could sit for hours.  One day, as we were approaching M4P (our May the Fourth Party), we had the brilliant idea of making Perler Star Wars characters.  After pondering it for a while, we figured making them into coasters would be perfect.  We found a few patterns online, but decided it would be more fun to make our own.  By now we have about 40 original designs and I plan on posting them all here.
 The designs would also work really well for cross-stitching, and I plan on adding floss and wool colors at a later date. + I think 1×1 Lego pieces would also be really fun to try (though the color palette is more limited with Legos).  And one day I would love to make one as a stone or glass mosaic.

Needed:

• Perler Beads (Black, White, Yellow, Cheddar, Parrot Green)
• Tweezers (optional)
• Perler Clear Pegboards
• Removable Tape
• Printout of Pattern (download above image)
• Iron
• Baking Parchment Paper (Perler Ironing Paper)
• Heavy Object with Flat Bottom
• Cork sheets with Adhesive Backs
• Scissors or X-acto Knife
• Glass
• Bantha Milk (optional)

How To:

• Download and print out the pattern provided (mirror it, if you only plan on ironing on only 1 side).
• Cut out, then tape pattern to the back of the Perler Pegboard so the dots line up with the pegs.
• Add the Perler beads (tweezers are pretty handy if you don’t have a 6 yr old’s tiny fingers).
• Carefully move pegboard to ironing board, place parchment (or Perler ironing paper) on top.
• Iron until the beads start melting together (If you have never done this before, it might take some practice to get it “just right”).
• Let cool for a bit, remove from Perler Pegboard and remove paper.
• Optional: turn over, cover with parchment paper and iron on other side. (put something solid and heatproof underneath to make ironing easier)
• If you only iron on 1 side, place it under something flat and heavy while it cools, to avoid curving.
• Cut cork about 1/4” smaller than the square, affix to the back.
• Pour some Bantha milk in a glass, and enjoy!

Tips:

Usually people iron on both sides of the Perler bead design, but I prefer to only do the back. The designs look crisper and more “pixely”.  With the cork on the back, I have not had any problems with the coasters falling apart, but feel free to iron yours on both sides.

Note, if you only plan on iron on only 1 side, you need to mirror the pattern.

Also, the coasters are pretty hard to clean, so try not to get anything too gunky in there.

Get Supplies:

Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Black

Perler Beads 1,000 Count-White

Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Yellow

Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Cheddar

Perler Beads 1,000 Count-Parrot Green

Perler Beads Clear Square Pegboards 4 Pack

Perler Fun Fusion Ironing Paper 6/Pkg-

Darice Adhesive Backed Cork Tiles   (This is a bit thicker than what I used, but I can’t find the same kind I got)

Note:

Feel free to use these patterns for any personal use – but please do not sell items made with them. Also, feel free to link to this blog so others can download the pattern, but do not download and then re-upload in order to offer them as downloads on your own site/blog. THANKS!