How to Make a Modern Trivet

Hello everyone! I’m here today to show you how to make a modern trivet or better know as a hot pad!

What is a trivet? It’s a small plate placed under a hot servicing dish to protect a table or surface. The one I created isn’t a plate but a padded fabric pad that is thick enough to protect your table.

As an Aurifil Artisan, each month, we are tasked with a project, and this month, we partnered with FreeSpirit Fabrics to create something of our choosing using 5 fat quarters of their Kaffe Fassett Collective Classics.

Let’s take a look at my modern trivet:

Modern Trivet: Finish Product

I can’t help but stare at this trivet all day long. I love how it turned out. I also learned how to do a couple of things that I have never done before.

The first is adding pom-poms in the corner of the sewn piece.

Second, how to do some tufting on this piece!

I learned all of this from Rashida Coleman-Hale of Ruby Star Society. I found her project pattern and knew I wanted to recreate it for myself using this vibrant fabric from FreeSpirit Fabrics called Kaffe Fassett Collective Classics.

Here’s how to create a modern trivet:

Materials:

Aurifil Thread 2460
5 fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett Collective Classics Fabric
Linen scraps
High Loft Polyester Batting
4 Felted Balls
Sewing Needle
Scissors
Rotary Cutter
Cutting Mat
Quilting Ruler

Let’s get to work:

Step One: Cut the fabric

For the front of the trivet:

cut two 2 1/2 inch squares from 4 of the fat quarters
cut 8 2 1/2 inch squares from the linen fabric

Modern Trivet: Cut the fabric

For the back of the trivet:

cut one 8 1/2 inch square out of the 5th fat quarter

Modern Trivet: Cut the fabric

Modern Trivet: Cut the fabric

For the inside of the trivet:

cut two 10 inch squares

Modern Trivet: Cut the fabric

Step two: Prepare the patchwork

Decide on the placement for the 16 squares (8 pattern fabric pieces and 8 linen pieces).

Modern Trivet: Prepare the patchwork

Step three: Stitch the patchwork

Stitch the squares together using a 1/4 seam allowance. You should have 4 rows.

Now stitch each row together using a 1/4 inch seam to create one piece.

Modern Trivet: Stitch the patchwork

Iron the seams to each row in opposite directions.

Step four: Create the sandwich

Modern Trivet: Create the Sandwich

Place the two pieces of batting down first.

Then the patchwork right sides up first.

Last, place the back piece wrong side up on the top.

Modern Trivet: Create the Sandwich

Step Five: Stitch the trivet

Now stitch all around, leaving a 3-inch hole for turning.

Modern Trivet: Stitching the trivet

Step six: Turn and clip the corners

Now turn the piece inside out and push out the corners.

Step seven: Attaching the pom-poms

Decide on the pom-poms that will go with your trivet.

Modern Trivet: Attaching the pom-poms

Thread your needle and tie a knot.

Push the threaded needle through the corner of the trivet.

Modern Trivet: Attaching the pom-poms

Then push the needle into a small portion of the pom-pom, then back down into the corner’s center, making sure the pom-pom is steady in the center. Repeat to make sure the pom-pom does fall off.

Modern Trivet: Attaching the pom-poms

Repeat for all sides.

Once all of the pom-poms are sewn in place, whipstitch the opening closed.

Step eight: Tufting

Modern Trivet:Tufting

Tufting is easy to do.

Thread your needle with your thread of choice and tie a knot.

I wanted the ties to be on the back for this trivet, so I push the needle from the back and back down and tie it on the backside.

Tie a knot and cut the tails short.

Repeat according to your taste.

Modern Trivet:Tufting

Now you’re done!!

How amazing is this!!

Modern Trivet: Finish Product

This is perfect for my hot pot of boiling water to rest on my table.

Modern Trivet: Finish Product

Now it’s your turn to make a trivet. Pull out your scrap fabric stash and get to sewing.

I hope you give this project a try and let me know. I would love to see them.

Supplies used:

Bernina 570QE

Thank you so much for stopping by!