I have just over a yard of fabric left over from the kitchen curtains. And it's so cute, I don't want to waste it. For a while I toyed with the idea of making a skirt out of it, but it's just your standard quilting cotton- so not ideal. Plus there's the whole Sound of Music aspect to consider. And Gone with the Wind. My, it seems that the whole outfit-nee-curtain concept is a bit over-tired. Then I fancied with the idea of making place mats. But that would just be too much matchy-matchy. So how about a few odds and ends? First up, a felt & fabric trivet.
We brew our coffee in a Chemex... cause we're yuppies. Also, cause it takes up less cabinet and counter space, is super easy to clean, makes superior coffee, is cheaper than most other decent coffee makers [35$], it's a small Massachusetts-based company... and we're yuppies. Which means we could have an urn of hot coffee making marks on the counter or table. Not cool. A simple trivet is in order. I actually had one similar I made years and years back [oddly enough also out of kitchen curtain fabric remnants] but it was old & stained. In with the new!
Assemble your supplies! A squarish piece of fabric and matching squarish piece of heat resistant fabric [optional, but handy] and matching piece of felt. I used a stiffened felt, I think it's best for holding the shape. Also, an optional strip of fabric for the handle. Also, of course, pins, thread, and I made use of a bias tape maker.
First, the strap. I used my bias tape maker to fold and crease the strip of fabric, then folded in half and sewed shut. Alternatively, you can fold the long ends in to the middle, then fold the whole thing in half.
Make your trivet sandwich: fabric, heat resistant lining, felt. Fold over the edges and try to make nice corners, like wrapping a present. Pin liberally. I scouted the strap into one of the corner folds and pinned it in place. Then, sew 'er up. First, sew around the perimeter, to ensure everything is secure. I also double backed over where the strap connected. Then, the rest is up to you. I quilted a triangle pattern into the surface- for aesthetics and also to keep it from warping.
The heat resistant fabric is rated to 360 degrees, but we haven't tested it quite to that extreme. Mostly our coffee urn perches happily upon it. Or a bowl at the dinner table- it also helps prevent scratches. Okay, now that I've used about 1/2 foot square... what am I supposed to do still with the rest of this left over fabric?











