Looking for a great project for those scraps you want to use? Make a colorful trivet (or two or three!). Learn how to make a trivet using the fabric wrapped rope method that will help make a dent in your fabric scraps or fabric stash! This is a perfect use for the uneven strips of fabric from straightening up the edge before cutting strips of fabric for a project.
This project is perfect when you are looking for something meditative to sew. Just set your machine to wide zigzag, long stitch length and start wrapping and sewing! Make them any size you’d like. I’ll show you how to make round and oval trivets. Add a little flair to them by adding a scalloped edge, too!
How to Make a Trivet
Learn how to make a trivet using the fabric wrapped rope method that is commonly used to make bowls. The difference? Just make sure to keep your work flat for a trivet!
Materials
- Cotton clothesline
- Assorted fabric scraps cut or torn into approximately 1/2-inch strips
- Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Optional: Stiletto or Purple Thang
Instructions
- Pull out your bin of scraps.
- Sort out colors you'd like to work with and tear or cut into approximately 1/2-inch widths. It's easier to work with pieces that are about 20-inches long or so. Full width of fabric (about 45-inches) can get tangled as you begin wrapping them.
Set your sewing machine to the widest and a long zig zag. This will make it easier for you to stitch.
- Take the first fabric and fold it over the end of your rope and then turn a 90-degree and begin wrapping the fabric around the rope. This doesn't need to be pretty. The stitching will settle all of the fabric down.
- Seriously, this is the hardest part of the project. And, if you don't do it perfect, not an issue! This is very forgiving. You can go back and add stitching over the center when you are all done.
Wrap a bit more of the rope with fabric - about 3-inches. Try to hold all of this and begin turning the end of the fabric rapped rope to start a coil. Place it under your presser foot to hold it.
NOTE: See how the rope to wrap is to the inside? That is important. As the trivet grows, you want to be adding to the inside and the larger part be on the outside. If you forget? Not a problem. Cut your threads and turn it over and begin stitching again! - Wrap another 6-inches or so. Begin stitching the first coil, and then turn the fabric center counter clockwise.
- Continue wrapping and turning the center. It starts getting much easier. And, don't fret if there are some missed stitches. They are easy peasy to fix when you are done!
- Here I'm finally on a roll! (no pun intended!)
- Time to add another fabric. Just wrap the fabric until the end. Take your next fabric and begin wrapping over the last wrap to cover the end.
- Keep turning counter clockwise and stitching. Now it should be pretty easy and meditative. Here I'm adding the third fabric.
- There is no plan. Just pick up the next piece that looks good to you and begin wrapping.
- When your trivet is as big as you'd like it time to plan the finish. I'm about to end this green strip and my trivet is about 8-inches in diameter. Perfect for a small dish or pan.
- Cut your rope and make sure you have at least 3-4 inches of fabric to wrap around the end of the rope.
- Wrap over the end and tuck the fabric ends to the inside. If they come untucked, not a problem. We will be stitching the entire outside edge again and can catch it then.
- Zig zag over the fabric wrapped rope end and continue stitching all of the way around the trivet one more time securing and finishing the outside edge.
- Check your piece to see if your mind was wandering and you missed a spot.
- Not an issue! Just go back and stitch over it!
- Here is the finished trivet. Colorful and ready to protect my table from hot dishes!
Notes
- Use cotton clothesline or rope. Don't use a synthetic fiber as it might melt with hot dishes or pans.
- Make sure to turn the center coil counter clockwise. And, if you started the other way, not a problem. Cut your threads and turn it over!
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How can I make an oval trivet?
Instead of starting the trivet with turning the end in circles, start with folding over the fabric wrapped end. Wrap at least 5-6-inches. Take about 2-inches (more if you want a longer and narrower trivet) and fold back.
Stitch from the fold down. Then begin wrapping the rope with the fabric and turning it counter clockwise beginning to form an oval. Again, the first stitching and wrap are the hardest part. Then you’ll get into a groove and it is meditative stitching on your machine!
How can I make a scalloped edge?
This was a fun idea I had while taking the dog for a walk! I love handles on the bowls I make and thought I could do a similar loop all around the trivet for an edge finish.
When you get to the end of the base of the trivet, wrap about 6-8 inches more rope. This isn’t the time to be adding a new fabric.
Pull out about 1-inch from the base and make a scallop about 1-inch long.
Bring the rope back to the base of the trivet, making a scallop. Stitch along the base securing the loop in place. I stitch at least 4 times before making the next loop. It all depends on the look you want.
Then, wrap more rope with fabric and make another loop and stitch in place.
Keep doing this all around the outside edge.
Just like the basic trivet, when you are coming near the end, trim your rope. Leave 4-5 inches of fabric to wrap around the end of the rope and then tuck the ends in. Stitch the end in place.
Then, do one final zig zag around all of the scallops to secure the outside edge.
Here is a finished scalloped fabric trivet.
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