How to Make an Easy Trivet

A trivet is that nifty device that keeps hot pots, pans, or kettles off the table or counter. It protects wood and various other materials from the heat. Even better than protecting your furniture, they often have spices or herbs that release a pleasing aroma from the hot item’s heat.

What will you need? You’ll need:

• A sewing machine
• Scrap fabric (must be cotton!)
• Batting
• Coordinating backing material - also used for binding
• Thread
• Your favorite herbs or spices
• Fabric scissors or rotary tools
• Ruler and pencil
• Pins or clips
• Iron and ironing board
• Method for grinding herbs - You could use a mortar and pestle, a rolling pin, or a spoon and bowl.

Traditionally, trivets are squares, but they range from 8”x8” to 12”x12”. Find the size that works best for you. Most people don’t need a 12”x12” trivet.

Here are the quick and easy steps to conquer trivets!

1. Cut two squares of patterned fabric and two matching squares of backing fabric in a coordinating color.
2. Cut your batting to match the area of the fabric square. Remember, it’s essential to get all the prep out of the way first!
3. Take the back of your trivets and make a starburst design. Draw an ‘X’ across from the corners. Then, draw + through the middle.
4. Cut your coordinating fabric to make your binding instead of using fancy bias tape. Cut those into 2.5-inch strips, then fold them in half and press them.
5. Grind your herbs and spices. - Check out our guide for different combinations to match the seasons below!
6. Lay your two patterned squares face down.
7. Place the batting over the squares.
8. Sprinkle the herbs over the batting. It will look a little gross, but you’ll never see this again!
9. Place your backing square over the batting and pin it into place.
10. Sew over your guides and trim the batting poking out the edges.
11. Lay the binding strip over the edge of the trivet with the raw edges touching. But, the second raw edge of the binding strip should face toward the center of the trivet.
12. Use a straight stitch with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch.
13. Fold your binding strip over and do the same on the other side of the trivet.
14. Trim the binding strip and give it a clean corner edge. Then repeat for the other four sides.

Seasonal herb combinations:

Spring - mint, rosemary, and orange blossom

Summer - lavender, honeysuckle, mint, rosemary, dill, or bay

Fall - cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg

Winter  - Star anise, ginger, cinnamon, tarragon

We hope that these trivets will make your home and tea time a little more enjoyable! These are quick and easy projects that also make great gifts for any tea or coffee drinker. If you have any questions about a product on our site or need help ordering something, please contact our customer service team. We look forward to working with you!