EASY PROJECTS Community server, Hand sewing 1 Comment 2 min read

Make a Quick Lavender Trivet

Enjoy patterns, articles, and secret surprises! Become a Charter Member of our brand-new digital sewing membership Makers Club.

Sometimes I just want to make something really simple. No patterns. Nothing complicated. Just  fast little thing that I can turn out in a couple of hours. Maximum satisfaction, with minimum fuss. This lavender trivet project from the Stitch Spring 2010 issue is just the ticket: It’s quick, simple and smells good, to boot. What more could you ask from a project, especially at this time of year, when that project is likely to be a gift and the gift has a deadline. Here’s how to make it:

Easy lavender trivet by 
Rashida Coleman-Hale 

Lavender Trivet

By Rashida Coleman-Hale

Fabric
– Four 2 1⁄2″ × 2″ cotton print scraps for patchwork
– 6 1⁄2″ × 3 1⁄2″ linen rectangle for front top panel
– 6 1⁄2″ × 1 1⁄2″ linen rectangle for front bottom panel
– 6 1⁄2″ × 6 1⁄2″ cotton print square for backing

Other Supplies
– Coordinating sewing thread
– Two 6 1⁄2″ × 6 1⁄2″ squares of cotton batting
– Dried lavender buds
– One 7⁄8″ grommet
– 10″ of cotton cable cord or similar
– Point turner or alternative, such as a knitting needle
– Hera marker (optional)
– Small funnel
– Handsewing needle
– Grommet-setting tools (usually available as a set with the grommet)

Finished Size: 6″ × 6″

Notes
– All seam allowances are 1⁄4″ unless
otherwise indicated.
– Press all fabrics before beginning.

Reverse of trivet in a pretty print

Piece Patchwork
1. Take 2 of the 2 1⁄2″ × 2″ print scraps and place them right sides together, lining up all edges. Pin together along one of the 2 1⁄2″ edges and stitch, removing pins as you go. Repeat the entire step with the remaining 2 cotton print scraps. You now have 2 patchwork units.
2. Place the 2 patchwork units right sides together, pin along one 2 1⁄2″ edge, and stitch. You now have a pieced strip measuring 2 1⁄2″ × 6 1⁄2″. Press all the seam allowances in one direction.

Assemble Trivet Front
3. Place the patchwork strip and linen front top panel right sides together, aligning one long edge, and pin. Stitch along the pinned edge, removing pins as you go.
4. Place the free 6″ edge of the patchwork strip and the linen front bottom panel right sides together, raw edges matched, and pin. Stitch along the pinned edge, removing pins as you go.
5. Press the seam allowances toward the linen pieces.

Assemble Trivet
6. Place the assembled trivet front, right side up, on one of the batting squares and baste 1⁄8″ from the raw edges.
7. Place the 6 1⁄2″ cotton print backing square right side up on the remaining batting square and baste 1⁄8″ from the raw edges.
8. Place the trivet front and back right sides together and pin.
9. Stitch around the perimeter, leaving a 5″ opening along the top edge, removing pins as you go.
10. Clip the corners diagonally to reduce bulk, then turn right side out and gently shape thecorners using a point turner, knitting needle, or similar object.

Machine Quilting
– Turn in the seam allowances at the opening and press to make a crease.
– Using a Hera marker or a water-soluble fabric pen and a ruler, mark guidelines 1 1⁄2″  apart, down the front of the trivet, in line with the seams in the patchwork on the front.
– Topstitch along each marked line
– Fill each channel in the trivet with lavender buds, beginning with the channel on the right. Use a funnel to guide the lavender into the channels, and do not overfill the trivet. As each channel is filled, slip stitch its open edge closed by hand.
– Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply a grommet to the upper left corner of the trivet.
– Pass the cotton cord through the grommet and tie the ends together to make a hanging loop.

You can find sewing projects likes these, as well as expert sewing techniques in every issue of Stitch.

Do you have a quick project that you love making over and over. Let us know below!

Happy stitching!

Join the Conversation!

  1. OK, is it just me, or is the math a bit off?

    when you sew (4) 2 ” pieces together (3 seams, at 1/2″ each) the finished piece is 8″ less 3/4″ (for the seams) which comes to 7 1/4″. The directions say the pieced strip should be 6 1/2″. Could you please explain what I am doing wrong here?
    Thank you!
    🙂