Learn how to make a trivet with a fat quarter piece of fabric. It makes a great housewarming gift for a new neighbor or a hostess gift.
What is a Fat Quarter?
A fat quarter is a quilting term that typically describes a 1/4 yard of fabric cut in an 18 by 22 inch rectangle. This cut is often perfect for cutting pieces to quilt. It's a great sample size and similar, though larger than quilting squares or charm packs, fat quarters can be bought separately, or in fabric collection bundles.
This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Fat Quarter Trivet
Supplies
- 1 Fat quarter of fabric (22 x 18 inches)
- Cotton batting (11 x 18 inches)
- Insul-Bright (11 x 18 inches)
I picked this pretty sample fat quarter when I purchased fabric for the article about making bowl covers. I thought it would make a great casserole trivet because if you fold it in half, it measures 11 by 18 inches.
The process is pretty much the same as the one I posted on how to make pot holders. Just fold the fat quarter in half, with the right sides together. Then cut a piece of cotton batting
and Insul-Bright
the same size as the folded fat quarter or 11 by 18 inches.
Sew them together, leaving 3 inches for turning. Turn right side out.
Press the raw edges under, pin, and sew a quarter inch top seam around all edges.
Be the first to receive new posts and get access to our Subscribers Only Page.
You could use it like a mat just as is. The insulation will protect your tabletop when setting hot dishes down at dinner time.
However, I think it looks a lot more polished with the extra quilted lines, spaced evenly from one edge to the other.
Wouldn't this make a great present for someone? You can easily pick up some wooden spoons from the dollar store.
Tie them up together and bring them to a new neighbor's house, complete with a delicious homemade casserole.
In addition, this would make a nice hostess gift at any time of year. You could replace the wooden spoons with a nice bottle of wine. It's a great way to use a small but beautiful piece of fabric.
More Easy Sewing Projects:
Handmade Gifts: How to Make a Fat Quarter Trivet
Equipment
- Sewing Machine
Materials
- 1 Fat quarter of fabric 22 x 18 inches
- Cotton batting 11 x 18 inches
- Insul-Bright 11 x 18 inches
Instructions
- Fold the fat quarter in half, with right sides together.
- Cut a piece of cotton batting and Insul-Bright the same size as the folded fat quarter.
- Sew them together, leaving 3 inches for turning.
- Turn right side out. Press the raw edges under, pin, and sew a quarter inch top seam around all edges.
- Add extra quilted lines, spaced evenly from one edge to the other.
Carol
How does an 18 x 22 fat quarter folded in half make a perfect 11 x 18 casserole trivet??? The math does work here!
Patti Estep
Carol all you have to do is fold it so that the short ends meet. They are 18 inches. Now the piece is 18 x 11 instead of 18 x 22. Hope that helps.
Liisa
So when using this, for the best heat protection of the table—should the insulbrite layer be closer to the casserole dish or the table?
Patti Estep
Lisa, most say to place the insulbrite close to the hot surface, in this case on top. However, I personally do not think it matters in this application.
Ellen
I make microwaveable rice heat packs the same way (without the insulating layer) and fill the channels with white rice. I just space the channels apart a bit. Love your ideas. Thanks for showing us something different!
Patti Estep
A rice heat pack sounds like a great idea. Thanks for sharing Ellen.
Bonnie
It looks so pretty going to make soon as a gift for a first time home buyer
Patti Estep
Bonnie, I think it's a great gift for a first time home buyer. Thanks for letting me know that you like the project.
lauren
Hi Patti! We met at Haven, in the photo line 🙂 I love this fabric and love your site!
Patti Estep
Hi Lauren,
I know that fabric was so pretty. I have many pieces that I just have to buy, so I thought I should come up with a few ways to use them, instead of collecting and hoarding them like a crazy person.
I had a blast at Haven. Especially meeting so many great people like yourself. Of course, I hated my photo but I knew I would be too tense to make it work. It was worth a shot.
Hope you got one you liked, and thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Karen
This is such a fun project, Patti. I love those pretty fat quarters and always admire them in the fabric store, but have never found a project to use them for. So I'm super excited to have been inspired by your project now. 🙂
They really would make fabulous gifts. We sometimes share a meal with a new mom or when a family in our church has a loss or emergency. Those meals are served in disposable dishes so that the recipient doesn't have to bother with keeping track of what belongs to whom and then returning them. How sweet it would be to include a nice little trivet like this that they can keep long after the food is gone! I know what's going in my cart the next time I visit the fabric store! Thanks for your inspiring post.
Patti Estep
Hi Karen,
They really are easy. Yes, you do need a sewing machine but it's all basic stitching. I love the fact that you help out with families in your church. That is such a blessing and the trivet would be a nice reminder of all the kindness shown to the family.
Carole West
Sweet and simple so you know I'm gonna love this... What's really neat is that trivet is good size and like you said perfect for casseroles. In a pinch I normally just lay down a kitchen towel, this would be much better. I'm starting to plan out ideas for our future tiny home because after we move out of the RV we will actually have more space. So this is a keeper - thanks!! You should put together an eBook with all these neat ideas - just in time for Christmas!..
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
It's a great size and would be perfect for you tiny house. You can easily fold it in half if you want a smaller area to use. I did start an e-book but it's not finished. Hopefully I will find the time to do it soon. 🙂