How to make a trivet

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one trivet, standard size)

• Outer and lining (cotton or linen) — about 50 × 25 cm (two pieces)
• Wadding (heavyweight) — about 25 × 25 cm × 2
• Bias binding, 12.7 mm folded — about 90 cm
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Trivet” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the side length, the corner radius and the hanging loop. Presets cover small, standard, round and large.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Lay the pattern on the wrong side and trace the cutting line.
2. Cut the pieces
   One outer, one lining, two waddings. Cut the wadding on the finished line.
3. Cut the loop
   Cut one hanging loop.

4. Sewing

4-1. Stack the layers

1. Lay lining wrong side up, then both waddings, then the outer right side up.
2. Baste or clip. It is thick, so pins do not go through easily.

4-2. Quilt it

1. Stitch a grid or diagonals from the right side, about 5 cm apart.
2. Work from the center outwards.
3. If the machine struggles with the thickness, reduce the presser-foot pressure.

4-3. Add the loop

1. Fold the loop in four and topstitch.
2. Fold it in half and stitch it to the corner notch.
3. Keep it inside the seam allowance so the binding catches it.

4-4. Bind the edge

1. Bind all round with bias tape and stitch.
2. Ease the tape as you go so it sits flat round the corners.
3. Overlap the start and finish by 1.5 cm.

✏️ Use two layers of wadding. One lets the heat through and marks the table. There is a reason shop-bought trivets are thick. If it is too thick to sew, reduce the presser-foot pressure or quilt it by hand.

5. Tips & variations

• Two layers, heavyweight: do not economise here. Heat comes through.
• Make it round: a large corner radius gives something close to a circle.
• Match the pot holder: the same fabric as the pot holder or oven mitt makes a set.