Foundation Paper Piecing Trivets

Hello Therm O Web fans, Deb Zaleski with you today to share my newest project. If you love sharp angles, precise symmetry, and striking geometric patterns, you’re going to love foundation paper piecing! These trivets are perfect for using up the smaller pieces of fabric in your stash, and they can add a touch of happy color to your kitchen. It’s time to get creative, so gather your supplies and tools, and don’t forget to download the template I’ve created to help you along with this project! PDF Trivet paper piecing template  

SUPPLIES:

• StitchnSew EZ Print Foundation Piecing Stabilizer Sheets
• StitchnSew Sew-in Fleece
• Small amounts of quilter's cotton fabrics (fat eighths work well for this project)
• (1) 2.25" wide x 42" long strip of fabric for binding
• Thread
• PDF Trivet paper piecing template

 

TOOLS:

• Olfa rotary cutter
• Olfa self-healing mat
• Quilting ruler
• Sewing machine
• Oliso M3Pro Project Iron and ironing mat
• Scissors

GETTING STARTED:

1. Download and print the template. Print actual size – DO NOT “fit to page” or “shrink to fit". I've added coloring pages to this file, along with the FPP templates.  

Here are a few tips before you start sewing:

Set your stitch length shorter:
Use 1.3–1.8 mm (short stitches help perforate the paper so it tears cleanly later).

Know the pattern side:

• You will sew on the printed line side.

• Fabric is placed on the blank/back side.

• The finished block will be a mirror image while you’re working—this is normal.

 

CUT OUT ONE FOUNDATION UNIT:

1. Cut the unit from the printed sheet, leaving a little margin around it. You will notice a dashed line around each triangle of the foundation unit. This indicates a 1/4" seam allowance, so there's no need to add an extra margin in this case.

2. Find Area 1 on the paper pattern and cover it with your fabric, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance around the entire shape.

3. Place Fabric 1 on the back of the paper so that the paper and the fabric are wrong sides together. Use a pin or your fingers to hold the layers in place. Find section 2 on the pattern and put Fabric 2 right sides together over Fabric 1. The edge where they meet should align so that when Fabric 2 flips open it covers section 2 plus an extra 1/4" all the way around. Sew directly on the line between sections 1 and 2. Begin and end your stitching a few stitches past the line ends.

4. Fold the paper along the stitch line. Use a ruler and rotary cutter to trim the seam allowance down to 1/4". Open and press Fabric 2. 5. Use this method again for Section 3. After completing one triangle, make five more. 6. Once you have completed your six triangles, experiment with their position to create different designs. 7. First, assemble the first three triangles to make a unit. Then, assemble the next three triangles to make a second unit. Finally, assemble the two semicircular units together to create a whole. You can choose to tear away the foundation piecing stabilizer once you have assembled the trivet top, but because it is a non-woven material, you might also choose to leave it in the trivet for a bit more stability. That is an advantage over foundation piecing paper, which must always be removed.

MAKE THE QUILT SANDWICH:

8. Make a quilt sandwich with the assembled piecing on top, facing up. Place the Stitch-N-Sew fleece on the middle layer and the backing fabric on the bottom layer. Topstitch the layers together. I used my blind hem foot and the blade as a guide to stitch really close to the seam, but not on it. 9. Trim the edges, then add the binding around the perimeter of the trivet.

TRY THE SECOND PATTERN:

Work the second pattern as you did the first. Start by finding section 1. Make sure the fabric covers the section plus add a 1/4" seam allowance... and so on.

Thanks for joining me in creating these colorful scrap-busting trivets. I hope I’ve inspired you to try something new. If you liked this project, please let me know by posting a comment. And don’t forget to stop by my Instagram and say HI!