Summer of Sewing: Garden Trivets

It may not be officially summer quite yet, but it's after Memorial Day, so we're already in a summer state of mind! 

That means it's time for the Summer of Sewing series again! We'll be sharing fun project tutorials featuring our recent fabric lines, and giving away prizes as well. Sit back with a glass of lemonade and relax...our first Summer of Sewing tutorial begins today. 

 Today we're sharing a tutorial made with the Farmer John's Garden Party collection. We love these prints--fresh fruits and delectable veggies in bright colors. 

Of course, our project is kitchen themed. We've stitched up two trivets--one made with fruit fabrics and one with veggie fabrics. These trivets measure approximately 11" square, so you could also use them as potholders, or just cute mini quilts. It's up to you! 

Let's get started!
You'll Need:
Fruit Trivet
8-9 fruit fat quarters (includes backing)
1/4 yard white solid
15" square of batting
11" square of InsulBright

Veggie Trivet
9-10 veggie fat quarters (includes backing)
1/4 yard black solid
15" square of batting
11" square of InsulBright

Cutting:
Fruit Trivet
From each fruit fat quarter:
(1) 2-1/2" x 21" strip

From the fruit text fat quarter:
(1) 12" square

From the white solid:
(2) 1" x 42" strips
(2) 2-1/4" x 42" strips for binding

Veggie Trivet
From each veggie fat quarter:
(1) 3" x 21" strip

From the veggie text fat quarter:
(1) 12" square

From the black solid:
(2) 1" x 42" strips
(2) 2-1/4" x 42" strips for binding

Making the Fruit Trivet
The Fruit Trivet uses a classic Log Cabin approach. 

Step 1: Cut a 2-1/2" square from the watermelon strip. Center on the 15" batting square and machine quilt in place with several straight lines. 

Step 2: Fold each 1" x 42" white solid strip lengthwise in half and press. 
Step 3: Cut a strip slightly longer than the watermelon square. From the 2-1/2" x 21" lemon strip, cut a piece slightly longer than the watermelon square. Position the folded white strip raw edges matching along one edge of the watermelon square. Position the lemon piece on top, right sides together. Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press open. Machine quilt the lemon piece with straight lines. 

Step 4: In the same way, cut another folded white strip and orange strip slightly longer than the watermelon/lemon section. Layer, stitch and press open. Machine quilt to secure. 

Step 5: Continue adding white folded and fruit strips in the same manner. You'll be covering the raw edges of pieces you've already stitched down. 

Step 6: Add strips until there are two on each side of the center square. Trim the piece to measure 11" square. 

Here's our backing fabric: Perfect for all these fruit prints! 

Step 7: Layer the backing square right side down, InsulBright square (this adds an element of heat resistance), and then the quilted top right side up. Baste the layers together (we used spray baste). Trim backing as needed. Use the (2) 2-1/4" x 42" white strips to bind the trivet. 

Veggie Trivet
The Veggie Trivet uses the wonky Log Cabin method. 

Step 1: Cut a 3" square from the pepper strip. Center on the 15" batting square and machine quilt in place with several straight lines. 

Step 2: Fold each 1" x 42" black solid strip lengthwise in half and press. 
Step 3: Cut a folded black strip slightly longer than the pepper square. From the 3" x 21" peapod strip, cut a piece slightly longer than the pepper square. Position the folded black strip raw edges matching along one edge of the pepper square and angle slightly as shown. Position the peapod piece on top, right sides together. Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press open. Machine quilt the peapod piece with straight lines.  

Step 4: In the same way, cut another folded black strip and mushroom strip slightly longer than the pepper/peapod section. Layer on an angle, stitch and press open. Machine quilt to secure. 

Step 5: Continue adding folded black strips and veggie strip, angling as you go to create a wonky look. 

Step 6: Add strips until the pieced unit measures at least 11" square (approximately two strips per side). 

Step 7: Trim to measure 11" square. 

Here's our backing fabric: 

Step 8: Layer the backing square right side down, InsulBright square (this adds an element of heat resistance), and then the quilted top right side up. Baste the layers together (we used spray baste). Trim backing as needed. Use the (2) 2-1/4" x 42" black strips to bind the trivet. 

Would you like to win a bundle of Farmer John's Garden Party? Leave a comment below (or on IG) telling us which is your favorite fabric in this collection. Giveaway is open through Sunday, June 4th at 11:59 PM CDT. 

Find the entire Farmer John's Garden Party collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop. 
Download our free quilt pattern to make a lap-size fruit and veggie quilt here.

Follow along with our Summer of Sewing Series! 

Click here to see all the tutorials.