Get ready for the holidays by protecting your table with a table runner that doubles as a hot pad (or "trivet")!
Thanksgiving! I haven't forgotten about it. I'm already planning the dishes in my head that I'll be preparing and serving family style. I'm mentally choosing the serving plates and trays I'll be using. And I'm wondering how I'll protect my table from all that hot food. With a table runner-length insulated-trivet/hot-pad, of course! I've been meaning to sew one since I first hosted extended family for a meal and had to use a mish-mash of pot holders and trivets. As I planned to finally sew it I realized I could make it reversible for year-round use; as I sewed I realized I could write down the directions of my version to share here. So here's a bonus Thursday pictorial post, in case you feel like sewing one up before next Thursday.
This runner is a narrow 11.5" wide and a full 60" long, custom fit for our Ikea (Stornäs) dinning table. I kept the ends simple with angled corners and the construction even simpler with bias-bound edges. (But then I accidentally picked up single-fold, instead of double-fold, bias tape and it was a struggle to bind -- though I really like the thin-look of the binding in the final piece.) The runner protects the table thanks to a layer of Insul-Bright insulated batting sandwiched between two layers of 100% cotton. I found the Insul-Bright in the utility fabric section at Joann's -- it's the stuff you'd use to make pot-holders and oven mitts, or to insulate a lunch bag. And I have enough left over that you can probably expect a few of those projects in the future.
If you'd like full written directions, you can download the 2-page PDF version here for just $1.99! Otherwise follow along with the pictures below to sew an insulated, reversible table-runner-length trivet/hot pad (that really is a mouthful, isn't it?).
The fun part of this blog, is that I'm finally sewing all the projects that have been floating around in my head. This one's been in there for years, I'm so happy to finally have it in my hands -- getting to share it here is just a bonus!
When you plan your Runner, choose one fabric that works for everyday dinners and another fabric that will brighten up the holidays; and remember to choose 100% cotton, you wouldn't want it to melt after all your hard work. I chose Generic Holiday Red that can work for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or even the Fourth of July (with some white and blue table décor) and, for the reverse, a print that matches the décor of the living & dining rooms in our open floor plan. Of course the Table Running Trivet can also make a lovely grab-bag or hostess gift.
When you plan your Runner, choose one fabric that works for everyday dinners and another fabric that will brighten up the holidays; and remember to choose 100% cotton, you wouldn't want it to melt after all your hard work. I chose Generic Holiday Red that can work for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or even the Fourth of July (with some white and blue table décor) and, for the reverse, a print that matches the décor of the living & dining rooms in our open floor plan. Of course the Table Running Trivet can also make a lovely grab-bag or hostess gift.
Whether you sew one for your own home or as a gift I'd love to see it. Be sure to use #TIWtablerunningtrivet and #theinspiredwren, and tag @theinspiredwren on social media!
PS! Thanks for stopping by and reading to the end. If you like the Spiral Crochet Planter Cover be sure to check out the tutorial on how to crochet one for yourself. If you're looking for other holiday-inspired projects consider the Felt Bauble Ornament or the Tall-Tree Pillow. And remember there are plenty of other project (and potential gift!) ideas on the Turorials page. ~Ren.
Ren Murphy writes for The Inspired Wren.
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You should really see all that goes into each project!
From my marathon sewing sessions, to all that I do when I #shouldhavebeensewing, catch daily updates on Instagram (and Flickr) of works-in-progress. Get that behind the scenes view you’re looking for, and sneak peeks of First Tuesday Tutorials, too.
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