Teapot rest or mat tutorial

I'm a teapot devotee - teabags just don't do it for me. Every teapot lover needs a pretty mat on which to rest the pot while the tea is steeping. It's so long since I did a tutorial, so I got stuck into this one this afternoon. It's a quick project that is great for using up little bits of fabric.


Requirements list :
  Fabric measuring 25 x 25cm (depending on the size of your teapot - mine is medium sized)
Ric rac measuring approx. 53cm
Small crocheted doily 
Embroidery floss (optional)
Sewing thread
Batting (I've used polyester quilt batting)
Air erasing pen (optional)
Iron on adhesive (I've used Heat n Bond)


Using a round bowl (mine measures 17cm across) draw 2 circles on your fabric with an erasable pen or lightly in pencil.


Cut 2 squares of batting a bit larger than your circles.


Cut  a circle of Heat n Bond that is the same size as the circular part of the doily (exclude the border). Follow the packet instructions to secure your doily to the middle of the right side of one circle.


Laying the circle with the doily on top of the wadding work some running stitches around in circles between the gaps of your doily. I've used cream coloured embroidery floss for this, but regular sewing or a quilting thread would be fine too. Working the running stitches ensures your doily is securely attached and also gives a lovely lightly quilted look. I didn't stitch down the scalloped border of the doily as I like the way it looks kinda fluffing up.


Lay your two circles right sides together.  Lay your ric rac so that it's sandwiched between the 2 circles right on the edge so that you can just see the bumps on the outside. Carefully pin around the circle , leaving a 10cm gap open (don't pin ric rac on the gap either).



Here it is pinned all the way around except for the gap. If you're worried about the placement of the ric rac you could tack it on before sewing.


Using your sewing machine, sew around circles (don't forget to leave your gap open!) about 1/4 inch from the edge.


Turn the circles right sides out through the gap. Press lightly around the edges, being careful not to scorch the ric rac. Turn the edges in at the gap and sandwich the remaining ric rac. Tuck the tail of the ric rac inside. Pin in place.


Top stitch right around, close to the edge,  catching the turned in edges at the gap.


Hey, it's even reversible!


Now go and have a well earned cuppa!

I hope you like this tutorial, please leave me a comment if you make a mat and please let me know if I've made any mistakes in the tute!




4 comments:

Cathie said...

absolutely adorable!!
love the teapot too.
you know what, I may even have a go at making that mat someday soon, love it ♥

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

So pretty. I'm not a tea or coffee drinker, i'm forcing myself to drink iced tea, i'm getting there. I do love the fact some people call the 'coasters' . . . 'mug rugs' i think that is really cute, love Posie

Marie said...

Very pretty. I used to drink my tea from a little pot that DH bought me for my birthday.

Unknown said...

You are so talented...love it. Just so darn cute, I wish I had it in me to sew with fabric. I try...im trying now will Trinity...but I just don't like it. I see a project like this and think maybe? But then I know what a mess I will make of it.

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