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It's Craft Fair Week with Benzie Design and Therm O Web! We're spotlighting projects that would be easy to make in multiples for selling at craft shows and fall fundraisers. This adorable felt Trinket Tray from Mollie of Wild Olive is a perfect fit! Cute and useful, these trays are just the right size for holding all the small objects you need to keep safe.
Trinket trays are easy to make with Benzie felt and Therm O Web's HeatnBond! You can make just one, but you can also work on them in bulk by prepping a bunch of the tray bases and then cutting a whole lot of quilt block pieces in fun fall colors. Mix and match pieces to create trays that are each a little bit unique!
Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 6 hours
Additional Supplies:
HeatnBond Iron-on Adhesive
Die Cut Machine
Printed Quilting Cotton
Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat - optional
To streamline the process and reduce production time, I am using the Cozy Quilt Block die and a die cut machine. As an alternative, you can design your own 4 x 4" pattern and print it on sheets of HeatnBond.
Directions:
1. Cut a piece of HeatnBond that's about 6-1/4" square. Iron it to the back of a piece of quilting cotton fabric. Peel off paper backing.
2. Cut a piece of felt that's about 6-1/4" square. Place felt on the adhesive that's applied to the fabric. Sandwich felt and fabric between layers of pressing paper. Pressing paper prevents accidentally getting adhesive on your iron.
Iron layers to fully fuse them. Flip over to iron on both sides.
3. Trim fused square to exactly 6" square.
4. Iron HeatnBond to additional colors of felt.
5. Use the deep-etch die pieces to cut shapes to make a quilt block. Do not remove paper backing before cutting, as it will be more difficult to remove pieces from cutting plates.
6. Fold and press all four sides of the large felt square toward the middle by 1". This helps shape the trinket tray, while also making it easier to position the quilt block pieces.
7. Arrange quilt block pieces, starting along the top and using crease as a guide. When all pieces are in place and have a close fit, remove paper backing and iron to fully fuse.
8. Thread needle with three strands of embroidery floss and tie a knot close to the end. Fold up two sides of the square and pinch the corner. Stitch corner together, 1" from point. Tie a knot, hidden between the pinched layers. Repeat at each corner.
Add your own personality to these! For mine, I stitched faces on the center squares - that's kind of what I'm known for! But you can use a color or fabric pattern to really customize yours. You can also add extra elements to these with some stitching around the quilt block pieces or around the outer edge of the trinket tray. Or add something different to the center instead of a quilt block!
When selling these at a craft fair, you may want to add a little label to let folks know how to use them. Or better yet, put them to use on your table! Add some of your cards or stickers so people can see them in action!
Thanks to Mollie for designing and writing this tutorial! You can see more of her work on Instagram @molliejohanson and on her website . Stay tuned for more Craft Fair tutorials all week long!
