Stitch a Felt Tray for Winter Entryway Odds and Ends
Spare keys and coins are easier to find when they land in the same spot. This felt tray has no lining or separate side panels: pinching and sewing four corners raises the edges of a single square. The finished base measures about 16 cm across, with walls approximately 4 cm high.
Pick felt that holds a fold
- One 24 cm square of firm craft felt, about 3 mm thick
- Strong polyester sewing thread, a sharp hand-sewing needle and scissors
- Ruler, tailor’s chalk and four sewing clips
Before cutting, bend a corner of the sheet upright. If the felt falls over as soon as you let go, choose a firmer sheet. The walls need body because the stitches only hold the corners.
Mark, pinch and sew
On the underside, draw a faint chalk line 4 cm in from each edge. The lines frame the square base and cross at four points. At one corner, fold up the two adjoining walls along their chalk lines. Bring the excess felt together outside the tray so it forms a triangular ear. Clip the folded ear where the walls meet.
Thread the needle with about 50 cm of thread and knot one end. Backstitch through both layers along the line where the two walls meet, beginning near the base and stopping just below the top edge. Keep the stitches about 4 mm apart. Knot securely and hide the tail between the two layers. Repeat at the other corners, checking that each ear points outward.
Get the base to sit flat
Set the empty tray on a table. If one corner lifts, compare its fold with the opposite corner. A seam that drifts inward pulls up the floor; remove that stitching and reclip on the original fold intersection. Leave the ears intact for a folded look, or trim them evenly, leaving at least 6 mm of felt outside each seam.
Brush out grit with a soft brush. This is a tray for dry pocket contents, so give dripping gloves and wet keys a separate spot to dry.
