The Felt North African Cake Tray is a delightful fusion of culture and craftsmanship, blending the vibrant spirit of North African design with the tactile charm of felt. Handcrafted with care and precision, this tray showcases intricate felt patterns and geometric motifs that pay homage to the region's rich artistic heritage.

Its vibrant colors and soft, plush texture not only make it a functional serving piece but also an exquisite decorative accent for any occasion. Whether you're presenting traditional delicacies or contemporary treats, this tray adds a touch of elegance and exotic flair to your table setting. It's not just a piece of serve ware; it's a cultural journey that elevates your dining experience, creating a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Enlarge the template by the amount you like, trace, and cut it out. Apply spray mount adhesive to the template's back and secure it to Bristol board. If you don't have a large sheet, join sheets with tape. Trace the template outline onto the brown and turquoise felt using a ball-point pen. Carefully cut out both shapes using embroidery scissors.

Cut two 24cm (9 1/2in) squares from the iron-on fabric and 20 small rectangles measuring 3cm x 5mm (1 1/8 x 3/16in). These rectangles will reinforce the sides of your tray. Place the brown felt motif face down and position the two iron-on fabric squares in the center. Place the small supports along the center of all side motifs, following the diagram as a guide.

Lay the turquoise felt motif face up, with the reverse against the iron-on fabric on the brown felt. Ensure the iron-on fabric is correctly centered with no fabric sticking out at the sides. Use a very hot iron without steam to set your work. The iron-on fabric will activate once the felt cools down completely.

Using brown thread and a beading needle, sew a running stitch around the outside of the motif to secure the two felt pieces together. Add a brown seed bead with each stitch, spacing them about 5mm (3/16in) apart. Try to sew between the felt layers to prevent stitches from showing inside the tray.

Trace the small motif template and transfer it onto a piece of Bristol board. Cut out the shape and copy it twelve times onto the brown felt's reverse side using a fabric pen. Cut out the motifs with embroidery scissors. Pin them in the positions marked by stars on the diagram. Sew them on using a small stitch and a beading needle, adding gold seed beads at the points. Aim to sew between the two felt layers to hide stitches inside the tray.

Use turquoise thread to sew the four corners of the basket together with a double row of stitches, the first at the edge and the second about 1cm (3/8in) from the edge. Then, sew a tight, closely spaced running stitch around the base of the tray to create a pronounced edge, giving the felt North African cake tray more structure. Finish by attaching the corner motifs at the sides and tips as shown in the diagram.