I need potholders

and I need a quick project as a break from the Tediums (I, II and III). I've been pondering making some new potholders for a while and here's the pattern and process that I developed. I wanted one that would go together quickly without binding.

Cutting:

Front and back fabric, each 9 1/2" x 7 1/2" (the stripe and the small print)

Cotton Batting, 2 pieces each 9" x 7" (I used Warm and Natural scraps)

Insul-Bright, 1 pieces 9" x 7"

Pockets, 2 pieces each 9" x 7 1/2" (the floral print)

Cotton batting for pocket padding, 2 pieces each 7" x 4 1/4"

 

Layer the potholder parts: front fabric (right side down), 1 piece of cotton batting centered in the fabric, Insul-Bright, second piece of cotton batting and the back layer of the fabric (right side up). The batting layers are centered in the fabric so that there is about 1/4" of fabric extra around all sides of the batting. Pin through all layers.

 

Quilt through all layers. I followed the "V" of the dye pattern but you can do simple straight lines. Stitch with a long stitch size. A long stitch length is necessary when stitching through so many layers.

Prepare the pockets. Fold the pocket fabric in half and place the batting inside against the fold. Stitch a couple of rows of stitches through all layers.

 

Here's a side view of the quilted potholder where you can see that the batting layers do not go all the way to the edge of the fabric. This makes the potholder easier to turn.

   

Lay the pockets on the FRONT of the potholder with the folded edges of the pockets toward the center of the potholder. The pockets will not touch at the center of the potholder. See that little piece blue of fabric on the right? It's about 1 1/5" x 2" and is cut from the backing fabric. I folded it in half lengthwise and pinned it over the space where the pockets almost meet. See it pinned on the right side? The folded edge is toward the INSIDE of the potholder. This will encase the raw edges on the sides of the potholder. Pin through all layers.

I do not hang my potholders but you could insert a loop between these layers to add a loop.

   

Stitch all around the potholder about 1/4" from the edge. If you do it right you will not sew through batting. Clip the corners and turn the pockets to the back.

 

After the potholder is turned, top stitch about 1/4" from the edge all the way around. This is how I would use the potholder on the rare occasion that I use it. 

If there's anything about this tutorial that doesn't make sense please let me know.

 

Comments

[Connie]

I love the tutorial, thanks. Just what I needed. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your nice comment, too.

[Kim]

How thoughtful of you to make Chris some potholders!

[Anne]

Great tutorial! I posted a link on Craft Gossip Sewing Blog: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a…h-hand-pocketstutorial-sew-a-potholder-with-hand-pockets/2009/04/02/
--Anne

[Tim]

As was posted earlier, I dont understand the title. Shouldn't have been "Chris needs new potholders"? They look pretty slick though :)

[Terri]

Cool project!....or should that be Hot project?

[Cindy Is Crafty]

Great tute! Easy peasy!

[Debra Spincic]

I think the one on the left is just getting to the good stage!

[Tany]

Fantastic job and step-by-step tutorial! Well done!

[Diana]

ONE MORE TIME! Maybe with a less patterned pot holder. I am losing something somewhere. It might just be ME, however. Potholders are on mu gift list to make for family this year!

[Becca]

Hey great idea! I need to make some new ones too. The dog ate a few of my last ones. Seriously.

[Ruth Lane]

great design!

[Dawn]

Oh man! I love the way these look and make up! Now I have to try some!!!!

[Rachel]

Oh this is great! I would love to link to this if you didn't mind.

[sue b]

this is great! I need some new potholders, mine are embarrassingly ratty.

[belvie]

Thanks for sharing! I need to replace some pot holders that have holes in them.

[Diane]

Perfect timing! I was asked to make my SIL some pot holders and I was mulling around how to make them. These are exactly like she wanted. Thanks for the turotial.

[VickiT]

Hello Vicki ~ I just ran across your site and found the two tutorials for the potholders. I wanted to say thank you and also to thank you for the great pictures showing the direction of the Insulbright as well in the layering.

VickiT