Potholders are fun to assemble and anyone with a little sewing skill can do it. Even if you have never sewn on a machine before, a hotpad can be an easy beginner project. You’ll need the following supplies for a potholder that measures approximately 8 ½ inches x 8 ½ inches when finished:
- ¼ yd. fabric (This is enough for 4 – 5 potholders)
- Thread to match
- ¼ yd heat-rated thermal batting (for potholders and heat-resistant items)
- Sewing pins
- Scissors
- Straight edge ruler
- Plastic café curtain ring (optional)
- Needle and thread for hand-sewing (optional)
Follow these simple instructions:
- Cut two pieces of fabric 9 inches x 9 inches square (for one potholder)
- Cut one piece of thermal batting 8 3/8 inches x 8 3/8 inches square
- Cut one piece of fabric 2 inches wide by 4 inches long (for hanger)
- Place 2 inch x 4 inch (hanger) piece of fabric face down on ironing surface. Fold ½ inch in on each long side and press. Fold in half, matching folded edges, and press again. Pin and stitch with a straight stitch. You will now have a 4 inch long by ½ inch wide piece. Fold in half, matching raw edges and baste across bottom.
- Lay one fabric square face-down on a flat surface. Add piece of thermal batting, being sure batting is centered. There should be ½ inch seam allowance all the way around. Pin and baste.
- Now place batting side down on table. Measure across top and at the halfway point place the hanger piece. The loop fold should point to the center of the fabric with raw edges matching. Baste.
- Add the other piece of 9 inch x 9 inch fabric (right side to right side) and pin. Baste all the way around. Leaving a 3 inch opening at bottom for turning, stitch with straight stitch in a ½ inch seam, being careful not to catch batting in stitching. (Backstitch well at both sides of opening as batting will strain stitching when turned). When you reach the corners, leave the needle down and pivot, making a continuous line of stitching.
- Reinforce corners by stitching again. Cut across corners diagonally to make them easier to turn.
- Pull and turn fabric to the right side making sure corners are pushed out. At opening area turn in ½ inch on both sides and pin. Stitch all the way around the outside of the fabric to make the stitching look even, or you can hand-sew the opening closed if you wish.
- Sew from corner to corner and make an X to quilt and hold the batting if you like that look or you can leave it as is; it’s your choice.
Pro Tip: If you don’t like to make the fabric hanger, you can eliminate it from the pattern and hand-sew a plastic café curtain ring in one corner after you are finished sewing.
You are now on your way to making potholders for yourself, for gifts,and for friends and family. Be creative. Embellish by doing applique or embroidery on the front – the ideas are limitless. Have fun!
