Cute and Easy Potholders to Sew

Skill Level: Easy
Project Type: Make a Project
Time to Complete: Under an hour
Sewn By: Machine

Materials List
  - 8" square Therma-Flec heat resistant quilted batting, or cotton batting, or cotton batting and separate sheet heat resistant material
  - Two 9" squares fashion fabric (watch the video for a note about an optional liner/barrier square of fabric to hide the batting underneath)
  - Two pieces contrasting/coordinating fashion fabric 3" x 9"
  - Extra-wide double fold bias tape in coordinating color – two 9” pieces and one 5” piece for hanger loop
  - Thread
  - Pins
  - Optional: 1 9” square of neutral light-colored fabric to prevent see-through

Notes:
RS = Right side
WS = Wrong side
 

Watch Mary Beth as she walks you through exactly how to sew these awesome potholders. She also offers tips on the batting and fabric to use. Spoiler alert: you can use fat quarters and fabric scraps for this project!

These lovely DIY potholders also make fantastic gifts for family and friends who love being in the kitchen.

After the video, scroll down for the written tutorial with pictures.
 

1. Topstitch the 5" strip of bias tape closed along the open edge.

2. With RS of contrast fabric pieces facing up, topstitch bias tape into place on each inside edge (because the pieces face each other, one piece will have bias tape on the left, and the other will be on the right).
   
   Note: When sewing bias tape, make sure the slightly longer side is on the bottom.

3. Stack fabrics as shown in video – (optional) liner fabric RS up, one 9" square RS up, two bias taped contrast pieces RS up with raw edges aligned with raw edges of 9" square, hanger loop folded in half near top right (or left) corner (optional), raw edges aligned with raw edges of 9" square, second 9" square, WS up. Pin/clip together.

4. Sew all layers together, sewing around all four corners but leaving the center of one side open to turn it RS out. Lock stitches at beginning and end.
   
   Note: The measurements provided allow for a 1/2" seam allowance.

5. Clip corners and trim seam allowances.

6. Turn RS out.
   
   Pro Tip: When turning a corner, the easiest way to get it out neatly is to turn one side toward the back and one side toward the front when turning it inside-out.

7. Insert Therma-Flec into the opening – silver side towards the back of the potholder/towards where the hot pan will be. Take your time to get it placed correctly!

8. Close opening by hand using an invisible stitch.

9. Topstitch all the way around, catching the batting, about 1/4" to 3/8" from the edges.

10. For even more durability, push bound flapped sides back and topstitch a straight line through all the layers for about 4" or 5" inches under each flap to keep batting in place.

That's it. You're all set!