Quick Tips for Making Pot Holders

Pot Holders - A Fun and Functional DIY Gift

Hi everyone! Reva from Quality Sewing and Vacuum here. Today, I'm sharing an easy and delightful project making pot holders. Whether you're starting with plain fabric, orphan quilt blocks, or creating new quilt blocks, these tips will guide you through creating personalized, practical gifts. Let’s dive into the process step-by-step!

You can find all these project tools and materials at QualitySewing.com to get started on your sewing project with ease. Once you've gathered everything you need, you're ready to jump into the next steps and start creating your beautiful DIY pot holders!

 (1) Choosing Your Fabric

You can use plain fabric or quilt blocks. For this project, I used 8x8-inch quilt blocks, which I find to be the perfect size for DIY pot holders. Choose coordinating fabric for the back of the pot holder and lay it down wrong side up. Homemade pot holders give you the freedom to mix and match colors and patterns, making each one unique and special.

(2) Adding Batting and Insulating Layers

• Batting:  I used a scrap of warm and white cotton batting, slightly larger than my quilt block to ensure full coverage. This layer adds a sense of softness to your homemade pot holders.
  
  
• Insulation:  For heat protection, add a layer of Floriani’s hot/cold barrier fleece. This layer has a shiny, heat-reflective side and a softer, fleecy side. Place the fleecy side down for comfort. This step is crucial to make sure your DIY pot holders are both safe and functional when handling hot items.

 (3) Layering and Securing

Stack your layers: bottom fabric (wrong side up), hot/cold barrier fleece (fleecy side down), and batting on top. Use a fabric glue pen or pins to secure the layers before quilting. The glue pen dries quickly and prevents pins from poking you as you sew, making the process smoother and more enjoyable when creating your homemade pot holders.

 (4) Quilting Your Pot Holder

Trim your pot holder to a clean 8x8-inch square using a rotary cutter and ruler. You can choose to keep the corners square or round them off for easier binding. Rounded corners add a decorative element and make binding easier, which is perfect for making pot holders quickly.

 (5) Trimming and Shaping

Quilt the layers as desired. Simple straight or cross-hatch stitching works well for pot holders. Sew close to the edges (within ¼ inch) to keep the layers intact and ready for trimming. This quilting step helps ensure the DIY pot holders maintain their structure and durability over time.

 (6) Binding the Edges

Use bias binding for the edges. Bias binding stretches around corners more easily than straight binding and adds a decorative sense to your homemade pot holders. Start sewing the binding at the bottom, leaving a tail for easy joining later. Sew around the edges, carefully navigating corners using a pivoting presser foot if needed.

 (7) Finishing the Binding

When you return to the starting point, overlap the binding ends for a clean finish. Fold the starting tail under at an angle to conceal it beneath the overlap. Continue sewing, ensuring the binding is secure. This gives your DIY pot holders a professional finish that’s both functional and attractive.

 (8) Gluing and Securing the Back

Turn the binding over to the back side of the pot holder and secure it with glue or pins. Run a line of glue along the seam, fold the binding over, and press it down. Make sure the binding covers the seam line to ensure a neat finish when stitched in place. This step is key for creating homemade pot holders that look polished.

 (9) Gluing and Securing the Back

Sew along the front seam line ("stitch in the ditch") to secure the binding on the back. This technique makes the stitch nearly invisible and gives a professional look to your DIY pot holders.

Additional Ideas and Tips

1. Use leftover scraps or orphan quilt blocks to create unique homemade pot holders.
   
   
2. Incorporate hot/cold barrier fleece for heat protection. This material can also be used for lunch boxes and trivets, expanding the versatility of your sewing projects.
   
   
3. For decorative block ideas, consider using a block builder set for inspiration. You can create different designs like wreaths or candy canes in various sizes, adding more fun and creativity to your DIY pot holders.

BRING JOY TO OTHERS THROUGH SEWING

Pot holders are practical, thoughtful gifts that everyone will appreciate. With these simple steps and materials, you can create homemade pot holders that are both beautiful and functional. Enjoy experimenting with different fabrics, colors, and patterns to make your DIY pot holders truly one-of-a-kind.

Happy Sewing,
~Reva