How to Make a Potholder

We seldom think of potholder until we're reaching toward something hot on the stove. Then we can't live without them. Whether you want to sew your own potholder because you're naturally thrifty, into recycling or want to surprise your mother with a handmade gift, this a project you can complete in a single afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric for the front
• Fabric for the back
• Old towel or blanket to cut into the padding
• Sewing machine and thread
• Iron and ironing board
• Straight pins

Instructions

1. Cut your fabric. The front piece should be 7 by 7 inches. The back should be 8 by 8. The padding (old towel or blanket) should be 7 by 7.

2. Make a potholder sandwich. Lay the bottom fabric, top down on your workspace. Center the padding material on top of that. Top it off with the front fabric piece, right side up. Pin the 3 pieces together carefully.

3. Sew the 3 pieces together. You can use any design you like. Try making an "X" through the center of the potholder, sewing from corner to corner of the top fabric, or lightly draw a design in pencil on the top fabric and sew along your lines. Create any design that suits your fabric.

4. Fold the outside edge of the bottom fabric in 1/2 inch. The edge of the bottom should now be touching the edge of the top. Fold the bottom over again, so it overlaps the top fabric. Tuck the corners in neatly, pin carefully in place and iron.

5. Use a straight or zig-zag stitch to sew the border edges down along the fold and your potholder is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• When you're sewing your 3 pieces together, stop stitching at the edge of your top fabric. The bottom fabric will be folded over to form the binding.