How to Sew a Pot Holder

Toss out all of those boring store-bought pot holders you have lying around your kitchen. With just a few supplies, you can sew your own pot holders that complement your style and make you smile every time you pull a casserole out of the oven.

Things You'll Need

• Printed fabric
• Coordinating solid fabric
• Package of 100 percent cotton batting
• Package of 1/2-inch wide double fold coordinating bias tape
• Ruler
• Tailor's chalk
• Pins
• Thread
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Rotary cutter
• Self-healing cutting mat

Instructions

1. Use your rotary cutter and self-healing cutting mat to cut one 7-by-7 inch square from each piece of fabric. The print will show on one side of the pot holder, while the coordinating solid fabric will show on the other side. Cut four 7-by-7 inch squares of batting.

2. Sandwich the four layers of batting between the two layers of fabric, making sure the right sides of the fabric face out. Pin the layers together, then sew close to the edge all the way around to hold the layers in place for quilting.

3. Quilt the pot holder. Begin by sewing a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner. Use this base line to measure and mark lines that are 1 inch apart, then sew over the lines. Your pot holder should now have lines running across the diagonal in one direction. Repeat this process on the other corner, sewing lines in the opposite direction to finish quilting your pot holder.

4. Start at one corner and baste the bias tape onto the pot holder using your sewing machine, leaving several inches of tape hanging off the end to later use as a loop. Top-stitch the bias tape onto the pot holder for a finished look, then attach the loop to the corner.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use polyester batting for your pot holders. It poses a safety hazard.

• Always use caution and common sense when using handmade pot holders. Never use damaged pot holders and always remember that no pot holder is completely heat-proof.