Instructions for Chenilling Pot Holders
Chenilling is a texturing technique that results in soft, fuzzy fabric. You can create chenille fabric at home with layers of cloth stitched together and cut on the bias. Choose a variety of bright, 100 percent cotton solids for chenilling pot holders, or experiment with plaids and prints. Stack fabrics in different shades of the same color, from light to dark, to achieve a striped effect. Put batting in the middle of the pot holders for added insulation. Complement any kitchen decor with homemade pot holders.
Things You'll Need
- 100 percent cotton fabric
- Ruler or tape measure
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Small, sharp scissors or chenille cutter
- Wide rickrack
- Batting (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut 16 pieces of fabric, each 9 inches square. Stack the squares face down in two neat piles of 8 squares each and pin the layers of each pile together.
-
2
Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the backside of the square on the top of each pile. Draw 11 additional diagonal lines spaced 1/2 inch apart on each side of the center line. Sew on the center drawn line and then on each line to both sides of the center, removing the pins as you come to them.
-
-
3
Turn both sewn fabric piles face up. Cut through the top six layers of fabric in the middle between the stitched lines.
-
4
Fold a 6-inch piece of rickrack in half to form a loop. Pin the rickrack to one corner on the uncut side of one of the fabric piles, with the loop extending 2 inches beyond the corner and the ends pointing toward the center of the fabric square. Sew across the rickrack 1/2 inch from the ends.
-
5
Lay the fabric piles with the uncut sides together, and align the edges. Place an 8-inch square of batting centered between the fabric piles, if desired. Pin all four edges.
-
6
Sew around the perimeter twice, 1/2 inch from the edge. Sew a few stitches in forward and reverse along the diagonal seam lines 1-1/2 inches from the corners if batting was used.
-
7
Clip the seam allowance at intervals of 1/4 inch around the perimeter of the pot holder. Clip close to, but not through, the stitching line.
-
8
Machine-wash and tumble-dry the pot holder to complete the chenilling process. Clean excess lint from the washer and dryer after each cycle, if necessary.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use a variety of cotton remnants left over from other projects instead of buying new fabric.
Cut identical squares when using plaids or large-scale prints to preserve the fabric design.
Fabric squares must be cut in line with the woven grain for best chenilling results.
Resources
- Photo Credit bolts of fabric image by Scott Williams from Fotolia.com
