Cooking is more fun when you have great toys to play with, like colorful bowls and kitchen tools but pretty pot holders are nowhere to be found — except in my kitchen. Because I made them. I went to Jo-Ann fabrics, got 1/4 yard of quilted fabrics, some binding and made my own. All these quilted fabrics have a different design on the back so here are the backs of my pot holders…
Here’s how I made them: There was no pattern to so I just cut the fabric into 7 by 8-inch shapes and rounded the corners. I used two thicknesses per pot holder so before adding the binding, I first connected the pieces together to keep them flat. I did that by sewing two seams – each one diagonal from corner to corner. Then I used Double Fold Bias Tape (extra wide) for the edge. I used an old existing pot holder to see how to secure the “loop.” I love how they turned out.
A safety note: I used two thicknesses but when I baked a cake at 350 degrees and used my new pot holder to remove the pan, a little heat came through by the time I put the pan on a rack so when I make more, I plan to use 4 thicknesses instead of just two and I suggest that if anyone makes them, to make them thicker or just use them as decoration. Next time I plan to use some leftover plain quilted fabric for my extra filler and save my fancy fabric for the outside.
Hey, with those colors I could turn these pot holders into a bikini. All I need is some colorful string and voila! Coverage for the beach! Of course, men would have it easier. All they need is an oven mitt! – Jenny Jones
May I suggest you use “wrap n’ zap”. It is for use with products made to come in contact with heat.
What a genius idea to use quilted fabric for pot holders. I quilt my own when I make them. This cuts down on time just for pot holders but I’ve made matching pot holders with decorative towels. Thank you 😊
Can you send me a pattern and instructions please?
Hi Jenny, I love your potholders. They are beautiful. I am dying to get started.
Thanks for sharing your information and I learned something from your comments section.
I have an older electric blanket that doesn’t work anymore. I took the heating elements out and use the fabric. It makes excellent filling for hot pads, and soup mugs and is fire proof. Depending what I am making and how thick I want it, sometimes I double it.
I
I love your sense of humor! Instead of adding more layers, put insul-bride inside and the heat will NOT come through. It’s great!
I buy potholders at Dollar Tree (2 for $1), take the binding off and use the “guts” of the insulation for the base of my potholders. I cover them and bind them…. really reduces the cost.
❤️ that idea.
That is a great idea. With a fat piece and the guts just another $1.00 spent
Great idea!!!
Great idea! I do this too!
I make potholders also try a product called “Insulbright” between your layers.
I love the way you looped the hanger for the pot holder easy way to finish the binding!!!
Maybe add some filler or padding for thickness.
Buy a thermal batting to prevent heat transfer.
love this idea, going to try it for sure.
Love your blog!! Thanks for the homemade pot holders idea.
There is a heat resistance fabric at Jo Ann’s. Made for pot holders
Jenny, where did you get your gloves that you used in the baby back ribs video, the gloves that you used to turn the ribs around while they were hot. Also, loved you many years ago and you are still the sweetest gal around. Love your smile and the twinkle in your eyes.
Those are Playtex Living Gloves (premium) from the grocery store. http://www.ocedar.com/p/playtex-gloves
Can original 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation be used to make potholders??
Is there a pattern for the pot holders
No, I just copied some old store-bought ones.
Insul-brite is available at fabric stores. This is used to prevent burning your
hands. It can make the potholder quite stiff, but prevents burns.
Agree. Try Insulbright.
I made a pot holders with Insulbright & I still felt the heat. Should I use double thickness?
I use cotton batting and insul bright in mine to make them safer when handling hot pots.
Can use insul-brite instead of so many layers. It’s made for that.
There is a material you can purchase that has tephlon in it to use for the stuffing.It will make it not so thick to sew.
Thank you. I found that and inserted it inside my pot holders. It made a big difference.
yes I also found out (which may be the same thing you are speaking of) I use an ironing board cover in between. that works good also. thanks for the tip
Are you talking about the Teflon fabric that you can purchase?
I bought insulbrite at joanns would this work?
Yes, but you may need 2 layers to make sure you don’t feel the heat when you use them.
How do you use the ironing board cover to make pot holders.?
So you used the heat resistant fabric and you still felt the heat?
I added it into the potholders and it made a big difference. (I clarified my previous post)
Hi Jenny, If you don’t want the potholders to be too thick (some sewing machines can’t handle too much thickness, although a walking foot would certainly help) you might try a layer of Insul-brite between the fabrics. It’s heat-proof, or heat-resistant. You put the shiny side on the side that will touch the hot surfaces. If both sides will, you’ll want to use two pieces, but I think it will still be thinner than sewing through four thicknesses of quilted fabric.
Thanks for the info.
Jenny, If you don’t already know about it, there’s a terrific sewing web site called sew4home.com with fabulous free tutorials for all sorts of projects. I’ve made dozens of their things, from pot holders to aprons to zipper pouches and toys.
Thanks for that web site Ms Gloria. I will check it out. Just getting back into sewing, need all the help I can get.
Nice potholders Jenny! Hilarious mitt comment too!
Hi Jenny! I love what you did with those potholders. I saw too and keep promising myself that I will make some and haven’t got to make them yet. But, my plan is to use old washcloths as filling because, as you experienced, even two layers of quilted fabric are not enough. When, eventually (I love this word…) I will make them, I will post a picture for you to see.
Thank you for being there for us. I love your site and am glad I found you!
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