Scrappy Potholders Tutorial

Hi So Sew Easy readers… I'm one of you, I love this blog! Deby has been a inspiration and blogging mentor to me, so I'm thrilled to be here today. I'm Emily and I blog at Nap-Time Creations. I have two boys and I LOVE to sew for them. My blog is mostly about sewing for them, myself and our home, but I also publish a recipe each week. I also host a weekly link party called Tasteful Tuesdays, I would love for you to come over and link up your projects. I do features each weekend from the party and those posts are wildly popular. Okay, lets get to the reason I'm here today… a scrappy potholders tutorial!

Potholder Sewing Tutorial

Cute, huh??? Lets get started so you can make your own…

You will want to gather some fabric. I used scraps for the tutorial today. I had fabric left over from making lots of these potholders for my Etsy Shop. You can also use larger pieces of fabric. You will need to be able to cut 1 1/2 inch wide strips. They don't have to be very long, although you will need some the length of the potholder {around 8 inches} so…

You will need

3/4 yard of fabric, assorted colors, cut into 1 1/2″ strips. I used four colors.

Cut one 8×8″ square, fabric of your choice for the back.

36″ of of 2″ wide fabric strip for binding {more on that later}

Batting, cut in 8″ squares

Here are my cut fabric piles.

1. to get started choose two different fabrics and place at a 90 degree angle. Sew at an angle, trim the ends and iron open.
2. Now you should see were I sewed.
3. With these two open flat, add a third fabric at an angle and sew, trim, iron {you will get REALLY used to this process}
4. Here are the three pieces.
5. Add a fourth color/fabric and sew again, you can see that I'm NOT lining up the edges… this angled sewing will give it the scrappy look we are going for.
6. Now we have completed one “round” its becoming a square {ish} but the pieces are not straight {perfect!!}
Lets see what it looks like as we keep going: Continue sewing around in a circular pattern, varying the angles and shape of each piece as you sew. Also, iron and trim after each piece.
The back will not look so great and might be a little bulky, but thats okay, we want this potholder to protect from the heat, so the extra fabric is okay. 13. shows the back. Keep adding rows.  14. I've now completed my sewing. The size is currently bigger than I need, but we need to square it up, so make sure to have some extra. 15. Square up the potholder. 16. mine is 8×8″. You can make whatever size you need to fit your purpose.

Next we need to create the binding. 1. cut 2″ strips. You can use all one color or more if desired. 2. Sew the strips together so you have the length of the perimeter of the potholder 8×4=32 + some extra I would have at least 36 inches of binding. Sew together at a right angle to minimize the fabric thickness of the binding. {a straight seam creates a big bunch of fabric in one place, this technique spreads out the seam.} 3. Clip the seams and iron in half length wide wrong sides together. 4. my ironed binding ready to sew on the potholder.

See this binding tutorial for more tips.

Okay, now for the exciting part! lets put it all together. You can buy insulated batting specifically for potholders… I didn't have any, so I just used four layers of my regular blanket batting {it seemed to keep the heat off my hand in my test sessions!} Lay your 8×8″ square right side down, add the batting, then top with the quilted square right side up. {1}. 2. Pin, Pin, Pin!!! Use lots of pins to hold it all together and everything in place. 3. Sew/quilt the potholder. I sew along all the seams, but you can do whatever you want. 4. It should look similar to this when finished. All sewn together. Trim the edges.

Lets add the binding now. Start along one side and pin to the first corner, leave a bit of a tail {don't sew from the start of the binding fabric}When you get to the corner sew to almost the end of the side, stop, pull your fabric out from the machine {dont take it all the way out and cut the thread as I did the the photo} Make a 90 angel with the binding, fold it down and continue sewing. This will give you enough fabric to make a nice corner on both sides. When you get all the way back around you should have two tails.

1. With right sides together pinch the tails together so the edges are flat on the potholder. You want to find where to sew them together to finish the binding. 2. I often fold my project in half to help pin and sew a straight line. Sew where you pinched and pinned. 3. You should now have a completed edge. Sew to the potholder. 4. Trim all the threads from the quilting and binding. 5. this is my back. 6. fold the binding back over and hand-stitch to the back of the potholder.

You did it!!! Now, make several more and give them to all your friends for Christmas! Don't want to make them… buy some from me {ha!}..

and finally… come on over to my blog today.. I'm show how to make a co-ordinating scrappy table runner to really decorate your table for Christmas.

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Introducing Emily from NapTime Creations
Emily is a mom, wife, and friend by day, lover of all things crafting and sewing by night. She blogs from her small Hong Kong apartment where she is busy raising two small boys and supporting her teacher husband. She is constantly working on new tutorials, taking better photos and cooking yummy things. Stop by Nap-Time Creations to check out all the action. You can find her at FacebookGoogle+Pinterest and Twitter.

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Brenda
Brenda

I have looked and looked for this really cute Scrappy table runner to go along with these adorable pot holders. Am I just missing it? Someone please help me locate it. Thanks in advance.

Cathie Case
Cathie Case
Reply to  Brenda

Hi, Brenda…I did a little digging and found the instructions on her website. Here’s the link:

https://lifesewsavory.com/christmas-table-runner-sewing-tutorial/

Hope it helps! 🙂

Dawn Woodward
Dawn Woodward

I like the potholders but the instructions are confusing to me.

Cj
Cj

So darling!

molli vandehey
molli vandehey

my daughter picked 1378, she is the crafty one!

Jean Ardiente
Jean Ardiente

I like pattern V1371. The pattern fits my clothing style.

Ed Nemmers
Ed Nemmers

I like the shirt at V8800!

Diane
Diane

Really cute potholders!

Debra White
Debra White

V8961, I think my college age daughter would wear this.

Barbara Lima
Barbara Lima

This is great!
I love to sew clothes, I want to connect with others that do.

Susan Miller
Susan Miller

Thank you for such a great giveaway! I always am drawn to anything by Marcy Tilton and Vogue always has the best of her best.

Tannis W
Tannis W

I like V8950 or V8951 from the lookbook.

Tannis W
Tannis W
Reply to  Tannis W

I like those patterns because they look really comfortable.

Wanda Bergman
Wanda Bergman

My favourite is the Tracy Reese dress pattern because it looks so comfortable.

Kimberlee
Kimberlee

Cute potholders – great way to use up some leftover fabric. Love the table runner, too.

amy mayer
amy mayer

I love marcy Tilton’s 8954–so creative!

Lori Johnston

I love Emily’s pot holders. They are so fun, whimsical, and a great use for scraps of fabric. This is a great tutorial for even beginners. {And I love both of you ladies’ blogs.}
Lori

Tanja Haack
Tanja Haack

I love V1378. It’s a great pattern that can be used for holiday visits or a casual everyday outfit.

Mimi O

These potholders are so cute!!! As for the Vogue Lookbook….V8960…I just love the red jacket. It would make a wonderful holiday coat.

Maria

I’m over from SewManyWays. Your potholders are beautiful and love your choice of fabrics.

Carol P.
Carol P.

I feel the need to sew!

Kathy E.

I am really loving the Misses Jacket by Marcy Tilton with the flounces up front. It looks so modern, yet classic. Just my style!

Judith Martinez
Judith Martinez

I really like 1378! I’m really loving the wrap style lately.

Sew Can Do (@sewcandoblog)

The top V1378. Really versatile & flattering

Zoe
Zoe

I really love the floor length sequin even dress 🙂

Mama Lusco

I love the sweetheart detail on 8952!

Barb R
Barb R

The color block long sleeve shirt, so look really interesting.

Pam @Threading My Way
Pam @Threading My Way

I love projects that use little scraps! Your potholders look great, Emily!!!

Emily Thompson
Emily Thompson

thanks pam!

Judith
Judith

I’m very partial to V8943. I need a new LBD, and this is perfect–it looks sophisticated and elegant, and doesn’t show an excess of skin.

Diana Z
Diana Z

Love V1370. Like the simplicity and block/curvy style.

Sherry S
Sherry S

I really like the Donna Karan Wrap Top, V1378, I could see making up several of these for everyday wear with jeans or leggings.

lolosews

I love the potholders and would love to win the magazine subscriptions.

DJ
DJ

Very cool. DH has been asking for an upgrade to our current potholders and this a a great idea for scrap fabric!

Maryall
Maryall

Wow, so many giveaways! I really like V8946, because of its lovely drapes, that will hide any tummy or hip problem 🙂

Lydia
Lydia

Great tutorial today. The pot holders are super cute. I’m going to give them a try this weekend.

Lydia
Lydia
Reply to  Lydia

Oh I I really like the DKNY purple sparkly dress in the Lookbook. I love purple & love sparkle.

Becky R
Becky R

These potholders are really cute! I’m going to have to get busy!

msredo

So much excitement going on here at So Sew Easy! Thanks for offering this fantastic giveaway. And I’m excited to get your weekly emails for projects and ideas. Mary

Emily Thompson
Emily Thompson

Yeah! So great… looks great on this blog :o) Super excited about the giveaway too!!