Dress up your kitchen with a new set of potholders. These are quick and easy sewing projects for beginners. Sometimes, potholders are part of a kitchen ensemble with matching towels, aprons, and the like.
Choosing Fabrics
Potholders require very little fabric. You probably have enough scraps on hand. Choose durable, high quality materials that will withstand frequent washings. Terry cloth is often used. Prints with culinary themes are ideal for potholders.
Sewing Supplies for Potholders
In addition to fabric, some small pieces of quilt batting or insulating padding will be needed. To protect tables and countertops from hot pots and pans, add a piece of heat-proof Teflon-type backing. This is the same stuff that is found on the back of ironing board covers. Bias tape or similar trim can be used to bind the raw edges of potholders.
Potholder Styles and Designs
Potholders are typically square, oval, or rectangular. Oven mitts are a special type of potholder. Unlike most styles, these have an opening for the hand.
Depending on the time and energy available, potholders can be plain or fancy. These can assume many fanciful shapes. Ideas include houses and cottages, tea pots, butterflies, animals, triangle-shaped fruit or flower baskets, fans, and even cartoon characters. Mason jars, canisters, sets of salt and pepper shakers, and other culinary themes are also suitable options.
The motifs and embellishments can provide seasonal interest. Consider pumpkin and fall foliage designs for autumn. Playful bunnies are great for spring. Gingerbread houses, poinsettias, and holly leaves can be used at Christmas.
Several craft techniques can add decorative touches to potholders. These include embroidery, stenciling, and fabric paints.
Sewing Potholders
In addition to standard sewing techniques, appliqué and patchwork are suitable choices for potholders.
When making oven mitts, it is important to add the correct amount of padding. Ones that are too thick won’t be flexible enough for handling hot pans.
Once the layers of the potholder have been assembled, use bias tape for binding the edges and making loops. If you prefer to skip the binding, there is another option. Assemble the potholder with the right sides of the front and back together. The batting can go on the wrong side of either piece so it will be sandwiched in between once the sewing is complete. Sew along three sides, leaving one side open for turning. Then, turn and slipstitch the opening. Machine embroidery or machine quilting can be added to hold the layers firmly together.
Potholder Patterns
Craft and sewing books often have patterns and step by step instructions for potholders. Magazines are another good source. In addition, the major pattern companies usually include potholders in their kitchen ensemble patterns. Examples include Simplicity 3979, Butterick 3983, McCall’s 2018, and Simplicity 4341.
