Liesl Made Pot Holder Tutorial.

I know there are probably a million and one pot holder tutorials on the web but I wanted to share my version with you all. If you have any questions, or concerns, feel free to contact me.

To make a pair of linen and cotton pot holders you’ll need:
4 – 10″ x 10″ pieces of linen
6 – 10″ x 10″ pieces cotton batting
(or 4 pieces of the cotton and 2 pieces of thermal batting)
2 – 4 1/2″ x 8″ cotton print
2 – 5″ pieces 3/8″ cotton twill tape (or extra binding)
80+” of 2″ bias binding

Start by making a template for the pot holders. Cut an 8″ square from some paper. Round all four corners.

To start piecing together the pot holder, layer linen, cotton batting, thermal batting or another layer of cotton batting, cotton batting and linen.

Pin the template to the center of your stack.

Trace the pattern onto the linen.

Now you want to mark the center. Measure 4″ in and mark *outside* the pattern on both the top and bottom. This will help guide you with the first quilting line. I also put a pin or two down the center to help guide me but you could mark it with a water or air soluble pen or pencil.

It should look like this. Next pin the layers all together so none shift while you’re working.

Take the stack over to your sewing machine. You’ll want to lower your tension and increase your stitch length. I set my machine at a tension of 2 and stitch length of 3. You can test on the edges, outside the traced template markings to see what works best. Stitch down the center.

It helps to have a seam guide attachment for the next step but if you don’t, you can just measure 1″ and mark with a water or air soluble pen or pencil or just use pins.

Using your preferred guide method, stitch 1″ to the left of the center quilting stitch. Repeat two more times. Repeat for the opposite side of the center seam.

It should look something like this when you’re all done.

Next comes the hardest part of all–cutting out the actual pot holder. It’s rough on your hand and you’ll need sturdy scissors. You can cut each layer individually if that helps.

Now take the 4 1/2″ by 8″ cotton prints you’ve chosen and fold under and iron a 1/2″ on the long sides. Pin onto the pot holder about an 1 1/2″ from the bottom edge. Stitch along edges of the cotton.

Next stitch the twill tape about 1/8″ to the top center of the back of the pot holder as seen. You can use some of the binding by cutting two 5″ strips and folding them in half lengthwise, stitching a 1/4″ and turning inside out.

Now we are to the binding stage. Make sure your binding is *bias binding* because you have to maneuver the rounded corners. A simple google search for bias binding directions will provide plenty of info if you’re a newbie to binding. Or you can check out how I made mine for the Folded Start Trivet Tutorial.

Place the binding, right side down, to the bottom edge of the pot holder. Fold back about a 1/2″ and pin.

I don’t bother pinning my binding to the pot holder but you can, especially around the rounded corners. Stitch about 3/8″ from the edge.

Bend the binding to the curve of the rounded corners. It good to use two hands here, but I needed one for the camera. ;)

When you get to the top edge, be sure the twill tape is laying flat against the back side.

Finish up the binding by lapping the binding over the folded bit in the beginning.

Now onward to hand stitching the binding. You can machine stitch the binding if you prefer but I think this looks a lot nicer. Fold back the binding and pin. Whip/hidden stitch starting at the bottom.

When you get to the top, be sure to have your needle go through the twill tape and the linen so it’s nice and secure.

And you’re done with your potholders!

(For personal use only, please.)