Beginner Sewing Project – Potholders

2020 Update! A new set of sassy polka dot potholders to replace these that lasted 6 years and were put to good use!

Here is the original post from 2014:

Through the years I have dabbled in sewing but never for long periods of time. Recently I was inspired by this beginning sewing project, entitled DIY Easy Potholder, I found on SewCountryChick.com. Please visit her blog for more images and step by step directions. Designed for the beginning sewer (or perhaps a rusty one like me). I gave it a try with some leftover fabric I had.

Here is a breakdown of the steps for each potholder:

1. Cut two fabric square pieces 10 inches by 10 inches.
2. Cut two or three batting pieces depending on their thickness, 10 inches by 10 inches.
3. Cut one strip 10 inches by 2 1/2 inches.
4. Fold the strip lengthwise. Sew the strip together lengthwise with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.
5. Take a safety pin, attach it to the end of the strap an pull the strap right side out.
6. Iron the strip.
7. Attach the batting pieces to the WRONG side of one of the fabric pieces.
8. Take the strip and lay it on the RIGHT side of the fabric piece like above.
9. Now lay the other piece of fabric on top of the fabric piece with the strip on it.
10. Pin all the layers together.
11.  Sew all of the layers together with a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Leave a 3 inch opening on one of the sides. Sew straight off each side.
12. Trim the corner edges of the potholder.
13. Pull the potholder through the gap you left unsewn. Use a point turner or the edges of your scissors to pop out the corners of the potholder.
14. Iron the potholder flat, ironing the little gap closed.
15. Topstitch around the potholder edges with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sewing the gap shut. Draw straight lines in both directions on the potholder with chalk. Make them evenly spaced, about 2 inches apart. Stitch on the lines, quilting the potholder.

This really would be a fun project to do with kids or adults who want to learn how to sew… or for someone like me who just wants to make something on a Saturday afternoon.