Summer is the time for outside picnics, barbecues, and camping. Thrifty made potholders that can stand up to the heat are a great way to use up left overs . . . and a fun project for visiting grandchildren.
I started with 100% cotton fabric cut 9 x 17". You can also use denim weight fabric, but no polyester.
Starting with the left over thin batting strips, I cut them a bit longer than the fabric width and placed on fold line.
Slightly overlapping and layering as I went.
The next layer uses longer, wider batting pieces . . .
which get folded in half . . .
And placed on top of the first layer.
Then the fabric is folded.
Starting in the
middle, using my
walking foot, wide zigzag stitches hold all layers together. It's a good time to use up odd thread. Stitches are locked at beginning and end. Quilting rows are about 1" apart.
Once the first half is done, the piece is flipped over and the other half completed. No stitches are near the edge yet, so it can be trimmed square.
After trimming, a tight zigzag stitch goes around the edge like a serger. I did this twice for stability.
There you have it, a quick, thick, hot pad / pot holder strong enough and thick enough to protect large and small hands alike.
Side bar: Never use any kind of polyester batting or fabric. If hot enough, they can melt and cause severe burns to the person holding the pan.
If you don't have cotton batting, left over pieces from blue jeans or felted wool sweaters can be used in the middle.
Until then, keep stitchin' . . .
