How to Make a Pot Holder from Scratch

Making a pot holder from scratch is a fun and rewarding DIY project that can be completed with just a few simple materials. You'll need some cotton fabric, a piece of insulating material, and a few basic sewing supplies.

Start by cutting out two identical squares of cotton fabric, each about 8 inches on each side. This size will give you a decent-sized pot holder that can protect your hands from hot pans.

Next, cut a piece of insulating material, such as heat-resistant batting or a piece of old towel, to the same size as the fabric squares. This will provide the necessary insulation to keep your hands safe.

A good rule of thumb is to use a 1/4 inch seam allowance when sewing the pot holder together. This will help ensure that the seams are secure and won't come undone over time.

To make a pot holder, you'll need some basic materials. You can use fabric scraps, so don't worry if you don't have a lot of fabric on hand.

For the main fabric pieces, use 100% cotton fabric, as it's easily washable, durable, and naturally heat-resistant. You can use fabric scraps from other projects, or buy new fabric if needed.

You'll also need insulation material, which can be quilt batting, Insul-Bright, old dish towels, flannel, or other heavy-duty fabric like drop cloth or scrap denim. Make sure the insulation material is thick enough and free of any residues that could be hazardous when exposed to heat.

Here are the specific fabric measurements you'll need:

Additionally, you'll need some basic sewing tools, such as a sewing machine, a sturdy needle, matching threads, an ironing board and hot iron, temporary fabric markers, and fabric scissors or a rotary cutter with mat and ruler.

To make a pot holder, start by cutting two 10-inch squares of fabric, as well as a piece of insulation material, which can be Insul-Bright or another option.

You can layer the fabric and insulation material to your desired thickness, but be sure to test the heat protective properties of your layers before sewing them together. If it becomes hot quickly, rethink the fabric configuration or increase the layers.

Cut a strip of fabric for the pot holder's loop, which should be 1 1/2 inches by 4 inches. Fold it in half lengthwise and sew a slim seam, then attach a safety pin and turn it inside out.

To sew the layers together, pin them well and sew a 1/2-inch seam all the way around, leaving a 4-inch gap to turn it inside out.

Here are the basic steps to follow:

You can use a variety of fabrics for your pot holder, including scrap fabric, vintage printed bed sheets, or old dresses. Just make sure the fabric is thick and cotton-based.

Cut your fabrics into 10in by 10in squares, and feel free to layer them however thick you want.

You can use a variety of fabrics, like cotton, old dish towels, or Insult-Bright, and test the thickness on a hot pan if you're not using Insult-Bright.

Cut a strip of fabric that is 1 1/2in by 4in for the potholder's loop, and fold it in half lengthwise.

Sew a super slim seam, attach a safety pin, and turn it inside out, pressing it with an iron to give it a neat finish.

Top-stitch the loop to give it a finished look, and make sure to pin it really well when sewing all those thicknesses together.

Pin all layers of your potholder together, making sure the bottom and top pieces have right sides together.

Sew a 1/2in seam all the way around, leaving a 4in gap to turn it inside out, and don't be discouraged if it gets a bit wonky.

Turn your potholder inside out and sew up the gap, finishing it off with a 1/2in topstitch all the way around it.

Add a few topstitch seams in the middle to give it a more completed look, and get creative with your design.

Related reading: How to Make Yourself Look Fat with Pillows?

To assemble your pot holder, start by laying the backing with the right side down. This is a crucial step, as it sets the foundation for the rest of the project.

The next step is to add the insulating batting, placing 2 layers on top of the backing. Fix these layers together using safety pins or spray-baste, and consider using Odif 505 for a secure hold.

Alternatively, you can assemble the pot holder by placing the piece with the pockets on top of the piece with the insulation, right sides together. Don't forget to position the loop in between both layers, double folded, with raw edges aligned with the edge of the fabric pieces.

Assemble Pieces is a crucial step in creating a pot holder. Lay your backing with the right side down.

To ensure stability, place 2 layers of insulating batting on top of the backing. You can also use cotton batting for this purpose.

Safety pins or spray-baste can be used to fix the layers together. I find spray-basting with Odif 505 to be the easiest method to prevent shifting.

Make sure to position the layers carefully to avoid any wrinkles or creases.

For more insights, see: Make Homemade Bed Bug Spray

When choosing an interfacing for your potholders, you have a few options to consider.

You can use two layers of Insul-Bright for extra heat resistance and thickness.

One layer of Insul-Bright plus a layer of cotton batting is another option.

Alternatively, you can use a single layer of thick cotton batting.

Don't use polyester-based batting, as it won't block heat effectively.

Insul-Bright is a popular choice for its insulating properties.

To cut your interfacing, start with two pieces that are 8 ½" square.

For a mini version, cut the pieces to 6 ½".

To make a pot holder, you'll need to start by measuring and marking your fabric. Cut two 10” squares of fabric, which will form the outer layers of your pot holder.

Cut one piece of fabric 1½” by 4” for the loop, which will be used to hang your pot holder. You'll also need to cut 2-3 10″ squares of insulation material to provide heat protection.

Before sewing the layers together, test the heat protective properties by stacking them all up and grabbing a hot pan (be careful of course). If it becomes hot quickly, you may need to rethink the fabric configuration or increase the layers.

To ensure your pot holder is effective, you can experiment with different fabric configurations or layer combinations.

Related reading: Hot Water Pipes Making Noise

Now that you've sewn and quilted your pot holder, it's time to finish it off. You'll want to add some binding to the edges to prevent fraying and give it a professional finish.

The binding is a simple strip of fabric that you can sew onto the edges of the pot holder. In our case, we used a 2-inch wide strip of cotton fabric.

To attach the binding, start by folding the raw edges of the pot holder under by about 1/4 inch, then fold them under again by another 1/4 inch. This will create a neat and tidy edge.

Sew the binding in place, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam to secure it.