How to Sew a Potholder

I wanted to make a new set of potholders to kind of “freshen-up” my kitchen with some new potholders as I always seem to be misplacing them or a kid randomly has one in their room, don’t ask me how it got there. I am going to show you how to sew a potholder in 10 minutes. Yeah, they’re that fast–and they look amazing.

Now, I do want to point out that you can make potholders about a million different ways, but, if you want to make them fast, this is the most efficient way I found to make them. You can get a nice clean edging and a little loop to hang them if you like, plus you can add a little quilting to keep the center from shifting.

So, while you might find another method to make potholders, this one is fast, fun and really easy. I even showed you how to make a cute Camper Potholder but it takes twice as much time. Let me show you how to sew a potholder the fast but still cute way.

Supplies to Sew a Potholder

• Fabrics – Choice of patterned fabric and a corresponding fabric to match. As well As craft felt for the middle.
• Thread
• Scissors
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Sewing Pins
• As with most sewing projects you will need an iron, ironing board, and sewing machine.

You’ll need a pretty patterned fabric and a corresponding or contrasting fabric to match. So, since I was making 3 different potholders, I made an effort to find 3 primary patterns that kind of went together, then matching fabric for each. You’ll also need some craft felt. I chose to use white craft felt because my primary fabric patterns were on white fabric and I didn’t want a darker craft felt to show through. But if you’re using a darker patterned fabric for your potholders, you can use a darker felt.

For the tools to sew a potholder, you’re going to want: a pair of scissors and a sewing machine (or needle and thread). And some pins, I wouldn’t want to try this project without sewing Pins, because there are so many layers to deal with.

How to Sew a Potholder

If you want to use an old potholder to gauge the size of your new ones, that’s fine. But if you don’t have one or would rather, the finished dimensions I used were: 8-inches by 6-inches. Make sure to wash, dry and press your fabrics to ensure fewer problems later.

The next step in how to sew a potholder is to cut two pieces of your primary patterned fabric to your finished dimensions and two pieces of felt to the same dimensions.

Sandwich the two pieces of felt between the pieces of patterned fabric. Line them up as best you can, but don’t worry too much about trimming them–the edges will be covered well in just another step or two.

The next step in how to sew a potholder is to make the fabric loop. Cut a piece of your edge binding fabric (the contrasting or coordinating color you selected initially) at ½-inch wide by 4-inches long.

Fold the two long edges of the fabric inward to meet in the middle. Then fold the fabric in half, forming a long piece with no exterior edges. Pin this piece in place.

Now run a seam down the center, removing your pins as you go to make sure there are not any ripples in the fabric. And don’t forget to reverse and forward over your beginning and end of your seam. Trim strings.

Form a loop with your thin piece of fabric and tuck it between the two pieces of felt at the corner, pinning it in place. Now, if you feel super comfortable in your sewing skills and don’t feel that you need the extra support, you can skip the next two steps and move on to the binding for the edges, but if you’re a beginner at sewing, keep going through each of the steps.

Pin the four pieces of felt and fabric together for your potholder. Run a seam along the edges of the four pieces of felt/fabric about ¼-inch from the edge, removing your pins as you go to make sure there are not any ripples in the fabric. Don’t forget to adjust your tension as you’re sewing through four pieces of fabric–and also don’t forget to reverse and forward over your beginning and end of each seam. Trim your strings.

Cut two pieces of your edge binding fabric (the contrasting or coordinating color you selected initially) at 1-inch wide by 9-inches long (or however long your finished dimensions on the long side, plus 1 inch). Cut two pieces of the same fabric at 1-inch wide by 7-inches long (or however long your finished dimensions on the short side, plus 1 inch). Set aside the shorter pieces.

Lay one of the longer edge binding pieces along one long side of the sandwiched pieces of fabric, lining it up along the long side and ½ inch of fabric hanging over the ends. Pin this in place.

Repeat with the other side of the potholder and corresponding long edge binding piece.

For the next step in how to sew a potholder, run a seam along each of the long edges about ¼-inch from the edge, beginning and ending only on the body of the potholder, leaving the overhanging portion of edge binding lose; removing your pins as you go to make sure there are not any ripples in the fabric. Don’t forget to adjust your tension as you’re sewing through four pieces of fabric–and also don’t forget to reverse and forward over your beginning and end of each seam. Make sure to trim any lose strings.

Fold the edge binding fabric over the edge of the potholder. Fold over the loose (short) overhang portions of binding edge fabric, toward the potholder, forming a hem. Then fold over the long edge of the binding fabric, tucking this between the binding fabric and the potholder, creating a long hem. Pin this in place.

Run a seam along each of the long edges about ¼-inch from the edge, removing your pins as you go to make sure there are not any ripples in the fabric. 

Repeat sewing on the binding with the shorter edges of the potholder.

When you reach the corner with the loop, take care to catch the ends of the loop in your hem and cover as much of the fabric as possible with your binding. Trim your strings.

Add a few lines of quilting along the pattern lines, as desired, but be aware that the pattern is not going to match on both sides, so consider this when doing your quilting.

Now you know how to sew a potholder. I told you that it was going to be a simple sewing project that anyone can do. Now you can use your potholder!

If you loved this how to sew a potholder tutorial, be sure to pin it to your favorite sewing projects board on Pinterest! If you make the potholder make sure to tag us on social media so we can see the fabric you use.

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