Learning how to sew a round potholder with a free pattern is a great project for a beginner sewer. And when it comes to having potholders in the kitchen, it’s safe to say that we can never have enough. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been thankful to have plenty of potholders on hand for my baking and caking needs!
The other great part about this potholder tutorial is that it makes a really great gift idea as well. Pick out some super fun fabric and create one, two, or more potholders for your family and friends. This is a simple DIY Christmas idea or even a fun housewarming gift, too. Then, every time they’re cooking, they’re going to be reminded of your generous gift that is keeping them from burning their hands!
The tutorial below is very straight-forward and easy to follow. As you’ll see from the steps and pictures, this is a project that you can easily make in a short amount of time. It’s also a good beginner sewing project too and a good project for kids to learn from as well.
What You’ll Need for the Round Potholder:
- 1/4 yard a main cotton fabric color/pattern
- 1/4 yard second complimentary cotton fabric
- 1/4 yard of heat safe fabric like Insul-Bright or cotton batting
- 1/4 yard of cotton batting
- All-purpose thread
- ½” bias tape
- Free Pattern or 8” round plate
- Sewing clips
- Sewing machine
- Washable fabric pen
- Rotary cutter & mat
- Scissors
How To Sew A Round Potholder
Using your Free Pattern for a round potholder or a plate as a template, measure, mark, and then cut two 8”x 8” pieces of your main fabric, two 8”x 8” pieces of your complimentary fabric, 1 8×8” piece of the cotton batting, and one 8×8 piece of Insul-Bright heat-safe fabric. You’ll also need to cut one piece of bias tape 4” long, one piece 25” long and two pieces 9” long.
Place one set of cotton fabrics right side up and one wrong side up with the circle of Insul-Bright on top. The Insul-Bright helps prevent your hot pan or dish from burning you or your countertop and makes your potholder safe to use.
Find the middle point of the circle. Fold the 4” piece of bias tape in half and place with the raw edge touching the raw edge of the circle at the middle point of the piece of fabric that is right side facing up. This will give you a nice loop to hang your potholder out of the way when you aren’t using it.
Pin or clip the pieces together, leaving a 4” opening. This so that you will be able to turn the fabric back right side out after you sew it in the next step.
Time to start sewing! Sew a 1/4” seam allowance around the circle, securing the fabric layers. Your round potholder is starting to come together!
Carefully turn the potholder right side out. Press and top stitch a 1/4” seam allowance around the circle for added durability.
Now it’s time to make the top part where your hand goes. Cut the piece of cotton batting in half. Fold your remaining two circles of cotton fabric in half and place the batting inside each like a taco.
Pin or clip one of the 9” pieces of bias tape along the straight edge of each semi-circle. Be sure to wrap the bias tape round the fabric edge so that the tape overlaps on both sides.
Sew into place. Now the part where you hand goes in is done. We just need to add it to the circle piece we already made. Almost done!
Position each semi-circles onto the circle you made above, rounded edges lining up. Attach the 24” bias tape and sew around the edges with a ¼” seam allowance to join the pieces and give it that nice finished look.
You did it! Your round potholder should now be completed and ready to use! Not only is this a fun and simple project but it’s a useful and handy one, too! Time to enjoy it!
I’ve created and made so many potholders throughout the years and am so thankful that I have. I keep them in our house and camper so that I never have to worry about not having one available when I need it. The last thing that I want is to burn my hands.
Why are some potholders round?
Interesting question, right? You’ve probably noticed that more and more potholders are round versus square and have maybe wondered why. I have a few thoughts about this that I’ll share below.
Having a round potholder seems to just be more of a natural shape to use. This is because when you’re holding it and using it to grab the edge of a pan, the roundness of the potholder just curves perfectly to hold onto the pan. Round potholders also make sense in the way that they’re used to hold onto other round items like soup bowls, baking pans, etc. They just tend to have a better overall look to them and aren’t as clunky as square ones. (but don’t get me wrong – square ones are just fine, too!)
The bottom line is that as long as you’re creating potholders that are functional for you, that’s all that really matters. This means that you can easily sew up a set of round potholders using this tutorial for yourself and head to the store to buy another round of fabric for your next set because like I mentioned earlier, the more potholders, the better!
If you liked this how to sew a round potholder with free pattern tutorial, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make it take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices others make.
How to Sew a Round Potholder
Learning how to sew a round potholder is simple with this easy DIY tutorial! No more burning your hands or your countertop. This little sewing project makes a great gift for friends and family. Start making your round potholder with our free pattern today.
Materials
- 1/4 yard a main cotton fabric color/pattern
- 1/4 yard second complimentary cotton fabric
- 1/4 yard of heat safe fabric like Insul-Bright
- 1/4 yard of cotton batting
- All-purpose thread
- ½” bias tape
- Free Pattern
- or 8” round plate
Instructions
- Using your Free Pattern or a plate as a template, measure, and mark and then cut two 8”x8” pieces of your main fabric, two 8”x8” pieces of your complimentary fabric, 1 8x8 piece of 1 8x8” piece of the cotton fabrics and one 8x8 piece of Insul-Bright.
- Cut one piece of bias tape 4” long, one piece 25” long and two pieces 9” long.
- Place one set of cotton fabrics right side up and one wrong side up with the circle of Insul-Bright in between.
- Find the middle point of the circle. Fold the 4” piece of bias tape in half and place with the raw edge touching the raw edge of the circle at the middle point of the piece of fabric that is right side facing up.
- Pin or clip pieces together, leaving a 4” opening.
- Sew a 1/4” seam allowance around the circle.
- Carefully turn the potholder right side out.
- Press and topstitch a 1/4” seam allowance around the circle.
- Cut your piece of cotton batting in half. Fold your remaining two circles of cotton fabric in half and place the batting inside each like a taco.
- Pin or clip one of the 9” pieces of bias tape along the straight edge of each semi-circle
- Sew into place.
- Position each semi-circles onto the circle you made above, rounded edges lining up.Attach your 24” bias tape and sew with a ¼” seam allowance.
- Enjoy your potholder!
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