Help! Hot pads don't work!
 

I tested making an oven mitt yesterday using insulbright (shiny side out etc.) but it really wasn't enough protection. I want to make some for Christmas, but want them to work!!! How do you do it? Double the insulbright? Use insulbright + regular batting? Please help! Thank you.

You need to use cotton batting and the Insulbrite layered together. Most potholder made to be used need at least two layers of batting.

I use only insulbright. In the oven mitts I use 2 layers for each side of the mitt. I like 3 or 4 layers for the hot pads. They work great. I use them all the time with my cast iron in a 450 degree oven. I wouldn't use regular batting.

I discovered the silver heat resistant fabric is better then the Insulbrite and doesn't add bulk. I put it between two layers of cotton batting for oven mitts. The Walmart fabric dept manager ordered some of the silver heat resistant fabric by the bolt and it's only $4.98 a yard!

1 layer insulbrite, 1 layer W&N OR W&W

Does this work for table runners that might get used as a hot pad as well?

I make mine 2 layers of insulabriht and a layer of warm and nat.

I make mine like Bella does. Never had any issues.

The very best oven mitts I have are store bought and use a very heavy layer of terry, plus canvas on the back. They are from Williams Sonoma.

If I was making oven mitts or hot pads I would use at least one layer of terry towelling (I would just cut up an old towel), with what ever other batting I might use.

I do the silver fabric and then W & N. It works great.

Insulbright has 2 sides, one that reflects the heat, and one that absorbs the heat. You would use one side for cold items and the other side for hot items. Don't ask me which side is which, I think it tells in the instructions. I solved it by using 2 layers, or as others have said, add warm and natural. Just make sure you are using cotton batting, not synthetic.

JoAnn's sells the silver fabric off the bolt, too. Works great, no bulk. It's actually ironing board cover fabric, 44" wide.

Just checked my Insul-Bright wrapper. Here is what it says : Insul-Bright is the ideal insulated lining for many projects. It consists of hollow, polyester fibers neddlepunched through Mylar. The hollow fibers resist conduction while the reflective Mylar resists radiant energy. The energy, hot or cold, is reflected back to its source. In other words, you would want the shiny mylar side out for hot pads.

The best 'filling' I had for hot pads was table protecting padding - after I shrunk it (which I think shrank about 30 (yes 30) percent.

It was nice and thick - and only one layer of 'middle' to deal with.

Another great 'filling' was wool knit sweaters that had been 'felted' - whether intentionally or accidentally.

I have always made hot pads out of scraps and use old towels or 3 layers of batting and so far have had no problems. I have never tried insulbright.

Is that the same silver cover used on ironing boards?

The older ironing board covers used it, now the cover are mostly pretty print cotton.

I just use 2 layers of the insulbrite. Never had a problem!

Timely information! I plan to make some hot pads out of orphan squares for gifts this season....never even thought about the thinsulate not working! I will layer it between some W and N.....or the silver fabric if I can find it! Thanks to the OP for asking!!

I do like to use a layer of cotton batting with insulbrite, and flannel or denim backing for a little extra thickness.

Me too, with the shiny side out on both sides.

Jillmc, are you dotting the i at Ohio State?

thanks for this hint, my next purchase........

I've found that you can't use just the Insulbrite alone, you need at least one layer of warm & natural or other cotton batting, as this absorbs some of the moisture from the heat, so it works better. I made an extra long table runner, using the zig-zag pattern I found online for my son and DIL for them to use on their buffet because the top was starting to get some heat damage from their coffee pot. My DIL loves it and says it works like a charm and she just tosses it in the washer and dryer - works great.

I just finished making 36 of those cupcake hotpads. They work just fine with Pellon thermore, two layers. No insul-bright needed. Anyway it is more expensive.

If I were making hot pads, I'd use an old army blanket, preshrunk, two layers, between the top and the back. I've never had a problem with that.

I use an old cotton quilted mattress pad. The middle wore through so I saved the outside pieces. It is heavy enough to use for hot pads for pans.

I've never used the Insulbrite (just found out about it on QB) but I always liked old terry towels to make potholders. A couple of layers of the thicker ones maybe more if the towel is thinner.

I agree with this. The very BEST pot holder I ever had came from Wms.Sonoma and was imported from England. It was several layers of terry cloth quilted together and bound. If you want to use the Insulbright then pad it with a couple of layers of old towel cut up. I'd use the terry cloth over the batting, especially because the terry, being old would have been preshrunk.

I make mine with 1 layer insulbright and 1 layer w & w - have never had a problem! I also use this mix for mug rugs so the heat from coffee doesn't mark the furniture.

I double the insulbrite in the holder and use 4 layers in the mitt.

'At least one layer of cotton batting is recommended with Insul~Bright when used as Oven Mitts or Pot Holders. Insul~Bright is heat-RESISTANT, NOT heat-proof.'

This is a quote from the Insul-bright website.

I have never used insulbrite. I make potholder innards out of old shrunken sweaters (wool) and bits of towel (double layer).

Embroidery library has a tutorial on this they use insulbright and the shiny fabric that goes on ironning board covers. Yes, they make theirs using embroidery but the concept is still the same.

To remove items from the oven, I now use Ov Gloves. They keep this klutz (one thanksgiving I got 5 stitches cutting butter with a knife), they are made from kefvlar (sp???) if you can kefvlar fabric, I would recommend using that as a filler.

http://www.warmcompany.com/pdfs/ibeng.pdf I make mine to this pattern but the lining fabric is a good quality calico, which I use heaps of for not only these but backing for place-mats and linings for heavy duty totes.

My mother sent me a hand mit for the oven and it's like having a think piece of cloth on when I take something out of the oven. Talk about almost burning my fingers! She used felt - so that material doesn't work. I think when I make some oven mits or pot holders, I'll use something a little more heat resistant.

I also use old towels in hot pads. I usually use 2 or 3 layers and it seems to work fine.