I'm making 2 sets of potholders for a church silent auction. I'd do something more ambitious but I've noticed in the past that things tend not to go for their value. But if you put in one set of items for the Univ. of Iowa and one set for Iowa State, their alums will bid for the item AND try to bid their school higher.

Anyway, my question is, which is the better way to make the potholders. 1) Should it be the regular way you'd make a quilt, with the front of the quilt up, the batting, and the backing facedown, or 2) should I put the back and the front right sides together, sew along the seam and then flip it inside out?

If I make them Way No. 1, how do I get the hanging loop into the seam?

If I make them Way No. 2, what's the best way to quilt it? It's hard to quilt from edge to edge that way (although it seems that is the easier way to handle the hanging loop).

Any experience and opinions welcome!

I prefer to make them like a quilt with a binding. I think they look more finished that way. It does take longer though. To make the loop for hanging I just sew it on while sewing the 1/4 inch seam on the binding, then fold it up and hand stitch it into place while sewing the binding to the back.

I love the look for pot holders that have bindings and if I was going to buy any...I would buy one with binding...but I also like the ones I make http://www.thriftyideastoday.com/201...-can-make.html

I like the envelope method (#2) because binding something as small as a potholder is a pain in the butt. You can quilt just the top and the batting before you put on the backing and flip it. Once it's flipped, stitch around the entire edge 3/8" to 1/2" in to secure everything and you're all set.

ETA: I think potholders without binding stay cleaner longer. Binding edges trap grunge.

the more professional they look, the better the bids!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0BY7...eature=related

This is so neat and easy, and it is definately going on my todo list, in fact, it is a todo tomorrow, so I don't forget. I do know that I will use my walking foot, to sew the 7 layers together. Thanks for posting the link.

Thanks for this link. I made a potholder today and could not figure out how to do the loop. I will try this method on the next one.

i prefer to finish like a quilt

I'm not really good at that loop either.

I guess I'm glad I asked a question about something other people have problems with, too!

I watched this video (thanks for the link). It is amazing and I can not wait to make one.