I am thinking of making some pot holders for Christmas and was wondering if there is any special type of batting I should use. I would think I would need to be heavy but I'm not sure what to even ask for. Please help!

I use Insolbrite (sp)

insulabright and 100% cotton together

Insul-brite and 2 pieces of 100% cotton batting or you can also used 2 or 3 layers of old terry cloth towels.

The old fashion way was to use two layers of batting and a piece of cotton between the layers. I have also used old cotton mattress pads and pre quilted fabric. The newer ideas do work best but if you are on a budget these are the alternatives. Enjoy!!!!!

I made some a couple of weeks ago...I used insulbrite (shiny side towards the heat) and a layer of cotton batting each side of the insulbrite.

I use wool blanket off cuts.

Tried to practise hand quilting on one of my pot holders yesterday and it was a nightmare as it was so thick. After that I tried to practise hand quilting with just some off cuts of thin batting. Easy! So I guess I would recommend wool blanket off cuts only if you're machine quilting.

The funny thing is that as I've given away every single pot holder I've made so far I can't report back on how they are to use. I might try and fix that by making one for my own use today.

Janice, where do you get Insulbrite in Oz? I don't think I've ever seen it.

Mosaicthinking
I've seen something for pot holders in Spotlight I don't know what you call it but it seems to be a white poly or cotton batting with a silver sliver type thing woven into it. It is stored with the ordinary batting area

Thanks - have already done my Spotlight run for today (only spent $3.50!!), but will take a look next time I'm there.

I also use the insulbright with the cotton batting

I bought some insulbrite to make some potholders and my craft room ate it. I have no idea where it went to lol. I am going to get more.

I also read online of people using denim in potholders. I think I'm going to try out a few combinations and see what I like best. Sounds like the cotton/insulbrite/cotton combo is in the lead for popularity lol

I made them according to this video. they are so simple and quick. I use 1 layer of W & N cotton batting and 1 layer of Insulbrite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sipzCAflJQ8

Insubright is a good product to use. I recently made jean potholders w/ one layer of cotton batting. It does not stand up to the heat. luck for me they're mines. I would have been disappointed if it was a gift and was burning the recipient's hand. :oops:

tea

There are directions on the paper that comes with InsulBrite. I believe it says to use one layer of InsulBrite (shiny side toward the heat) and two layers of batting underneath. This gives a nice thickness to the pot holders.

You can use a coupon at JoAnn's for InsulBrite. It comes by the yard by the interfacings.

Potholder
 

If I am using an old mattress pad will I need more than one layer?

I think that would depend on the thickness of the old mattress pad. Many of the more recent mattress pads are much thicker than the really old ones. So why not try out a single layer and if it is sufficient, then go for it!

Does anyone know if 2 layers of Insulbrite will work? I have the potholders made except the bindings. So I could unsew them and add another layer without much trouble. Don't have any batting around.

You can buy Insulbright by the yard at Joann's if you live near one of them. It is with the utility fabrics. I always buy quite a bit when I have a coupon, since I like to make 2 handed pot holders for gifts.

I am on budget so I use either my FMQ practice squares or, more frequently ,layers of batting between recycled denim form jeans + a piece of whatever color fabric necessary facing the top layer.

Thanks for this thread. I am planing to make some potholders for decorations but I want to make them the correct way. I bought some Insulbright and didn't get to read what side to use. THANKS for the info!!

In America, we can purchase Insul-brite at our only fabric chain store left: JoAnn's fabric.

Great tutorial..I have bookmarked it for future project ..

If Insulbright requires that the shiny side be toward the heat, then I would think you should use two layers of it. Otherwise how are you going to indicate to the user which side is where the 'heat' is supposed to be? I certainly do not expect a 'right' side for my potholders.

You treat the insulbright as the back side of the pad. That way you will see the silver side of the pad and know which side to use. You could put two layers of insulbright and just put fabric over one of them, but it might be pretty hard to quilt and the fabric may scorch.

I also wanted to say thanks for the thread. But I asked today about something for kitchen mitts and the accessories for sewing store didn't know where I could find some. So, I was thinking about an old towel...

Plus we don't have cotton batting here easily. Could I use poly and put the towel in there, or skip the poly batting and just use a couple layers of towel?

I love the way people say use "100% cotton batting and when you go to try and find some it's so hard there are all kinds of products out there. I have been searching for it and all I get are products that are not 100% cotton but a mixture of some poly junk. also a link to a source or a pic of a 100% product would be helpful.
STILL SEARCHING ONLINE AND FRUSTRATED !!
live in a small town with only a crappy sewing dept. at walmart so must do shopping online.

I've tried with and without Insulbrite, anywhere from 1 to 3 layers of batting. My favorite is 1 layer Insulbrite and 1 layer cotton batting.

Honestly I can't tell, once the potholder is made, which side is the "shiny" side of the Insulbrite. I don't mark them in any way so I can't keep track, and they work just as well one way as they do the other so I don't worry about it. I figure if I can't tell...it must not really matter!

Anybody else who makes potholders w/Insulbrite - can you tell which "way" they go once they're made?

Really? I have no trouble finding 100% cotton batting - are you in the US? Warm & Natural/Warm & White is one - you can buy it online all over, including at Amazon. Pellon makes "Nature's Touch" which is 100% cotton and is carried at Joann's; it often goes on sale for about $15 for queen size.

Some links for you:

Joann's: http://www.joann.com/pellon-queen-si.../10993699.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...0%26%20natural
Fabric. com: https://www.fabric.com/quilting-fabr...?Source=Header (They carry warm & natural; also Quilter's Dream 100% cotton)

I make a lot of potholders with Insulbright and have never used it exposed. It is always sandwiched between layers of fabric. It depends on the potholder design as to whether I use warm and natural along with the insulbright. Sometimes it is just the insulbright with several layers of fabric. I don't pay any attention to front or back. I figure whoever uses a potholder is going to grab it and use it without paying attention to front or back. I've never had any problems or complaints.

Insulbrite and a layer of cotton batting make great pot holders. froggyintexas

I make my potholders with quilt blocks so there's definately a front and back.