I save old towels that have outlived their usefulness for my potholders. You can always find areas where the towel isn't so worn, and cut out your squares for insulation. I use two squares of towel for insulation, plus a layer insulbrite, and those potholders will stand up under the most intense heat. I pick up the insulbrite when I can get it on sale, and usually have some around. My gift recipients love my potholders, and often ask for more, because they say they are "sturdy, pretty, and you never burn your fingers with them." So that's my secret. Oh, and I use the prettiest quilt blocks and colors for the outer layers of the potholders, often doing a series of similar quilt blocks and colors for a gift. But the real secret is in the two layers of towels plus the insulbrite -- best and sturdiest insulation there is!