When making pot holders, can I use regular batting or should a special batting be used?

There is special batting, called Insta-brite, and it is at Joanne's!

I use regular Warm & Natural. Insulbright is also something you could use. I have it and have used it, but I prefer W&N.

I use both, the Insulbright on the side that goes toward the pot and the warm and natural toward the hand. Makes a nice pot holder.

That's what I have, Warm and Natural, but it seems kind of thin, I made one potholder and tested it on a hot pan but I could still feel the heat. Should I double up the batting?

I used insul brite on mine, but next time will use insul brite and another layer of other batting for extra insulation from the heat.

You can also get insul brite at some Walmarts, & some LQS.

If you are using warm and natural, you will probably want more than one layer in order to not burn your hands. Even with insulbright, they recommend a layer of warm and natural with it.

I sandwiched mine, 1 layer W&N and one layer insulbright and then another layer of W&N

i know one lady who makes pot holder and she uses old terry towels she cuts up and folds for the center. they work great, hold up to many many washings and i never burn my fingers using one she made. lots of people just use warm & natural, a couple layers, some people use a third layer of fabric, maybe flannel then the batting...and some go buy the special stuff. it is certainly your choice what you use. just be careful not to use any polyester, batting or fabric blends; they can melt when they get too hot.
i am no good at making potholders and have given up...mine always burn your fingers and i even tried the insulbrite stuff...so i gave up making them i admire anyone who can make a cool potholder.

I also use the Insul bright and a layer of something else. Great way to use up small pieces of batting.

I'd say you need at least 2 layers of cotton batting. I've also done some with one layer of cotton batting and two layers of flannel (one on each side of the batting). I have a big piece of flannel that got sun damaged, so that's about all it's good for.

I do exactly the same thing. I always use Insulbrite only because I do not want someone to burn themselves when I give them as gifts.

I need to make some potholders! I could use some new ones and I could practice some FMQ. I think I might just use Warm and Natural. I'd think it would be enough for me, since I often just grab a dishcloth to remove hot pans from the oven! I don't care for a super thick potholder--I like 'em bendy.

The potholders I made for myself and have been using for several years now are made with two layers of Quilter's Dream request weight.

When I make mine I use 3 layers of W&N. 8-)

I made some just recently..I used Insulbrite sandwiched between 2 layers of cotton batting. They ended up fairly stiff but should soften up with washing.
I gave them to a friend and she said they were great..not burnt fingers :)

I use 1 layer on insul-brite and 2 layers of warm and natural. You can also use old towels instead of the warm and natural.

I used a nice thick towel for pot holders that my daughter requested for part of her Christmas. Only two layers were needed, I printed on copy paper a quilting design, pinned it on the top, FMQ it,and used a regular bias binding. She loves them. They are thick, soft, and bendable and no burned fingers. The only towel I could find in the right color was a large thick bath towel and even after making four potholders I still had enough to hem for a nice sized towel.

I have used double layers of left over fleece...works OK but will try the product mentioned above. Thanks for the information.

Thanks for the infomation here. I will try a layer of insul brite and W&N on my next pot holders.

When I started mine, I found something (Maybe on the insulbrite package) that said to sandwich 1 layer of insulbrite between 2 layers of warm & Natural. Also, to use only cotton thread as the poly can melt and burn you. I thought it was kind of odd then that there is poly in the insulbrite, but its between the cotton and fabric on mine and the only time I've gotten heat is if it gets wet and I keep trying to use it.

and some go buy the special stuff. it is certainly your choice what you use. just be careful not to use any polyester, batting or fabric blends; they can melt when they get too hot.
i am no good at making potholders and have given up...mine always burn your fingers and i even tried the insulbrite stuff...so i gave up making them i admire anyone who can make a cool potholder.[/quote]

I use all those things, sometimes insulbrite with a layer of cotton batting, or flanel....sometimes a layer or two of old cotton bath towel. It all works but here is the trick to be sure they won't burn your hand....make them bigger. That way you can fold them over for a double layer of potholder for the really hot pots. I make mine about ten inches big, I can pull an iron skillet from the hot oven no problem. I find an old bath towel, I get mine at the thrift shop works as well as anything. Insulbrite is good if you want a thinner hot pad but add a layer of cotton batting on both sides. But in no circumstances what ever never ever use anything polyester....it will melt and painfully for you.

I just use a couple of layers of batting.

I just made some potholders using insulbrite and and old wool sweater as the batting. tested it and works great. I used both the insulbrite and wool (or warm n natural on a few); BOTH on the heat exposed side of my oven mitts and I am satisfied that I won't be burnt! The other side was the quilted material and I just lined it with warm n natural. My sis thought it was overkill but, I took a roast out that had been on 400 and it was not a problem.

great tips everyone

A friend of mine uses multiple layers of denim fabric from old jeans and 1 layer of insulbrite. The pot holders look great, feel wonderful, and recycle previously used material.

This is what I do too.

I have used both and also baby blankets I find at yard sells and comforter's. I like them all but will go back to used baby blankets because it is less expensive. I also have lined my quilys with old blankets and they work great! But these are my tie quilts.

I've used regular batting but used two layers of it and they work fine.

Use 2 layers.

That makes sense. I fold a dish towel over about 4 thicknesses and use it if I can't find a pot holder. I think thickness is what counts the most.

If you machine wash an old wool sweater it felts up nice and thick and can be cut apart to make batting for potholders.

I read on a crochet site( freecrochet.com) that wool is a really good insulator for pot holders. Therefor I suggest using old cut up sweaters. Of course they would have to be real wool,but you never know what you might find in the thrift stores,maybe old wool skirts and suit jackets,slax or jackets. You might even find some that would look really cozy and warm for the wintery kitchen.

I see some one else thought of the sweater.

i just made some pot pinchers that i will give for christmas and with a layer of warm and natural on each side, top and bottom, and lined with denim, they are just right.

What a great idea...instead of throwing out my old towels I will use them for the middle of my potholders!!

Like this idea too!!!! You gals are smart and this also would be great for the batting of table runners, I am making a bunch to donate....this would be perfect!

I use 2 layers of Warm and Natural, uses up the small pieces. Have not tried the Insulbrite but want to make an ironing cover for an old TV tray for quick pressing. Potholders are a good way to try out a new block pattern.

I use the scraps of what I recover an ironing board with, and a layer of W & N

I would use this special insulating fabric called InsulBrite, it is sold by the yard at JoAnnes and at Walmart, if the one near you still sells fabric. I have made many potholder hot pad fabric trivets and have even sold them on Ebay. I use pre-quilted plain color fabric, for the extra batting and plain color, that's the bottom piece.

The middle is a piece of Insulbrite, with the shiny side facing the 100% cotton print fabric you are using, which is the top layer. Only 3 pieces ready to quilt together for a potholder. Then seam binding all the way around and a small loop for hanging, and you are done in about an hour. from Deborah, Phoenix, AZ