I make the heart shaped potholders that fit right into your hand (quilt shop pattern). I do know the Insul-bright works well, but I just use one layer of cotton batting along with a piece of the teflon fabric. The potholders are thin enough to fold when grabbing a hot pan and they still do their job of keeping the heat away!

I use one layer of insul-brite and one layer of warm and natural. Put the shiny side of the insulbrite to the back side of the potholder and the warm and natural to the top side of it.

I use a layer of insulbrite between two layers of warm and natural. The cotton batting makes it feel softer. Also, I use cotton fabric, including the binding and cotton thread, as polyester can melt or start on fire.

FYI - Insul-brite comes in 2 widths - about 22 inches and the standard 44 or so inches. The narrower one is about $2.50/yard and the wider one is about $5.00/yard. Which equals out to the same price (give or take a few pennies). Just depends on what you want/need. Nancy's Notions catalogue is $4.99/yard but you need to add shipping. I've purchased the narrower one from a quilt store. It also can be purchased in a pre-cut package but is lots more expensive this way (unless that's all you will ever need and will not purchase any more). Just do not use all poly batting - it conducts the heat (probably why the purchased ones don't always work well). And poly could melt.
IMHO the cotton batting plus insul-brite is the best way to go. I prefer to see pretty fabric on both sides so not fond of the silvery stuff. Think I'lll try to get over to Joann's (about 50 miles one way) and see if they have some - have a bunch of great coupons.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

I used to make potholders to sell, and finally settled on using three layers of white felt. It protects against heat well. I used spray adhesive to stick the felt layers together. I never could come up with a regular quilt batting that protected well, held up in the washer, and didn't melt.

I have used insulbrite with a layer of cotton batting and it works well, I have also used a layer of an old cotton towel with a layer of cotton batting and it works just as well. I also make my potholders bigger so they can be folded in half for extra hot pots. Depends on what I have around when I get the itch to make potholders. I have been known to get towels from the thrift shop to reuse for innards.

This is funny...I just finished up about 8 potholders and tried a few different methods. I used the silver(ironing board material), insult-brite and w&n. I used 2 layers of insult-brite and 1 w&n. I'm going to have friends tell me which they liked best. I think the ones with the silver can be used as hot pads, too.
I found a pattern on the web and then adapted it some and made some real easy holders. They are round with the hand holders attached....therefore no binding.

I found a pattern on the web and then adapted it some and made some real easy holders. They are round with the hand holders attached....therefore no binding.[/quote]

Do you have the link for this pattern?

joanns carries it and it goes on sale occasionally too. I layer the insulbrite with a layer of warm and natural or insulbrite with a piece of my hubby's old jeans