Potholders-what do you use for the middle?
 

What do you use for the middle layer of potholders? Do you use plain batting (cotton or polyester) or a special batting that is heat resistant? Also, do you quilt these? Maybe stitch in the ditch or a different design or just leave unquilted. Is it a quilter's perference?

As I give them as gifts I always use Insulbrite for safety reasons. http://www.warmcompany.com/ibpage.html

Wool is a very good insulator and if it's felted down completely it can survive trips through the washing machine. I have knitted potholders and felted them down; if you're not a knitter, you can still do this. Old wool sweaters can be washed in very hot water to make felt (just make sure the tag says hand-wash or dry-clean; wool can be treated to be safely machine washed). Thrift stores are a good place to look for wool sweaters; check the men's section for more yardage. ;-) There are lots and lots of resources online for felting knitted fabric, if you're interested in trying it.

ETA: Whatever you decide to use, do not use polyester. It will melt.

I like Insulbrite too. I just ran across this cute potholder tutorial this morning. I think I'll whip some up. http://www.mygirlthursday.com/2011/0...t-holders.html

I too use Insulbrite - but I sandwich it between two layers of Warm and Natural (I like thick potholders)

I have found only 1 layer of Insulbrite too thin and insufficient protection. Two layers is much better. It's thin and doesn't bulk up your hot pads or oven mitts.

Thanks, this site said to use heat resistant fabric as well. Is that necessary or can I just use my regular fabric for the top/back with the Insulbrite middle.

I think by heat resistant, she means nothing synthetic. You wouldn't want to use poly/cotton blends. 100% cotton, linen or wool are all heat resistant.

I use a 'retired' cotton mattress pad for the innards of potholders...old ones are best, thicker and more closely quilted...and very minimally quilt them. Remember, every time you take a stitch through the layers, you put a hole through the heat shield.

The mattress padding is plenty enough heat protection for anything coming out of an oven (unless you plan to hold it for an hour or so), it's easy to work with, it results in a nice 'grandma' type potholder and it's cheap.

I just can't see buying special batting whose only purpose is to resist heat, has no real safety advantages (it is NOT flame resistant, and does not claim to be...it's almost entirely poly after all), can be difficult to find, and only works if the correct side of the potholder is facing the heat.

I use one layer of warm-n -natural and one layer of insulbrite. I have made mine of cotton fabric and quilted them. They work great.

I use scrap all-cotton batting. I quilt each side with a layer, then put those two together and bind, making a loop at the center of one side or at a corner, depending on how I want it to hang. One layer of batting is not heat resistant enough for me.

I use batting scraps, two layers. They work fine, never been burnt yet.

I used up the batt in an old Ironing board cover. Works great and is less expensive. I like them thicker so I doulble it up.

ditto, insulbrite and a layer of batting for it looks quilted when i quilt it.

I use all kinds of stuff , two layers of old terry towels, a couple of layers of old sweatshirts, old felted sweaters, a couple layers of batting scraps.
I hate the idea of buying something for such a ultility type project. the only thing I concern myself with is getting the right thickness ( so they are useful) and using the right ones for each , so you can't see the middle contents.

I'm getting lots of good ideas on this thread. I'm working on my potholder now!

Is there a website to buy Insulbrite? I just did a search on http://www.warmcompany.com/ibpage.html, but they didn't list anything in Texas. (slight confusion on my part...)

I like to use InsulBrite. I use 4-5 layers of cotton, one of Insulbrite, channel stitch on the bias then cut thru all but the last layer of fabric. Then was and dry before binding. I guess it is called a chenille method. I usually have enough fabric left from an apron to make a matching potholder. Only the bottom layer really shows what the fabric really is.

thanks for the link, cool potholders

I use insulbrite and warm and natural batting

Super easy!

Insulbrite is available at any fabric store, Joann's, Hancocks,LQS,probably Walmart too but I don't know.

I do this as well and have been very happy with my potholders.

love your potholder Chele

I always use worn out towels, don't know why, I just do.

Something different from the other posts -

Along with one layer of InsulBrite I use one piece of teflon fabric. The teflon is on the side closest to the heat. It works great and my potholders are not super thick.

The teflon fabric is usually sold near the interfacing.

I have to make some for gifts very soon, so thank you all for the suggestions

Hello!
I have a question, I am fairly neww in quilting. Where do you buy the insulbrite at? Thanks

Wool! My mother used to cut up old ratty blankets and layer the wool. I didn't get it until I realized none of the commercial pot holders or even the insulbrite worked as well. I put a notice out to Freecyle for old wool sweaters, blankets,etc and got some great free "batting" for my potholders.

Great site! Thank you.

Those are cute and esy. I need an extra bridal shower gift later today - maybe I'll make a few. Thanks for the link.

Chele - your pot holder is cute.

Hi, thanks for the link to mygirlthursday. June

I never thought of the wool, will help use up the stash I do have.

I use pool table felts. My son covers table in his job. so mom get the use felt. work great and one more way to go green.

Love this pattern--very easy and quick!!

Does it matter if the insulbrite is on the front of the potholder or the back where it would be next to your hand when in use?

Just as some have already mentioned, I use whatever is on hand and works for the purpose. Old towels, old matress pad, duck fabric, ironing board covers or pads, warm and natural, etc....but my favorite is army blankets. I buy them from a sporting good place and wash them first. Then I cut them like any yard goods to make hunting jackets, candle mats, pot holders, table mats, pet beds, ironing board covers, etc. They are 100% wool but made to last and last and can easily be washed in cool water and dried in dryer. I do it all the time. Sometimes they come in green, sometimes gray, but sandwiched that color does not show.

I use insulbrite, too. :-)

I use two layers of insulbrite

Old terry towels make great insides for pot holders.

Same here. :D