quilted pot holders.. HELP!
 

I had this great idea.... make pot holders from some up-north fishy fabric. I bought insulbrite and some fabric that looks like an ironing board cover (don't know what it's called). I quilted the layers together and tried several methods to make the pot holders. ... didn't like stitching binding where the thread shows, tried square and rounded corners, put a loop in (upside down on one), and think I figured out that I like the rounded corners with a loop.

So, I threw away my 2 old potholders that really needed to be gotten rid of..... and tried out my new potholders last night. I am so disappointed! I should have thought this through better. Insulbrite has metal needle punched throughout .... metal carries heat. These new potholders are not so great to use. I'm sure now that I should have put some layers of batting in as well.

Now the question..... how many layers of batting do you all use? What's the order that you layer it ?

I'm ready to start all over..... need to get some more of that ironing board cover fabric but I now NEED some new potholders to USE!!

Thanks all.

I use a layer of insulbrite (with the shinny side towards the hot pot) , and one layer of warm and natural between both the front and back fabric layers. (Inside layers) Then I quilt it all together in a sandwich. That keeps those fingers safe for me!

Does that make sense? Two layers inside, then the front and back fabrics.

I really can't help; have never made potholders. But yours are really cute!

I always add another layer of batting or two to the potholder, even with the insulbrite. Insulbrite isn't really needed. I've used a bunch of things -- old towels, good areas of worn out mattress pads.

I never use insulbrite or that ironing board stuff. I use two layers of Quilter's Dream Request weight all cotton batting. I use churn dash blocks that finish at 8 inches and only quilt them in the ditch. They turn out perfect.

When I've made potholders, I've used thin batting on either side of the insulbrite, then put my top and bottom on; quilt and bind. Have never had any problems with using them. Good luck. I really like the ones you've already made; sorry they didn't work for you.

When I make potholders, I don't quilt thru the Insulbrite. I quilt, the block with a piece of muslin on the back then sandwich them together with the quilt, insulbrite, and back. I stitch around the edge for securing it all together, then bind the usual way. They wash fine, no slipping inside.

Your potholders really looked nice.

For me, the trick is to find something that protects me from the heat - and will still be flexible enough to bend fairly easily.

I've found felted wool sweaters to be an excellent filler, terry towels, table protector stuff (SHRINK that stuff first - it shrunk about 30% when I washed it)- cotton battings.

I also do not use insul-trite or the ironing board stuff. I also avoid anything polyester for the filling.

Thanks for all the good information. I'm ready to start over and make some more usable ones..... and I agree about the polyester.... won't use that.

Someone gave me a home made pot holder and I got burned! I threw them away and vowed not to ever make one. After reading these posts I might venture but with caution and make sure I follow the advice given here.