Is there an easier way to give birth?
 

I am of course referring to turning finished items inside out - this is a quilting forum, lol!

I've made a couple of these pot holders now and although I leave a bigger gap than recommended in the pattern (whole space between his ears) turning him the right way is really difficult. It's layered with Insul-Bright and cotton batting and I really stretch the fabric, almost to tearing.

Am I missing something? Is there an easier way?

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He is adorable!!

As I look at him, I might leave the side or bottom open rather than the top open. The ears then would be completely sewn when you turn it and you could leave yourself a bigger hole to pull the fabric through.

He is adorable! I've found when I make potholders, I just put bias around, depending on mode, make square 1 & turn inside out.

don't know an easier way, but he's cute

I love that owl! I agree with the above comments.

Several of the tote patterns that I have don't even require hand stitching the openings closed. Instructions are for top stitching by machine all the way around that way the opening is closed up. If I did this, I would be tempted to just stitch the owl without the batting, turn/birth, then cut my batting the same size as the finished owl, then insert the batting, press opening close (tuck under edges) then do the top stitching. That way there won't be any bulk in tiny areas like the ears.

Oh my, it is adorable.

What a cute owl!! I agree about leaving the opening somewhere besides between the ears.

What a cute project. I don't have any suggestions, but thanks for sharing.

Very cute potholder!

I usually leave a bit more seam allowance in the area to be left open for turning. and you might do a basting stitch in that area too to keep it from stretching when handling. Very cute project. Keep going, it will get easier.

Cute, cute owl!

You might try sewing all the way around and then making a slit in the eyes-nose area, turn through that hole, and then applique the eyes and nose over the slit. Or you could leave the wings free, make a slit under one of them and turn through that slit and top stitch the wings down. It really looks great the way you're doing it though.

I totally agree with TARTAN. Where the slit is, is perfect. You're doing fine.
I have a turning tool that looks like a miniature ice handler, (the one the ice man used to bring a big block of ice for your ice box). You put one tooth of the tool into the project, take a "bite" of the corner you want to turn, and turn it inside out. The tool helps to push out the peaks. Of course the seam allowance in the peaks should be trimmed. A wood stylus would help to poke corners, too. Just don't get carried away and poke holes in your seams. LOL

And the easiest way to get the batting inside to lay flat and straight is to sew it into the seams. Makes them bulky, but that's OK.

Just too cute to put a pot on it!

I love the owl! I have done a few and and do tend to clip around the out side edges before I try to turn it.

What an adorable pot holder!

You may want to piece that back as two pieces, and leave a large opening in that seam which can be handstitched after turning, as in this tutorial for a pin cushion:

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/03/...incushion.html

I like that idea of sewing all around, and making a slit in the eyes/nose area to turn through.
Otherwise, you could make as you have, and topstitch all the way around, not just across the top, then it will look the same all around.

Really cute. Will make great gifts.

It helps if you sew from the edge of the fabric to the seam line and then stitch around to where you are leaving the opening and then turn and sew to edge of fabric. That way it is more stable when turning. Also I press the two sides open so is easier when hand stitching closed. Hope this makes sense.

Very cute potholder.

I find that aside from grading the seams I wet the seam with my squirty bottle, then birth then using a bone file or scissors(carefully) run the edge of the file all along the seam, then press with a hot iron...btw....I'm a bit of an owl fanatic...I may steal this idea....its super cute

I would leave the bottom or the side open to turn.

Your owl is really a hoot. Don't have any suggestions other than patience, and lots of it; he is certainly worth the trouble

I would leave about 2 inches open at the bottom - he is so cute!

That's what I was going to suggest. Thanks for posting the link.
Oops, forgot to say that I love your potholder.

I really like this idea!

LOL! Sorry the first thing that came to mind when reading this title was, "Yes, a c-section is easier, but the recovery is harder." Super cute pot holder though!

LOL Never heard it called birthing before but that seems very appropriate. I too am often frustrated with the turning out.

I have this pattern and have made several -I started leaving my opening at the bottom and found it much easier to turn-I take a knitting needle to poke out his ears

Love that little owl! I agree with alien quilter. Add the insulation layer after turning. OR leave a bigger opening and just top stitch the entire edge. Then you won't see the opening at all.

Stay stitch the fabric where the opening will be before you sew them together. Who said birth was easy? Love the owl.

That is so cute but I think I would put the opening at the bottom of the pot holder.

I think it looks GREAT! Like where the final seam is - wouldn't change it for any other place.

Nan

Your owl is so cute!

He sure is cute! Lots of good suggestions for you but it looks like you're doing great on your own!

What is the name of the pattern? Is it in a book or separate? Would love to get one. Thanks.

The pattern is called Hot Who Owl and someone on ebay has some for sale and also on Etsy there is maybe one. He sure is cute!!! I also an a bit of an owl freak. Have always been fascinated by them.

When I turn pot holders I trim the batting and insulbrite smaller, then barely catch them when top-stitching after the turn. Very cute Owl!!

Oh my.. Where did you find the pattern? I have a friend who LOVES owls... Need to make this one!