Thanks for this thread. I am planing to make some potholders for decorations but I want to make them the correct way. I bought some Insulbright and didn't get to read what side to use. THANKS for the info!!

In America, we can purchase Insul-brite at our only fabric chain store left: JoAnn's fabric.

Great tutorial..I have bookmarked it for future project ..

If Insulbright requires that the shiny side be toward the heat, then I would think you should use two layers of it. Otherwise how are you going to indicate to the user which side is where the 'heat' is supposed to be? I certainly do not expect a 'right' side for my potholders.

You treat the insulbright as the back side of the pad. That way you will see the silver side of the pad and know which side to use. You could put two layers of insulbright and just put fabric over one of them, but it might be pretty hard to quilt and the fabric may scorch.

I also wanted to say thanks for the thread. But I asked today about something for kitchen mitts and the accessories for sewing store didn't know where I could find some. So, I was thinking about an old towel...

Plus we don't have cotton batting here easily. Could I use poly and put the towel in there, or skip the poly batting and just use a couple layers of towel?

I love the way people say use "100% cotton batting and when you go to try and find some it's so hard there are all kinds of products out there. I have been searching for it and all I get are products that are not 100% cotton but a mixture of some poly junk. also a link to a source or a pic of a 100% product would be helpful.
STILL SEARCHING ONLINE AND FRUSTRATED !!
live in a small town with only a crappy sewing dept. at walmart so must do shopping online.

I've tried with and without Insulbrite, anywhere from 1 to 3 layers of batting. My favorite is 1 layer Insulbrite and 1 layer cotton batting.

Honestly I can't tell, once the potholder is made, which side is the "shiny" side of the Insulbrite. I don't mark them in any way so I can't keep track, and they work just as well one way as they do the other so I don't worry about it. I figure if I can't tell...it must not really matter!

Anybody else who makes potholders w/Insulbrite - can you tell which "way" they go once they're made?

Really? I have no trouble finding 100% cotton batting - are you in the US? Warm & Natural/Warm & White is one - you can buy it online all over, including at Amazon. Pellon makes "Nature's Touch" which is 100% cotton and is carried at Joann's; it often goes on sale for about $15 for queen size.

Some links for you:

Joann's: http://www.joann.com/pellon-queen-si.../10993699.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...0%26%20natural
Fabric. com: https://www.fabric.com/quilting-fabr...?Source=Header (They carry warm & natural; also Quilter's Dream 100% cotton)

I make a lot of potholders with Insulbright and have never used it exposed. It is always sandwiched between layers of fabric. It depends on the potholder design as to whether I use warm and natural along with the insulbright. Sometimes it is just the insulbright with several layers of fabric. I don't pay any attention to front or back. I figure whoever uses a potholder is going to grab it and use it without paying attention to front or back. I've never had any problems or complaints.

Insulbrite and a layer of cotton batting make great pot holders. froggyintexas