Lookie at these potholders I just came up with! :mrgreen: They're extra-thick and super-quick to make, and no fancy-schmancy sewing is required. :lol:

In the following posts, I'll give the directions so you can make some of your own, if you like.

Okay.

Step #1.

First you'll need to cut your fabric and batting. I used Insul-Bright for better protection from heat, but you can use regular batting too.

You'll need to cut the following:

7-1/2" squares:
a square of fabric for the front (you can use a pieced square or a solid piece of cloth - whichever you prefer)
a square of contrasting fabric for the back
a square of Insul-Bright

6-3/4" squares:
a square of fabric for the front (you can use a pieced square or a solid piece of cloth - whichever you prefer)
a square of contrasting fabric for the back
a square of Insul-Bright

A rectangle that measures 5" x 2-1/2" for the loop.

.....

In my photo below, I used yellow fabric for the backing, and scrappy pieced blocks for the front. The white is the Insul-Bright.

Step #2.

Make a sandwich with one of the block sets.

The Insul-Bright goes first, shiny side up.

Then place the front fabric on top of it, facing up.

Then place the backing on top of the pile, facing down.

Step #3.

Line up the squares and pin them together.

Step #4.

Sew around all four sides of the sandwich, about 1/4" from the edge.

Do NOT leave an opening for turning. We're going to turn it a different way than normal. :wink:

Step #5.

Check the back to make sure all fabric and batting is caught in the seams, and is sewn securely.

Step #6.

Clip all 4 corners just inside the seams to eliminate the bulk. Be careful not to cut your seams.

Step #7.

Being very very careful, cut a slit in the backing fabric. You just want to cut the BACKING ONLY. Don't cut the front fabric!

This slit needs to be around 2-1/2" - 3" long. This is the opening where we'll turn the squares right-side out! :mrgreen:

(Don't worry. It won't show! :wink: )

Step #8.

Turn the squares right-side out through the slit, and use a dull pointed object to turn the corners out properly.

Step #9.

Sew around the edges of the square as shown, about 1/2" in from the sides.

Step #10.

Repeat for the other set of squares. Now you have two separate sets of squares, each with a slit in the back.

Set them aside for now.

Step #11.

Using the 5" x 2-1/2" rectangle fabric, sew a tube as shown. Use a scant 1/4" seam allowance.

This will become the loop for the potholder.

Step #12.

Turn the tube right-side out.

I flatten mine so that the seam is in the center, as shown by the arrow in the photo.

Then sew down each side of the tube, about 1/8" in from the sides.

Step #13.

If you flip the tube over, this is the front side.

Step #14.

We're ready to put all the pieces together! :mrgreen:

The photo shows the order that the pieces go in.

First, lay the larger square down, with the slit facing up.

Second, fold the loop/tube in half, with the seam on the inside, and place it in the corner of the larger square as shown. Make sure the raw ends extend about 1/2" or so past the seam line so it'll get sewn in properly.

Third, lay the smaller square down on top of the larger square, with the slit facing down.

Center the squares up, making sure the loop/tube doesn't shift. You can pin it if you want, but I didn't find it necessary.

Both slits should be inside the sandwich now.

Step #15.

Sew around the previously-sewn line on the smaller square to connect everything together. (See the arrow in the photo.)

I prefer to start at the corner where the loop is, and back-stitch a few times, then go around the square. I back-stitch a few times at the end to make sure the loop is extra secure.

Step #16.

Sew an "X" from corner to corner as shown. This secures the slits, and quilts the potholder at the same time! :D

You're finished! :thumbup:

Additional comments:

You can make the squares larger or smaller if you want, but leave a difference of 3/4" between the two sets to keep the "layered look".

You could even make the potholders round, rectangular, or hexagon-shaped instead of square! :-)

And yep, these are wonderful for using up scraps! :mrgreen:

wow, what a great tut and so timely!!!!!
thank you, i'll be making a few of these for the swap, i hope a get one like this back!!

Gret tut!

Moonrise, I love them and thanks so much for the tute!! They are so cute!! :D HUGS

Wow thank you for sharing...I will be making some of those for gifts. I just love how people share great ideas here!

Terrific idea and tutorial!

Excellent tutorial thank you so much!

Short, sweet and pretty to boot. Nice job and thank you for the tute.

What a cool tute. Thanks for sharing.

Really and great tute...........thanks so much.........calla/Sue

Great tute, thank you

Excellent detailed tutorial.......... thank you so much!

Love the potholders and the tute

these are very cute and look so nice and heavy. Your tute was excellent even I could follow it.big pat on the back for you Mary

Moonrise - Thanks for sharing your idea. I love it and what a good way to use scraps especially of Christmas fabric.

Thank you for the tute :D:D:D

Quick and Easy - my kind of project! These would make cute coasters, too, in a smaller version. Thanks - great tute!

Wonderful tute! Just the right idea for christmas gifts
You put this together so nicely, one I could even understand,
Thanktou so much for sharing this with us.

Love this! going to put it in my "winter" project plans for when I'm in sunny Fla.

Great tute! Thanks!

Thank you so much for this idea. I was getting ready to do some potholders next week so this came at a great time. I love how yours turned out.

thanks for the work shop

Great way to make a pot holder. I was making breakfast for some folks at church this morning and decided we need some new pot holders. What a timely tutorial. Thanks!