Easy Quilted Potholder Sewing Tutorial

Looking for a quick handmade upgrade for your kitchen? This easy quilted potholder is a great beginner sewing project that comes together in an afternoon. The built-in pocket makes it simple to grab hot pans from the stovetop or pull a dish out of the oven, and the coordinating cotton fabrics let you match it to any kitchen.

What You'll Need

• Two coordinating cotton fabric pieces, at least 16" x 7" each
• One 16" x 7" piece of insulated batting
• One 16" x 7" piece of cotton batting
• 1 yard of 1/2" double-fold bias tape
• Coordinating sewing thread
• Pins or clips
  
• Rotary cutter, ruler, scissors

Step 1: Cut the Pieces

Cut one 16" x 7" rectangle from each fabric. Cut one 16" x 7" rectangle from the insulated batting and one from the cotton batting. Keeping the cuts even now will make the rest of the project easier.

Step 2: Layer the Potholder

Place the backing fabric wrong side up. Add the insulated batting on top, then the cotton batting. Place the front fabric right side up on top of the stack. Pin or baste the layers together so they do not shift while sewing.

Step 3: Quilt the Layers

Quilt through all layers as desired. A simple diagonal crosshatch pattern works well and gives the potholder a classic quilted look. You can mark diagonal lines with a fabric marker or sew freely using the edge of your presser foot as a guide.

Tip: A walking foot helps feed the layers evenly and keeps the back from puckering.

Step 4: Cut and Round the Potholder Pieces

From the quilted piece, cut:

1. One 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle for the main potholder
2. One 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" square for the pocket

Use a small round object, like a cup or lid, to trace rounded corners on the bottom two corners of both pieces. Cut along the marked curves and leave the top edges straight.

Step 5: Bind the Top of the Pocket

Open the bias tape and place it along the top straight edge of the pocket piece, matching the raw edges. Sew in the fold line of the bias tape. Fold the bias tape over to the back side of the pocket, clip in place, then topstitch close to the folded edge to secure it.

Step 6: Attach the Pocket

Place the pocket on top of the main potholder piece with the wrong sides together. Line up the bottom curved corners and side edges. Clip or pin in place, then sew around the side and bottom edges with a narrow 1/8" seam allowance to hold the pocket in place.

Step 7: Add the Outside Binding

Open the bias tape and place it around the outer edge of the potholder, lining up the raw edge of the bias tape with the raw edge of the potholder. Start near the top left corner and sew around the potholder in the fold line, easing the bias tape gently around the curved corners. Leave about a 4" tail at the end, which will become the hanging loop.

Step 8: Finish the Binding and Make the Hanging Loop

Fold the bias tape over to the back side of the potholder. Clip it in place and topstitch close to the folded edge all the way around. When you reach the tail, keep sewing along the folded bias tape to close it.

To finish the loop, fold the end of the bias tape tail under about 1/4". Bring the tail to the back of the potholder to form a loop and stitch it securely in place with a few rows of stitching.

Final Thoughts

Your quilted potholder is finished and ready for everyday use in the kitchen. It also makes a thoughtful handmade gift paired with a tea towel or a baked treat. Try sewing a matching pair in coordinating ThreadArt cotton prints, or switch up the fabric for the seasons to refresh your kitchen all year long.