Crafting Comfort: Sew Your Own Hot Pad Pot Holder

Making your own hot pad pot holder is a fun and simple project, perfect for beginner sewers. It's a great way to use up scrap fabric and create something beautiful and functional for your kitchen. You can choose from a variety of shapes, sizes, and textiles to make a pot holder that suits your needs and style. Whether you're looking for a traditional square pot holder or something more trendy like a double-handed pot holder, there are plenty of patterns and tutorials available online. You can even add your own creative touch by using different colours and fabrics. Making your own hot pad pot holder is not only a fun project, but it's also a useful way to protect your hands and surfaces from hot pots and dishes.

Choosing and cutting your fabric

When choosing your fabric, you'll want to make sure it's 100% cotton or linen. Synthetic fabrics, like polyester, can't handle high temperatures and will melt. You can use lightweight canvas, denim, or linen, and mix in a little quilting cotton for colour.

Before you start cutting, you should pre-wash your fabric to shrink it, as your pot holders will be washed regularly. You should then iron your fabric to give yourself an even surface for accurate measurements and cutting.

You can make your pot holders any size you like, but most guides suggest squares of around 7-10 inches. You'll need to cut out two squares of fabric for each pot holder. You can also cut out a piece of fabric for a loop, which you can use to hang up your pot holder. This should be a long, thin rectangle, around 1½” by 4”.

If you want to add extra insulation, you can also cut out squares of thermal batting, such as Insul-Bright, to place between your fabric layers. You can also use cotton batting, or a few layers of thicker fabric, like old dish towels, flannel, or heavy-duty fabric.

Using insulation material

Insulation is key to a good pot holder. You can use a variety of materials to insulate your pot holder, depending on your preferences and what you have available.

Insul-Bright is a popular choice for insulation. It is a highly insulating polyester material with a thin layer of batting on both sides. It is designed for use in items like pot holders, oven mitts, and bread warmer baskets. It is not microwave-safe, however, due to its foil content. Insul-Bright can be used in combination with other materials, such as cotton batting or towels, to increase its effectiveness.

Cotton batting is another option for insulation. It is safe to use in the microwave and can be used on its own or in combination with other materials. Two to three layers of cotton batting are recommended for effective insulation.

Old towels, especially thicker towels like bath towels, can also be used as insulation. They are a good option for upcycling old items and can provide effective insulation, especially when used in multiple layers.

Other materials that can be used for insulation include old dish towels, flannel, heavy-duty fabric such as drop cloths or scrap denim, and Insul-Fleece. When choosing insulation, it is important to avoid lightweight fabrics, as these can transfer heat and may not provide sufficient protection.

To test the effectiveness of your chosen insulation, you can stack the layers and place a hot pan on top. If you can only hold the pan for a few seconds before it becomes too hot, you may need to add more layers or reconsider the materials used.

Sewing the pieces together

Firstly, gather your fabric pieces and insulation material. You will need two 10" squares of fabric and 2-3 10" squares of insulation material, such as Insul-Bright or quilt batting. If you are creating a loop for hanging, you should also have a piece of fabric measuring 1½" by 4", folded in half lengthwise with right sides together and stitched.

Next, stack your layers in the following order: place one 10" fabric piece with the right side facing up, followed by the insulation layers, and then the second fabric piece with the right side facing down. Ensure the loop (if included) is sandwiched between the fabric layers, with raw edges aligned at one corner. Pin all the layers together to secure them in place.

Using a 1/2" seam allowance, sew around the perimeter of the pot holder, leaving a 4" opening on one side. This will be used to turn the pot holder right side out later. To reduce bulk, trim the excess insulation material from the corners, being careful not to cut the stitches.

Turn the pot holder right side out through the opening. This will conceal all the insulation material neatly inside. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, top stitch all the way around the pot holder. This step not only adds a neat finish but also closes the opening used for turning.

To ensure the layers stay together and prevent bunching, sew a few lines of stitching down the centre of the pot holder. These lines should be evenly spaced. Alternatively, you could sew vertical and horizontal lines across the entire pot holder to create a quilted effect, ensuring the lines are evenly spaced.

Your hot pad pot holder is now ready to use! This project is a simple and satisfying way to add a personal touch to your kitchen or create a thoughtful handmade gift.

Adding a loop

Cutting the Fabric

First, cut your fabric according to the size and shape you want for your pot holder. For a loop, cut a piece of fabric that is approximately 1½” by 4”. You can adjust the length of the fabric for the loop depending on your preference.

Sewing the Loop

Fold the fabric for the loop in half lengthwise, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Sew along the long side with a narrow seam allowance, about 1/4". Use a safety pin to turn the loop right side out, then press it flat with an iron. Top stitch along the seam to secure it.

Attaching the Loop

Now, stack all your layers of insulation material and fabric. Place the loop on one of the corners of the fabric, with the raw edges facing the corner, and fold it in half. Secure the loop in place by pinning or sewing it to the fabric.

Sewing the Layers Together

Once you are happy with the placement of the loop, sew all the way around the pot holder, leaving a small opening on one side. Trim the excess insulation material from the corners to reduce bulk.

Turning and Top Stitching

Turn the pot holder right side out through the opening, hiding all the insulation material inside. Top stitch all the way around the pot holder, closing the opening and securing the loop in place. You can also add some decorative top stitching to the pot holder, such as vertical and horizontal lines to give it a quilted look.

And there you have it! A hot pad pot holder with a loop for easy hanging.

Making it heat-resistant

To make your pot holder heat-resistant, you can use heat-resistant batting (Insul-Bright) or a few layers of thicker fabric. Insul-Bright is a highly insulating polyester material, and quilt batting will also work. You can also use heavy-duty fabrics such as denim, drop cloths, or old dish rags, but avoid lightweight fabrics as they will transfer heat.

Before you sew the layers of your pot holder together, test the heat-protective properties by stacking them and holding a hot pan (be careful). If you can only hold the pan for a few seconds before it becomes too hot, you may need to add more layers or reconsider the fabric configuration.

To make your fabric flame retardant, you can use a chemical mixture. While you can't actually make cloth fireproof, you can make it less prone to catching and sustaining fire. Choose a sunny day so that you can dry the treated fabric outside. You can use the following formulas:

• Alum formula: Mix 1 lb of alum with 1 US pint (470 ml) of hot water. Dip the fabric in the solution, then hang it to dry.
• Ammonium chloride and ammonium phosphate formula: Mix 1 cup of ammonium chloride, 1/2 cup of ammonium phosphate, and 2 pints of water. Dip the fabric in the solution, then hang it to dry.
• Borax formula: Mix 6 parts/lbs borax, 5 parts/lbs boric acid, and 100 parts/12 gallons (45.4 L) of water. Dip the fabric in the solution and repeat if needed, then allow it to dry.
• Another borax variant: Mix 7 parts/7 lbs borax, 3 parts/3 lbs boric acid, and 100 parts/12 gallons (45.4 L) of water. This version is softer and more flexible, and you can use 17 gallons (64.4 L) of water for rayon and sheer fabrics.
• Sodium silicate formula: Mix 1 oz of water glass (sodium silicate) with 9 oz of water. Wash and rinse the fabric before dipping it in the solution, then hang it to dry.
• National Fire Protection Association formula: Mix 9 oz of borax powder, 4 oz of boric acid, and 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Mix the solution, then dip the fabric or spray it on, and drip dry.

Frequently asked questions