Thursday, May 4, 2017

The Potholder Factory

I 've set aside the making of baby quilts this week to work on some potholders.  The original idea came from Deanna over at Wedding Dress Blue. She posted this tutorial for string pieced potholders in 2011 and I'm betting I've made 50 sets since then. One year everyone received a set of potholders with a matching drawstring bag. This one was for my college roommate:


I continue to get requests for more potholders from friends and family and I've had people ask to buy them. I have depleted my supply so strip sewing has been on the sewing menu this week. Initially, I started out making sets with western fabric and in my circle, those are the most requested:


Then I thought coffee ones would be cute:


And for my folks and their friends, wine ones were popular:


I've also made floral sets:


And of course, safari potholders are popular with our hunting and safari club peeps:


On Tuesday, I pieced 14 western ones:


And on Wednesday, I cut and pieced 14 wine potholders:


Up next: Coffee


Next week I hope to get them all quilted and then I am determined to teach myself how to machine bind these things!

15 comments:

allthingzsewn said...

I think you have it down to an art. I need some new pot holders, I'm down to two and one mitton. So I guess you have enable me to get busy once again.

Tired Teacher said...

Very nice! Do you use the thermal batting?

Janet O. said...

Wow--you really are a potholder factory! I am impressed!
I bought a bunch of the thermal batting once with grand plans to make potholders. Still hasn't happened! You put me to shame.
They look really nice--like they came from a professional factory. : )

Judy said...

They are just wonderful!! I have thought of making them, even bought the insul bright but haven't attempted. We are down near southern CA camping. It's nice to hang out! Enjoy the weekend

Libby said...

LOVE 'EM. Can't ever seem to make enough potholders !!!

Anonymous said...

Now I want to make some more myself. You have done a great job.

Theona said...

Such a great way to use up fabric for something so useful. I still use my blueberry ones on a regular basis. :)

Dar said...

Those are so pretty. I've made some in the past for quick gifts too. It doesn't use up much of my stash though. What size do you make yours? I have a binding attachment for my old Bernina that works great if you round the corners just a tad.

Anonymous said...

If you layer backing, batting, then start strip piecing at the center of the potholder, you can sew and flip through all layers and they will be quilted as you go. Say, a strip on the middle at the angle, place a strip right sides together, toward the right side,sew through the layers, flip and finger press, do the same on the left, work out on each side until you have the size you need. Square up and bind. The quilting is done as you go. Just a thought. You have some great fabrics. Your friends will be lucky.

Dotti

Pauline said...

Wonderful way to use strips! So simple, so pretty, so useful! I need to make some too! What size are they?

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

You go girl! Can you bottle some of that productive energy and send it to me?

Chiska said...

I don't get over here much these days 'cause life is so busy, but I just wanted to let you know how much I love stopping by and seeing what you've been up to. Thanks so much for sharing it!

Judyk said...

Try this site. https://awomanaday.com/2013/01/17/happy-feet-quilt-binding-edition/ Maybe this will help you get your bindings on. I haven't tried it yet but I have the foot and I am going to.

Pauline said...

Duh.....Sorry to ask size, you had already covered that in the tutorial link. Found it when I re-read. I've already set aside the material to make my 50. Thanks Karin.

Anonymous said...

Dotti said it but I've made little runners as she said.Lay out backing face down lay batting on top. Put first strip face up and layer on next strip face down on top of it. Stitch and flip open.Quilt as you go- one step! trim and bind!NK

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