Potholders in Progress

I've been making these potholders for about 15 years, but I haven't made any in a while. Credit goes to Deanna at Wedding Dress Blue where I first saw her tutorial in 2011. String Pieced Potholders. I've made probably 50 sets since then and I still have folks tell me how much they love them on a regular basis. Potholders are not a big deal, but I guess you really do use them daily and it's kind of nice if people think of you when they grab them. Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, it's nice to be a small part of that too.

Our girl requested a new set a few weeks ago to replace a set I made her when she was in college and moved into an apartment about 12 years ago so I pulled out my bin of potholder parts and set things up.

I figured it was time to make a whole slew of them again as they are a fun, and practical gift along with a homemade treat.

I had 1 safari set left from the last time I made these, as well as some wine ones that are just pieced, and 1 set of western ones that need binding. Western, coffee, safari, floral and wine themes have been my go-tos so I went ahead and stitched some of those up and then I thought it was time for  a set with scraps from my bin that houses my favorite Songbook fabric.

I personally only have 1 set and it's the first set I ever made. They are currently in the washer so you only get a 'before' photo. 😉

They have been used hard and washed often, but I still reach for them. They are stiff at first, but just use them and throw them in the washer and dryer and they will soften up nicely before too long.

I need to practice machine binding. So far, I have always stitched them to the back by hand. My original set has probably been washed 50 times and the binding is still stitched tight, but I could get them finished faster if I could conquer machine binding.

I cut my squares at 10" and once they are quilted, I trim them to 8". I layer the backing, Insulbrite, cotton batting, and the top (pieced on a muslin foundation).

I know I could eliminate a step if I used the quilt as you go method, but with the additional thickness of the Insulbrite, they seem to shift too much. I am able to keep things straighter this way. I ended up with 20 sets quilted and 4 sets completely finished. I think I'll confiscate a set or two of these for myself this time.