WHAT IS A POTHOLDER? It's 2026, AI is here, so - let's begin with that:
Potholders are essential kitchen textiles, typically 7-9 inch squares, designed to protect hands and surfaces from hot pots, pans, and baking sheets. They are commonly crafted from 100% cotton fabric, cotton batting, and heat-resistant insulating material like Insul-Bright, or made via crochet and knitting. Durable, heat-resistant options include quilted, silicone, or thick terry cloth, often featuring loops for hanging.
IN REALITY... what are the real live BASICS of a potholder? After all, running to the nearest big box store may not be the easiest solution at any given time when a REAL potholder is needed. Lets think about scooting over to your sewing area and putting one of these little jewels together. WHERE TO BEGIN?
-Fabric for the outer parts, front and back, (usually cotton since they will be near hot areas: other types of fabrics (like polester, nylon, etc.,) can melt, "OUCH"
-"Stuffing" to keep your delicate little (or big) hands safe. Remember "SAFE"? 2026 folks...we are now ALL about SAFE.
So...INSULBRITE, if you have some on hand; if not, then cotton batting, cotton felt or cotton flannel (or even several layers of LEAVEDOVER scraps taking up precious space in your sewing area) will suffice. Anything NONMELTABLE so these little guys can do their job - be a SAFE barrier between you - and the heat of whatever you are handling.
In real life....hanging on your wall, next your stove, your counter, etc., let's see how a REAL potholder comes to life. These lowly little beauties may be "just" a utilitarian part of your home, yet - once you get into their creation...can be MAGIC.
-Thread, scissors, a sewing machine OR your willing hand/fingers ready to do a bit of work. (And MAYBE...a thimble, remember those little life-savers?!).
Let's explore some examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnCniQeTAiw
Stacy from STACY LEE CREATIVE shows how easy it is to create a simple little potholder. Simple...little...but OH SO NECESSARY in your kitchen area.
But - is that all there is to a "potholder"? Oh my gosh, NO! Let's begin a creative journey that may be small...or a 'cross country' ride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sipzCAflJQ8
Sue, from CRAFT SANITY (a few years ago...) demonstates a more complicated version that OH-SO-EASILY finshes the edge of a potholder with ease and beauty. Sewing magic to behold - in 8 MINUTES!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZPgJQBw89I
Vanessa from THECRAFTYGEMINI demonstrates an easy way to BIND your little potholder without the someimes - more complicated finishes that many quilters use. Again, easy, fast and finished so you can return to your initial KITCHEN project, without the sometimes OUCH that can occur - using a towel or your apron corner for the job more suited to the magical "potholder".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPB8jhQIN_Q
Cheryl (sp?) from THE SEWING ROOM CHANNEL gives a detailed, easy-to-follow video for making a potholder with traditional quilting type binding. This may be a more involved, more detailed/creative version of our lowly potholder - if you are so called to follow. I call them..."little quilts in a heartbeat!" Certainly beats a 3 day quilting effort to express your creative energy. AND - indeed does create something quickly displayed and USEABLE at the same time. MAGIC again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPyB4C4jD6k
Another different version of an easy, no edging needed - quickly created "magical" potholder. Different stuffing, secured with criss-cross sticthing to hold everything together with extended use.
And the list goes on. JUST a lowly potholder....me 'tinks NOT.
With the life-business that fills your days (and sometimes nites...), making a little METIME in your sewing corner can not only add beauty and utility to your home...but can - as well, reboot, rewire the YOU that can get slightly LOST as you race through your hectic days.
Be BRAVE! Try a few minutes of creating just ONE...lowly little potholder; see where this little bit of magic takes your being...MAYBE...on an amazing little 'DE-tour' in our life.
THE MAGIC OF MAKING...
Thank you for visiting
danielle
