How to make String Pieced Potholders (Quilted Potholder)

Everyone needs potholders!  It is an indispensable item in any kitchen.  You can never have too many. 

Our tutorial, today, is on how quick and easy it is to sew potholders with leftover jelly roll strips from other projects using string piecing. Our DIY potholder pattern is a generous size so it can be used as a hot pad to protect the table.

Whether you are replacing old wore out potholders, looking for a unique personalized gift or simply practicing your sewing and quilting skills, sewing this potholder is a simple process that yields wonderful results.

Pot Holder DIY

Spruce up your kitchen by sewing new potholder / hot pads.  Our simple free quilted potholder pattern doesn’t require binding tape, so it’s easy enough for anyone to make.

This potholder pattern is a great way to use up leftover jelly roll scraps.  If you don't have jelly roll scraps, you can still make it by cutting strips yourself.  You will find instructions later in this article.

You'll also need a small piece of backing fabric, cotton batting and insulated batting.   Keep in mind the insulated batting will protect your hand but you cannot put it in the microwave because of the metalized fiber.

Want more free potholder tutorials and patterns? Our DIY Potholder / Pot Pad Pattern page has many waiting for you to try.

Learn how to make this quilted potholder pattern by watching our video Or keep reading this post for a step-by-step photo tutorial.

FREE quilted POTHOLDER PATTERN

SIMPLE INSTRUCTION FOR MAKING A POTHOLDER

You'll be creating the string block potholder by using a stitch and flip method & the quilt as you go method.

WHAT YOU NEED to make a potholder:

• 2 1/2" leftover jelly roll strips (or make your own 2 1/2" strips)
• Insul-Bright - one 11" x 11" square
• Cotton Batting - one 11" x 11" square
• Backing Fabric - one 10" x 10" square
• Mary Ellen's Best Press
• Thread
• Scissor
• Sewing Machine
• Rotary Cutter and Mat
• Square Acrylic Ruler
• Pins

How to make your own jelly roll strips

What are jelly roll strips?  Jelly roll strips are pre-cut 2 1/2 inches wide x 42 - 45 inch strips of cotton fabric. 

Since we do not need the fabric strips that long and will be using scrap fabric to make the potholders, shorter strips can be made.  

How to cut 2 1/2" strips

1. Press the fabric to remove any wrinkles
2. First, you need to find one straight edge.  So, if there is no straight edge use a ruler and rotary cutter to cut one.
3. Next, lay the ruler on top of the fabric, lining up the 2 1/2" measurement along the straight edge. Butting the rotary cutter blade right along the side of the ruler, cut the strip.
4. Repeat the above steps to cut more strips.

how to sew our simple potholder

STEP 2: cutting

Cut the following pieces:

1 - 11" x 11" square from Insul-Bright
1 - 11" x 11" square from cotton batting
1 - 10" x 10" square from backing fabric

STEP 3: assembling & Sewing

Place the cotton batting square on top of the Insul-Bright square. Use sewing pins around the outside edge to keep layers together.

Place one strip of fabric right side up on top of the batting, diagonally across the middle. Leave a bit hanging over the edge.

Lay a second strip face down on top of the first strip. Again, leave a little bit hanging over the edge.

Stitch through all four layers using a 1/4” seam.

STEP 4: flip and press

Flip the second strip over and either finger press or iron open.  I personally prefer to iron it open.

STEP 5: continue

Continue to add strips until the entire square is covered.

STEP 7: ZigZag

Once you have trimmed it to a 10-inch square, zigzag around the outside.  This will hold all the outside layers together and flat so they don't bunch while sewing on the backing piece.

STEP 8: assembling and sewing

Place the string pieced 10-inch square right side up on your work surface. Then, place your 10-inch backing piece on top, right side down.  The two right sides are together. Pin them together to prevent shifting of fabric and mark a 5 inch opening on one side. You will turn everything right side out through this opening.

STEP 9: turn right side out & Pressing

Now, turn the potholder right side out through the opening; poking out the corners so they are slightly rounded.

Once your potholder is right side out, press it.  Fold, press and pin the open area seams inward; lining them up with the rest of the potholder so it can be sewn shut.  

STEP 10: hand sew the opening closed

Hand sew the opening closed using a ladder stitch.  The ladder stitch is a practically invisible stitch.  If you don't know how to do the ladder stitch, head on over to our ladder stitch tutorial.

Picture of the opening sewn closed

Step 11: Add Quilting Stitches (OPTIONAL)

For Christmas, I made a couple more potholders with Christmas-themed Jelly Roll Strips.  These potholders have decorative stitching stitched over the seams.  

These were decorative stitches built into my Bernina machine and a variegated cotton thread. The left potholder was stitched with a star stitch and the right with a feather stitch.

Woohoo!  The potholder is ready to use.

This potholder pattern doesn't have a loop.  Why? Two reasons.  First, I don't hang up my potholders and most people I know don't.  Second, this potholder is a generous size so it can be used as a hot pad.

Besides personal use, these potholders make wonderful gifts.  This year for Mother's Day I made themed potholders using this pattern for the Mother's in our family.

Needlepointers.com hopes you enjoyed this tutorial.  We are always happy to get feedback from our guests.  

Do you enjoy string piecing and have even more scraps to use up? Look at our String Pieced Bowl Cozy Pattern & Tutorial!

Happy Sewing!

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN THESE TUTORIALS.

• Simple DIY Potholder
• Pocket Potholder from Old Towel
• Folded Star Potholder
• Paper Pieced Veggie Potholders
• Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover
• Free Wavy Table Runner Pattern - Make this quick and easy table runner in a wave pattern!
• Fabric Postcards is a project that can use up orphan blocks, scrap fabrics and embellishments.  Click the link to learn how to make them!

Here are some other Jelly Roll Projects:

• How to sew a Custom Tablet Cover
• Jelly Roll Mug Rug Pattern