Mini Oven Mitt - DIY Pinch Potholder

A free and easy sewing tutorial with instructions for a pinch oven mitt.

If you are like me and find full-size oven mitts bulky and awkward to use, you’re going to love this pinch oven mitt. This handy little mitt features two pockets – one for your fingers and one for your thumb – so you can easily grab hot pot handles, lids and casserole dishes without the extra bulk.

This project is quick, easy and beginner-friendly, making it perfect for gifts or for adding a personal touch to your own kitchen.  Best of all, there’s no binding, no hand sewing and no raw seams.

This pocket potholder tutorial is straightforward and easy to follow, allowing you to complete it in a short amount of time.

As always, you’ll find a video tutorial along with step-by-step written instructions and photos below so you can follow along in whichever way suits your learning style best.

What are pinch oven mitts?

Pinch mitts are small, compact oven mitts designed to protect just your fingertips and palms from heat, making them ideal for handling hot items like pot handles, lids, small pans or oven casseroles. Learn to sew mini pinch potholders with this tutorial that is suitable for all levels of sewists, even beginners.  It will take only about an hour to complete using basic sewing and quilting techniques.

INSTRUCTIONS for making mini pinch oven mitt

STEP 1: gather Your Supplies

Before starting, make sure all your materials are ready and your fabric is pressed. Choose cotton fabric since it handles heat well and won’t melt like synthetics.

Since only a minimal amount of fabric is required to create the oven mitt, it makes for a fantastic scrap-busting project.

STEP 2: cutting the fabric pieces

Let's begin by making our pattern template. Use an 8 – 9-inch bowl or plate to trace a circle onto paper and cut it out to create your pattern.

As you quilted, the layers may shift a bit. If they do, trim off any batting or fabric to make the edges form a nice circle.

STEP 4: Prepare the pocket pieces

First, cut the second piece of batting in half. For each pocket, fold the fabric circle piece in half, wrong sides together, and press the fold.  Lay one batting piece inside.  Edgestitch along the folded straight edge to secure the batting in place.

Trim any batting that extends beyond the fabric.

Repeat for the second pocket.

STEP 5: Assemble the potholder

Lay the quilted base with the backing facing up.  Position the two pocket pieces on top so the curved edges line up with the base edges and the straight edges meet in the middle.  Clip or pin everything in place to help prevent shifting.

Install a walking foot onto the sewing machine and stitch around the entire outside edge, using the edge of the walking foot as your seam guide.

STEP 6: Trim, turn and stitch edge

With scissors, trim the seam allowance close to the stitching.

Turn the potholder right side out, pushing out the edges gently for a smooth shape.Press flat with an iron, making sure the two pockets are close together.

Next, stitch around the entire circle using the edge of the walking foot as a guide.When you get to where the pockets meet, sew back and forth a few times to reinforce that area.

This final stitching encloses the seam neatly, leaving you with a professional-looking finish – NO raw edges inside!  NO binding needed! And NO hand sewing!

Give it a final press and it’s done!  Easy Peasy!

Explore this collection of free tutorials designed to protect your hands and countertops.

• Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover
• Casserole Dish Hot Pad 
• Folded Star Potholder
• Pocket Potholder from Old Towel
• Simple Panel Potholder
• Strip Pieced Potholder
• Veggie Paper Pieced Potholders
• Large Casserole Dish Mat
• Reversible Casserole Hot Pad