Free Potholder Pattern - Easier Than You Think!

Did I forget anything? Let me know in the comments! Bottom line, this potholder tutorial is super easy to follow. Want to have it plain, or with a little bit of strip piecing? Scroll down for any of the two options to make your own beautiful potholder - the easy way.

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Nearly all pot holders I've had, or seen, or made, have binding on all edges. Including this potholder tutorial I showed you last time. All doable, and nothing to be scared of. But today I'm showing you one that is even easier, and quicker to make - an easy potholder without binding. (And, just to mention, this cute quilted mug rug has no binding either!)

That's a neat one, and especially handy if you are short of time to make binding, let alone to sew it on.

I also added a loop. A hanging loop will make your potholder so practical to store somewhere close at hand. Maybe it's just me, but I don't like to pull my potholders from my drawers when I need them. I hang them just above the kitchen stove so they are always ready for the job - and close at hand. The potholder size is 8" square.

Now, let's see how to make a few fantastic potholders. Without binding. Easy, quick. And good-looking too!

Note On the FREE Potholder Pattern

There are two potholder options in this free potholder pattern tutorial: version A - a simple square, and version B - the strip-pieced potholder version. Of course, there are so many other options, so you can get creative with your own versions too!

Notes On Supplies

You'll need less than a fat eighth of fabric for the project, and the same size of interfacing or interlining. I used Insul-Bright as an interfacing layer.

Instead of Insul-Bright, feel free to use cotton batting. If this is your first sewing project and don't feel comfortable sewing multiple thick layers, first try using just one single layer of batting instead of two. Once you've sewn your first potholder, adjust the number of layers as you feel comfortable with.

However, one thing to observe: do NOT use any polyester-based batting for potholders. And no acrylic felt. Those don't withstand heat well, and will not block heat effectively. Need more info on interfacing? Visit this post on interfacing.

Step 2 - Decide on Your Version: plain or strip-pieced POTHOLDER?

Decide on whether you'd like to make a simple, plain potholder, or a strip-pieced version.

 The photo above shows how I strip-pieced one of the potholders in this tutorial, using the beautiful florals from Christopher Thompson's Blue Stitch collection. Notice the fussy cutting? Love it!

If you decide for strip piecing, use template page 2 from the free potholder template (see above) and cut three pieces of fabric as laid out in the free potholder pattern above. Then stitch the pieces together using a ¼″ seam allowance (0.7cm), to design your own front side of the potholder.

Step 3 - Cutting Step

CUT FROM FABRIC:

• two fabric squares (template page 1) for the back and the front – or one back piece from fabric only if you've already got a pieced front ready
• 1 piece for hanging loop (template page 1)
• 1 square for hanging loop cover (template page 1)

CUT FROM INTERFACING (INSUL-BRIGHT):

• two squares (template page 1)

Step 4 - Make The Loop

Next, we'll create a hanging tab on your soon-to-become potholder.

How To Make Potholder Loops?

There are many options to add a loop to your diy potholder - instead of making your own hanging loop, you can simply use a ready-made ribbon. One thing to observe: it should be made of material that can withstand as much heat as the rest of your (cotton) potholder. Cotton twill tape works great.

My go-to solution is making my own loop. It adds a cool detail in a totally matching color. This is how I make the loop, it's quick and easy:

1. use the 5 by 2 inch piece, fold it in half with wrong sides together, press. Open and
2. fold the two long raw edges towards the center, then
3. re-fold along the center fold. Press.
4. Edgestitch along both long edges.

Step 5 -Attach the loop

Fold your new loop in half. You’ll sew it to the top right corner on the front of your potholder. I felt kinda clever putting the loop into the corner, so it’s out of the way when I don’t need it. Like this:

1. Fold the loop in half and lay it into a corner of the front fabric piece (on the right side of the fabric), with the raw ends directed towards the corner, but not quite touching it. See photo (1) above.
2. Baste and cover with the 1 ½″ square – the square should be wrong side up and aligned with the corner of the main front piece. Which means the right sides of fabric are touching. Pin and sew across the diagonal, catching the hanging loop into the seam.
3. Then fold the sewn square back along the sewn line and press. You get a triangle.
4. Topstitch close to the origibnal diagonal seam to secure the loop, also feel free to sew additional stiching lines along the edge. Loop done.

BONUS TIP: You can do a larger square (up to 2") but in this case you'll also need a longer loop (up to 7"). Bear in mind if adjusting the sizing.

STEP 6 – ASSEMBLE PIECES

This is where you place the layers so you won't need to bind the edges and miter the corners 🙂

So, lay down the two pieces of Insul-Bright, place the front piece face-up on these (with the loop facing up too) and lay the back fabric on top of the stack - this one should be with right side DOWN.

Step 7 - Sewing The Potholder Layers Together

Double-check: are the right sides of the two fabric pieces together? Good. Now pin and sew around, leaving a few inches on one side open for turning.

Step 8 - Clip the corners

Clip corners and trim the batting in the seam allowance, taking care not to snip into stitches. This will reduce the bulk and you'll end up with neat corners.

See here how to trim corners on all your sewing projects.

Step 9 - turn Right side out

Turn your diy potholder right side out and stitch the opening close. The nicest way to do is using a ladder stitch.

Step 10 - Topstitch And/Or Quilt Your Diy Potholder

This is an optional step, but recommended! If you topstitch along the edges, the stitches will hold the layers together so layers don’t shift after laundering - and they'll look so neat. My potholders get washed often - I'm a messy cook, haha!

These potholders make beautiful housewarming gifts. Consider adding a few kitchen utensils and make this practical storage tote - it makes a great kitchen caddy!

Make sure to save this blog tutorial to Pinterest using this link or the image below, so you can use it later:

As always, I’d love to see if you’ve made a potholder using this tutorial. Please post a picture to Instagram and tag me @applegreencottage or #applegreencottage – so I can take a look!

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