Use Your Scraps to Sew a Patchwork Woven Potholder

For those moments when you want to be creative, but you don't have the time or patience for a lengthy and involved project, this patchwork woven potholder may be just the answer. It is made using six identical sized squares of fabric and can be quickly created in less than an hour.

I had purchased a box of precut quilt squares at an auction a few years ago and had never found the right project for them. They were all large 8 inch squares that didn't seem to go together, so a quilt top wasn't going to work. I dug them out recently and decided they needed a purpose. By choosing six squares of two different prints that seemed to coordinate, I was able to create a quick and simple potholder. They turned out so well and were so quick to make, I made several from my abundant stash of squares and was able to toss all those stained and burnt (and embarrassing) potholders in the trash.

If you don't have precut quilt squares, you can easily use fabric scraps or purchase fabric yardage.

Things You Will Need:

(6) 8 inch quilt squares, fabric scraps or 1/4 yard of two coordinating prints
Small amount quilt batting
Ruler
Scissors
Iron
Straight pins
Sewing machine
1/2 inch plastic ring
Hand sewing needle and matching thread

Constructing the Potholder

Step 1
Measure and cut three 8 inch squares from two different prints or square up three each of two different prints in precut 8 inch squares. Measure and cut an 8 inch square from the quilt batting.

Step 2
Fold two squares in half from each print with the wrong sides together and iron. These will be your weaving strips.

Step 3
Place one remaining quilt square right side down on your sewing table. Stack the quilt batting square on top and finish the sandwich with the last quilt square right side up. Adjust the edges so they are even.

Step 4
Lay one folded weaving strip on the stack with the raw edges even with one side. Working in a clockwise direction, place a coordinating strip on the adjacent side of the square, overlapping the strip with the previous one. Repeat with the third strip. For the last strip, overlap the first end as before, but tuck the last end under the beginning end of the first strip. Pin the edges to hold.

Step 5
Completely sew around all sides using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Trim the sewn edges to 1/8 inch. Reach through the center of the woven strips and pull the quilt square sandwich through, turning the strips to the other side of the potholder and concealing the seams. Use the point of your scissors to push out the corners, making them crisp. Iron the potholder flat.

Step 6
Hand sew a plastic ring at the point of one potholder corner.