Making a small morsel (pot holder) to compliment your culinary pleasures ends up being a joyful creative day!
Do you label your totes with what's inside? Some totes I definitely know, others can be a trip down memory lane!
When I make my pot holders, I think of them a mini pieces of art. Small, unique and nearly each one is one-of-a-kind. I may make a few using blues or greens. I may make several that are improv. Or half a dozen that are curves or waves.
For these small pieces I can use some of my scraps. Sometimes the amount of one color will dictate what color of pot holders are made. It also allows me to throw caution in the wind and put together some pretty interesting (weird, strange, different) color combinations.
Right now I'm in the final stretch of sewing on the bindings. It feels so good to have a stack waiting for the final step!
I don't think pot holders have to be boring. They can be gorgeous and functional all at the same time. Right?! They can be bold, funky and crazy, as well as protect your table from heat.
These are a few of my favorites. Teal improv or autumn waves, classic black and red or totally funky green!
The pastel set is really off the deep end for me! But I kind of like them, probably because they are not my normal colors.
I always use a layer of Insul-Bright and a layer of batting in between. And I'll admit...I never add loops! I know they are pretty standard, but frankly I never leave pot holders sitting (or hanging) out! After a meal, they go straight back to their drawer! What's your preference? Hang or not?
This one will be first on the binding list tonight! Black and white, the speck of red...I like it!
I even went 'traditional'? I often use reproduction feed sack prints for this simple design. The squares are 1", the perfect size for the small prints.
The one on the right was my first disappearing nine patch! I know, I've never done that before! There were a few added pieces after the first cut, but I think it still counts!
Do you make pot holders? Are you a 'loopy' person? By that I mean....loops!
So now, with my pile of hot pads standing high...I can take a break from them!
LINKING:
I don't put loops on mine. Mine go into the drawer, too. Pot holders are fun because they are quick to make and you don't have to follow patterns (unless you want to). Nadine W. in N. Cali.
ReplyDeleteI don't add loops to my pot holders, either. They live in a drawer and come out when needed and then tuck back away. Which seems a bit of a shame for how beautiful yours are!
ReplyDeleteWow. What a collection! I think I have maybe 6 or so at a time is all. And yes, I usually put loops, but I always put mine right back in the drawer as well, so why? Maybe I'll keep going that if they're a gift...
ReplyDeleteOnce I get in to the groove, it’s hard to stop! So far it seems the majority of people either don’t put or don’t use loops.
DeleteThey looks great Jayne ! It's a really inspiring blog post and I'm adding some not-boring pot holders on my to-do list straight away :-))
ReplyDeleteNo, no pot holders yet. I might find my way to them at some point maybe. But yes, I would add loops.
ReplyDeleteI love making pot holders once I finally get in to it. It’s fun to play with colors and designs since they are so small!
DeleteYou are such a girl after my own heart. I do the same thing...make up 20 potholders..and all of a sudden they are gone...one to the nurse, one to a teacher...etc..When my husband was dying, all I could do was make potholders..a mini creation. I used to put little white holders on them all..but I just stopped, That way they can be trivets or mug rugs...but always a potholder. I self bind them..easy peasy..hugs to a fellow pot holder maker.
ReplyDeleteThey are the best gifts!! Everyone has to eat… and you are spot on with them being mini creations! Pot holders don’t have to be plain, they can sparkle and shine and be very different that the norm!
DeleteI use lots of pot holders; have trained DH well. But he tends to leave them out; I put them away. No loops needed. I have some Insulbrite on hand, should really try making some.
ReplyDeleteDo you use them to set pots on or to actually lift the pots with ? I usually use grotty old tea towels ! I think I need to upgrade here . Yours are beautiful
ReplyDeletewow you have a lot of pot holders! I was just noticing some on another blog a couple days ago and wondered why I had never made any - I think I need to pick up a package of that special heat resistance batting and get busy.
ReplyDeleteNo loops. Your potholders are almost too cute to spill spaghetti sauce on. What a great way to experiment with design.
ReplyDeleteThey really are a fun way to play with designs and colors. It seems that loops are not all that popular from the comments here! I figure if you spill on them, it gives them character…and you can always make more!!
DeleteI super love your modern improv pot holders! In the house I put them in a drawer, in the camper I hang them(lack of space). Why is it that they are so easy and quick to make but I procrastinate on making them! I need a couple new ones, on the list they go:-)
ReplyDeleteYour pot holders are adorable!! I love them! I don't like the loop. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI'm a loopy gal...but it is because I have cute hooks on the wall that have to have something on em! These are all so fun...I especially noticed the orange/gray one...a neat color combo:)
ReplyDeleteI do make potholders, but not nearly often enough and mine get pretty "well-used" looking. I put loops on mine because it's so much easier than joining the binding around such a small shape.
ReplyDeleteI love these! I have not made many pot holders but ones I have, I do add the loops but never use the loops. I think that for my next set I will leave them off.
ReplyDeleteAdorable. I have made several but don't put loops. Mine are in the drawer. They are a great use of scraps and a fun quick gift.
ReplyDeleteI guess you don't need loops do you. My image of a potholder includes a loop, but I've always kept them in the drawer. It's time for a new image. Your potholders are sure interesting to look at.
ReplyDeleteI really love these! Pot holders should be functional and pretty. I've never made one, but I think I'd be a no loop girl. It's just one more thing to get in the sauce while I'm trying not to get myself burnt.
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne! My favourites are your 4 pastel potholders! Should make new potholders. I make loops. Hb is a Greek chef and his cooking is improvising and potholders taste the food, so they don't go to the drawer. x Teje
ReplyDeleteJayne,
ReplyDeleteI just love everything you make! Thanks for adding fun to the day!
Jennifer
Why have I not done this yet? Seems a quick easy way to satisfy the need to create and have gifts at the ready as well. So can you advise me as to what you use on the inside of these? I really enjoyed seeing your "stack" that has somehow disappeared. :)
ReplyDeleteIf I've finished a quilt and have just bits left over, I immediately turn the bits into a potholder. Otherwise, I pull out my scrap sack (yes, I just have one!) and make a few every now and then. We are going through a kitchen remodel right now and things are a bit out of sorts. This weekend I wanted to sew but now think much. I made or finished 23 potholders (to the point of binding). They are the perfect gifts. Even non-cooks use potholders for something. Enjoyed seeing yours. I got some great ideas.
ReplyDeleteLovely potholders. I usually add a loop with a ribbon.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing that stack! I don't know why I haven't made potholders yet. I even have the heat insulation already, I just haven't gotten around to making them yet. It would be a good quick project....maybe this week. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is time for me to make a stack of potholders too. Yours are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI've never made pot holders, mostly because I've never thought to buy Insul-Bright :) Yours are beautiful, and so much more fun that anything I could buy in a store! I never use loops on pot holders, just into the drawer they go.
ReplyDeleteOh you have so many comments Jayne!
ReplyDeleteThese are dynamic. I'd love one, and no I've not made anything with insulbrite. Can you quilt through it with no problem? Great idea to make up a lot of these for ready gifts. Everyone would like one.
Mine live in a drawer. I think the one we're using now is Christmas Cows, not because we're early but because it is cows.
LeeAnna
You have a whole bag of potholders? My goodness, you are endlessly productive. I hope you take time off to eat and sleep. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe pot holders are fantastic! I never made them not even thought to make! Now I may change my mind ...I enjoyed reading your post from pot holders! Anneli
ReplyDeleteWow, great idea for using up scraps! Love your color combinations! These would make great gifts. I see a bottle of hot sauce and that black, white, red sharing space in a gift bag. Or any one of them with a hand towel finished off in the same colors. Hmm, I think I've been convinced to get busy with some birthday surprises. Thanks for a smart post!
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic! I've been using the same old store bought pot holders for way too long... think I need to up my game!
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful, and such a good idea! I don't know why, but I've never made any, and I love to make small things. I'm going to go buy some Insulbright right away!
ReplyDeletePretty and practical. Got to be happy with that.
ReplyDeleteGreat collection of pot holders. I've never made any. Never thought about them being a great way to use scraps and practice quilting.
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne, your pot holders are stunning. I could never use them - they are too beautiful. I'm sure they can also be used as mug rugs or even hanging (in the kitchen or else where!)
ReplyDeleteAll of those potholders are Awesome,Jayne. It's been years since I made any.Never thought to make them like mini quilts.My Mom made them alot and they ended up with heavily machine embroidered designs on them.Far too pretty to use. All have loops,which I have no place to hang from.Into a drawer they go. I do not end up with alot of scraps,so never have made mug rugs or mini quilts. Many lovely ideas. Thanks so much for linking up with this week's TGIFF.
ReplyDeleteWhen I've made them for gifts, I add loops but any that I would make for myself would be stored in a drawer so there isn't a need for them. Your new collection of potholders are so fun, I'd find an excuse just to use them!
ReplyDelete