Free Potholder Tutorial Using Slow Summer Canvas Fabric
I love a beautiful yet practical potholder, and this free potholder tutorial is both! Crafted with fabric from the Slow Summer and Signature Solids collections, these potholders are a quick and simple project. They’re even pretty enough to double as trivets on your dining table!
Keep reading for step-by-step in instructions, plus an optional variation that uses strip-pieced scrap fabric for a similar striped effect!
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Free Potholder Tutorial Materials
- Fabric (see below for details)
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Quilting ruler
- Iron and ironing board
- Binding clips
- 100% cotton batting
- Insul-Bright Insulating Thermal Lining
- Basic quilting supplies
Free Potholder Tutorial Fabric Requirements
This tutorial uses Slow Summer in Summer Stripe canvas and Signature PURE Solids in Matcha by Suzy Quilts for Art Gallery Fabrics for the canvas version of the potholders.
For the strip-pieced version, this tutorial uses Slow Summer Color Blocks in Matcha and Signature PURE Solids in Spiced, Shrimpy, Queen Bee, Snapdragon, Pistachio, Hemlock, and Matcha.
The following fabric requirements will make two (2) potholders. Width of fabric (WOF) is assumed to be 42".
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Canvas Version:
- Canvas exterior tops and backing: 1/3 yard of Slow Summer Summer Stripe canvas
- Binding and finger pocket lining: 3/8 yard of Signature PURE Solids in Matcha
Strip-Pieced Version:
- Strips: (1) fat eighth or scraps each of Suzy Quilts Signature PURE Solids in Spiced, Shrimpy, Queen Bee, Snapdragon, Pistachio, Hemlock, and Matcha
- Binding and finger pocket lining: 1/3 yard each of Suzy Quilts Signature PURE Solids in Matcha and Queen Bee
- Backing: 1/3 yard of Slow Summer Color Blocks in Matcha
Additional Fabrics for Both Versions:
- Cotton batting: (2) 10" squares and (2) 9" squares of scrap batting or 1/3 yard
- Insul-Bright: (2) 10" squares of scrap batting or 1/3 yard
Step 1: Cut the Potholder Fabric
- Exterior Top: (2) 8 1/2" squares (canvas) or (16) 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" (strip-pieced version)
- Backing: (2) 10" squares (canvas)
- Batting: (2) 10" squares and (2) 9" squares
- Insul-Bright: (2) 10" squares
- Finger Pocket Exterior: (2) 7 1/2" squares (canvas) or (14) 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" (strip-pieced version)
- Finger Pocket Lining: (2) 9" squares (Pure Solids Matcha)
- Binding: (2) 2 1/4" x WOF for potholder binding and (4) 2" x 11" for finger pocket bindings
Step 2: Make the Strip-Pieced Squares (Optional)
NOTE: Skip this step if using striped canvas for your potholders.
Gather (8) 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" strips. Sew them right sides together along the long edges, then press the seams open to create an 8 1/2" square. Then, repeat this step with the other (8) 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" strips. Use these (2) 8 1/2" squares for the exterior tops of the potholders.
Next, repeat this process with the 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" strips to create (2) 7 1/2" squares for the finger pocket exteriors. Use seven (7) strips for each square.
Step 3: Baste and Quilt the Potholders
First, gather one set of 10" squares of cotton batting, Insul-Bright lining, and backing and (1) 8 1/2" canvas (or strip-pieced) square. Then, lay the backing wrong side up, followed by the Insul-Bright, then the batting. Finally, center the 8 1/2" canvas (or strip-pieced) square on top of the stack, right side up. Pin or spray baste the layers together.
Next, increase your stitch length to 3 and quilt the potholder as desired. I quilted mine using straight lines between the canvas stripes spaced 1" apart.
Trim the quilt sandwich to 8" square, removing the excess backing, batting, and lining. Then, repeat this process to baste, quilt, and trim the second potholder. Set aside.
Now, gather one set of a 7 1/2" canvas (or strip-pieced) square, 9" lining square, and 9" batting square. Lay the lining wrong side up, followed by batting, then center the 7 1/2" canvas (or strip-pieced) square on top of the stack, right side up. Next, pin or spray baste the layers together and quilt as desired. Repeat with the second set.
Then, trim each quilt sandwich to 7" square, removing the excess lining and batting.
Now, cut each 7" square in half on the diagonal to create a total of four (4) triangles for the finger pockets. (The photo below also shows the 8" exterior squares.)
Step 4: Prepare the Binding and Hanging Loop
Next, to prepare the binding, fold the 2 1/4" x WOF and 2" x 11" binding strips in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Then, press with an iron. You’ll use one WOF binding strip per potholder — you do not need to sew the binding strips together.
Then, cut off (1) 6" piece from each of the 2 1/4" x WOF binding strips to create the potholder hanging loops.
Open the first 6" strip and press the long sides in to meet the center fold, wrong sides together. Fold the strip in half again and press. Now, topstitch along the long open edge. Repeat with the second strip, then set aside.
Next, center and pin each of the (4) 2" x 11" strips on the lining side of each finger pocket triangle, aligning the raw edge of the binding strip with the raw diagonal edge of the finger pocket triangle. Sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.
Now, fold the binding over to the exterior side of the finger pocket triangles and sew 1/8" from the folded edge of the binding on each triangle.
Trim the ends of each binding strip so they are even with the angled edges of the triangle.
Step 5: Finish the Potholders
Next, use binding clips to secure the finger pocket triangles to the quilted 8" squares, aligning the raw edges and the corners of the triangles with the corners of the squares.
Now, sew along the outside edges of the triangles using an 1/8" seam allowance.
Follow this tutorial to sew the binding onto the front side of each potholder just as you would a quilt.
Next, fold one of the prepared loops in half, offsetting the ends a bit, and place it on the back side of one potholder, aligning the raw edges of the loop with the top raw edge of the potholder. Then, sew the loop to the potholder, keeping your stitches inside the 1/4" binding seamline.
Repeat to attach the second binding strip and hanging loop to the second potholder.
Machine or hand stitch the binding down to the back of the potholders. I hand stitched mine for a nice finished look.
Once the binding is sewn to the back of the potholders, fold the hanging loop on one up against the binding so it’s peeking over the edge of the potholder. Tack it in place with your machine or by hand. Then, repeat with the second potholder.
These potholders are a quick and simple project for all skill levels and make lovely gifts.
How Many Potholders Will You Make?
Well, that was fast, wasn’t it? This project is so quick and easy, you’ll want to make multiple sets. These potholders make excellent gifts for hosts, fast holiday gifts, or even just special treats for yourself!
When you make your own potholders, be sure to share them on Instagram and tag @SuzyQuilts and use #SuzyQuiltsBlog so we can celebrate and share your work!
Thank-you!
I am always looking for new pot holders for our Church Bazaar.
Your tutorial is excellent.
Very well done demo and good fabric choice. I am impressed and that is not an easy task. I have been sewing on a machine since I was 4 years old and I read over patterns sometimes just for fun, as I have taught sewing on and off for most of my life (I am in my 70’s) your pictures are very helpful and the method appears very helpful for folks not that accustomed to sewing yet. Not that you need it and maybe not that you want it, but I wanted to give you some well deserved praise for a job well done. If more folks did work with their hands I think we would have far less depression and drug abuse in this world. Thanks for helping some folks find a new way to see how great they are.
God Bless You,
How do I get a printer friendly version of this tutorial? Thanks, Mary Magill
Hi Mary, I’m glad you like this tutorial! We don’t have the ability to make these tutorials into printable PDFs, but it will always be available here online. If you need to print it out, you could copy and paste the text into a Word doc.
Very cleaver pot holder, love it!
didn’t think i needed another pot holder until i saw these! …guess i do(lol)! so cute
Adorable. I will make for sure. One verification: the material is a canvas and not quilting cotton (like I have in my stash). Correct?
The print from my Slow Summer collection, Summer Stripe, is canvas, however the pieced strips are quilting cotton, specifically from my Signature PURE Solids collection with Art Gallery Fabrics
I love these so much Kim & Suzy! Can’t wait to try it!
Hello there!
I love this!!
Where is the free pattern? What size stich length are you using?
Thank you!
KimberlyRae 🙂
Hi there! This is the free pattern 🙂 She is using a stitch length of 3.
Nice pattern. I’m making it now and have a question.
How are the binding ends joined? The tutorial does not cover this part.
thanks
Hi Pam! The post linked in the tutorial (https://suzyquilts.com/how-to-sew-binding-on-a-quilt/) includes a full video tutorial for attaching binding, including how to join the ends. Hope you love the potholders!
Would it be reasonable to substitute an extra layer or 2 of cotton batting in place of the insul-bright? I’d love to use up some scraps rather than purchasing from new!
You could do that, however it will not be heat resistant like the insul-bright.
These are so beautiful! Great for housewarming gifts or any gift occasion. Maybe trim so towels similarly? Would make a gorgeous set. Thank you for this tutorial.
I’m so glad you like them! I love the idea of matching towels!!