Quilt As You Go Potholders

I am a lazy crafter. There, I've admitted it. I do not like projects that are time consuming and nit-picky. I've done them but I don't like them. I like instant gratification and if that makes me a shallow or frivolous crafter then so be it. I accept it. I'll share these types of projects here. For nit-picky, time-consuming things you will have to go elsewhere. I'll miss you, but I'll understand. No judgements here.

Quilt As You Go Potholders

These Quilt As You Go potholders are the perfect project. They are quick, there is minimal finishing and best of all - you can do it all on the machine. Yes! No hand sewing.

So here's a little tutorial so you can make your own.

Materials ( to make one potholder)
Strips of 100% cotton fabric - one each of four or five different prints NOTE: I used 3" wide x width of fabric strips. You can use strips that are wider or narrower but you will need more or fewer depending.
9" square of thick 100% cotton or wool batting (synthetics will melt - ouchy!)
11" square of 100% cotton fabric for backing
One 2 ½" x width of fabric strip for binding

To make the job easier you will need a rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, cutting mat and sewing machine


Start by layering the batting atop the wrong side of the backing square.

Lay a strip of fabric right side up over the top left corner of the batting square. Be sure the strip covers the corner of the batting square completely.

Lay another strip over the first, right sides together. Take care to align the raw edges. Pin if necessary and stitch a scant ¼" seam.

Flip the top strip over and finger press. Trim the strip. Repeat this process until the batting square is covered. This is important! DO NOT TRIM the strip until it is flipped over and you have checked to be sure it covers the batting square!

Neaten up the edges with the rotary cutter and ruler.If desired, baste around the edge of the potholder.

Prepare the binding strip by pressing the long raw edges in to the center of the strip. Starting at one corner, secure the folded strip with a few stitches. Continue to stitch the folded strip for about 3". Loop back to the corner and sewthe binding to all sides of the potholder by stitching the binding along the inside edge of the fold. To finish, fold the binding to the back of the potholder. Pin or baste. From the front, stitch in the ditch taking care to catch the binding on the back of the potholder.



The finished product