![Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZHwi4jHlqmwlLPC-w7F7LXDBESjESLDsDODtv9jglnwtvhQydCSJrSzt2g8E57VS4uWxPeG80GqCy3ZM_qhE2UUAwJYUgQjA2jTvvXrzTH1q_g4VSbovhecyPoSjy9rOSQuqR79fuqlA/s1600/Potholder1.png)
Since I've gotten married and set up house in the past year, my grandma has been kind enough to gift me lots of towels, linens, etc. One of my most-used items that she gave me is a set of potholders. If you do much cooking, you know how handy a good potholder is!
I love the potholders my grandma gave me because she made them and many of them also match my kitchen. I love a matchy-matchy kitchen. These potholders aren't difficult to make, and they're a fantastic intro project if you're interested in learning to sew or quilt. If you'd like to try out a new quilt square or new way to quilt, this would make a fantastic "trial run" while still making a useful item!
And I did it all on my water-stained old ironing board in these photos. So… congratulations. Hopefully an iron cover tutorial will be coming soon...
![Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ThEfwSPuiHLhXE_CfggIQ3TF53l6BfILC8tS5Ut18WeJtzqB3mjgwq7diJ_wKGNWggYZILn8wY0bolhq0kp8aTMXwunqloUgqK6fQTyXKR7MOWXvKh0u1kp4ns8PB0QlDuQxvvOnYpqj/s1600/Potholder2.png)
Materials: 6" fabric square (natural fibers, synthetic might melt), scraps (if you're piece a quilt block. If not, just another 6" square will do!), scissors, double fold bias tape, thread, and batting. I used two layers of batting because it was thin, but you can use anything thick that won't melt; an old towel cut up, washcloth, felt, etc. would work just as well, as long as it won't be damaged by heat.
![Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkTFqeoI6yuaAzpjVVG4bbE4wwDar5sPgghQD367rpm3FYnUoilO8riFhBC_53lLUlDXfjZwzwmS2fSIWMCZmTGU6lNC3uyDX5bcNf6xvAKTwU4CvaKoNyw8uP_RUvi3zwH07QtEjwV3u/s1600/Potholder3.png)
First, if you are piecing one side, now is the time to do it! I just used scraps and made a square. Of course, if you are just using two squares, you can skip this part.
![Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GjaZHHjmhFuDplfRC5n3dGECbe8D0oJK8fi1OUZnwvA7_FQbn_A5Z-vGo8zDVAyg2tUE-VHcO8WSjddq8z5q1umq636F_lub9VYajQp-KAALFGsx7aHnPctr3Ubq3_MmziREzj6lOsVE/s1600/Potholder4.png)
Next, make a tiny "sandwich" by layering a cloth square, batting, then the other cloth square.
![Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA8XWss00Ca-4p-X5arNdC6cnpvXHqrOyi_QHzcQTTk4z_BfCJZNvf_6NLBxqWBJNLGdDfXXAVEWE6XKWoxwPXefjf9AC507JvuAyoPE4dR3TdYHllH5m3XdIHgpCz9kEIQFhhcmOtn1h/s1600/Potholder5.png)
With this tiny quilt sandwich secure, quilt through all three layers. I just went for a quick utilitarian option and sewed and X across the square, but you can get fancier if you want!
![Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAnNQKI2g9Z79l5dTVl1s10Irp4JljkSnqDs1sxWQ8YUbYcYtunlMCPEMePgcQJen-fu3-MlDLNFnGoNXIc8f29TCAV-uDovzm6dAFfPvH8fZZkjpuLQJBZ4c6s8S22XhWEb9jhCf7RLO/s1600/Potholder6.png)
Next, get your bias tape ready. Starting halfway on a side (starting at a corner is much harder), pin the tape around the edge, being sure to secure it on both sides. I mitered the corners to make them look nice.
![Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMsJnKE1Z8yXWyWCrHirmWRZLRyLrJIupvUOEjGAlceSVPqAPyYt1SSn2eTVD8FqyPxMbRaoFpTQNR0OURAQ5LyZaqYF4LP6PEG1UUH9-Yxa2bLiG1w6QUQkWm6ocmT2FojmNMlT5hrJX/s1600/Potholder7.png)
Next, sew it down! (Also, I just sewed through both sides all at once. If this is your first time binding something, I'd recommend following the tutorial in this video.) You have a completed potholder!
![Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk55MeqYSTuqNlikOBUoaxvZVKROW-DDzTUmJGRLRdnYOWb7zJpOaKQv_3P3pWSN4f3FSmRQQoFZ-t8XNLn0P3ZrkqDQJOKCTP3OQ0LBM3P2VFhroHvYH5jE9iZDHPpXAUvcUJwqZcpFKJ/s1600/Potholder8.png)
A set of these would make a fabulous gift, especially paired with an apron or cooking utensils and matching the giftee's kitchen! They're also a great stash buster and learning project!
![Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project Flashback Summer: DIY Potholders - stash busting beginner's project](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJL3wNUTNW2a-vIbC1r_fPSL6Yi1J44hx6YJl2vZPOndXAN9Inx2LyAdouVIaXDfxUM0lYhNjFLwBIuY9OBeWZmdiRmLvqjSw4JyBPPwJ-Ep2s_nN5tZ6ciCuyBDQdZiim1iUmJD5CVh7/s1600/Potholder9.png)