Make Your Own Patchwork Potholders

4 Patch Potholder

Materials needed

4 pieces of fabric, 5" square each (I used 2 sets of 2 colors)

9" square of a fabric for the back

9" square of thin cotton batting (for a heat-safe batting, try Wrap-N-Zap Cotton Batting)

thread to match

Rotary cutter, mat and ruler

Instructions:

 Begin by laying the squares diagonal from each other. With right sides together, using a 1/4" seam, sew a set of squares together. Repeat for the other set of squares. Press. Your finished project will look better if you iron the seams so that they lay against the darker fabric. Sew the two sets to each other making sure to match the center seam. Press.

Using a ruler and a pencil, make a mark 2" on each side of every corner. You will have 8 marks.

Lay your patch on the cutting mat. Be careful not to move the fabric once you begin the cutting. Turning the mat with the fabric on it will help you achieve accuracy. You are going to make four cuts. With your ruler, line up 2 of the marks on the left side of the center of the block and cut along the ruler with the rotary cutter. Repeat this step with the marks on the right side of the center of the block. Turning the mat around will make the last 2 cuts easier. The third and fourth cuts are done the same as the first and second.  At this point you should have 9 pieces of fabric.

Now for the fun! Move each of the triangle sections 1 space to the right (they simply replace the triangle in front of them). And turn the center square 1/4 turn. Double check your layout referring to the photo if needed.

Begin sewing the pieces together. There is the center block and 2 longer strips that are sewn to each end of the center piece. And there are sections each with 2 small triangles and a longer narrow piece between them. Sew a small triangle to each side of the narrow strip to create each of these units. Press.

 Match the seams using pins to secure, and sew a triangle unit to one side of the center piece. Repeat for the second triangle. Press

Using the rotary cutter and ruler, trim the block to create a perfect square.

Lay the patch on top of the backing fabric with the right sides together. Lay a piece of cotton batting on the bottom. Pin the 3 layers together. Sew the layers leaving a 2" opening on one of the sides. Remember that the sewn patch is cut square and your batting and backing fabric are a little larger. When you sew them, the patch is the top piece as it serves as the guide for the 1/4" seam. Trim the excess fabric and clip across the corners. Turn right side out and press.

Slip stitch the opening closed. Your Patchwork Potholder is complete!

Just for fun...Try using 10" squares marking 4" in from the corners. This makes a 18" square suitable for a coffee table centerpiece. You could add a border for even more interest.

100% cottons, like Moda Fabric, are probably the best kind of fabric to use for this projects. Moda is organized into collections, so you can mix and match fabric to create potholders beautiful enough to give away as Christmas gifts.

Click here to read more about Good's Store serving as a fabric store in Lancaster, PA.