Fiesta Potholder

Pot Holders are practical but they can also be colourful and fun! Our Fiesta Pot Holder is generously sized and feature a pocket so you can use it like an oven mitt. They are made with a patchwork front which showcases the sweet retro fabrics. I used fabrics from the Retro Child Smile Collection by Lecien Fabrics (2015).

The patchwork panel is perfect for mixing and matching fabrics from a collection or fabric range, and could be made from precuts such as charm squares and jelly roll strips.

If you would like to make your own Fiesta pot holder, you will need (for one pot holder):

• Fabric 1: Cut 1, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch square (centre)
• Fabric 2: Cut 4, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch squares (gingham)
• Fabric 3: Cut 4, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch squares
• Fabric 4: Cut 12, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch squares (outer row)
• Fabric 5: Cut 1, 1 1/2 x 12 inch strip (4 patch unit)
• Fabric 6: Cut 1, 1 1/2 x 12 inch strip (4 patch unit)
• Fabric 7: Cut 2, 10 x 12 inches (backing)
• Fabric 8: Cut 1,  2 1/4 x 10 inch strip; cut 1, 2 1/4 x 42 inch strip (binding)
• Fabric 9: Cut 1, 12 x 12 inches (white homespun)
• Ribbon: 6 inches (for hanging tab)
• Batting: Cut 1, 12 x 12 inches (pocket); Cut 1, 10 x 12 inches (backing)
• Insul-Brite: Cut 1, 10 x 12 inches (backing)

Finished Size: 9 x 11 inches

Method:

1. Prepare the four patch units: Sew the two strips together with the right sides facing. Open out and press. Cut the strip into 8 units, each measuring 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches. Take two units and stitch them together to form a four patch block that measures 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches as shown in the photo below. Repeat until you have four, four patch units.

2. Arrange the patchwork squares as shown in the photo below. Stitch the squares together into rows. Stitch the rows together so you have a completed patchwork panel.

3. Position the patchwork panel “on point” as shown in the photo below. Take the plain square of homespun and position the batting on top. Finally position the patchwork panel on top. Smooth all layers and pin together using safety pins (or use quilt basting spray). Quilt as desired to hold the layers together. I quilted 1/4 inch from each seam line.

4. Trim the unit so that it measures 9 x 9 inches. 

5. Place one of the backing pieces face down on a flat surface. Position a layer of insul brite and a layer of batting on top. Top with the other piece of backing fabric. Pin all the layers together. Use masking tape that is 1 inch wide to mark a line from one diagonal corner to the other. Quilt in a cross hatch design using the masking tape as a guide. Trim the backing to 9 x 11 inches.

6. Take the strip of fabric and press it in half lengthwise. Pin in to the top of the patchwork pocket with the raw edges aligned and stitch in place. Fold the binding over to the back of the pocket and hand stitch in place. Trim the ends.

7. Position the pocket on top of the backing with the bottom and side edges aligned. Baste in place. Use a small zigzag stitch and stitch around the outside of the pot holder. 

8. Fold the ribbon in half and baste in place on the back of the pot holder as shown.

9. Fold the binding in half lengthwise and press. Stitch the binding to the pot holder, mitring the corners as you would for a quilt. The fold the binding over to the back of the pot holder and hand stitch in place. Press.

Thanks to Lecien Fabrics for supplying the retro 30’s Child Smile Fabric that was used in this project.

Pot holders make great gifts for the baker or home cook. How about partnering the pot holder with some baking supplies, specialty ingredients, or a cookbook?  Check out some of our other free pot holder tutorials and patterns.

Popular Pot holder patterns are our Tomato Pot Holder and Heart Pot holder. 

Hello! Are you new here? If so, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here and receive a bonus sewing pattern and welcome discount. Our newsletter includes free tutorials, articles, and new patterns. Welcome to the world of sewing enthusiasts.