You can make good use of your leftover fabric scraps when you repurpose them into something new. Here’s how to make a DIY quilted potholder using your quilting scraps!

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DIY Quilted Potholder

I’ve been trying to re-use and up-cycle more of my fabric scraps for projects. I used to throw them away, but the fabric is now so expensive that I can no longer justify that. Recently, I learned that fabric doesn’t decompose in the landfill and fabric waste is a growing global problem. Rest assured, I no longer want to waste anything that can be sewn into something useful with a quick and easy sewing project!

These adorable potholders are made from my most recent quilt project leftovers. You can learn about how I made these quilt blocks here. It doesn’t matter what fabric scraps you use, pretty much any fabric will do for this project. I find that this DIY potholder pattern is the perfect way to spruce up your kitchen and also save yourself from burning your hands.

Recycled Fabric Sources

There are several ways I collect recycled fabric scraps to refashion into something new. Here are a few of my favorites:

• leftover quilting cotton
• old t-shirts
• men’s dress shirts
• worn out jeans
• kids shirts
• old table cloths
• thrifted fabrics or clothes with pretty patterns
• flannel sheets or pillowcases
• Worn out blankets
• quilt batting pieces or leftover fiberfill stuffing from craft projects

I like to use a couple of leftover quilt blocks and some quilting cotton scraps for this simple quilting scrap project. You will need fabric and batting about 9″ square. If your pieces are smaller, simply stitch them together until you have a 9″ square. This is a great way to learn to sew or quilt and make for an impressive DIY gift!

Woven pieces of fabric can be single needle stitched together until you have a large enough piece to create the hot pads. You can even sew small pieces of quilt batting together with a zig-zag stitch (overlapping the pieces) to get a 9″ squares needed for this project. The only thing limiting this project is your imagination.

Potholder Supplies

• two 9″ fabric squares for front and back of potholder (any fabric or pattern)
• one 10″ square of quilt batting
• a strip of fabric for binding, 2 1/2″ x 44″ (can be pieces of other fabrics sewn together)
• straight pins, safety pins
• fabric basting adhesive (optional)
• sewing machine with free motion quilting foot (optional)

Sewing Directions

1. Layer backing fabric, quilt batting or a thin layer of fiberfill stuffing, and top fabrics together. You can either use a spray basting adhesive to hold them in place or use a few safety pins to secure.

2. Using a free motion quilt foot, quilt as desired in a random pattern. You can quilt this sewing pattern with straight row stitches every few inches across the fabrics if you do not have a free motion foot. The quilting holds all of the layers together and makes the pot holder more durable.

3. Trim edges evenly.

4. Fold binding in half lengthwise, apply to the front of potholder matching raw edges while folding the binding at corners to fit. Finally, pin in place with straight pins. Stitch around all sides with a 3.0 single needle stitch, leaving a 3″ tail of binding at the last corner.

5. Trim seams to 1/4 inch seams. Turn folded binding edge to back side of the potholder, pin fold over the first seam. Fold under the excess fabric at the corner to get an “almost” mitered fit. Top stitch 1/8″ away from the inside edge, sewing all the way to the end of the fabric loop piece (encasing raw edges).

6. Finally, to make the hanging loop, fold back extra fabric and secure with 3-4 back and forth stitches.

Need help? Watch this video tutorial!

I love being able to repurpose the scrap from quilt patterns that I love! This pot holder pattern has even inspired me to attempt making my own quilted oven mitts.

More Inspiration

Still looking for other ways to recycle your fabric scraps? Here are a few other posts you will love:

Mens Thrifted Shirt Upcycle Hack in 7 Steps

Upcycled Denim Hat from Old Jeans

Recycled Denim Ruffled Purse with Cricut & Simplicity

Sew a Pocket Square in 3 Easy Steps

Easy to Make Scrappy Denim Skirt

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