Dishtowel Potholder Tutorial
For this project, I usually use 100% woven cotton dishtowels from the dollar store. It’s best to use something that isn’t too bulky.
1.Start with a standard sized dishtowel, preferably one that is not terrycloth.
2. Cut off the hems and any tags from the back of the dishtowel.
3. With the wrong side of the dishtowel facing up, fold over one long side towards the center about 1/3 of the width.
4. Fold the other long side towards the center about 1/3 of the width, leaving raw edge about ½” from the folded edge.
5. Fold end pieces of the folded dishtowel towards the center.
6. Fold over the dishtowel again, enclosing the raw end pieces at the center. You should now have a somewhat square (or rectangular) shaped folded dishtowel with no exposed raw edges.
7. Pin the folded edges in place and insert a loop of ribbon (or a piece of the hem that you previously cut off) at either a corner or at the center of the potholder.
8. Stitch all around the 4 sides of the potholder. That’s it!
At this point you can leave the potholder as is, which is nice if you have a pretty printed dishtowel, but if you’d like to jazz up a plain dishtowel/potholder, the possibilities are endless. Some suggestions are to add appliqué, a strip of patchwork, embroidery, or stamp a design. A great gift idea is to embellish a dishtowel to match the potholder for a complete set. This could be given in conjunction with your favorite cookie recipe or a cooking utensil. Have fun!
Be sure to check out more great ideas at Cotton Spice!
You did it again! Thanks, I was just looking for a hot pad pattern. I was planning to do something with a quilted top, but this is a much better idea. Love your blog!
Posted by: Marcia | November 11, 2007 at 07:55 AM
Adorable! I have some kitchen towels in mind that would be perfect for this! Thanks!
Posted by: Domestic Chicky | November 11, 2007 at 08:55 AM
What a cute idea! I'll have to give that a try. Thanks Beki!
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | November 11, 2007 at 09:17 AM
Hey I have one of those......I knew it looked familiar...well, mine is of course a pear! Nice tutorial too!
Posted by: Rebecca | November 11, 2007 at 10:01 AM
cute idea beki!
Posted by: Katie | November 11, 2007 at 10:07 AM
what a great gift idea! thanks for taking the time to do this beki!
Posted by: erin | November 11, 2007 at 10:10 AM
oh gosh...this is a keeper! Quick, easy and cheap.
Posted by: Beth H | November 11, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Too too cute! Top idea Beki.
Posted by: Ali | November 11, 2007 at 10:59 AM
I love it! Thank you for a terrific (and cheap and fast) gift idea!
What did that take, all of 10 minutes??
Posted by: jona | November 11, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Very well done!
Posted by: Regina | November 11, 2007 at 11:40 AM
what an easy gift idea--thank you beki!
Posted by: kathryn | November 11, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Great project and an equally wonderful tutorial. Nice idea!
Posted by: Lisa | November 11, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Beki,
This is a great idea, so very quick and easy! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Penny | November 11, 2007 at 12:42 PM
I love this idea Beki.Thank you!
Posted by: Kristy | November 11, 2007 at 12:54 PM
OH! I love this idea! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Stefani | November 11, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Perfect! Thanks!
Posted by: Anina | November 11, 2007 at 01:22 PM
What a great idea. I was just eyeing all the Christmas dish towels at Target the other day and wondering what I could make with them.
Posted by: Elizabeth K | November 11, 2007 at 01:26 PM
I have one of those towels leftover from a swap! Thanks for the idea.
Tabitha
Posted by: Tabitha Klucking | November 11, 2007 at 01:41 PM
That's such a cute idea! My sister asked for a set of dish towels that she really likes for Christmas. Maybe I'll buy two sets and make some into matching potholders.
Posted by: Melissa | November 11, 2007 at 02:29 PM
Thanks for taking the time to make a tutorial. Looks so cute. I might just have to give it a go.
Posted by: erin s | November 11, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Oh OH need a tea towl now...so cool!!!
Suzie Sews
Posted by: suzie sews | November 11, 2007 at 03:07 PM
*bowing down to your greatness*
I am in awe.
Posted by: carol | November 11, 2007 at 04:04 PM
Very nice, Beki.
Posted by: lera | November 11, 2007 at 05:05 PM
Great tutorial. I just bought some batting with the foil stuff in the middle for making some pot holders. What is that saying about great minds?
Posted by: cindy | November 11, 2007 at 07:38 PM
CUTE! Now this is something that I might actually be able to sew!! :) Great tutorial!
Posted by: Brea | November 11, 2007 at 08:00 PM
what a great idea beki! thanks for sharing . . . they are too cute!
Posted by: emily | November 11, 2007 at 11:07 PM
I like it!
Thanks!
Posted by: rohanknitter | November 11, 2007 at 11:17 PM
Terrific idea--would make a super, easy and fun holiday gift. Thanks for a great tutorial! Happy Day :o)
Posted by: Tracy | November 12, 2007 at 03:47 AM
You are my sHERO. I have wanted to make potholders and when I tried it drove me nuts because the pattern stated I needed four layers of batting! But now (and with tons of stained dish towels) I can have more.
Keep up the WONDERFUL JOB you are doing with the blog. I'm very grateful.
Posted by: Evelyn | November 12, 2007 at 06:01 AM
I stayed up way to late last night and made 5 of them. Thank you so much for the great tutorial!
P.S. I'm addicted to your blog.
Posted by: Natalie | November 12, 2007 at 07:33 AM
Oh, I just love a project that is practicle and easy too!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Posted by: Dee Light | November 12, 2007 at 09:18 AM
Great idea, Beki! Love the one with the apple.
Posted by: Lisa {milkshake} | November 12, 2007 at 09:42 AM
oh, that is a great idea!!! I wonder how it would work with patchwork instead of a towel? (go figure, huh?)
Posted by: amandajean | November 12, 2007 at 10:09 AM
Oh, thankyou. That is such a good idea and will definitely make its way in to the pressies this year!
Posted by: asti | November 12, 2007 at 03:18 PM
ooh so simple and pretty! what a great idea.
Posted by: carrie | November 12, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Thanks Beki! So cute and so easy! I think I'll try them tonight!
Posted by: Melissa | November 12, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Awesome! I'm going to try this. Thanks.
Posted by: Laylabean | November 13, 2007 at 12:11 AM
This is exactly what I need to make right now, thanks for the tutorial!!
Posted by: Steph | November 13, 2007 at 02:18 AM
This will make a great project for my students. They are just learning to sew and we are gearing up making holiday gifts. Thanks for posting this!
Posted by: sandy | November 13, 2007 at 05:48 AM
Great idea! I whipped up a couple yesterday afternoon with some old towels I had lying around. Thanks for the tute!
Posted by: sarahk | November 13, 2007 at 07:32 AM
Very, very nice! Thanks for the great gift idea!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | November 13, 2007 at 08:25 AM
So cute, so simple, even a stupid seamstress like me could do it! Thanks, Beki!
Posted by: sulu-design | November 13, 2007 at 09:50 AM
Just beautiful, thank you for sharing your tutorial. I will certainly be giving this a try.
Posted by: Fiona @ Dragonfly-Crafts | November 13, 2007 at 01:44 PM
So cute! I can't wait to try this out. I've singed a number of my potholders recently. OOps ;)
Posted by: Amy | November 13, 2007 at 02:10 PM
I could probably manage these. What a good idea.
Posted by: Tinkerblue | November 13, 2007 at 11:33 PM
Thanks for the tutorial. I know of someone who would like some of these for Christmas.
Posted by: Becky | November 14, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Beki,
What a great idea, I am not someone who sews but I think that I will give your idea a try.
Posted by: Karen | November 16, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Thanks for posting this - I have been looking for something similar :).
Posted by: Patches | November 16, 2007 at 04:41 PM
LOve it! Im making them tomorrow, for SURE
Posted by: Stephanie | November 16, 2007 at 08:37 PM
I love it! I'm a total newbie when it comes to sewing, but I might be able to pull this off without my moms help! Thanks. :)
Posted by: Channah | November 17, 2007 at 09:30 AM