Bind It! Nifty Nine Patch Disappearing Pot Holder
August 20, 2009 | By
In the last installment, we finished the main part of the potholder pad. The last step to finish this potholder is to attach a binding.
With potholders, I am especially lazy, so I like to find a no-fuss way to finish these off. If these were for my own personal use, I would finish the edges with my serger (a special machine that uses 2-5 independent threads to finish an edge) and call it good. Since I am writing a tutorial, and since not everyone owns a serger, I will advocate a less-lazy way to finish these.
Aside from the serger, using pre-made double-fold bias quilt binding is a fast way to finish these potholders. It comes packaged in 3 yard lengths, which is enough to finish 2 of these potholders. You can generally find it in a big box
fabric store, or you can buy it online if you want to continue my lazy tradition. It comes in dozens of colors so you should be able to find a color that is close to what you want. I chose to go with a deep purple binding to match the borders.
The binding that I chose is 7/8" wide, which is a good width for a thick item such as this. When you pull the binding out of the package, you will notice that one layer is slightly wider than the other; this layer goes on the bottom as you are sewing, and just gives you a little bit of wiggle room as you sew, since you will be sewing down both sides at the same time. Now that you've had a crash course in this bias binding, let's get started!
Step 1
Take the binding and sandwich your potholder between the layers. Align the end of the binding with the edge of the potholder. Place a couple of pins along the length, being careful to pin through all layers without causing a pleat on the back. At the right edge, line up your ruler with the 7/8" mark and place a pin at this location. We are going to be making mitered corners!
Step 2
Turn the corner with your binding and continue sandwiching the potholder between the binding. As you align the next edge, you will get flaps that stand up on the front and back at each corner. Place a couple of pins in the binding on this second edge.
Step 3
Go back to the corner, and on the front of the potholder, use your finger to push the binding to the edge so that the flap stands straight up. With your other hand, grab the flap and lay it down so that the end of it meets the pin that you placed 7/8" from the edge.
Step 4
Place a pin into this flap to hold it in place. Do not try pinning through all layers - you only need the pin to get through the top layers of binding to hold it in place.
Turn over the potholder and repeat steps 3 & 4 on the back to miter the corner there as well.
Step 5
Repeat steps 1-4 on the next two corners. When you get to the last corner, do not miter it. Simply overlap your binding straight over the corner. Do not pin the corner in place. Measure about 4.5" past the corner and place a pin at that point. You can clip off the extra binding past this pin.
Step 6
Now it's time to sew! Take your potholder over to your machine. Make sure you have the walking foot on, and a brand new needle in the machine. Depending on your machine, you may need to switch to a higher gauge needle or a jeans needle to get through all these layers of fabric. If you count the metal film, you're sewing through 8 layers, and on the corners you're sewing through 16!
Start sewing at the unmitered corner. Pull the long, free end of the binding out of the way so you don't accidentally stitch over it. Don't try to stitch too narrow of a seam; you want to make sure you catch the binding on the back. Take your time - this is not a race to the finish!
Step 7
As you approach the corner, stop with your needle down. You need to make sure that you take a couple of stitches forward to catch the edge of the miter. You may need to turn the needle wheel by hand to make sure you don't run over your pins and break the needle - now is not the time to pull out the pins!
With the needle down, raise your presser foot and pivot the potholder 90° counterclockwise, so that you are now stitching down the next side. Repeat this step for the next two corners.
Step 8
When you get to the last corner, sandwich the pot holder between the layers and continue stitching straight. You will also be stitching the extra 4.5" so that you close the binding all the way out. Clip the threads.
Step 9
Turn the potholder over so that the back side is face up. On the free end of the binding, fold up the end about 1/4".
Take this end and fold it toward the potholder, forming a loop. Pin this in place so that it aligns with the binding edges.
Step 10
Some sewing machines will completely give up at this point, so you may have to stitch this by hand. If your machine is willing to participate, just take it back to your machine and stitch the loop in place. I like to stitch mine with the back facing up so that I can see the edge of the loop.
Step 11
Enjoy your potholder! Mine won't win any prizes, but they will get the job done!
Photo Credits:
All Photos by Ebony Love
Did you miss an earlier installment of QuiltPossible! in this series? Catch up here!
QuiltPossible! Nifty Nine Patch
Piece It! Nifty Nine Patch Basic Block Assembly
Switch It! Nifty Nine Patch Block Variations
Switch It! Nifty Nine Patch - Disappearing Block
Try It! Nifty Nine Patch Disappearing Pot Holder Part 1
Try It! Nifty Nine Patch Disappearing Pot Holder Part 2
Try It! Nifty Nine Patch Disappearing Pot Holder Part 3
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Each QuiltPossible! series includes:
Feature Article: Serves as the introduction to the series, and explores the origins, history, and modern evolution of the quilt style to be featured.
Piece It!: Provides more detail of a particular block within that series and recommended construction techniques.
Switch It!: Demonstrates variations of a block within that series; different shapes, color ways, and other options to explore beyond the basic techniques.
Try It!: Offers tutorials of specific projects utilizing the blocks featured during the series. Projects are not limited to quilts, and will be geared toward beginning and intermediate crafters.
Bind It!: Presents a variety of finishing techniques (bindings, embellishments, labels, etc.) to add spice and personality to your projects.
Feature articles are typically published once per month, with subsequent articles published every Monday and Thursday.
Ebony is an avid quilter & crafter in the greater Chicago area, and you can see her work via her online portal at LoveBug Studios.
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