How To Sew a Simple Potholder

May 25, 2026

Potholders make a great gift or item to sell at craft shows. Sew one to give as a hosting gift, housewarming gift, or for a gift for a friend who loves to bake or cook.

This is a simple style of potholder that can be used as a hot pad as well.

Adjust the shape and size to your preference.

Materials

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Cotton or linen fabric (avoid synthetic materials)
Thermal/heat-resistant batting (Insul-Bright or something similar) (this has “heat-reflective” properties)
100% cotton batting (this adds extra insulation)
1/2” double-folded bias tape (is 1/2” wide when double-folded) (here’s how to make your own so it matches your material)
Thread

Tools

Sewing machine
Walking foot (highly recommended if you’re sewing quilting stitches. This is the universal one I purchased for my Baby Lock, which is a different machine than what’s shown in the photos)
Hera marker (for marking quilting lines)(this is the one I use)
Ruler (for marking quilting lines)
Iron
Scissors
Pins or clips

Steps to sew a simple potholder

Step 1

Cut out a square in:

Top fabric
Bottom fabric
Thermal batting
Cotton batting

I cut my pieces to 9″ x 9″, slightly bigger than my finished potholder to account for shifting when adding quilting stitches. If you’re not adding quilting stitches, you can cut your pattern pieces to the finished size/shape.

You’ll also need 1/2″ double-fold bias tape.

Step 2

Layer your fabric and batting, wrong sides together.

Mark your quilting lines using a temporary fabric marker, chalk, or a hera marker, then stitch them.

Cut your potholder to the finished size/shape. Mine is 8″ x 8″ and I rounded the 3 corners.

Step 3

Open your bias tape and stitch it on starting at one end, sewing in the crease.

When you come back around to the start of your bias tape, fold the start of your bias tape toward you and sew right up to the edge of it.

Step 4

Cut the tail of your bias tape to 5″ long. Then with the edges folded in once, fold it back so right sides are together.

Then stitch along the end using a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Trim the seam allowance and cut the edges at an angle. Then turn the bias tape right side out.

Step 5

Flip your bias tape over to the other side of the potholder and make sure the folded edge just slightly covers the line of stitching. I like to press the bias tape into place, and then clip.