How To Sew Hot Pot Lid Holders To Sell (free pattern)
These pot holders are the perfect size for the lid or handle of a hot pot.
I like their size because you don’t have any extra material getting in the way, and it sits on your lid as you have it set aside (previously, I used a tea towel to grab a hot lid when stirring soup and was always worried about it getting a little too close to the element).
This pattern is a little different than others:
- Shape – Most pot lid holders are cone-shaped. I made these a little wider than the cones and rounded out the top.
- Edges – I use bias tape to finish the edges. I prefer this technique because it looks more polished (which is ideal when selling) and it reduces bulk in the seams.
- Skillet handle – I’ve also created a free printable pattern for a skillet handle. You can find the written instructions here: How To Sew a Skillet Handle Cover To Sell (free pattern). The pot lid holder is big enough to grab a hot handle on a pot or cast-iron pan, so the skillet handle can work with it to create a handy set.
Sewing cone pot pinchers to sell
These are a great item to add to your product line if you’re selling table or kitchen linens.
- Profitable – these are quick to make and can be made from scraps of fabric and batting.
- Add-on – their lower price point makes them a perfect add-on product. Sell them in materials that match or coordinate with hot pads, pot holders, oven mitts, bowl cozies, etc.
- Sets – I would sell these in sets of two because they work great for pot lids and handles. You could also sell a set of a pot lid holder and a skillet handle cover.
You’ll find more information at the bottom of this article on pricing and getting set up for success when sewing these to sell.
Materials
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- Fabric – a natural fibre such as cotton or linen is ideal
- Thermal batting (a heat-resistant batting such as Insul-Bright is ideal. Alternatively, you can use two or three layers of a regular cotton batting but I would suggest using temporary fabric glue or a basting stitch to secure the layers together so they’re easier to sew)
- Bias tape (you can make your own, here’s how: How To Make Bias Tape)
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Walking foot (I recommend using one when working with batting)
- Pins or clips
- Iron
- Scissors
How to sew a hot pot lid holder
Step 1
Print your free pattern and cut it out.
Press your fabric (don’t press your batting) before cutting to ensure your cuts are accurate.
You’ll need:
- Outer & lining – cut 4 pieces
- Batting – cut 2 pieces
- Bias tape – approximately 14”
Step 2
Place your two top pieces with right sides together and centre your batting on the wrong sides.
Sew along the curved edge, about 1/8” inside the batting, to just catch it as you sew.
Press the seam open, then trim the seam allowance.
Turn right side out.
Step 3
Place your two lining pieces with right sides together.
Center your batting pattern on the back of an outer piece and use a temporary fabric pen to trace around it.
This will make it easy to get a consistent seam allowance.
You should stitch about 1/8” inside this line (just as you did when sewing the batting to the lining).
Press the seam open.
Trim the excess fabric around your seams.
Step 4
Nest the lining into the outer piece.
Trim excess material off the bottom of the lining so it lines up with the outer’s bottom edge.
Step 5
Sew the first side of the bias tape to the outside of the pot lid holder.
Follow the directions below to join the two ends.
Step 6
Flip the pot lid holder inside out and fold the bias tape over to cover the line of stitching and clip into place.
Sew the second side of the bias tape into place.
I stitch from the outside of the pot lid holder (rather than the lining side), sewing about 1/8” in from the inside folded edge of the bias tape, checking the other side as you go, making sure the bias tape is covering the stitching.
Flip the hot pot lid holder right side out and gently press to remove any creases.
Now it’s time to sell your pot lid holders!
If you’re planning to sell these mini pot holders at craft shows or online, there are a few things to determine first.
1 – Pricing
First, you must ensure you can profit.
Using this pattern, pricing based on the sourcing below, and the basic pricing formula (Production costs x 2 = Wholesale price x 2 = Retail price), I would calculate the following:
- Cotton – $4.99/yard
- Heat-resistant batting – $6.99/yard
- Bias tape (made from cotton @ $4.99/yard) = $0.25/yard
Material costs for one hot pot lid holder
Cotton = $0.24/holder (I can make 21 from one yard that’s 44″ wide)
Batting = $0.12/holder (I can make 56 from one yard that’s 44″ wide)
Bias tape = $0.10/holder
Total = $0.46
Wages = $15/hour
When making these in bulk, I could probably create 8/hour
Production wages = $1.88/holder
Total production costs = $2.34
Pricing Calculation
$2.34 x 2 = $4.68 (wholesale price) x 2 = $9.36 (retail price)
Pricing these at $9.36 per holder would cover my costs, wages, and provide profits.
Keep in mind, you can likely make these from scraps of fabric that you’d otherwise throw out. So I would reduce that price slightly, especially when selling them as a set.
For example, I might charge $8/pot lid holder or $15 for a set of 2 pot lid holders.
I could also reduce the price by skipping the bias tape and closing in the bottom hem by placing the outer piece and lining right sides together, sewing along the hem and leaving a 3″ opening to flip it right side out. Then top stitch around the bottom hem to close the opening.
2 – Additional Products
To have an Etsy shop or craft show booth and to encourage multi-item sales and repeat customers, you’ll need to sell more than just pot lid holders.
It’s important to choose products that are in the same category/subcategory; items a customer would likely use together. For example, when using a hot pot lid holder, someone may also need a tea towel or hot pad to set the hot pot onto. Here are a few ideas:
- Skillet handle cover (I would sell the lid holder with the skillet handle cover, as a set)
- Oven mitts
- Pot holders
- Hot pads
- Casserole cozy
- Bowl cozy (for when they need to reheat the food from the pot)
- Tea towels
Follow the links for free printable patterns and instructions to make.
Check out this article: Product Line Glossary to ensure you’re building a well-rounded product line.
3 – Stand Out
When building a brand and developing a product line, you must consider how you’ll stand out from the competition.
Most of the hot pot lid holders on the market are cone-shaped, so if you use this free pattern, it will be a little more unique. They also tend to be made from colorful fabrics and bold patterns; not necessarily matching in a set.
So if I were building a product line around these pot lid holders, or incorporating them into an existing product line, I would consider the popular home decor styles and choose colors and patterns that would work with a customer’s existing decor. For example:
- French country
- Modern Farmhouse
- Scandinavian
- Etc.
I would choose a style to focus on, then choose fabric colors and prints to fit with that decor style.
For example, if I chose Modern Farmhouse, I would stick to:
- Neutral colors (black, grey, white, beige, cream)
- Stripes, plaids, gingham, chevron, floral prints
Find more details on making your business stand out here.
If you can profit, build a product line, and find a way to stand out, you have a good start to a business.
Then you can look into the steps you must take in your area to get your business set up and start selling at local craft shows or online.
