Monday, August 9, 2010

Jean Pocket Pot Holder Tutorial

Remember that tutorial I promised you.... well I am finally getting around to writing it for you :) So grab your supplies and get ready for a simple, fun and useful project!

You will need:
1 pair used jeans
cotton batting (is best, but not essential)
contrasting fabric
measuring straight edge
sewing supplies (thread, scissors, pins, machine, ect.)
Step 1
Using the straight edge, draw around the pocket of the jeans. I try to make the finished square a "normal" size, I don't like thinking too hard while sewing, so I stay to whole or 1/4 inches..

Step 2
Now we are going to cut those pockets out on the line. Just like in grade school!

Step 3
Time to size out the contrasting fabric. You are going to cut a piece of the contrasting fabric the same width, but add 4 inches to the length.


Step 4
With the right sides together, pin the edge of the contrasting fabric to the top edge of the pocket (where the opening is).

Step 5
Now you are going to stitch right NEXT to the opening of the pocket. I use my zipper foot to get right up there NEXT to the opening WITHOUT stitching it shut. Don't forget to back stitch on both sides.

Step 6
After pressing the seam you just stitched flat, you are going to match up the bottom edges of the contrasting fabric and the pocket with the RIGHT sides together. This will give you a nice boarder across the top edge.

Step 7
(Okay, I did forget the detailed picture of this step... sorry!)
In this step we are going to create the insulation to protect your hands while using these pot holders. I like to lay the folded piece from step 6 on the extra denim. My favorite combo is 2 pieces of denim with a piece of cotton batting in the middle, but you can use 4 layers of denim instead of the cotton batting. (NEVER use polyester batting, it melts!)

Next we are going to make a pot holder sandwich. On the table top you lay one piece of denim insulation, with one piece of cotton batting on top of it, then another piece of denim, topped by the contrast/pocket piece with the contrast fabric facing down. Pin a few spots to hold together.


Step 8
Next you are going to sew around the edge of the sandwich. Again, I like to use my zipper foot to get nice and close to the edge and have a nice finish. Start at the top folded edge, sew down the whole side, across the bottom and about half way up the other side. Make sure you leave yourself enough room to turn the whole thing right side out, these are thick fabrics!

Once you finish stitching this is what it should look like.

Step 9
Trim the seam allowance down to about 1/4 inch all the way around.

Step 10
Turn right side out.
Step 11
(This is Faline's torture step! Every joint project with her has one of those. A great concept idea that is hell to execute! But it's cute..) You pick off one of the belt loops from the jeans and sew it on the corner of the pot holder for a hanging loop.

Step 12
Finally, you hand sew the turning point shut for a nice finished look.


Tada!! Super cute, super easy Jean Pocket Pot Holders!

Have so much fun!!!!

3 comments:

Sandra Toro said...

it's a great idea!!!!

Deborah Miller said...

I love this idea. I have a huge pile of old jeans that I plan to cut up for a quilt, so I have plenty of pockets to make these with. I'm very excited to go make them. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love the jean pot holder idea!. Now I need to make some :) Thanks for the tutorial.