01_ZW Potholder Tutorial

As mentioned in my very first post on this page, I have developed a new mini pattern! The Zero Waste Potholder is a low stakes trial at making something simple and sustainable. If you combine it with wild prints and colors you can make it a really special project.

The mini Riso-zine I developed for this project is available here: RISO-ZINE 01 Unfortunately I didn’t get it done before February, so my monthly zine schedule is already off calendar! Oh well.

100% woven cotton:

• (2) 8” squares

• (2) 7” squares

• Minimum 60” of 1” bias tape (I made mine using the continuous bias method, you can find a tutorial here)

100% cotton batting:

• (1) 8” square

• (1) 7” square

When making a lot of these, I cut strips off the bolt in 8” and 7”, then combine any end pieces together to make sure every piece is used. It’s a quilting hybrid project at times.

Sandwich your 8” squares and 7” squares together with right sides facing out

Experiment with stitch patterns & distances as you go! I chose to do a standard 1” straight stitch, one parallel to the edge and one on the bias. The lines aren’t perfect, don’t come for me.

Cut your 7” square in half along the bias line and flip one side over to see the other pattern.

Finish the bias edges of the 7” square that you just cut with your bias tape.

Layer your 7” pieces on top of your 8” piece. Align the outside corners, leaving a gap in the middle.

Start your bias tape in the middle of a side. Fold back approximately 1 cm of your bias tape to make a clean edge before stitching. Stop your stitch 1 seam allowance away from the corner to allow for mitering.

At this point I also added a little bias tape loop in the corner, approximately 4” in length.

Continue your binding all the way around your edges, finishing a few cm past where you started.

I fold over my bias tape and pin before doing my final stitching. I use the “stitch in the ditch” method and want to make sure the bias tape will get caught when I complete my final stitching.

And Voila! You have your completed Zero Waste Potholder.

I hope you enjoy this project, show me your fun outcomes!

<3 Danielle