I love to bake, and since I was trying to determine some projects for our 30 Day Challenge to craft with craft supplies, we have on hand. I decided to treat myself to a pretty folded star potholder. This project is excellent for using up fabrics from your stash, and it’s really fun to make. If you’ve never tried this folding technique before, you’re in for a treat. The finished product is terrific and makes a great addition to any kitchen. It’s also an excellent gift for anyone who loves to cook.
This blog post will show you how to make your own folded star potholder or trivet using some basic materials and tools. So gather up your supplies, and let’s get started! I used some fat quarters on hand for this fun project.
Supplies
- Fabric – I used 5 Fat Quarters for my potholders.
- 100% Cotton Batting
- Rotary Cutter
- A ruler or measuring tape
- Fabric Pen
- Fabric Glue
- Scissors
- Pins or clips (optional)
- Sewing Machine
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Excited to get started on this project? Check out the video tutorial below or follow the step-by-step instructions! You choose how you want to learn to do this project! The video tutorial is excellent for those who want to see the project come together, and the step-by-step instructions are perfect for those who want a more detailed look at each component. Either way, you’ll be able to create this project with ease! So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Step One -Cut Fabric
I picked out 5 fabric patterns that I like and cut out the following size squares:
- 1 Fabric ~ 4 x 3″, 4″ x 5″
- 2 Fabric ~8 x 3.5″
- 3 Fabric ~ 8″ x 4″
- 4 Fabric ~ 8″ x 4.5″
- 5 Fabric ~ 4″x3.5″
- Scrap Fabric 10″x10″
- 100% Cotton Batting 10″x10″
- Back Fabric 10″x10″
- 34” x 2” Fabric for Binding
Step Two – Mark Diagram
Now that you’ve gathered all squares cut out, it’s time to get started! Begin by laying out the scrap pieces of fabric on a flat surface. Using a ruler, draw a line diagonally from each corner and at the center of each side to make a cross. This will help you align the pieces correctly when you start laying them out.
Now that we have the initial lines drawn out, we can start making marks for our folded stars! Starting from the center of the square, we’re going to make a mark at 1 1/2” intervals on each line. We’ll put a mark at 1 1/2” from the center, and then another mark at 3/4” after that. We’ll continue making marks until we reach the end of the square. Then we’ll do the same thing on each of the other lines on the square. Once we have all of our marks made, we’ll be ready to start laying out our star!
Step Three – Folding Star Points
Now that we have all of our marks made, it’s time to start folding! We will do the same fold for each small square we cut in step 1. First, hold the square in half and press. Then fold at each rectangle end to form a triangle and press. This will create a neat little triangle that will make the points of our star. Continue folding and pressing until you have created a triangle for each small square.
Step Four – Layout the Star
Now that we have all of our triangles pressed, it’s time to start out our star! Begin at the center. Then take two of your 3” triangles and line up the lines. The points of the triangle should be facing outwards from the center. Once you have the two triangles lined up, glue or sew them in place. I used glue to tack my piece in place. Next, add the other two 3” triangles using the same method.
Repeat this process with the 3.5” triangles. Lay the next layer of triangles on top of the 3’ triangles. Line them up with the center points of the 3” triangles center and the mark on the line. This will ensure that your stars of spaced the same distance.
After you have the first four triangles placed down, you will add the other 3.5” triangles in each corner. Glue each triangle down as you go. Follow the same steps for each size of the triangle.
Step Five – Stitch in the Ditch
After all of your triangles are glued in place, it’s time to stitch through the star! This is a simple process of stitching in the ditch. But first, you want to grab the 10” square of the back piece of the potholder and lay it in front of you with the wrong side facing up, then lay the batting on top of the back piece. Then lay the top section on top and secure it with clips or pins.
Now let’s stitch in the ditch! This means that you will sew along each folded part that divides each triangle. I used my sewing machine and a coordinating thread to do this. You will sew in the ditch diagonally for each corner and down the middle.
Step Six – Trim Potholder
After you’ve stitched in the ditch, it’s time to trim away any excess fabric or batting. You want to make sure you leave a little bit of seam allowance so that your potholder doesn’t fall apart. I trimmed mine down to about an inch on each side.
Step Seven – Add Binding
To finish off your folded star potholder or trivet, you must add some binding. I used a coordinating bias binding for mine. You can either make your own or use store-bought.
To attach the binding, start by folding it in half and press. Then open it back up and line up the raw edges with the raw edge of your potholder. Clip or pin the binding to each of the potholders. Sew the binding to the potholder using a quarter-inch seam allowance.
Fold the binding over to the backside and press. Then sew it in place using a quarter-inch seam allowance or less. You want to make sure that you catch all of the layers to secure your binding.
There you have it! Your very own folded star potholder or trivet! This is an excellent project for using up scraps of fabric and batting. It’s also a quick and easy project that can be completed in an afternoon. So grab your supplies and get started!
If this project inspired you, then check out some of my other projects for more inspiration!
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1 comment
[…] Making a Potholder is a fun and rewarding project that can easily liven up any home! For the more adventurous homemakers, creating the folded star Potholder or Trivet is the perfect challenge. Not only does it add a unique flair to your kitchen decor, but it also serves as an effective way to protect tables and counters from hot dishes. The Potholder involves folding layers of fabric into distinct segments and sewing them together properly so that it can be placed on surfaces without slipping or flipping. With some patience and skill, you’ll be wowing family and friends with this creative Potholder in no time! […]