The story of how I came to make two sets of pot holders this Saturday afternoon.
I am not a sewer; yes I can sew on a button, make a hem, enjoy a little hand sewing, but am not a machinist. I usually have to get out the instruction manual for 15 year old Singer 7463 to check on how to use the machine. More and more I have been watching demonstrations on line, and this year I joined a group set up within my WI to help us novices get to know our way around our sewing machines and tackle a small project.
After the summer break, I had no idea what to make, and suddenly necessity came to my aid. I am a knitter, and really enjoy that craft. However the cotton threads of the first set of pan holders I made in 2008 were beginning to fray, and not really fit to hold hot dishes or bread tins from the oven. The second set made in 2014 are in better condition. Considering each set is washed fortnightly they have lasted well.
First I went through my stash of cotton yarn, and didn't have sufficient to knit a pair. I was on the point of ordering some double knit cotton, when I had a lightbulb moment: I might be able to sew some. I went on line and found a good tutorial.
Easy Pot holders with Carmen Geddes
Having watched that, I knew I had some heat resistant batting which I bought over 10 years ago, and of course I had some left over fabric from some of the sewing projects I was tutored through by the wonderful Kay at the Kenilworth WI weekly sewing group.
I never quite got into patchwork, although have tried, and in this instance I thought to bypass making a patchwork side and just use fabric on the theme of green to match accessories in the kitchen. I had fabric left over in sufficient quantity from making my Pen Roll for my calligraphy pens and brushes.
I haven't even opened the boxes with the stash of fabrics or sewing things for some time, and to my amazement came across a few trial patchwork pieces that I had made up at a county WI workshop in Warwick. So the potholders would be made as per the video after all.
I had a few problems with thread bunching up on the bottom of the fabric, a couple of broken needles etc, but I remained patient. I was quite pleased with the effect of sewing in the valleys type of straight quilting.
I am learning about different sizes of needles and which to use for different fabrics etc. I was meant to keep this as a project to do when we meet up, but I was on a roll, and just got on with finished two sets yesterday. Today one set was used and I am delighted with them. Whilst I cooking I can use the drawer knob to hang them from, but after that I prefer to put them away in the drawer.
It would have taken me several weeks to knit two sets, so all in all, these are excellent use of existing material and time.
There is probably a few years left in the newest of the knitted pot holders, so they will continue in service for a while.
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| Using the old pot holders to guage the size |
Now I need to understand more about needles and order some more. It was interesting to read the price on the ones I bought years ago, with hand written price and those available now!
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