How to Make a Potholder - Learn to Sew Series

[@MelanieHam]

I hope you are all well and safe out there! Here is the next tutorial in the Learn to Sew series... a quilted potholder!

[@alexisdunstan3944]

Doing my best to keep safe. That was a good choice to put the reflective batting facing the back side of the pot holder. I believe it works by reflecting the heat back and since we would most likely use the pot holder pretty side up it would reflect the most heat towards the back side. Maybe even have it directly against the wrong side of the backing fabric. Great way to use scraps. I always have to hunt for a pot holder when I need one so it is handy have lots.

[@MelanieHam]

yes, exactly! They can be used as trivets too!

[@sharonskoda8003]

l.

[@faryabjaved8367]

Hey melanie. Im being direct here but can you teach us to make crocheted haramaki? It is worn around the waist and tummy for warmth and has benefits. I could not find a crochet tutorial for it. Your recent videos are about sewing so I was hoping we could get one about crochet some time in between. It is a request. So I would appreciate it if you felt like teaching us ^^. It is okay otherwise as well

[@MelanieHam]

@@faryabjaved8367 I don't have a haramaki on my crochet list at this point, but I have lots of crochet coming, don't worry!

[@marytsang1427]

I know Melanie is not with us anymore but so happy her family has kept all her videos up and allowing us to continue to learn from her. I hope she sees us all from heaven and is beaming from us enjoying her work.

[@kathypelter8779]

Me too❤️ I learned so much from this beautiful Young lady. Still refer to her videos. She was AMAZING Many prayers to her family

[@VTSherr]

I miss you so much, Melanie! Thank you to her family for keeping her page available for us to continue to learn!

[@CherylLeclaire]

I just started watching Melanie about a month ago and was so sad to learn she passed last year. Such a sweet girl... she will continue to teach me how to sew from heaven. thanks Melanie!

[@maryzac6357]

Thank you so much to Melanie's family for still keeping all her videos still.... Love all her tutorials... She is an amazing teacher... Now with Our Heavenly Father! Will miss her so so much...

[@SpamMusubi1226]

I like how you get right down to what you need and how to do it, without spending 10 minutes on the history of pot-holders, how your grandmother had all these potholders, how your mother learned how to make them and the mistakes she made, and so on and so on. Thank you for being so concise and yet very informative!

[@sandramitchell9423]

I am still learning from Melanie! Her videos are a wonderful legacy, and keeps her alive for all of us. Thank you.

[@trishtestrow3366]

I have been a self taught sewer, So I stayed limited in my sewing. I found Melanies tutorials and found her tutorials so easy to follow. I was saddened to learn of Melanies battle against Cancer. I thank her family for continuing her legacy to the Sewing world as she is a great teacher. My deepest sympathy to you all.

[@MarySparkle]

I so appreciate Melanie's many tutorials. Blessings to her family and much gratitude for keeping her videos up.

[@janalexakis4628]

Thank you to Melanie in heaven. I love this tutorial because she makes it so simple and easy to understand. Thank you to the family for keeping all her wonderful videos available!

[@tnmtnmorning1178]

I know you’re no longer on this side of eternity, but I still watch your tutorials. You’ve taught me to sew many things!! I made many of these potholders for Christmas gifts this year (2023). I even got an iron like yours from my husband for Christmas. I never paid attention to your iron until just now. Thanks Melanie!

[@chilipeprsandi]

I miss Melanie, but really enjoy referring back to her videos. She was so sweet. 😇💕💃🏻

[@marysuncin4302]

Nicely done. Thank you for continuing to share her work.

[@drstone688]

Missing Melanie. Thanks to her family for letting us still learn from her creativeness, kindness, and generosity.

[@kimberlykcmcrochet4489]

Thank You I am going to make this for my church who feeds freely once a week those who need meals. This is perfect. Bless You. ❤️

[@ajd8558]

We don't get that insulbright in my country so I use old cotton towels as batting - works perfectly to protect your hands from the heat.

[@terribishop5313]

I recently found you through crochet. You are an excellent teacher. I've been sewing for 50 years and have never made a simple hot pad I know hard to believe. Ty for your videos. I'm in the middle of a wave afghan, with the help of your video and pleasant voice it's gone really well. I sure wish my son would have married someone like you!!

[@carolg.6838]

That's a nice compliment to Melanie.

[@bonniebartlow5631]

I love you Melanie God bless you and your family. You help us crafters do a creation with skill and the know how. Thank you so much. For giving us the information you let us be successful with a creation of our idea. In the end we feel so successful, thank you for this great feeling. We can give the creation away or keep it.😊

[@nuriagiralt617]

I love it. Can't wait to make some. To reduce the shifting I quilt each line in opposite directions.

[@michelle.shackelford]

13:12 you have the cutest laugh ever! I also want to thank you for teaching me how to quilt. I've never sewn anything actually until I watched your video. Thank you thank you thank you! You teach so perfectly. I'll keep you in my prayers too.

[@HRHDMKYT]

Great video, thanks Melanie. Excellent idea to make the binding a little wider for the added thickness of the insul-brite heat resistant batting layer. This size (or placemat size) is great for practicing free-motion quilting. One suggestion for sewing down the binding to the front/top: For some coasters I made, I used a zig-zag stitch, being careful to catch the fold. I really like the look, and if you use the same colour thread as the binding you can’t really see it unless you look closely. I may just use it on my next quilt! Praying for you and your recovery ~ Diana K.

[@gabrielebroom383]

I was looking for a pot holder tutorial and ran across this video. I miss Melanie but I am thankful her family keeps her videos available for us. ❤

[@gabrielebroom383]

I noticed I wasn’t subscribed anymore I subscribed back.

[@preethykunthara6159]

Great tutorial! Sewing is my new hobby😊

[@tamekai9552]

Mine too!

[@Omg_hali]

Your explanation and your accent were very clear to some one doesn't speak English well .. thank you very much

[@ljgrow]

I absolutely love this tutorial to use up my fabric stash. I love your choice of fabrics the gray with the printed binding is so fresh and updated! Thanks for always posting such great tutorials!

[@KarensDayintheLife]

Loved this video. Several of your others taught me to I sew and make professional looking items in under 6 months.

[@andreacalkins1281]

New to quilting and I just finished my first baby quilt using your basic quilting tutorials! Now I just keep looking for MORE from you - such clear instructions! Thank you!

[@dccd673]

Sadly, she passed away not long ago. Hopefully they keep her videos up so more can still learn from her.

[@colleenzeglin4974]

I just whipped out 4 of them. They are so fun to make and the fabric to play with us so fun. I am using up good size pieces.

[@rachwilson2009]

Love this. I love your style of teaching. So easy to follow and not overly complicated for a beginner like myself 🤗

[@MelanieHam]

thank you!

[@cand2jays]

So I've done your facemask tutorial and also my first quilt tutorial. I've refound my love of sewing again and I thank you. Anyway I'm going to make a few of these to practice my stitches (being straight) so I can eventually tackle a quilt for my 5 yr old grandson so thank you for the encouragement in each video you do making mistakes aren't the end of the world.

[@bdelpesco]

That's the prettiest hot pad and pot holder I've ever seen!

[@MelanieHam]

Awe, thanks B.!

[@gracepatane9384]

Great tutorial! I love how you did the binding! I have to try this!! Thank You, Melanie! Stay safe & healthy!

[@katiehartmann7111]

Great tutorial, thank you! Very clear and concise for us beginners :) (And I love your second nail color!)

[@kimberlya1793]

Another fun one! Loving these learn to sew videos. Can't wait to make this too! I've been wanting to make potholders but they all looked so complicated. This looks perfect!

[@faymiller5392]

I'm going to give this a try. I tried making one earlier this year and couldn't quite get the right so now I know what to do. Thank You so much.

[@carolware1969]

Hi Melanie, thank you for teaching beginners,

[@dianemah2578]

Really miss your videos.. I still watch all of them just to remember you.

[@marciaoberdier7967]

You are very good at explaining directions. Good teacher, thanks.

[@bonecharm]

Excited to give this a go! I've been really enjoying this series as a beginner, thank you for making it!

[@MelanieHam]

So glad it's been helpful!

[@michellebird2212]

Thank you for, I sent this to my momma. She made most of our clothes growing up. Now she can see for fun.

[@renepellissier7308]

Love hearing her sweet voice. ❤

[@robynr]

It turned out so cute. I'm glad you uploaded it, need some good distractions. I like the fold over technique thats pretty cool.

[@MelanieHam]

I agree! Some fun ways to be productive and see a positive side of being home a bit more the next few weeks ;)

[@momgrandma5496]

Great way for a new quilter to start learning. Thanks Melanie.

[@barbarameehan113]

Thank you Melanie. I have been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing. Love your videos.

[@tamarahill873]

I’m excited to give this a try. It was a wonderful tutorial.

[@brendamoring5429]

Like the colors you used. Can't wait to make some. Great instructions. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed day.

[@MelanieHam]

glad it was helpful!

[@mariathompson9409]

Thank you for addressing the nail color change! 😂 Your video is just super! You found a fan here in Texas.

[@elin-ym5tv]

New to your channel- appreciate how clearly you explain and show each step. Also love your choices of fabric and style! Thank you!

[@ashmoney]

Hi Melanie! Great tutorial :) I’m wondering what the finished size of the potholder is..my sister wants a large custom size and I’m wondering how much to allow for seam allowance and shrinkage from the quilting? Thanks so much for all your work

[@DiVaIve]

Loving this series. Spring cleaning is just around the corner and I will be refreshing my kitchen with all my new makes! Thanks for the tutorials!

[@coleenluvscrochet3391]

So pretty I love it 💙💙💙

[@MelanieHam]

Thank you, Nicole!

[@coleenluvscrochet3391]

Melanie Ham you’re welcome I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you for teaching us. 😊

[@heniakozio5666]

Great video, thanks you so much is very helpful 😀 😊 👍

[@lilyryder4174]

I absolutely love you !! Amazing thank you!

[@kathrynbarker7967]

Excellent tutorial

[@christybartolic6037]

If using a walking foot should the fabric size that you decided to make smaller to allow for shifting be the same size as the backing?

[@emilyconyngham9277]

SO clear!!! Thank you.

[@kellykranz7652]

Thank you Melanie for the video. I'm going to make some pot pads. You did a great job! Happy sewing🌼🌼🌼

[@MelanieHam]

Happy Stitching!

[@brettepruitt8960]

I've been sewing since I was 5 (many decades ago) and I learned something new today. Good video.

[@angelynbenjamin6661]

Loved the tutorial and the fabric combination. Thanks for sharing. I get not so very neat binding on a circular hotpad. Could you please make a tutorial on it.

[@marilynmiddleton9088]

Wonderful 🌻

[@markwagner4909]

Are you using all cotton material and thread? I would think if you didn’t the potholder threads could melt from the heat of the pot. I don’t really know as I’m just getting started

[@MelanieHam]

great point! Yes, everything I used including the thread is 100% cotton.

[@Aviatrix14]

If you wanted to add a hanging loop, how would you do that? Thanks, nice video!

[@zinnialady5153]

Good tutorial. Thank you

[@Janice-mf4dn]

Great tutorial, thank you! 😊

[@mrsmean1496]

Awesome!

[@carmenstine3916]

Great videos!

[@ilovefredreika]

Very helpful.

[@leighhansen738]

Looks great Melanie. I’m just wondering if you have had issues with the wool pressing mat damaging your table underneath from the heat of the iron? The wood under mine has all lifted, so I’m wondering if I got a dud one, or if they all do that?

[@unicornfiber6189]

I think it’s because the heat and moisturizer still travels through the wool mat. I have one too and noticed right away wet spots under my mat. I stared using it on my ironing board because of the moisture getting through

[@yearofthecat9474]

I really like your videos, nice and close. So happy, made my first hot pad today and it turned out beautifully, thanks to YOU.

[@Mrsnecess]

What if we do not have heat layer? Can we substitute something else?

[@jafallica]

Great video Melanie. Do you have instructions on making a glove pot holder?

[@MelanieHam]

no, not as of now

[@phyllispalmer9172]

What kind of fabric did you use for the top and backing? I’m looking for something like this to match into an older quilt top.

[@amberm4181]

Nice! Thanks Melanie.

[@maureenmiddleton1450]

Great video! Have you tried this on the serger?

[@cherylcarnes4207]

Nice!

[@nieyzha82]

Can u list in detail that material used?

[@kezerl]

Can I use tacky adhesive on the pot holders?

[@silas-lee]

Great video. What fabric is that FQ used for binding? Very cool.

[@MelanieHam]

It's from Cloud9 fabrics, the Good Vibrations line ;)

[@Jc-ts4op]

thank you😻💅💅

[@carolynmeehan711]

My machine is a Kenmore. It doesn’t have 3.5 stitch lengths. Lists stitches per inch. Can you assist here? Thanks.

[@MaLu-nz7fy]

Very nice 😊🥰👍

[@sherinehill9586]

Thank you

[@susans7091]

Are there certain fabrics that we should Not use for hotpads?

[@kima.6611]

Sorry to be the bearer of sad news, but Melanie passed away in January from cancer. Wish I could answer your question. Me, I would stick to cotton fabrics. Hopefully someone can answer your question better.

[@KittenBowl1]

You should avoid any synthetic materials as they would melt. You can use heavy cotton, Oxford fabric (thick cotton) is a great fabric as it’s thicker but easy to sew and quite durable, thicker linen, or even a blend of cotton linen or cotton wool if you have left over fabrics. Just don’t use polyester, nylon, anything that melts.

[@byronchandler5000]

What a nice potholder, Melanie.

[@jafallica]

Byron Chandler do you sew?

[@andreaf5765]

Is buying that iron worry the money? I quilt and sew a decent amount. Just afraid to make the leap.

[@MelanieHam]

yes, I love it. It is spendy though. My favorite part is the workflow of not having to constantly pick up and place the iron on it's end.

[@LaurieEggleston37]

Hi Melanie. This is great! Did you use Insul-Bright or a different type of thermal batting?

[@MelanieHam]

I used insul-fleece ;)

[@Sophie_kent]

Where can buy the heat resistant. ?

[@ShaynaKrause]

This looks like a high quality house warming gift.

[@judykennedy165]

How wide is your strip?

[@teresaelder]

I sure miss you Melanie. 😢

[@mostafafarshad1714]

🙏🙏🙏

[@tammydye1902]

Have you or can you sew a sewing machine cover?

[@catherinevallier9310]

Size needle? Type of thread/size?

[@CLW4949]

Evidently you are not supposed to start sewing the binding at a corner. I did not figure that out until I sewed all around and then couldn't figure out what to do with the two ends at a corner.

[@ddistherapy3390]

You said the thermal batting name would be in the description. Am I missing it? Help please.

[@MelanieHam]

sorry about that I linked it in the blog post but forgot here, I added it ;) It's called insul-fleece

[@arthursantos1854]

Rest In Peace

[@canadeeana]

Insulbrite or Insulbright either one ...

[@csa34]

Bookmark 1:34

[@sophiamelvin233]

Can you please make more crochet

[@darleneappleman3911]

Ive got a walking foot

[@preciousbabygirl8711]

What caused her death does anybody know? May she RIP