Mother’s Day is just around the corner. A perfect time to plan out a gift that can add a little color to the kitchen! Today I am sharing a beginner-friendly idea from We All Sew to show you how to make log cabin pot holders.  A fantastic introduction to quilting!

How to Make a Log Cabin Pot Holder

Featured on We All Sew

If you love the Log Cabin technique as much as I do, you will have a lot of fun making this project.

For the pot holders, you will be using Fat Eighth’s for all fabrics:

  • Fabric A  IFL-56304 — Fat 8
  • Fabric B  PE-518 — Fat 8
  • Fabric C  IBH-74210 — Fat 8
  • Fabric D  DSE-719 — Fat 8
  • Fabric E  NUC-21986 — Fat 8
  • Fabric F  DEN-S-2006 — Fat 8
  • Fabric G  NUC-21980 — Fat 8
  • Backing Fabric: Fabric A and B (included)

Additional Materials to Sew Pot Holders:

  • Two (2) 8 1/2” x 8 1/2” squares of batting
  • Coordinating quilting thread
  • Reverse Pattern foot #1D

Cutting Direction:

  • Two (2) 2 1/2’’ squares from fabric A.
  • One (1) 7 1/2” square from fabric A (Backing).
  • Two (2) 2 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ rectangles from fabric B.
  • Two (2) 3 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ rectangles from fabric B.
  • Two (2) 3 1/2” x 3” rectangles from fabric B (Loops).
  • One (1) 7 1/2” square from fabric B (Backing).
  • Two (2) 3 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ rectangles from fabric C.
  • Two (2) 4 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ rectangles from fabric C.
  • Two (2) 4 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ rectangles from fabric D.
  • Two (2) 5 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ rectangles from fabric D.
  • Two (2) 5 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ rectangles from fabric E.
  • Two (2) 6 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ rectangles from fabric E.
  • Two (2) 6 1/2’’ x 1’’ rectangles from fabric F.
  • Two (2) 7’’ x 1’’ rectangles from fabric F.
  • Two (2) 7‘’ x 1’’ rectangles from fabric G.
  • Two (2) 7 1/2‘’ x 1’’ rectangles from fabric G.

Instructions to Sew Pot Holders:

The log cabin is constructed using strips, perhaps the most well-known, best-loved of all quilt designs. It’s simple enough for a beginner quilter to confidently stitch. Below is a diagram of the order for the fabric placement.

Let’s start by taking one (1) 2 1/2” square from fabric A, which will be your center piece, and one (1) 2 1/2” x 1 1/2” strip from fabric B and sew at a 1/4” seam allowance.

Continue with the next strip which is 3 1/2” x 1 1/2” rectangle from fabric B.

Continue joining the strips using the diagram as your guide.

Make sure to always press your seams after each strip assembly.

Once you assemble your log cabin block, place an 8 1/2” x 8 1/2” batting square on the wrong side of the fabric.

Set your piece aside.

Pot Holders

To create the pot holder loop, take one (1) 3 1/2” x 2” rectangle and fold it in half lengthwise to create a crease in the center.

Then, open the strip and fold the edges towards the center crease. Fold the folded edges.

Stitch right on the edge and then sew at the other side of the handle piece. Using the Reverse pattern foot #1D, I was able to make a perfect stitch line.

Place the pot holder loop on the right corner in front of the log cabin piece.

Pot Holders

Then, place your backing fabric on top of the log cabin, right sides facing, and pin all four pieces together.

Sew around the edges at a 1/4” seam allowance leaving about 3”-4” of opening.

Pot Holders

Trim the batting making sure to leave the 1/4” seam allowance and trim the corners.  This will reduce the bulk and you’ll end up with neat corners.

Turn your piece inside out and stitch the opening close.

Now, to hold the layers together, quilt your pot holder. I decided to pick a couple of decorative stitches with a lovely message for my mother. I chose #1514 and also picked #137, I did a straight stitch from corner to corner, backstitching at the beginning and end, and finally an edge stitch around.

This was my result, hope you like it!

Pot Holders

Repeat the same instructions for the second pot holder. Now you have a beautiful gift set of pot holders for mom.

Happy Mother’s Day!!

Pot Holders

For more sewing inspiration, visit one of our favorite blogs: We All Sew.

Joan Mantini

About Joan Mantini

After several years of being the Facebook page owner at Beginner Sewing, I noticed there was a desperate need to have a single go-to spot for members to be able to find answers to their common questions, get some useful tips & tricks, as well as find reputable places to purchase sewing products online. Taking my role as a trade publication editor by day, and combining it with my knowledge of frequently requested beginner sewing advice, I created www.https://beginner-sewing.com/. An outlet that gives new sewists a free digital magazine geared for entry level sewing as an extra bonus!

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