Fancy Folded Star Pot Holder Revisited

A few years ago I saw this potholder tutorial on Moda Bake Shop and I gave it a go. I was experimenting with different shapes and this is my square version. You can read my previous post here and here.       

I want to experiment this potholder a bit more, and I thought it will also be a great housewarming gift for my colleague. The potholder on the left is the same as what I have made before. Using only solids and 4 colorways, where each color is folded twice consecutively. Using only solids are great the shape of the star is sharp and you can see each layer clearly.  

















This potholder on the left is my favorite and it was fun auditioning different color fabrics in my stash! I would not recommend using your scrap fabrics for this project, as it does require about half of a fat quarter to make up one layer of the star. Therefore to make 2 layers using the same fabric will require 1 fat quarter, and possibly more if you need to cut the fabric in certain direction.  

It is made using 8 colorways, going from lighter colors to the dark orange. The last layer (which is grey in this instance) should always be the background fabric that intended to frame the star.

Next potholder I experiment with print fabrics. I did add a few layers of solids as I find it too busy using all prints. For the last 2 layers I chose solids so the outline of the star is more defined and your eyes are not distracted from the busy background print.

In the first (or the center) layer I also tried alternate the white and hot pink solid to see what it will be like when I folded the fabric. It looked like arrows or hearts and I think it worked well here. 

I would definitely experiment the alternating colorways more in depth next time. I am curious what it will look like if I lay it out for the rest of the other 6 layers!   

For this potholder I chosen my colleague's favorite color purple, coordinate with a layer of yellow and grey fabric. What I really wanted to tried here is to experiment with strip fabric for this project. I intentionally cut the fabric so the strip is shown vertically.    

I have to say the best part about this project is finding out what it will actually look like but only at the end. Especially when solids mixes with different print fabric it's hard to envision what the end product will look like. I have played with different orientation and the layering sequence of the fabrics for hours and it was so much fun. It is very additive! 

I have already given the above set for my colleague and she really liked it. Positive response is always welcome and it definitely puts a smile on my face. I have also made her a new apron using my cherry blossom print, and she liked that too. Yay!






Thank you for reading,
Erica.

Potholders

Happy New Year readers!!

Last month I really wanted to post another entry but end of year is just crazy busy and I never get around to do it. I was rushing to organise everyone's Christmas presents and other bits and pieces sorted as I am flying off to Adelaide on the 18th of December --- a holiday that I really needed, but pressure was building as I had much to do. Oh well, but these are what I had made.

Potholder!!

It is so much fun making hotpot holder! Not only it's a good way to destash your fabric but it's even better to use up the left over batting, which I will talk about later. For this round hotpot holder it's entirely made by leftover jelly rolls, even for the binding and the loop. I had enough left to make a hexagon one as well, which was inspired by the quilt that I have made with this jelly roll back in 2012 (as shown below).

My favourite are these Spring Pinwheel Potholder using this free tutorial from Schlosser Design. It is such a clever design and really easy to make. I love the 3 dimensional pinwheel and the use of curve quilting line on the back to give it a sense of movement. It was hard to part with them but to see the joy on the receiver's face was even more satisfying!

I think there is potential to make the 3D pinwheel into a cute baby quilt.

Now let's talk about the batting for potholders. Although it's a good way to use up the leftover batting I prefer to add at least one layer of Insul-Bright with 2 layers of normal batting. Insul-Bright is a type of batting which consist of hollow, polyester fibers that on the shinier side it reflects the radiating hot or cold energy back to it source.

Depending on how you will use your potholder, you might be able to get away with using only 3-4 layers of normal batting but if you are making a mitton or using it to pick up dishes straight from the oven I would strongly suggest 2 layers of Insul-Bright to reflect the heat properly. Insul-Bright is a great product that gives your potholder a proper functionality and making it a fantastic hand made gift.

Simply Retro Quilt Along!!

A few weeks ago I have stumbled across Janaina's blog and she's hosting a quilt along through Camille Roskelley's latest book Simply Retro. 

I have bought many quilting books in the past and Simply Retro is one of those rare ones where I like each and every one of the patterns in the book. The simple and clean look will suit any family home decor. So this quilt along is a great opportunity to push myself to just do that --- make all of the quilts in Camille's book! I am a little late to the game so I actually missed the first 2 but I have completed the 3rd pattern in the book which is called Baby Love.  

Baby Love is a small quilt about 36 by 36 inches. It's a good size for a baby's play mat/quilt and I use Moda's Apple Jack which gives it a bright and happy tone. As for the back I use some of the left over fabric from Apple Jack mixes Amy butler's Midwest Modern Martini.

  

I have also made these folded star pot holder a while back. Using the tutorial from Moda Bake Shop. It was fun playing with colors, as I am sure I will make some as Christmas present at the end of the year.