Quilt-Related Project: Potholder!?????!!???

Potholder Wannabe
Well, Sunday started like any other day; rushed and hectic. I had an interview and review slated for Monday, however, the information I needed from my resource is still not here (and it’s 9 pm). So, I reluctantly decided that I needed to whip up a quickie project as a filler and this is it!
All of the necessary supplies for this project include: Basic sewing tools, a photo printed on fabric, 1.5″ strips of a contrasting fabric to “frame” the photo, a piece of backing fabric (large enough to accomodate the photo with frame), a piece of insulated batting (about the same size as the backing fabric), 2.5″ strips of a contrasting fabric to be used as the binding, and approximately 4-6″ of rick-rack trim.

Begin sewing the 1.5″ strips to the top and bottom of the potholder, then sew the side strips on. Be sure to press after sewing each strip on, away from the photo.
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Layer the potholder, placing the backing right side down (facing the counter or flat surface you are working on) down first, followed by the insulated batting, and finally, the photo top piece.

Using a decorative stitch, quilt the layers together. It is best to begin quilting within the photo first. For instance, I quilted around the three sides of the “photo frame” in the picture that are on the left, right, and top. This anchors the center of the potholder. It is not a good idea to quilt over faces.
At this point, it is time to use the 2.5″ strips to attach the binding. You would be sure to fold the rick-rack and sew it when you sew on the binding, too. After you are finished, either sign or label the back.

”What?”, you say? “Where is the finished photo?” Well, to make a long story short, absolutely nothing went as planned in this project because I was in a hurry and my heart was not in it. I actually made quite a few of these for Christmas gifts last year and gave them to all of my aunts. They were the hit of our reunion! However, you can tell from the final photo shown on the right exactly how frustrating tonight’s project has been for me! I printed off the photo four (4) times before I got a good print! Then, I ruined the first one I began when my thread really, really messed up during the decorative quilting stage (actually, just a couple of minutes after the photo above of me sewing the stitch!). So, I began another one, using my second best printed photo and it turned out worse than the first. What a major fiasco!
Someday, I will tackle this again, when I want to… and not when I need to come up with something at the last minute! I will provide you with accurate instructions and good photographs, and above all, the finished project! Ironically, I have searched my laptop over and cannot find the photographs of the ones I have already made. I am sure I will run across them when I no longer have a need for them!
It was just not a good day for me to sew. I promise, I really can sew and quilt. Just not today!!! Do you ever do this?????
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Original article first published by Terry Crawford.
quilting, quilts, Quilting By Design, Quilting Passion
June 4th, 2007 at 1:10 am
LOL! Been there, done that and the worse part is that I’ve had plenty of those ugly days! hmmmm….come to think about it…twas just yesterday! =)
June 4th, 2007 at 1:21 am
LOL! I was so afraid that I’d be the only one to go that far. I swear, that rotary cutter was just laying there and it jumped in my hands before I knew it and went to whacking. It was a very good feeling!
June 4th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Oh Terry, I’ve had days like that too. When nothing went to plan and you feel like “why did I even bother”. At least you were able to vent your frustrations!
Thanks for sharing the picture of your destroyed potholder attempt, it puts a spin of humor on an otherwise frustrating situation!
June 4th, 2007 at 1:34 am
By the time I got to that point, I needed some humor! My biggest regret is ruining the gorgeous blue snowman batik!!!!
June 4th, 2007 at 1:45 am
Yes, that is a shame. Well, just think… all the Christmas fabrics will be coming out soon so hopefully you’ll be able to replace it, or maybe you’ll find something you love even more!!
June 4th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Add my “LOL’s” to this, too. When I am having one of those days, I have learned to just walk away, do something else and come back to it later. Many of us can empathize with you and your poor snowman!!!
June 4th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
One more LOL - it sounds all to familiar. I don’t think I have cut something into smithereens, more likely I’ve taken it straight to the trash can. I can certainly feel for the loss of the batik and readily identify with those days in which sewing is not a safe thing to do.
June 4th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
My goodness, I have never cut up a disaster but my trash can would certainly recognize it. Will try that stress buster next time.