How to make a pot holder

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one pot holder)

• Main fabric (cotton or linen, 100% natural fiber) — about 25 × 25 cm (10 × 10 in)
• Backing fabric — the same amount
• Heavy cotton batting — about 25 × 25 cm (10 × 10 in)
• Fabric for the loop — about 5 × 12 cm (2 × 5 in)

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Pot holder” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the side length, corner radius, loop length and loop cut width. Presets cover small, standard and large.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the body including the corner radius, and the loop strip.
2. Cut
   Cut one main, one backing, one batting and one loop.
3. Check the fibers
   Fabric and batting must both be 100% cotton. Polyester melts against a hot pan.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the loop

1. Fold the loop strip in quarters lengthwise and topstitch both long edges.
2. Fold it in half to form a loop.

4-2. Layer and sew

1. Stack batting, then backing right side up, then main fabric right side down.
2. Slip the loop into one corner between the main and backing layers, with the loop pointing inward.
3. Sew all the way around, leaving an 8 cm (3 in) gap.

4-3. Turn and finish

1. Clip the corner curves and turn through the gap.
2. Press, close the gap, and topstitch all the way around.
3. Add a grid of stitching across the middle so the batting cannot shift in the wash.

✏️ The loop goes between the main and backing layers with the loop pointing inward — it comes out on the outside when you turn it. Point it outward and it ends up sewn inside, which means unpicking.

5. Tips & variations

• More insulation: two layers of batting, or a layer of heavy cotton in between, keeps far more heat out.
• Make a pair: two lets you lift a hot pan with both hands.
• Or a mitt: if you want to slide your hand inside, use the oven mitt pattern instead.