Half-Square Triangle Pot Holders Tutorial

Hello! Today I have a tutorial for these fun patchwork half-square triangle potholders to share! If you're new here, welcome! I hope you'll take a peek around, be sure to check out my HST Block of the Month and my book, Patchwork Essentials: The Half-Square Triangle!

This was originally published as a part of the Festival of Half-Square Triangles.


After making my Patchwork Chevron Quilt earlier this year, I've been playing around with adding patchwork to half-square triangles in other ways! We'll start with simple nine-patch blocks to make these fun pot holders! Materials and instructions will make two 7.5" potholders!

I always make my pot holders with a layer of quilt batting (I use Warm & Natural/White), and a layer of Insul-Bright* (which is heat resistant). I used Miscellany by Julia Rothman* for Cloud 9 Fabrics, Quilter's Linen* in Beige by Robert Kaufman for the background, and Annie's Farm Stand by Lakehouse Dry Goods for the binding. I quilted them with Aurifil #2325* cotton thread.


Sewing Level: Intermediate
Finished Size: 7.5" square

Materials (for two potholders):
- (16) 2.5" print squares
- (2) 2.5" background squares
- (2) 6.5" background squares
- (2) 9.5" backing squares
- (2) 9.5" batting squares
- (2) 9.5" Insul-bright squares
- (2) 2.5"x42" binding strips

Seam Allowance: 1/4" unless noted

This would be a great project to use up scraps! Including those pesky weird shaped batting pieces you end up with after a large project! :)

Instructions:

1. Lay out your print squares into two nine-patches, both with the background 2.5" square in the center.


2. Stitch together nine-patches and press seams open.


3. Place nine-patch and background square right sides together.


4. Sew a 1/4" around all four sides. Lightly press.


5. Using a ruler and rotary cutter, cut along both diagonals.

*Note: You are cutting along the bias, so if you're nervous about stretching, I'd recommend using a little starch or a starch-alternative! My favorite is Flatter by Soak*!


6. Press all four half-square triangle units, seams open. Repeat with remaining nine-patch and background square.


7. Trim half-square triangles to 4" square. Arrange your half-square triangles as shown above.


8. Piece together and press seams open. Trim to 7.5" square.


9. Layer your pieces with the backing square right sides facing down, then the layer of insul-bright, then the batting, then the pot holder top, right sides up. Baste! (Tutorial on basting if you need it, here!)


10. Quilt as desired (I machine quilted mine, using a walking foot!) and trim away excess backing, batting, and insul-bright. Bind (I machine bind both sides, you can find my tutorial for it, here)! Voila, you're done!


I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial! I have lots of other tutorials for everything from quilts, pillows, bags, and holiday items to informational series and techniques. Find all my tutorials here: Tutorials. My online shop is filled with patterns for quilts and bags. Find my patterns here: Jeni Baker Patterns

If you make something using one of my tutorials or patterns, I hope you'll tag me @jenib320 and use my hashtag #jenibaker on instagram!

Happy Quilting!

*Note: Any links marked with an asterisk in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click through and buy something, I make a small commission, at no extra cost to you.