Tutorial: How to Make a Scented Potholder
As the holiday season approaches, what could be more delightful than adding a touch of warmth and fragrance to your kitchen? In this quick and easy tutorial, I'll show you how to create a Scented Potholder that not only safeguards your hands and surfaces from hot pots and pans but also infuses your house with the best smells of the season. Whether you're making these for your own kitchen or as heartfelt gifts for loved ones, this project is a perfect way to add a festive and aromatic twist to your holiday preparations.
Materials Needed:
(2) 9" squares of fabric for the front and back of the potholder. For a more custom design, try using a 9” quilt block for the front of your potholder.
(1) 2" x 5" rectangle of coordinating fabric (for the optional loop)
(1) 9" square of Insul Bright
(1) 9” square of cotton batting
(2) 6 ½” x 9” rectangles of coordinating fabric for the envelope pocket on the back of your potholder
(1) 6” x 8 ½” rectangle of fabric for the herb/spice satchel
Your favorite herbs and spices (e.g., lavender, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, anise, cloves, etc.)
Pins or clips
Thread
Sewing Machine
Iron/Ironing Board
Scissors/Rotary Cutter
A walking foot (optional, but recommended)
Instructions:
Preparing the Loop… (Optional)
Begin with the 2” x 5” fabric rectangle. Fold it in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together, and use an iron to press the fold firmly, creating a clear crease along the center of the fabric. Open the folded fabric, revealing the crease in the middle. Now, fold both ends of the fabric into the center lengthwise. Ensure that the wrong sides of the fabric are still together. Use your fingers to align the edges along the ironed crease. Press the fabric again with an iron. With the ends folded towards the center, your fabric should now resemble a long, thin strip. Fold the fabric in half one more time lengthwise. This final fold should enclose the raw edges within the middle of the strip. Press the fabric once more to set this fold in place. You should have a ½” x 5” rectangle.
Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch and adjust the stitch length to your preference. Begin top stitching along both of the 5” sides of the rectangle, using an ⅛” seam allowance. Set aside.
Preparing the Herb/Spice Satchel…
To get started, you'll need a 6” x 8 ½” rectangle of fabric. Begin by folding the fabric in half lengthwise with the right sides together. Run an iron over the fold to make it crisp and secure. This fold will form the body of your satchel.
Now, it's time to stitch the satchel together. Use your sewing machine, sew along the perimeter of the rectangle with a ¼” seam allowance. Ensure you leave a 2” - 3” opening along one of the edges. Remember to backstitch at both the beginning and ending points of your sewing to reinforce the seams.
Once you've completed the sewing, turn the satchel inside out through the opening. You can use your fingers or a blunt tool to gently push the corners into their correct positions, giving the satchel its proper shape.
Now comes the fun part – adding your chosen herbs or spices! Carefully insert your desired herbs or spices through the 2” - 3” opening. You can mix and match different scents to create a unique aroma. If you're using whole spices like cinnamon sticks or anise, this is the perfect moment to release their fragrances. Take a heavy object, such as a kitchen mallet or a hammer, and gently break up the spices inside the satchel. Be careful not to tear the fabric or over stuff it.
With your herbs or spices securely inside, it's time to finish your satchel. Fold the ends of the opening inwards to align with the rest of the seam and top stitch the entire satchel. Set aside.
Preparing the Envelope Pockets…
To prepare the envelope pockets, start by laying your 6 ½" x 9" rectangle on your ironing board with the wrong side facing up. Begin by folding one of the 9" edges over by ¼" and carefully press it with your iron. This initial fold will create a neat edge. Next, fold the same 9" edge over one more time, this time folding it by another ¼". Ensure that the folded edge aligns with the first fold to create a clean, double-folded hem. Press it once more to set the crease firmly. Now, take your folded edge to the sewing machine and stitch it down using a ¼" seam allowance. Repeat these steps for the other 6 ½" x 9" rectangle.
These prepared envelope pockets will serve as the back of your potholder.
Potholder Assembly…
To stack the layers of your potholder, follow these steps in order:
Begin with your 9” square of backing fabric, ensuring the right side is facing down.
Place the 9" square of Insul Bright on top of the backing fabric.
Layer the 9" square of cotton batting on top of the Insul Bright.
Next, position a 9" quilt block or top fabric with the right side facing up.
If you're using a loop for hanging, take your ½" x 5" rectangle of fabric, and criss-cross its two ends to form a loop. Decide on one of the corners where you'd like to attach this loop. Make sure to place the loop inwards so that the loop will be sandwiched between the fabric layers and the ends are slightly sticking out from the corner. You want your ends to stick out far enough so that your machine will catch them when sewing the perimeter of the square.
To complete the stack, add both 6" x 9" envelope rectangles with their right sides facing down. Ensure that the hemmed edges of these rectangles overlap each other in the middle of the potholder.
To prevent any shifting during sewing, carefully pin or clip the edges of the entire stack together.
Sewing…
With your fabric and insulation/batting layers stacked and your loop positioned, it's time to sew. If you have a walking foot, it’s helpful to use it during this step. Set your sewing machine to a ¼" seam allowance and stitch along the entire perimeter of the square. When you are finished sewing, carefully clip the corners of excess fabric and Insul Bright/batting.
Turn your potholder inside out using the opening in the back envelope rectangles.
The Finishing Touch…
Now it's time to complete your project. Turn your potholder over, and you'll notice an envelope pocket created by the overlapping rectangles. This is where you'll place your herb/spice satchel. Gently insert the satchel into the pocket.
Your aromatic potholder is now ready to use! The satchel will release its delightful scents, enhancing the ambiance of your kitchen while also serving as a practical kitchen tool.
Should your potholder ever need a wash due to kitchen mishaps, remove the satchel before cleaning. Machine wash the potholder in cold water and tumble dry on low heat. One of the fantastic features of this project is that you can easily switch out your satchels seasonally or whenever you desire a change in aromatics. This way, you can customize the scents to suit your preferences and needs throughout the year.
These scented potholders are not just practical; they're a charming addition to your kitchen or a thoughtful gift idea. Whether you keep them for yourself or share them as hostess gifts or stocking stuffers during the holiday season, you're offering a touch of warmth and comfort that's as heartwarming as it is aromatic.
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