by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2010

I want to applique these or put embroidery design on - believe I have enough designs to do this. Do have "insulbrite" (to prevent burning your fingers), but don't know what quilting batting looks like or what type to use. Only get thick, standard batting here.


Also, I bought a gadget to make binding, but will have to figure out the gadget that comes with the sewing machine to APPLY the binding when sewing. Any easy "patterns" or directions to layer this lot, only 100% cotton fabric?

Wish I took up sewing lessons when I was young !...

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by quilter124 18 Aug 2010

We all have to try things to see what we like and what we don't like. Been sewing for over 50 years and have made so many of these-way before insul-brite. Made first ones using old blue jeans for the padding and only 2 thicknesses of regular cotton fabrics to keep jeans from showing through. I still have 2 or 3 and just keep recovering them. I still use blue jeans as they seem to never wear out. They really absorb the heat.(Use 3-4 layers cut from old jeans) They are a little stiff, but are great hot pads.
Drew around my daughters hand when she was 2, embroidered print on outside, by hand, dated it along with her name and gave as gifts for Christmas. They were much appreciated by all. (just got back a set from a g-grandma - never used-after her death last year.) Try any batting you have and whatever heavy cottons you have as they will work. Put emb. motifs on first.
Have fun and whatever you make will be great.

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by hanna56 18 Aug 2010

I test if some fabric is cotton or not in a rough way - I iron very hot - if it is not melting I can use it. The iron I clean after this test with a rubber - a special one with some fat in it.
I tried the insulbrite, I bought it in UK, and used the patterns from emblibrary - it works out great! Also the printable instructions are so helpful for "beginner" in making pottholders. I found they are a bit small - I enlarged them as I had a bigger hoop. Also the ironcover works, it is not so stiff. The price I found is equal but the way of buying is not.

Here for anyone is interested a link which gives a good overloook about the use of it, they take also one layer of cotton batting inbetween.
In Germany I can't find insulbright only in USA and UK - but it needs to search for.

Good luck!

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by bevgrift 18 Aug 2010

I see you have answers for Ideas and Patterns.
The biggest job is always at the start "To Begin"
The thicker batting will do fine for Oven Pads.
A few pins will hold everything in place for you to sew them, remove them just before you get close with the needle. You could also do embroidery before you put the backing and batting. Then do some simple quilting rows.
Everyone forgets or thinks it is too much trouble to hand baste the binding on before stiching with the sewing machine, Do this and soon your binding will be perfect.
Have fun stitching!
From Bev

1 comment
suzettebritz by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2010

Thanks Bev! I have only the Cuties to turn to. Not a single person that I know here (only a few acquantances) is a sewer!

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by dlmds 18 Aug 2010

Suzette, no laughing here. I have also been unsure about hot pads. Always wonder what all has to go in them. Thank you for your question, many of us also learn something new when question are ask and answered. H&*

1 comment
suzettebritz by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2010

Thank you, makes me feel better!

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by psssst 18 Aug 2010

Here is the link for Emblibrary hotpad video
I use prequilted fabric for mine,
doubled up for an oven mitt so the quilted fabric is inside the mitt too.
Also bias binding/tape it is 4 yds for less than $2 it is the lazy way for me hahaha
hope this helps somewhat

1 comment
suzettebritz by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2010

Thank you for all these links! I appreciate it!

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by keeponsewing 18 Aug 2010

No laughing involved here.... I still haven't made one and I've been sewing for over 40 yrs. hehehe.... You can make it is a great place to go for that and someone has given you the website. Here is another website. Not sure if it is easier or not. Just have fun with it, and be sure to send pics in projects. :) Hugs, Terre

1 comment
suzettebritz by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2010

Terre, Thank you so much for taking the time to post these links! Will definitely go to each one Cuties have posted here!

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by 02kar Moderator 18 Aug 2010

Why would we laugh? I am sure many of us have made them. You already have good advice, so have fun making them and let us know how you did.

1 comment
suzettebritz by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2010

I won't blame anyone if they laughed - it sounds so easy to make, but I am such a useless sewer!

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by capoodle 18 Aug 2010

I have many potholders in my kitchen. Have taken some apart to see what was inside. Don't think you can make any mistakes. A pot holder is a pad or thick piece of cloth for handling hot pots. Some of mine are woven on a loom, have quilted ones with bias binding, and thick terry cloth. None of mine have the "insulbrite" in them. Natural fibers like cotton don't melt so I would not use any thing that is man made like polyester. If you want to use something like the "insulbrite" and not able to find it or buy it on the internet some people have used the silver/blue Silicone ironing board covers.
These should be fun to make and a good way to use some of your scrap fabric.

1 comment
suzettebritz by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2010

Thank you! I will try to "light" those pieces that I am not sure if it is cotton or not!

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by castelyn 18 Aug 2010

Hi Suzette, here is the direct link to "you can make this" - Hugs Yvonne

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suzettebritz by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2010

Thanks Yvonne! I wish there was 1 person in Botswana I could go to for advice!

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by shilly 18 Aug 2010

There is a site called www.youcanmakethis.com/free.htm and it has free instructions. Hope this gets you started.

2 comments
shilly by shilly 18 Aug 2010

Embroidery library also has a version without batting. Look under projects and scroll down pretty far.good luck.

suzettebritz by suzettebritz 18 Aug 2010

Thank you! I will go there!

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