Folded Star Potholder – Tutorial

The Folded Star Potholder is a charming and functional piece that adds a touch of creativity to your kitchen.

Not only is it a practical item for handling hot pots and pans, but it also showcases beautiful fabric combinations and quilt patterns.

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of creating your very own Folded Star Potholder, complete with all the necessary fabric cuts, measurements, and step-by-step instructions. Let’s dive into this fun quilting project!

1. Understanding the Folded Star Potholder Design

The Folded Star Potholder features a unique star design created by folding fabric triangles. This design is not only visually appealing but also provides extra insulation, making it perfect for protecting your hands from hot dishes. The folded star technique is versatile, allowing you to mix and match different fabrics to suit your kitchen decor.

This project is suitable for quilters of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced. The techniques used in this potholder can also be applied to other quilting projects, such as table runners, wall hangings, and more. The folded star pattern can be modified in size and color to create various looks, making it a staple in any quilter’s repertoire.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a Folded Star Potholder with a finished size of approximately 8 inches. This size is perfect for a variety of kitchen tasks, from serving dishes to handling hot pots straight from the oven. Gather your materials and let’s get started!

2. Materials and Tools Needed

Before starting your Folded Star Potholder, it’s essential to gather all the necessary materials and tools. Here’s a list of what you’ll need for this project:

• Fabrics: You will need four different fabrics:
  • 1/8 yard of a background fabric (for the potholder base)
  • 1/8 yard of a contrasting fabric (for the star points)
  • 1/8 yard of a second contrasting fabric (for the star points)
  • 1/8 yard of a third contrasting fabric (for the star points)
• Batting: 1 piece of 8-inch square cotton batting for insulation.
• Backing Fabric: 1 piece of 8-inch square fabric for the back of the potholder.
• Tools: You will need a rotary cutter, a cutting mat, a ruler, pins, a sewing machine, and an iron.

Gathering your materials in advance will help streamline the process, allowing you to focus on the fun of creating your Folded Star Potholder. Take a moment to choose fabrics that complement each other and reflect your personal style.

3. Cutting the Fabric Pieces

Proper cutting is crucial for achieving clean and accurate folds in your Folded Star Potholder. Follow these steps to cut your fabric pieces:

1. Cutting the Background Fabric: From your background fabric, cut one square measuring 8 inches. This will serve as the base of your potholder.
2. Cutting the Star Fabrics: From each of the three contrasting fabrics, cut the following pieces:
   • Four squares measuring 5 inches (for the star points).
   • Four squares measuring 3.5 inches (for the smaller triangles).
3. Preparing the Backing Fabric: Lastly, cut one piece of backing fabric measuring 8 inches square. This will be used for the back of the potholder, ensuring a cohesive look.

With all your pieces cut accurately, you’re ready to move on to the folding and assembling stages of the Folded Star Potholder. Keeping your work area organized will help prevent confusion as you assemble the pieces.

4. Folding the Fabric Squares

The signature element of the Folded Star Potholder is the folding technique used to create the star points. Here’s how to fold your fabric squares:

1. Folding the 5-Inch Squares: Take one of the 5-inch squares from your contrasting fabric. Fold it in half diagonally, bringing one corner to the opposite corner. Press the fold with an iron to create a sharp crease. Unfold the square, and then fold the other two corners to the center crease, forming a smaller triangle. Press again.
2. Creating the Star Points: Repeat the folding process for all four 5-inch squares from the contrasting fabrics. You should end up with four folded triangles that will form the points of your star.
3. Folding the 3.5-Inch Squares: Next, take the 3.5-inch squares from your contrasting fabrics and fold them in half diagonally as you did with the larger squares. These smaller triangles will fill in the gaps of your star and add dimension.

By carefully folding your fabric squares, you’ll create the star points that define the Folded Star Potholder. The contrast between the folded triangles will enhance the overall visual appeal of your potholder.

5. Assembling the Folded Star Design

With your fabric pieces folded and pressed, it’s time to assemble your Folded Star Potholder. Follow these steps to put everything together:

1. Positioning the Star Points: Start by placing your background square on a flat surface, right side up. Arrange the four folded triangles (star points) around the center of the background square. Ensure that the open edges of the triangles face outward and that they form a star shape in the center.
2. Pinning the Triangles: Pin each folded triangle in place to secure them. Make sure that the points of the triangles overlap slightly at the center for a cohesive look. Adjust the positioning as necessary to achieve an even star shape.
3. Sewing the Star Points: Using a sewing machine, sew along the edges of the folded triangles to secure them to the background fabric. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance, and be careful to backstitch at the beginning and end for durability. After sewing, trim any excess fabric along the edges.

As you sew, remember to maintain an even seam allowance to ensure that your star points align correctly. This careful assembly will contribute to the final polished look of your Folded Star Potholder.

6. Adding the Backing and Batting

Once the star points are secured, you will need to add the batting and backing fabric to complete your Folded Star Potholder:

1. Layering the Potholder: Place your assembled front piece (with the star points) right side up. Lay the 8-inch square of batting on top, followed by the backing fabric, which should be placed right side down. This will create a sandwich of layers that protects your hands from heat.
2. Pinning the Layers: Pin around the edges of the potholder sandwich to hold everything in place. Make sure the layers are aligned properly and that the backing is flat to avoid any wrinkles in the final product.
3. Sewing the Layers Together: Using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, sew around the edges of the potholder, leaving a small opening on one side (about 3 inches) for turning the potholder right side out. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seams.

Taking the time to ensure your layers are aligned and pinned securely will help you avoid issues later on. This attention to detail will result in a professional-looking potholder.

      OTHER QUILT PATTERNS HERE      

7. Turning and Finishing the Potholder

After sewing your layers together, it’s time to turn your Folded Star Potholder right side out and finish it:

1. Turning the Potholder: Carefully turn the potholder right side out through the opening you left. Use a blunt object, like a chopstick or turning tool, to gently push out the corners and ensure that the star points are sharp and well-defined.
2. Pressing the Potholder: Once turned, press the potholder with an iron to flatten it and shape the star points. Be careful not to touch the seams too much, as they can be bulky. Press the opening closed as well.
3. Topstitching the Edges: To secure the opening and add a finished look, topstitch around the entire edge of the potholder, approximately 1/8 inch from the edge. This will close the opening and provide a nice decorative finish.

Topstitching not only secures the opening but also adds an additional layer of durability to your potholder. It enhances the overall appearance, giving it a polished and professional touch.

8. Final Thoughts on Your Folded Star Potholder

Congratulations on completing your Folded Star Potholder! This project showcases not only your quilting skills but also your ability to create beautiful and functional kitchen items. The folded star design adds a unique touch to your home, making it a perfect gift for friends and family or a lovely addition to your own kitchen.

As you become more comfortable with this pattern, feel free to experiment with different fabric combinations and sizes. You can make larger potholders, trivets, or even mini wall hangings using the same folded star technique. The possibilities are endless!

      PATTERN HERE      

With practice, you’ll master the Folded Star Potholder and be able to create stunning quilt patterns that brighten your kitchen and showcase your quilting skills. Happy quilting!