Make Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads- three images of finished holder

Recycled or repurposed crafts are not only fun, but they can be earth friendly. Shoulder pads go in and out of fashion. If they are not in fashion or not to your liking remove them and create something new and useful. Pads filled with cotton or wool are preferred for pot holders, as polyester does not block heat effectively. Learn how to make pot holders from shoulder pads.

Craft: Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads

attosa
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,246 Posts

March 6, 2017

Shoulder pads are one of the things that I remove from the clothing I get as hand-me-downs or at the thrift shop. I've got nothing against them, I just have naturally large shoulders. (Thanks, Mum!) Here is how to make really cute and effective pot holders from shoulder pads.

Total Time: 1 hour

Supplies:

ruler
pen
scissors
paper
shoulder pads (or cotton pads or felt)
needle and thread or sewing machine
iron (optional)

Steps:

To draw your pattern on your paper, draw an 8 inch line vertically then a 4 inch line horizontally in the middle of it. Draw ovals around to connect the cross.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - beginning of pattern

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - pattern drawn

Cut out the pattern and put aside.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - cut paper pattern out

Cut off the stitches from the shoulder pads and remove the outer casing.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - cut stitches off of the shoulder pad

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - remove outer fabric

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - padding material

Use your pattern to cut the shoulder pad.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - cut padding using pattern

Trace the pattern onto your fabric.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - trace pattern onto fabric

Cut out the fabric a little larger than the pattern as you are going to fold the edges. Make two of these.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - cut fabric slightly larger than pattern

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - cut out two pieces of fabric

Stack the two pieces of fabric, but with the pattern face down. Sew them together, leaving a 2 inch gap so you can turn it inside out after you place the shoulder pad in.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - place fabric right sides together, sew leaving a gap for turning

Insert shoulder pad. Sew a tiny bit of it onto the fabric to keep it in place, then turn it inside out.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - insert shoulder pad and tack to keep in place

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - turn right side out

Cut your paper pattern in half and make two half-sized versions of the one you just made.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - cut paper pattern in half and make two half sized versions of completed one

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - smaller version fabric

Fold the bottom part twice and sew.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - fold up along the bottom straight edge

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - fold up a second time

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - sew hem

On these half-sized fabric pieces, use an iron and the pattern to fold edges as it will be easier to sew.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - On these half-sized fabric pieces, use an iron and the pattern to fold edges as it will be easier to sew.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - ironing edges

If you're using a sewing machine, put the mini fabrics onto the main fabric and use pins and some light hemming to secure them in place.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - pin mini pieces to main piece

Sew the mini fabrics onto the main fabric.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - sew mini pieces to main

Remove the place-holding stitches and pins.

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - remove pins and basting stitches

Your potholder is ready!

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - finished pot holder with finger pockets

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - hand inside pot holder

Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads - using to hold pot

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Comments

lastrose51

August 5, 20200 found this helpful

My Mom was born in 1915 and growing up during the Depression, they didn't waste anything. I remember her making simple rectangular potholders with shoulder pads. As another person with square shoulders, I was so disappointed that by the time I wanted to make potholders, they were mostly made with foam!

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