Pot Holders from Shoulder Pads

attosa
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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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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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