Folded Star Potholder Tutorial

Here's a fun little project made entirely with circles! You don't even need a sewing machine, except to sew the binding around the edge of the circle, and even that step can be done by hand if you prefer.

TIPS:: Choose contrasting fabrics so the design will stand out. Cut out the fabric circles from 4 layers of fabric at a time to minimize cutting; make sure to pin the stack securely in at least three places so nothing shifts while you're cutting.

It's important to trim circles evenly and to be accurate so the "star" will have even points.

 Finished size is about 7" in diameter.

Materials Needed:

5 LARGE circles — 1/2 yard fabric (center & backing)
8 MEDIUM circles — 1/3 yard fabric (border around star) 8 SMALL circles — 1/4 yard fabric (edge segments)
One LARGE circle of med. wt. fusible interfacing One LARGE circle — for foundation (muslin)
Bias Strip: 2" x 28" — for edging
3" strip of folded bias tape for hanging loop (optional)

DOWNLOAD PDF PATTERN

Directions:

1.    Print and cut out circle templates; trace around circles on wrong side of fabric with washable fabric pen; cut them out. For dark colors use a chalk pencil. If desired, pin and cut out four circles at a time by layering fabric.

2.    Fuse interfacing to a large print circle for the backing; set aside. Fold and press the remaining 4 large circles into segments.

3.    Fold and press muslin foundation circle into quarters; unfold and make a dot in the center with a pencil. Arrange the four large segments evenly on top using the creased lines as a guide. With matching colored thread, bring needle up through dot on muslin and tack down tips with a few overcast stitches.

4.    Place the medium size segments on next, matching curved edges and center lines, laying them down in succession over-lapping corners slightly. Make any adjustments to make sure the segments are equally spaced on all sides. Tack at tips. Repeat with the small circles.

5.    Use a machine zig-zag stitch to join edges. Place the fused backing circle underneath, right-side facing out; hand-baste, catching the foundation, or take a few overcast stitches around the edge to keep backing from shifting. Enclose raw edges with bias binding as shown.

HANGING LOOP

Fold in raw edges of 3" bias strip; press, and blind stitch seam. Fold in half to form a loop; baste in place on back (inside the seam allowance). Do this step before sewing bias binding around edge.