DIY: Pumpkin Pot Holder by Marilyn

We have had the inkling to get into some do-it-yourself projects for the holidays. One thing I love about holidays and the cooler weather is that I tend to get really excited about baking and making things for our home. I thought this pot holder would be a great way to merge some holiday spirit into our kitchen during these months. I decided to add a green lining to ours, but you can also try orange as well. I felt this would make a great handmade gift for loved ones that might be more personal than a gift card or other store-bought item. Hope you all will get into the holiday spirit and make a few of these pot holders!

Step 1: Gather your materials. You will need 1/4 yard of orange and green cotton fabric, and 1/4 yard of 100% cotton batting. You will also need fabric scissors, orange or green thread to match your fabric, fabric pins, and a piece of paper cut to the shape of your future pumpkin pot holder.

Steps 2-3: Place your pumpkin paper cut out on top of your orange fabric, pin in place, and cut around your pumpkin while including an additional 1/4" seam allowance.

Steps 4-6: Use your orange piece of fabric as a template for green fabric and batting. Cut out the exact shape of the pumpkin (with no seam allowance). Also cut out an additional piece of green fabric for your pumpkin stem (include an extra 1/4" seam allowance).

Step 7: Sew your green stem piece to the top of your green piece of fabric (where it would go if it were not a separate piece) with the outsides facing inward. Flip your green piece that you have just sewn inside out. Layer your pieces with the green and orange on the outside and the batting in the middle. Put the orange piece and batting inside the green opening of two pieces you just sewed. 

Sew your green stem piece onto your orange pumpkin piece without sewing through all the layers. You have the option to quilt your three pieces together like these previous posts. Whether or not you decide to do this, the next step is to cut out about a 2"wide strip of green fabric and the length will wrap around your entire pumpkin shape minus the stem. Fold in half and iron flat. Fold the halves in half again towards the canter and iron. Wrap this lining around the pumpkin, pin in place and sew in the middle of the lining strip.

Step 8: Enjoy using your new pot holder at your next holiday party!

I had to include this photo of our Yorkie Evie in this post. While I was working on pinning and cutting fabric, she kept me company and was falling asleep on our couch. Happy holidays y'all!

Photography by Marilyn Nimz