Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Double-Handed Pot Holder from Kitchen Stitches (and a giveaway!)

Here's a clue to which project I chose to stitch up for this week's Kitchen Stitches blog hop.  (Hint: Look in the upper left corner of this photo.)  **Also, I'm giving away a Kitchen Stitches book to one lucky winner today!  Info at the very bottom of this post.**



Yes, for several reasons, I decided to make the Double-Handed Pot Holder by Natalie Barnes.  First, I don't think it's possible to have too many pot holders... and I didn't yet have this double-handed type.  I also liked the opportunity this project provided to mix lots of print and solid fabrics, plus the pot holder is constructed using the quilt-as-you-go method, a technique I've been wanting to try.


Working with a Valetine's Day theme, I chose pink and red fabrics to start.  Then I added some oranges (My hands just naturally reach for them.  I can't really help it!).  I brought in a bright blue and citrus-y green, as well, to keep it from being too monochrome.  The radical part is the hot pink solid that I chose for the backing.  I'm not usually a pink person, but it just seemed right for this project.


The instructions were easy to follow, with clear diagrams.  The quilt-as-you-go technique was painless and quick.  Since I don't usually sew with hot pink and therefore didn't have any thread to match the backing, I decided to use a bright orange (I know, I know.) thread in the bobbin to provide a fun contrast with the pink.  For the top thread, I used an off-white.  The upper left photo shows the two thread colors.

Due to my own novice-ness at hand sewing bindings, and the many layers involved, I managed to stab myself several times with my needle during the process.  Twice, in fact, I had to spot clean drops of blood off the pot holder!!  Eventually, though, I got the hang of it, and the rest of the binding attachment went smoothly.  The many band-aids on my fingers may have also helped protect them (and the pot holder) from further injury!

Photo courtesy of Martingale Press.

Here's Natalie's lovely version from the book.  I love the idea of the casserole cozy, too.  That's on my future "to do" list.  I really think this is a wonderful book full of great gift ideas or a nice way to add some color and cheer to your own home.

Don't forget to follow along this week with all of the bloggers (many of them book contributors) participating this week:

2/3  Heather at The Sewing Loft
2/4  Becky at the Patchwork Posse and  Kim at My Go-Go life
2/5  Amy at FormWork Design and  Deby at So Sew Easy
2/6  Rebecca at Ruby Blue Quilts  and Jackie at Jabot Quilts
2/7  Melissa at Happy Melissa Quilting
2/8  Kari at Fresh Cut Quilts


Now, the giveaway -- thanks for being patient!  Simply leave a comment below for a chance to win one copy of Kitchen Stitches.  The giveaway is open until 5pm CST on Saturday, February 8, when I'll randomly choose a winner.  Please make sure your email is included in your comment, especially if it's not connected to your Blogger profile.



Good luck!

95 comments:

  1. That is so cute. It gives me wonderful ideas.

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  2. Love your potholder! Nice colors. Thanks for the chance!

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  3. The pattern looks like a wonderful way to use scraps and a handy pot holder to hang on the oven handle--always ready!!!!

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  4. Amazing giveaway for those of us who love to cook as much as we love to sew/ quilt.

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  5. wonderful idea for the things I need to sew for charity and I can use a few here at home

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  6. I love the pot holder. The colours and the quilting are gorgeous. Makes me want to make one now!! Thanks also for the chance to win a copy of Kitchen Stitches.

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  7. What a great idea for a pot holder. The book has many amazing ideas. Would love to add it to my collection!

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  8. Great colors. I see using strings to make it. Christmas ideas

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  9. What a neat book - thanks for the chance to win!

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  10. Love the potholder idea! I see a few of these in my future!

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  11. My daughter in law would love this...I am going to make this for her for sure..

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  12. Thanks for the tutorial! I really like your design!

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  13. This book is definitely on my to-buy list - looks like there are a ton of great things to make as gifts in there!!

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  14. Oh this is cute! Have seen sew many things I'd love to make out of this book!

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  15. This book is so cool, there are so many things in it I would make. This project would be my first though. I've often looked at the two handled "microwave" potholders at the store and thought, "No, that would be easy to make." but never have. I too have never tried the quilt as you go. Thanks for showing us how you did it!

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  16. Thank you sooooo much for choosing one of my patterns! I love the color scheme, AND the orange!!
    Natalie
    beyond the reef

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  17. There are so many wonderful projects in this book -- I would love to win it!
    Your potholder is very nice, love the colors!

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  18. Wow I love the project you chose. I am hoping to win this book as I am redoing my kitchen and their are so many fabulous ideas in it. Thanks for sharing

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  19. The colors you chose were wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. Wow, I love the bright colors and pop of print. Thanks so much for sharing!
    ~Heather

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  21. love the colors you chose for this project...so cheery!

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  22. The potholder is so cute! The book has a lot of wonderful ideas to make for your kitchen. Would love to win it. Thank you, Cindy
    csholthaus@meltel.net

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  23. Very pretty potholder! I need to make some of these, as mine are looking quite "funky" these days. The book looks like a winner too.

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  24. What a great idea and scrap- buster! Thanks.

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  25. Would love to win. Love the idea of the potholder (better than using a towel!) and learning the quilt as you go method.

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  26. Love the potholder, I am always looking for ways to reduce my stash.

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  27. I love the bright colors in the potholder! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  28. That is the cutest!! I could picture that in red and white for my kitchen... Lesa
    lesajmitchell@gmail.com

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  29. I'd love to try that QAYG double pot holder. So cute and a good stashbuster project!

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  30. Achei a ídeia interessante, vou por em prática e aplicar-me pondo todo o carinho e amor, nesta criação. Obrigado pela ídeia

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  31. Would like to make things with my nine year old granddaughter! Cute ideas.

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  32. I want to make potholders just like the ones in the book. Thanks for the chance to win.
    ramona_murray (at) comcast (dot) net

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  33. Soooooo cool. Love the colors and the brightness. Thank You.
    aackerso@sbcglobal.net

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  34. Gorgeous potholder. Love your choice of colors. Really brightens this cold, gray winter day! Thanks!

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  35. These bright colors will definitely brighten my day on a cold, dreary winter's day! Please enter me for a chance to win! In everything, give thanks, GrandmaSoucie

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  36. "Kitchen Stitches" what a great Pattern Book. So many awesome projects for gift giving and my kitchen too. I think it's time to redo my kitchen accessories.

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  37. I love these ideas! I've been looking for a pot holder pattern and the one pictured today looks perfect!

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  38. My aunt recently asked me to make 8 potholders for her kitchen. I would love to have this book and make the double ended potholder for her, too. thanks for the chance to win one.
    sewlady003 at Yahoo Dot COm

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  39. Love your project...especially the reds. My Kitchen is crying for this book. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

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  40. Two things I love sewing and cooking. I would love to make the projects in this book.

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  41. What a delightful color combination!! Your potholder would certainly bring cheer to the kitchen. Thanks for sharing your project and for participating in the blog.

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  42. What a great size for a pot-holder! Thanks for sharing the book with one of us!

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  43. What a good project and I love your color choices. I would love to win the book to make gifts for friends and relatives. Not too many people make things anymore in our group. kgreenking@yahoo.com

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  44. I am going to make a potholder. Great for lifting the heavy soup pots.

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  45. The 2 handed pot holder would certainly be used here! Love the fabrics!

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  46. So many beautiful and practical ideas. I can see several I would like to make.

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  47. There are some really fun looking projects. Thanks :)

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  48. Love Love Love this!!
    Great job. You make me want to just do this.
    I haven't done the quilt as you go method This is a must
    Cheers
    Cathy

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  49. Love this type of potholder and would be great to use up all my scraps! Thanks for the opportunity to win!!

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  50. LOVE making gift from these kind of fun projects ! Thanks so much for the chance to win :)

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  51. Love it! Especially with hot pink for the backing:D

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  52. I have a casserole cozy on my "to do" list. I would love to win a copy of Kitchen Stitches!

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  53. Wow! I just happened on your site! I love this double handed pot holder and look forward to making some. Great give away! I know everyone would be excited to win! Good luck to all of us! Happy creating! midwayfarms@hughes.net

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  54. These double ended pot holders are my favourite! I like the colours of the photograph, but would make mine in blue and white as that would match my china and pots.

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  55. I simply have to have this book, I loved Zakka and its like that. I dont worry about stitch lines on a project like this especially if its going in my kitchen, and maybe for safety you shouldnt either LOL.. :) Sew that binding on Girl..

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  56. I look forward to making some new kitchen gift ideas and would love to win a copy. Thanks for sharing. For items like potholders I prefer to machine sew binding to the back, flip to the front and top stitch.

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  57. I think this will be my first project from the book. Thanks.

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  58. You can never go wrong with hot pink! Thanks for the fun!
    lstrumm@gmail.com

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  59. I've seen these before and think they are really neat. Now I can make my own!

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  60. I just love this kind of potholder! Your choice of colors is great!

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  61. I'd love to make this potholder! There are a lot of useful items in this book!

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  62. This is a wonderful project, it would make great mother's day presents and Christmas presents.
    bsgals2001@yahoo.com

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  63. The colors you used are so fun, there are so many projects I would love to make from this book.

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  64. so cool! I need to make some of these for the entire family! txwildflwr@suddenlink.net

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  65. I love your double potholder - in England we call these oven gloves!!!

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  66. HI, SUCH NEAT PROJECTS! I'M GOING TO MAKE SOME OF THOSE POTHOLDERS TOO! THANKS FOR A GREAT GIVEAWAY TOO!

    cobaltt16@yahoo.com

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  67. I don't have one of the double potholders either. Love your fabric choices. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  68. Kitchen quilt projects are fun and practical! Plus they are small enough for you to finish!

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  69. LOVE this idea and the bright colors and pattern!!!

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  70. Love your version! I have never made one, but I think, after seeing yours, that I will make one soon.

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  71. Looks like a very useful book! Thanks

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  72. Gorgeous double handed oven mitt. Love your colors, thanks for sharing.

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  73. This book (and this particular project) are at the top of my list! Thanks for the chance to win....and the honest review of how easy it was to make! karynTSH at gmail DOT com

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  74. Love this - never thought to make my own. Thanks for sharing.

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  75. Please count me in.
    tagelaursenpiaeriksen@gmail.com
    herframinverdengaer.blogspot.dk

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  76. Some great projects. I have always wanted to make some of those potholders.

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  77. Nice color combo on the pot holder. Sounds like many great projects in the book! Thanks!

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  78. Beautiful pot holder! This looks like an excellent book!

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  79. Love your hot pads. I need to make some. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  80. Love the hot pad. Looks like a very fun book. Thanks!

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  81. Love your hot pads! Beautiful colours. This is the project I would make. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Ursula
    uschbear at gmail dot com

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  82. Gorgeous pads.There are gorgeous projects!

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  83. You did a lovely job! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  84. Thanks so much for the information.I'm looking forward to trying to make the pot holder. Definitely have enough scrap pieces to do it with.

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