Scrappy Quilted Pot Holder Tutorial

I've sewn up a beautiful pot holder for my kitchen - it might be too nice because every time I use it I make sure to not get anything on it and hang it up right after using it!

The method for sewing this is a bit different as seams are not sewn together, and other are kept open. Open seams can be sewn down to be extra secure, or left open it's up to you. I did half and half as you'll see.

The inspiration for this came from paper piecing but gives much different results. It's easy to get the hang of it and find interesting places to fit little scraps.
I hope you enjoy the first of my Rainbow Scrappy tutorials.

Materials:
Lots of scraps; little ones work well
Special heat batting, I used a double layer of 9" squares
White foundation fabric, 8" square
Backing, binding & loop fabric: 9" square, 2.5"x36" binding strip, 8"x1.5" loop strip
Usual quilting supplies: mat, rotary cutter, ruler, thread, sewing machine, basting spray, thread
(note: directions correspond with photos from top left to bottom right, 1-4)

1. Scrappy Rainbow block detail.
2. Divide up scraps: yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, green
3. Cut out foundation piece and draw circles evenly around the 8" square. The center circle is about 1.5". I added the color of the circle into each ring so as not to get confused. I started with yellow in the middle, but you can choose what ever you'd like!
4. Pick out the scraps you want to use for each color and press.

5. Starting with yellow select two pieces to start. 1"x2" approximate in length.
6. Place the fist piece right side up and line up the second piece with an edge. Sew with a less than 1/4" seam, getting right next to the edge. Trim threads, finger press open.
7. Repeat steps with a third piece (and 4th or 5th if needed), filling in the empty space as you go. Over lap raw edges when you can.
8. Once a few pieces are sewn down press with an iron.

9. Orange scraps are next; a large triangle covers the edges a few scraps as it's sewn down. Angle the pieces to create a curve.
10. This next square scrap gets turned on it's corner for an interesting fit.
11. Orange scrap when turned fills in a blank spot. Continue adding pieces until the ring is complete.
12. The ring of orange scraps are trimmed to a rough circle and the loose edges are sewn down.

13. Red scraps are next. Here is a detail of each step when sewing scraps in place; place the scrap right side down on the edge of scraps beneath it. Sew close to the edge making sure to get the edges of the scraps underneath too.
14. Turn the scrap and make sure it covers up the white foundation fabric.
15. Sew the exposed edge down to the foundation
16. Continue adding in scraps in any order, making sure the white foundation fabric is covered and most seams are secured with top stitching. Press down as you go. When complete trim to make a circle.

17. Purple scraps are added, some here others there. Press as you go. Sizes are 1/2" to 2" depending on scraps and spaces. Squares, triangles and rectangle are included.
18. Continue adding, pressing, sewing, trimming until another circle is complete.

19. Blue scraps get added to the outside edge, here I am feeling comfortable with the piecing method and try sewing scraps at an angle, and in front & behind of others.
20. Scraps are sewn in a row one on top of another. This works almost.
21. A window of white shows through once the scraps are turned, that is fixed with another scrap sewn in behind the line.
22. A blue circle is complete, press well and head into the green scrap pile.

23. The green ring is the last one. Sew scraps just like before, filling in the empty spots and (if needed) covering up a little bit of the blue in order to make a complete circle.
24. Press well and sew any open edges down that need it. On the outside edge of the square zig-zag stitch to secure the green ring. Hooray, a completed scrappy rainbow block!

Now it's time to make that block into pot holder (or whatever else you'd like!) This is my first time making a pot holder; so if you know another way of finishing this off go for it. My method works but might not be the best.
25. Grab two pieces of 9"x9" pot holder batting. I use double because my hubby likes it that way.
26. Spray baste the layers together with the block on top. I did not use a back yet because I was worried about it getting bunched up in the quilting.

27. Use a small stitch about 1.5 to 2. Starting in the center secure the stitch and then turn the square to make a small spiral.
28. See the spiral forming...
29. A shot of the back with complete quilting spiral all the way to the edge.
30. A shot of the front with the complete quilting spiral all the way to the edge and the excess batting trimmed.

31. Time to put it together. Spray baste the backing fabric onto the back.
32. Make the binding strip and iron in half.
33. Make a tube out of the 8"x1.5" loop strip.
34. Turn right side out the tube for the loop and then sew it down on each side.

35. Sew the binding onto the BACK of the potholder with backing fabric down first and raw edge of binding matching raw edge of the potholder.
36. Turn the binding to the FRONT and zig zag stitch around the edges.
37. Lastly attach the loop to the backside of the potholder.
38. Easily sewn down so that it's ready to hang and use!

A finished Scrappy Rainbow Pot Holder! 

This is just such a cool pot holder; I just love the scrappy look and the texture the raw edges give. I hope you make one for your kitchen and let a little sunshine in!