The four are all unique in their own way...well based on what I've personally seen during my potholder research. Yes, they all have something in common, they are potholders...duh, but I've tried to create something that was different. They all started off with a thought in mind and were adjusted as ideas popped into my head.
Backside of chalkboard potholder |
Backside of pinwheel potholder |
I did end up sewing the pinwheel right side together again, however I left the bottom half of the pinwheel open (on all sides), and this is where I turned it right side out, but then that left weird openings and it was not very practical, or pretty, to hand sew it closed. That's when I decided to sew it applique like onto the potholder, but after I quilted the both sides of potholder separately. Then applied the pinwheel to one side, then joined them together with the bias tape. Whew!
The next two were inspired by the fabric I had in my stash. Both green fabrics were very fresh looking and reminded me of spring, which I can't wait for. That's when I decided to maybe do a flower, 6 petals. It's looks more like a pizza then a flower but I like the way it came out. The dark orange single fold bias tape I used on the pouch was from my great-grandmothers stash...so I'm guessing it's vintage since the rick rack, hem tape and other bias tape in this stash has prices of 19, 25 & 35 cents. It's crazy using this stash, just a few months ago I didn't know what to do with this weird ribbon, haha. Even though my great-grandmother is no longer here, she is here in spirit sewing with me. :-D
Last but not least the owl potholder is self explanatory. I saw owls and figured an owl potholder made sense. Drawing is not my best attribute, but looking at the owls they are all symmetrical so I would only have to draw half an owl; fold a piece of paper in half and voila I got a whole owl. With the owls I didn't want to quilt straight lines that would take away or mess up the owls themselves. It was then that I realized I needed to try free motion quilting, and since I just saw the tutorial posted on Prudent Baby I figured I'd give it a try.
Momentarily I practiced free motion quilting on a scrap potholder (I have a small potholder graveyard from ideas that didn't get completed) then went straight to the owl. My free motion quilting, obviously, is a little rough, but it didn't take away from the owls which were my intentions. Oh!! Like my chalkboard entry this potholder also has a magnet in lieu of a loop, but it's inside the owl instead of inside a tab of fabric. This is gonna look soooo good on the fridge!
For the moment I think I'm done, but like I said there are 48 hours left until the contest is closed, so I may make another one or two. I'm drooling for a machine that knows it's alphabets so of course I would like to win. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I'm not holding my breath.
Your pot holders are so wonderful. I thought maybe mine would be in the running for the give away but now........... Thanks for sharing.
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