Hello everyone! It’s Kim Lapacek here from Persimon Dreams AND Lapacek’s Orchard today to share with you a fun sewing and quilting tutorial!  I normally don’t include my apple orchard in my introduction but you’ll understand in a few minutes why it’s significant today!

Collection of Apple Potholders by Kim Lapacek

Wonder by Carrie Bloomston for Windham Fabrics

Patchwork Apple Potholder

Designed, pieced and quilted by Kim Lapacek

These are so much fun and easy to make!  I’m going to share with you a simple tutorial on how to make four half square triangle blocks into a pinwheel for your potholder.  By simply rotating the placement of the half square triangles you can make other fun blocks for your potholders too!  Today’s tutorial features the adorable, whimsical and fun fabric “Wonder” by Carrie Bloomston for Windham Fabrics.

Project Supplies

*this supply list is to make one potholder

Print a copy of the “Apple Potholder Template” from my craftsy page HERE.
(2) 5″ squares of fabric A
(2) 5″ squares of fabric B
(1) 8.5″ square of fabric C
(1) 8.5″ square of HeatNBond Fleece Fusible High Loft
(1) 6.5″ x 2.5″ strip of fabric A
optional* (1) 36″ x 2.5″ strip cut on bias of fabric A
optional* (1) ceramic bead
Thread – coordinating color.  Aurifil 2225 – 50 wt. was used for these potholders.
Dritz Dual Purpose Marking Pen


Patchwork Apple Potholder Instructions:

draw line on wrong side of Fabric B

Start by drawing a line from corner to corner on the wrong side of the 5″ Fabric B squares with the Dritz Dual Purpose Marking Pen.

stitch on each side of line

Place the 5″ Fabric A and 5″ Fabric B squares right sides together.  Sew a 1/4″ on each side of the line drawn.

cut on line

Cut directly on the line.  Press towards the darker of the two fabrics.

press half square triangles openThere are now two half square triangle (HST) blocks.  Repeat this with the other pair of 5″ Fabric A and B squares.

arrange half square triangles

Square the four HST blocks up to 4.5-inch squares.  Arrange the four blocks to make a pinwheel pattern.

pinwheel

Sew the four HST blocks together to create an 8.5″ pinwheel block.

layer pinwheel, fusible fleece and backing

Layer the 8.5″ pinwheel block, the 8.5″ square of HeatNBond Fleece Fusible High Loft, and the 8.5″ square of Fabric C.  The pinwheel square and Fabric C will be wrong sides together.

pin template onto quilt sandwhich

Pin the Apple Template to the top of the pinwheel square.

cut around template

Cut around the edges of the template.

quilted apple potholder

Quilt as desired with Aurifil thread.

cut binding on bias

Using your ruler, find the 45-degree line and cut the 2.5″ binding strips on a bias.  This is important because of the curve of the apple shape.  The biased binding will help create a smoother look.

binding on apple potholder

Attach binding to the potholder.iron in half

Create biased tape for the “stem” of the apple.  Take the 6.5″ rectangle and press in half.

press to middle

Press the sides to the middle seam just created in the last step.

bias tape to middle

Press the two folded sides in half.

Stitch at 1/8-inch on each side of the bias rectangle.

apple potholder with ceramic button

Add the bias strip to the apple potholder – feel free to use a ceramic button to cover the spot the “stem” is attached too.  Don’t use plastic if you plan to use this as an actual potholder – it will melt!

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alternate method – the sandwich method!

Would you prefer to skip attaching the bias binding?  You can also sandwich the potholder together.

broken dishes block

Create an 8.5″ patchwork top like shown above.  Feel free to arrange the HST blocks in any format … even if it’s not a pinwheel.

layer fabrics together in pillowcase method

Layer the 8.5″ square of Fabric C right sides together with the 8.5″  block and the 8.5″ square of HeatNBond Fleece Fusible High Loft at the bottom.

pin template

Pin the Apple Template to the top of the pinwheel square. Cut around the edges of the template.

sew a quarter inch seam

Remove template, re-pin quilt sandwich and sew a 1/4″ seam around the edge of the apple shape leaving approximately a 3-inch opening. Cut perpendicular to the stitch seams before turning.

press seam open

Special Tip: Press the 1/4″ fabric on each side of the unsewn edges open. This will make the turning of the apple more precise.

pin seams

Once the sandwich is sewn together, flip it right sides out.  Pin the open seams together.

stitch edges and quilt

Stitch an 1/8″ around the entire edge of the apple.

quilt and add biased stem

Quilt as desired with Aurifil Thread. Create the biased tape stem like you did before.

hand stitch stem to back

Hand stitch it to the back of the potholder.

two apple potholdersYou now have two options to create these adorable potholders!  Now I can barely stop!  I’ll have an entire collection of them before apple season even begins!  Collection of Apple Potholders by Kim LapacekMy family owns and operates an apple orchard just north of Madison, WI – Lapacek’s Orchard and I’m sure that my customers are going to love these!

 

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