Quilted Pig Potholder

Inspired by a photo I saw online, I wanted to make this project as a Christmas present for my mum. But, alas! The photo I saw did not come with instructions on how to make my own! So I decided to wing it.

In this Instructable, I'm going to show you how I did it.

1. A sewing machine
2. Basic sewing supplies
3. 2 pieces of pink fabric in contrasting colours, approximately 2 feet of each
4. Quilt batting- the length should be the same as the fabric above
5. Bias binding or bias tape- if you have enough fabric, you can make your own to match
6. Matching scraps of fabric for the ears
7. A scrap of fabric for the nose
8. A bit of black embroidery floss

Cut out a 3.5 inch circle of pink fabric of your choice for the nose.

Cut two 5 inch squares for the ears.

Optional: If you want to ensure an accurate cut, make a pattern by tracing around on your hand + 1 inch on paper, then cut that piece out and use it as a guide for cutting out the fabric pieces.

Starting with the fabric that will be the outside of the potholder, fold the fabric in half with the raw edges facing you.

Trace around your hand the size you want the finished potholder to be + 1 inch for seam allowance.

Cut where you traced- you should have two identical pieces.

Now flip the folded fabric over so that the folded edge is facing you.

Using one of the previously cut pieces as a guide, trace the shape onto the fabric.

Cut where you traced- when you are finished, the piece should unfold into one long pill shape.

Repeat this step with your contrasting colour, and the quilt batting.

You will need one long piece of tape to trim the outer edge of the potholder, and two short pieces to trim the opening of the potholder

If you're making your own matching bias tape, go ahead and cut that out now. If you've never made your own bias tape before, here's a(n unaffiliated) tutorial: createwhimsy.com/projects/how-to-cut-bias-strips/.

After you have cut your tape, you'll need to iron it as shown in the photos.

1. Iron the tape in half.
2. Unfold the tape, then fold the edges in so that they meet in the middle and iron in place.
3. Fold the ends of the tape down and inwards.
4. With the edges still folded in towards the middle, fold the tape in half again, and give it a final iron.

Skip this step if you have premade bias tape or binding.

Stack your sets of pieces- three sets of three layers.

The outer colour should be on the bottom, the batting in the middle, and the inner colour on top.

Sew around the edge to secure.

Trim the excess.

Repeat with all three sets of layers.

Using a ruler, trace lines onto your layers. Then sew along those lines to qulit the layers in a diamond pattern.

Sew the nose in place on one of the top pieces.

You can do this by hand if you prefer, but I used a machine with a blanket stitch to stabilize the raw edge as well as secure the nose into position.

Bind the top pieces of the potholder.

Sew the top and bottom pieces together around the outer edge before you trim the potholder.

Take your time to sew the trim on, ensuring that it is being sewn on both sides. You will likely need to pin it in place.

1. Following the photos provided, fold the very outer edges of the square inwards and iron in place.
2. Fold the square in half and iron.
3. Fold the upper corners down so that they meet in the middle of the bottom edge and iron.
4. Fold the two lower corners in so that they meet in the middle of the bottom edge and iron.

Attach the ears at the upper edge of the face of the pig. You will likely need to do this step by hand, as I did.

To make the tail take a 7 inch scrap of leftover fabric or bias tape. Fold it up by halves until it is about half an inch wide- make sure that the raw edge is folded to the inside. Sew down the length to secure. Sew it in place by hand on the underside of the tail-end of the pig.

Take a bit of black embroidery floss and add the eyes and nostrils. Add an eyelash or two if it's a girl pig!

I'm excited to give this to my mum for Christmas! I hope you're equally excited for whatever you've got planned for your lovely new piggy potholder!