An oven mitt is an ideal beginner sewing project or a great way to use fabric scraps. It’s quick to make and offers good practice for quilting and creating binding.
This oven mitt uses Insul-Brite wadding, a material designed to resist heat and cold. I added extra quilting wadding for extra protection. (I purchased my Insul-Brite from Spotlight.)
I’ve previously used this wadding to make cosies for stainless steel water bottles; the insulation reduces condensation and helps keep water cooler for longer. The same material also works well for casserole dish carriers and pot holders.
My old oven mitts were more than ten years old and losing effectiveness, so I decided to make new ones using leftover fabric from my stash. Making them at home can be free if you already have suitable scraps, and they make quick, thoughtful handmade gifts.
Making an oven mitt
What you will need:
- Medium- or light-weight cotton fabric for the outer, lining, and binding
- Insul-Brite wadding (or similar heat-resistant wadding)
- Optional quilting wadding (cotton or wool is best) for extra insulation
- Thread and basic sewing notions
- A pattern for the oven mitt
Cut:
- From each of the outer fabric, lining, Insul-Brite, and optional wadding cut two rectangles measuring 32 cm x 24 cm.
Instructions:
1. Make two layer “sandwiches” for the mitts in the following order: lining, optional quilting wadding, Insul-Brite (shiny side facing out toward the outer fabric), then outer fabric. Ensure the shiny side of the Insul-Brite faces the outer fabric for correct insulation.
2. Pin or baste each sandwich to keep the layers aligned.
3. Use a ruler and tailor’s chalk or a pencil to mark the quilting lines on the lining. I used diagonal lines spaced about 2 cm apart for a neat quilted appearance.
4. Quilt along the marked lines. A walking foot helps prevent shifting and puckering, especially through multiple layers.
5. Once both sandwiches are quilted, place your pattern over each and cut out the mitt shapes. Reverse the pattern for one piece so the two halves pair correctly.
6. Finish the raw edges of each cut piece with a zigzag stitch or overlocker to prevent fraying.
7. With linings facing out, align the two pieces and sew a few centimetres up one side using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Sewing only partway lets you lay the mitt flat later to attach the binding more easily.
8. Make binding from your leftover fabric about 1/2 inch wide. If you have enough fabric, cut binding on the bias for more stretch; straight-grain binding is fine for this project if you’re working with scraps.
9. Press the partial seam open or to the side, flatten the mitt, and pin binding along the open bottom edge. Stitch through all layers along the binding edge and finish the raw side of the binding with a zigzag stitch.
10. Use a short length of the binding to form a hanging loop. Fold the strip, stitch it closed, turn it right side out and attach securely to the mitt at the location shown in the photo.
11. Place the two mitt halves together with lining sides facing and stitch around the perimeter using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Clip the seam allowance around curves and the thumb area to reduce bulk.
12. Turn the mitt right side out, using a chopstick or similar tool to gently push out the thumb and smooth the curves. Press lightly if needed.
Your oven mitt is now complete. Make a matching pair, or use the same materials and method to create square pot holders and other kitchen accessories.
