Tutorial Time: Fall Leaf Potholders & Table Protector Pads

Add some Fall festivity to the table and keep it protected at the same time with some Fall Leaf Potholders.  Combining decor and function, these lovely leaves do a double act: seasonal table decoration AND handy table pads/pot holders thanks to a hearty inner of insulated and cotton battings.  Each of the leaves is fully reversible from a colorful leaf print to a coordinating solid too:

They have a quilted-style contrast color stitch detailing to mimic the veins and dimension of real leaves. The stems double as loops for hanging when not in use.  

Perfect for dinner use - especially for Thanksgiving!

Materials Needed:
- 3 FQs of festive Fall print & coordinating solid cotton fabric
- 1/2 yd cotton batting
- 1/2 yd Insul-Bright
- Sewing notions (iron, shears/rotary cutter, heavy duty needle, pins, disappearing marker)
- Paper & pencil (I like to use the kid's art paper on the roll from Ikea)

With paper & pencil draw up leaves in the shape desired, that are roughly 11 inches high by 10 inches wide.  I did 3 different styles: maple, beech and birch.  Using the paper patterns you've made, for each leaf style cut out two leaves from cotton, two from batting and two from Insul-Bright:

Sandwich the layers so that there is a layer of batting on the bottom, covered by both Insul-Bright layers, then the remaining batting.  Top it with one cotton right side up and cover with remaining cotton piece right side down.  Pin all layers together:

Stitch around the outer edge of each leaf with a 1/4 inch seam allowance leaving a 2 inch gap at the base for turning:

Trim down seam allowance and clip around curves.  Turn right side out, pushing out any corners or tight curves with a knitting needle or pencil.

Now to make the stem that will also double as a loop, make an elongated hexagon that's about 3 inches high and at least 2 inches wide at the middle.  Fold in half with right sides facing and edge stitch along all but one short end:  

Turn stem right side out, press flat and then fold in half.

Insert short end of stem loop into gap of leaf pad.  Folding raw edges of leaf inward, pin and slip stitch or edge stitch gap closed.  

Next, using a disappearing marker, draw lines to represent veins along each leaf.  Using a contrasting color thread, stitch along lines.  This adds detailing and also acts as quilting to keep all the layers from shifting with wear.

Now the pads are ready to help dress up the table 

And keep it (and your hands) safe from those hot-from-the-oven dishes too:

I'm also sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.

Click HERE to check them out!