Holiday Planning & Ideas Valentine's Day How to Make Charming Heart-Shaped Pot Holders By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 10, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Get the Heart Pot Holders Template Matthew Septimus Cooks seeking to renew the spark in their culinary lives need look no further: These heart-shaped pot holders are a charming way to add whimsy and color to your kitchen's décor. Little sewing knowledge is required, since all you have to do is use a machine to stitch several pieces of fabric together. And the materials are basic—fabric, in colors or patterns inspired by Valentine's Day; bias tape, to create a neat outline and keep everything in place; and cotton batting, to insulate from the heat. Download our printable template for this project and open your sewing kit—it includes angled pockets, which are perfect for sliding your hands into so you can get a better grip. For the most heat-resistant pot holder, choose the best-quality batting you can find. Washable wools and sturdy cottons have natural insulating qualities and make for wonderfully soft holders. Or skip the batting and use quilted heat-resistant fabric, the kind used to cover ironing boards. Sew one of these winsome sets from pieces of fabric in the same pattern or use various designs in complementary colors. The appeal of pot holders is timeless, so stitch up more than a few: They're sure to make much-appreciated gifts on Valentine's Day. If you give a pair to a friend, enclose your favorite romantic dinner recipe along with the present. Whether you make them for someone else or for yourself, you'll find there's no better way to warm up a kitchen than with fabric hearts bound together—forever—with thread. 01 of 06 Step 1 Matthew Septimus Before you begin, enlarge the pot holder template by 200 percent, print, and cut out as indicated. Cut one along the solid line for the fabric hearts, one along the inner dotted line for the batting, and the third along the diagonal line for the fabric pockets. Stack three layers of cotton batting and fold them in half; align the batting template's straight edge with the fold, and cut it out. Fold three stacked 12-inch squares of cotton fabric in half; align heart template's straight side with the fold; pin, and cut out. Lay the pocket template on one folded fabric heart; cut on the diagonal line. 02 of 06 Step 2 Matthew Septimus Pin bias tape in place along the straight edges of the pockets and sew; backstitch the ends. 03 of 06 Step 3 Matthew Septimus Layer the pieces, starting with a fabric heart (face down), batting, another fabric heart (face up), and pockets (face up); pin. Sew along the outside edge, leaving 1/4-inch seam allowance. Trim the edge as close to the stitching as possible. 04 of 06 Step 4 Matthew Septimus Sew the bias tape to the heart, starting at the top center, folding the ends under. 05 of 06 Step 5 Matthew Septimus Sew a 5-inch piece of bias tape, ends turned under, into a loop. To finish, pin and stitch to the pot holder. 06 of 06 Put Them to Good Use in the Kitchen Matthew Septimus Put a handmade heart on display: Use it instead of a trivet, and protect your tabletop from the heat. Make the pot holder with pockets from pieces of fabric in the same pattern, as we did here, or use various designs that have complementary colors. The pockets make grasping dishes a breeze. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit