I just finished two pot holders and one hot pad for my kitchen. I’ve already posted these instructions in the past so you can just go here to make pot holders and here for hot pads.

I’m going to throw a couple hints about the pot holders that might make it a little easier for you. But first I want to talk about my very bare minimum sewing room.

There are some things you just gotta have and that’s all I used this summer. I’m calling it minimalist sewing!

I waited until Amazon Prime Day to buy the sewing machine and iron. They aren’t great but they are adequate.

I decided to go cheap with the ironing board and bought a table top model from Walmart. Big mistake. Should have just spent another $20 and bought a full size.

I also bought a cheap folding table to sew on which will be replaced with a solid wood table next year. It works for now and once it’s replaced it will still be used for crafts.

I also only bought the bare amount of notions. Scissors, rotary cutter, ripper, quilters pencil, 6 1/2” x 24” quilter’s ruler.

I brought a very old 13” x 17” cutting mat, pins and a dozen wonder clips from Florida. I regret not buying a larger mat. This size is almost impossible to work with.

And with this bare minimum I was able to finish up a couple of UFOs and make some fun kitchen accessories. And now I return you to the potholders and hot pad that I just finished….

I followed my own tutorials as to how I have made these in the past and just want to add a couple of hints.

First, I’m using a glue stick to put my layers together. I found two for 25 cents at Walmart. I know there is fabric glue (a lot more expensive!) but these work just fine. I’ve been doing this for years and I’m always asked if they gum up the sewing machine. I’ve never had any problems. And as any first grader knows glue sticks wash right out.

Okay, this second bit of advice is possibly not necessary. But…..since the pocket is 6 1/2” wide by 6” high, make sure to put the binding on the top. I put my first one on the side of the pocket rather than the top. (I should know better!) Fortunately, one of the minimalist sewing basics I bought was a ripper!

I joined the Instagram #100days100hexies and it’s a different theme every week. I’ve been faithfully hand stitching along—a hexie a day keeps the doctor away! I love making hexies but sometimes I don’t know what to do with them. I fussy cut flowers from the fabric I am using for the kitchen for last week’s theme, “Flower Power” and I added the hexies to the hot pad. Just a little bling to spark up the kitchen! I think they would make really cute coasters, too.

I still have some of this fabric left and am hoping to get one more project complete. Because with minimalist sewing, I do not plan on having a stash of fabric. Gotta use it all up!