Batting for Placemats?

Pellon is a stiffener that comes in sheets and/or rolls you put between layers of fabric. It is great stuff for the brim of a reproduction sunbonnet -- like having permanent starch inside! It can also be a bit expensive. It would be extremely difficult, perhaps impossible, to do any hand-quilting through, although probably OK with machine quilting. Personally, I wouldn't use it! I would use a low loft batting.

Pellon is a line of products- a brand name that covers interfacing, Wonder Under and a bunch of stuff.

The placemats would be a really nice housewarming gift.....

While we're talking placemats, could we resolve potholders too? They are a great gift but my latest test was a failure. I used: a pieced block for the top, a layer of batting and backed it with that silver stuff that they use for ironing board covers. It's pretty but too thin to be comfortable with a hot pot handle. We don't want potholders to be too thick or stiff - but what combination works? Polly

I have heard the suggestion of cutting up old ironing board covers- the wide end that gets little use- prolly in a non-quilting household since we tend to use the wide end more than the narrow end which is for ironing clothing. Also, I've read the suggestion of buying the old ironing board covers at thrift shops- I've never seen them in a thrift shop??? I don't make potholders- too much work compared to the price of going to WalMart and buying one. If you made one for me with all the work of piecing the one side I would save it as a cherished posession. It wouldn't need to be useful or protect my hands. ;-)

Pellon is a brand name for Vilene products: they come in all sorts! Non-woven interfacings and battings of the poly persuasion...

Cotton will be fine, though if you want them heat proof, and don't mind them being a bit stiffer, that table protecting stuff is good...

messagenews: snipped-for-privacy@mid.individual.net...

I use a special insulated batting for pot holders and oven mitts, (can't remember the brand name), along with 2 layers of cotton batting. I used to use the silver stuff, but the insulated batting makes a more flexible pot holder. I must have left my batting up north!

Still unpacking and weeding......

Pellon Peltex? I sure wouldn't use it for place mats. What a trip through the washer that would be!! I, too, would just use a low loft batting, a good one.

You are so sweet to give such a nice gift!!!

Peace,

Marsha in nw, Ohio

I've said it before and I will say it again, nothing works so well or is so cheap as a couple of layers of old terry toweling. Even buying new, a couple two or three Dollar Store washcloths with the serging snipped off, smacked together and sewn inside a potholder can't be beat for price and effectiveness. Doesn't even need a backing if you use a new bit on the backside, and it washes well. I've a couple of bath towels gone tatty around the edges that will probably fill potholders this year.

Come to it, it's about time to get the kids some more cotton loom loops. They love those things, even now they are older. If I bring a bag or two out when they are all here I won't need any potholders on my own account for the next decade. Between that and spare blocks I have been keeping the whole extended family in potholders for years.

NightMist plus it is always fun to see the girls try to teach their boyfriends loom lo>While we're talking placemats, could we resolve potholders too? They are a

Since I can't tell if something is 'hot or cold' I made a stack of potholders. Fashion fabric, old bath towel cut up, ironing board silver fabric, towel , fashion fabric. Even DD can NOT feel heat thru them....her hands are heat sensitive compared to mine. If SHE can feel heat--they get pitched......so far none of them have. for placemats, I have used regular cotton batting-make sure there is NO POLY in it as it will melt if you put any hot dishes on it..

Butterfly (Thanks for the rem>> I'm thinking of making placemats for a housewarming gift. Assuming I get

I'm glad to see this topic today, because I just bought materials to make some potholders. They feature machine embroidered designs and are completed in the hoop. The directions call for the shiny ironing board cover fabric on the backside, with a layer of insulbrite inside. Now I'm wondering if I should put the shiny material inside in case it doesn't hold up after a few washings. Has anyone else had experience with that fabric? Do you think I should put in a layer of thin cotton batting to make it more heat resistant?

My favorite pot holders are thick terry cloth...the likes of which I cannot find anywhere to buy ! The ones that also were impermeable to heat were some I made out of thick corduroy...( had skirts to match !! )...

Snippe: Truth be told, in my own kitchen, I am still

Use what you have. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Thin cotton batting will work fine........

Happy quilting!

I've had an old set to patch in my quilting room for months, DH burned them (he cooks). went to IKEA a couple of weekends ago and saw 2 for 99c

- I hate to throw th> I have heard the suggestion of cutting up old ironing board covers- the wide