Our local guild’s small group held a sew day earlier this month to make items for our quilt show shoppe. One of the things we voted on as a group project was a sewing tool caddy, a really clever design. The design uses a flyer/photo stand that is 5×7-inches. I made mine in fabrics with a sewing theme with two background colors for contrast. I cut the main piece larger, as the pattern calls for pre-quilted fabric. It was suggested to cut the main piece and backing an inch longer and wider, then quilt those pieces with batting. After the quilting is done, cut the piece to the dimensions in the pattern. I did a simple cross hatch as most of the quilting will be hidden, but it is good to have the extra body in the base.
Find the pattern here – Quilting Tool Caddy, be sure to download all three pdf files. You can find the stands on Amazon – Flyer Stand 5×7. Be sure to get the ones that stand straight up, not angled. When it is done, you’ll have one side with several pockets for rotary cutters and marking tools.
The backside pocket is larger, for larger items. Yes, it does go with my sewing case that I made some years ago, and I am tempted to keep it. But I just need to make another one for myself.
After that, I was going to make a little project with this pretty print, but I realized I hadn’t brought the tool I needed to make it. It has tubes that need to be turned right side out, and my tube turner is the best tool for that. So I packed that project back in the bag, and got out another one. Do you see my phone with the Valentine wallpaper for February? It has Snoopy on a telephone with hearts. So cute.
On to the next project I had in my bag for the sew day. At home, I had stitched out these two coffee pot motifs to make into hot pads choosing the thread colors from this print. I put the borders on them.
Then, I layered the motifs with heat resistant fabrics and stitched around the edge.
At home, I added the binding with the loops. I really like these, so I’ll happily keep them if they don’t sell. If they do sell, I’ll make another set for myself.
Last weekend, a dear friend sent me a text that she had badly burned her hand by grabbing a hot skillet handle without using a hot pad. She had apparently taken it out of the oven and set it on the stove. She had second degree burns on her fingers and much of her palm. Just one of those things we have all done, see a handle, reach for it and forget the hot pad. So, I went to the sewing room and made her a handle pad like one I use for my cast iron skillets when I bake with them. To make one, cut four pieces 6×6-inches – one pretty fabric, two insul-brite battings and one silver heat resistant fabric.
Place the silver heat resistant fabric right sides together with the pretty one.
Layer the insul-brite battings on top with the silver sides toward the heat resistant fabric.
Sew around the edges, pivoting at the corners and leaving an opening for turning.
Clip the corners to reduce bulk.
Turn by pulling it through between the pretty fabric and the heat resistant fabric.
Push the corners out as crisply as you can. Pin the opening to be sure the batting folds over as it should.
Stitch across the side to close the opening, about 1/8-inch from the edge.
Fold the piece in half with the top-stitched seam on the short side. Stitch on top of the previous stitching line to the corner.
Pivot and continue up the long side.
All done in under 30 minutes.
Now, when my friend has a pan in the oven, she can use this to be sure she doesn’t grab a hot handle ever again. I put mine on the oven door handle to remind myself to pick up the holder as I open the door. Then, I leave it on the pan’s handle while the pan is on top of the stove so I don’t inadvertently grab that handle before it completely cools off.
Next, who knows. I still have those bird panes to figure out, a jelly roll that needs a project, some fabric with bees, more embroidery motifs to stitch, and maybe a Quilt of Valor.
What are you sewing this week?
From My Carolina Home 
Beautiful reminder…”This is HOT!”
The pot handle is a brilliant idea. We’ve all done that — even with pans not in the oven but that just got too hot on the stove. And I love the fabric you used for your sewing bag!
I’ve got a handle pad for my cast iron too – but it isn’t pretty like yours it is a silicone type of thing that goes on and off and it a bit of a struggle to come off at times. I’ve done that before too – grab a pan and forgot the hot pad but didn’t burn it that bad.
Such cute and practical projects! Just the kind I like! Looking forward to my new crafting studio to be able to sew, make cards and crochet to my heart’s content. Looking forward to seeing what is up your sleeve next.
Thank you so much for the handle.
That sounds like a fun way to get some items made for the shop at the quilt show! Those look interesting and useful, too. I love the pan handle cover – what a good idea! I finished up a quilt this week, so that’s a good feeling, but I’m not sure what I’ll work on next. My mom ended up in the hospital this week, and is transferring to a rehab facility sometime this week, so there’s a lot to navigate there, as I know you know!
Thanks so much for the pot handle pattern. I have a silicone one I use on my pans but it is hard to get on when the pan is hot.
Our quilt group was donated a baby quilt in progress. One of the ladies in the group has an elderly neighbor that donated a bunch of fabric. She had sewn simple squares into rows but had left it there. So I am sewing the rows together and will put a border on it. The quilt will go in the church auction in September. Nice to have a project to finish where most of the work was already done. 😊
Looks like a lot of great progress on multiple projects this week. Pan handle hot pads are incredibly useful and I’m so glad I have them for the pots and pans in my kitchen. It’s sweet you made one for your friend; I hope she heals quickly!
I have made several hot pad handle holders for myself and friends and they always appreciate them. I have also made the quilting tool caddy. It is especially handy when attending a class. Room to keep all those special tools close by. This week I am working on a BOM project and a quicky quilt sew-along. Have a great week.
I’m very sorry your friend burned her hand so badly. I’m sure many of us winced when you wrote about it, having done the same ourselves. A badly burned hand can set you back for a long time. I pray for her speedy recovery.
The coffee pot hot pads are very pretty, Carole, and I’m sure they’ll sell very quickly!
This morning was PT so I’m not really feeling the sewing bug today. My plan was to finish quilting my challenge piece, but I’m dog sitting my granddog and one bump to the arm and there goes the design……..
Thank you so much for pointing us to the quilting tool caddy pattern. I’m not sewing much this week….life has thrown me a few curveballs lately. Thank you also for the tutorial on the handy hot handle pad. I love my cast iron cookware and this will make me feel much safer when using them. I truly hope your friend’s hand heals quickly…there is nothing like a burn. Blessings from WV…
Ouch-wincing at the situation your friend is in. Yes, it’s probably happened at least once to every cook. I forget the most with ceramic bakeware, somehow it doesn’t telegraph *hot* the same way metal does. All of these items are perfect for a quilt show shop – our show is coming up in May. I’d better get sewing!
Just finished a large baby quilt for my neice, and got the invitation to the shower later in the day! Right on time. Checking for threads and any mistakes…..Still in the 20’s and dreary but walking the dog – she doesn’t care. Tool caddy looks good for my kids who like to draw with pencils. I think all pencils are the same – that’s okay they think all thread is the same, but they have lots of pencils and this looks like a good thing so they don’t roll off the table. Thanks
I do hope your friend recovers well from her burnt hand, that sounds very painful indeed. So kind of you to whip up that handle cover for her. What an I sewing this week? Appliquing elephants!
I love the tool caddy. Years ago I made one for me & another for a quilt retreat door prize. Mine is sitting next to my sewing machine & is used every day I sew! I think I need to make a pot handle for my cast iron skillet. I frequently catch myself almost grabbing the hot handle. One day I’ll forget. Thanks for the quickie tutorial. I’ll add that to my scrap busting pile.
The tool caddy is so nice and so practical. I love the potholders. They’re much too pretty to use! They’ll go quickly, I am sure.
What a nice variety of projects! I’m sure your pot holders will sell quickly at your show as they are very unique. Thanks for the link to the tool caddy. I will download those directions ! This week I have spent some time reading all about the “new to me” embroidery machine I bought in September and haven’t tried yet! At least I watched the DVD and have it set up at a workstation. I had “hoop envy” again and the right opportunity crossed my path. 😉
That sewing caddy is really clever and the skillet handle cover for your friend is such a nice gift!
Carole, I always enjoy your bird photos, I have never seen many in the N West.
I want to make a tool caddy like yours but what is a flyer photo stand?
Sue
Here’s a link to ones similar to what we are using, they stand straight up, not angled. Acrylic Stand 5×7.
Thank you. The robins came back to my home in WA yesterday!
It looks like you have had some very productive sewing sessions. All the projects look great and are so useful.
Those tool caddies are such a cool idea! They are bound to be popular items on the sale table!
I love the tool caddies and the pan handlers! Both are very clever!