How To Make Oven Mitts

There's nothing quite like the feeling of pulling a freshly baked tray of cookies or a piping hot casserole out of the oven. However, the heat from the oven can be intense, and without proper protection, it's easy to accidentally burn yourself. That's where oven mitts come in. These handy kitchen tools are designed to keep your hands safe from the heat while allowing you to easily grip and maneuver hot dishes and bakeware.

Making your own oven mitts can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. Not only will you be able to customize the design and fabric to suit your taste, but you'll also have the satisfaction of using something you made with your own two hands. In this article, we'll show you how to make oven mitts from scratch, including everything from choosing the right materials to sewing and assembling the final product. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to embark on a creative and practical sewing adventure!

Gathering Supplies

The first step in making oven mitts is to gather all the necessary supplies. Here's what you'll need:

Fabric: Choose a heat-resistant fabric for the outer shell of your oven mitts. Look for materials such as cotton, denim, or canvas. You'll also need a lining fabric for the inside of the mitts. Insulated batting: This material will provide the heat protection needed to keep your hands safe. Insulated batting is designed specifically for projects like oven mitts and pot holders. Thread: Opt for a durable, heat-resistant thread that will withstand frequent use and washing. Scissors: A good pair of fabric scissors will make cutting through thick materials much easier. Sewing machine: While you can technically sew oven mitts by hand, a sewing machine will make the process much faster and more efficient. Pins or clips: These will be used to hold the fabric layers together as you sew. Pattern: You can either purchase a pattern specifically for oven mitts, or you can create your own by tracing around your hand on a piece of paper.

Choosing a Design

Before you start cutting and sewing, it's important to think about the design of your oven mitts. While the primary goal is functionality, there's no reason why your oven mitts can't also be stylish and fun. Consider the following design elements:

Size: Think about how large you want your oven mitts to be. If you have larger hands, you may want to adjust the size of the pattern accordingly. Shape: Most oven mitts are shaped to accommodate a wide range of hand sizes and to provide a secure grip on hot items. Consider whether you want traditional mitts or a more modern, streamlined design. Decoration: You can add decorative elements to your oven mitts, such as appliqués, embroidery, or decorative stitching. Just be sure to use heat-resistant materials if you plan to decorate the outer fabric.

Preparing the Fabric

Once you've settled on a design for your oven mitts, it's time to prepare the fabric. Start by washing and drying the fabric to preshrink it and remove any sizing or debris. Then, iron the fabric to smooth out any wrinkles and ensure it's flat and easy to work with.

Next, lay out your pattern pieces on the fabric and carefully cut around them using the fabric scissors. You'll need to cut two pieces for each oven mitt – one from the outer fabric and one from the lining fabric. For the insulated batting, cut two pieces slightly smaller than the outer fabric pieces. This will prevent the batting from getting caught in the seam allowances when you sew the layers together.

Assembling the Layers

With the fabric pieces cut, it's time to start assembling the layers of the oven mitts. Begin by placing one piece of the lining fabric right side up on your work surface. Then, place one piece of the insulated batting on top of the lining fabric, followed by the outer fabric piece right side down. This will create a fabric "sandwich" with the lining fabric on the bottom, the insulated batting in the middle, and the outer fabric on top.

Pin or clip the layers together around the edges to hold them in place as you sew. Then, using a straight stitch on your sewing machine, sew around the edges of the fabric layers, leaving a small opening at the bottom of the mitt for turning.

Carefully trim the excess fabric and batting from the seam allowances, being careful not to cut the stitching. Then, turn the mitt right side out through the opening and gently push out the corners with a blunt tool, such as a chopstick or knitting needle.

Finishing Touches

With the mitt turned right side out, it's time to add the finishing touches. Use a hot iron to press the edges of the mitt, and then topstitch around the entire perimeter to close the opening and create a polished, professional-looking finish.

For added durability, you can also quilt the layers together by stitching lines across the mitt in a grid pattern. This will help to keep the layers from shifting and ensure that the insulated batting stays evenly distributed.

Finally, finish the bottom edge of the mitt with bias tape or a fabric binding to create a neat, finished edge. You can also add a hanging loop to the outside edge of the mitt to make it easy to store and access in your kitchen.

In conclusion, making your own oven mitts is a fun and practical sewing project that anyone with basic sewing skills can tackle. With just a few simple supplies and a little creativity, you can create a set of custom oven mitts that are as stylish as they are functional. Whether you're a seasoned seamstress or a complete beginner, this DIY project is sure to result in a useful kitchen accessory that you'll be proud to use and display. So why not give it a try and see what you can create? Your hands (and your cookies) will thank you!