How to Sew an Oven Mitt

When it comes to cooking and baking, having the right tools is essential to making the process both enjoyable and safe. One such tool that is often overlooked but is crucial in the kitchen is the oven mitt. Whether you're pulling hot trays out of the oven or handling pots and pans on the stove, a good quality oven mitt can protect your hands from burns and provide a secure grip on slippery surfaces. While store-bought oven mitts are readily available, there is something special about making your own. Not only can you choose the fabric, design, and size that best suits your needs, but you can also take pride in using a handmade item in your kitchen. In this article, we will walk you through the steps on how to sew your own oven mitt, allowing you to customize it to your liking and enjoy the process of creating something useful for your home.

Gathering Materials and Supplies

The first step in sewing your own oven mitt is gathering all the necessary materials and supplies. To create a functional and durable oven mitt, you will need the following items:

- Heat-resistant fabric: Look for a sturdy, heat-resistant fabric such as insulated batting, quilted heat-resistant fabric, or specialized heat-resistant material designed for oven mitts. This will protect your hands from the heat of the oven or hot dishes.

- Lining fabric: Choose a soft and comfortable fabric for the lining of your oven mitt. Cotton, terry cloth, or fleece are great options as they are gentle on the skin and provide added insulation.

- Thread: Opt for a strong and durable thread that can withstand high heat and repeated use. Polyester or cotton-polyester blend thread is a good choice for sewing oven mitts.

- Sewing machine: While it is possible to sew an oven mitt by hand, using a sewing machine will make the process faster and more efficient. Make sure your sewing machine is in good working order and has a heavy-duty needle suitable for thicker fabrics.

- Scissors: Sharp fabric scissors will be needed for cutting the fabric accurately and cleanly.

- Pins or clips: These will be used to hold the fabric layers together as you sew.

- Pattern: You can either create your own pattern or use a pre-made oven mitt pattern that can be found online or in sewing books.

Once you have gathered all the necessary materials and supplies, you can move on to the next step of preparing the fabric for sewing.

Preparing the Fabric

Before you start sewing your oven mitt, you will need to prepare the fabric by washing, drying, and cutting it to the appropriate size. It is important to prewash both the heat-resistant fabric and the lining fabric to prevent any shrinkage or distortion after the oven mitt is sewn. Follow the care instructions for each type of fabric and wash them accordingly. Once the fabric is clean and dry, you can iron out any wrinkles to ensure smooth and even sewing.

Next, lay out the heat-resistant fabric and the lining fabric with the right sides facing each other. Place your chosen pattern on top of the fabric layers and pin it in place. Carefully cut around the pattern to create the front and back pieces of the oven mitt. You will need two pieces of heat-resistant fabric and two pieces of lining fabric to create a double-layered mitt for added protection. Once the fabric pieces are cut, remove the pins and set the pattern aside for later use.

With the fabric pieces cut and prepared, you are now ready to start sewing your oven mitt.

Sewing the Oven Mitt

To sew the oven mitt, start by placing one piece of heat-resistant fabric and one piece of lining fabric together with the right sides facing each other. Pin the edges together to hold the layers in place. Repeat this process with the remaining fabric pieces to create two sets of fabric pairs.

Using a sewing machine, stitch around the edges of each fabric pair, leaving the bottom edge (wrist opening) open. Use a 1/2 inch seam allowance and backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to secure the stitches. This will create two separate fabric mitt shapes – one for the front and one for the back of the oven mitt.

Once the edges are sewn, trim excess fabric and clip the curves to reduce bulk and allow the fabric to lay flat. Turn both fabric mitt shapes right side out and press the seams with an iron to create crisp, clean edges.

With both fabric mitt shapes prepared, place the heat-resistant fabric piece on top of the lining fabric piece with the right sides facing each other. Line up the edges and pin them together, leaving the bottom edge open. Sew around the edges using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving a 3-inch gap at the bottom for turning.

After sewing, trim any excess fabric and clip the curves to reduce bulk. Turn the oven mitt right side out through the gap left in the bottom edge. Use a turning tool, such as a chopstick or knitting needle, to push out the corners and smooth the edges. Press the edges with an iron to create a neat and uniform shape.

Once the oven mitt is turned right side out and pressed, you can move on to adding the finishing touches.

Adding the Finishing Touches

To complete the oven mitt, you will need to add a cuff and a hanging loop. Cut a strip of fabric for the cuff and a smaller strip for the hanging loop. The cuff should be wide enough to fit around the wrist opening of the oven mitt, and the loop should be long enough to hang the mitt from a hook or rack in your kitchen.

Fold the cuff strip in half lengthwise with the right sides together and sew along the raw edge to create a narrow tube. Turn the tube right side out and press it flat with an iron. Slide the cuff over the wrist opening of the oven mitt, aligning the raw edges, and pin it in place. Sew around the edge of the cuff to attach it to the mitt, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

For the hanging loop, fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise with the right sides together and sew along the raw edge, leaving the ends open. Turn the loop right side out and press it flat with an iron. Attach the loop to the side of the oven mitt near the wrist opening by sewing it in place with a few backstitches.

After adding the cuff and hanging loop, your handmade oven mitt is complete and ready to use in the kitchen!

Summary

In this article, we have covered the step-by-step process of sewing an oven mitt from gathering materials and preparing the fabric to sewing the mitt and adding the finishing touches. By following these instructions, you can create a customized and durable oven mitt that will protect your hands while cooking and baking. Whether you choose a fun and vibrant fabric or a classic and timeless design, making your own oven mitt allows you to infuse your personality and style into a functional kitchen essential. So, gather your materials, fire up your sewing machine, and get ready to enjoy the process of creating a useful and personalized item for your home.