Potholders from the Lewis Collection

Potholders from One Family

by Patricia Lynne Grace Cummings

Potholders can be thick to prevent our burning our hands when handling hot pots, or they can be thin and merely decorative. Recently, I had the opportunity to study fifty-six potholders, all made by ladies of the same family. The entire collection is charming, but since we are limited for space, I have chosen twelve of them to show to you, some of which appear to have been made by the little girl of the household. These are all "old," but only one or two of them saw any actual use in a kitchen.

Potholder - star block

This block appears to have been made by the youngest member of the family. Notice the upper right corner where the half-square triangle unit is not seated correctly. Some would call this a "humility block," while others would call it a "mistake." photo by James Cummings

Potholder - bonnet

This charming quilted bonnet potholder was no doubt "for show" only. We have seen a number of these in antique stores, so they must have been popular, "in the day."

Potholder - square

A square "on point" is always elegant and this cheerful turquoise potholder is no exception.

Potholder - bird print

This is a lovely bird print that contrasts well with the black background. Notice that the maker has used Buttonhole Stitch to secure the edges.

Potholder with giant yellow Chrysanthemum

A giant Chrysanthemum is the main feature of this bright colored, tied, potholder.

Potholder in red flannel

Potholder in red flannel. Use was made of all kinds of fabrics in the rural setting in which these potholders were made.

Potholder- crocheted yellow rose

A crocheted, yellow rose is present on this elegant potholder, clearly the work of an adult.

Potholder - Pinwheel pattern

A Pinwheel pattern is at the center of this colorful potholder that shows lots of "movement" due to the striped fabric and layout of the block.

Potholder or hot pad in recycled fabric

This fabric is probably recycled or a remnant from a home decorating project. She has simply quilted the layers by sewing from corner to corner, twice, with a sewing machine, and then she added a separate binding. This was probably intended to be used as a hot pad.

Potholder for Christmas

This appears to be a potholder for Christmas. Notice the red ties, and there is Buttonhole Stitch along the hanging loop, on one edge.

Potholder - yellow and green

The uneven borders and embroidery stitches tell it all! This project was the work of a little girl.

Potholder - chicken scratch

This potholder represents a technique now called "Chicken Scratch." In this method, cross stitches are made on gingham fabric. This design seems to represent a basket of flowers. Looking at it quickly, it also resembles a smiling, but crooked face.

What Can Potholders Tell Us?

In these days of "take out" food, when no one seems to cook much any more, potholders are going the way of dinosaurs. When I was a child, the only potholders I made were the woven kind, on a hand loom. Those looms are still available to purchase from the Vermont Country Store, and are great fun for children.

I may never know exactly who made each of the fifty-six potholders, but I have enjoyed looking at them. I can't help but think that potholders would be a great project for a first quilting project for a youngster. They take virtually no time at all, and there are some potential lessons that could be taught, such as how to apply a separate binding, how to embroider, and how to piece a block by hand. The past continues to instruct us. I hope you have enjoyed seeing these "pieces of the past."