Mini Mitt Project

I was looking for an easy sewing project for the 2nd grade Girl Scout Brownies. I already wanted to work on sewing on a button and possibly more hand sewing with felt for SWAPS.

I wondered if quilting could be incorporated into a meeting somehow. I considered a four square mini quilt as a pot holder or a doll quilt, but finally decided that quilting might be too much for the girls and the adult helpers in our hour and a half meeting time.

The potholder idea I liked as it is functional and a nice project. I remembered my sister-in-law showing me a mini pot holder recently that just covered the fingertips and thumb. I did a Google search and found some images of the mini mitt or pot holder. I thought I could figure out a similar pattern and it might be easy enough.

I finished a first and second attempt in a short amount of time. I wondered if a seven year old would be able to do it. I wrote up some basic instructions and asked my seven year old to try and follow them. She wasn't sure at different points and did become frustrated, but then again she is feeling a bit under the weather and might be getting frustrated more easily. The hardest parts were sewing around a curve and turning the thick mitt. I will have to think more if this would work for the Girl Scout troop.

As my daughter was working on her mitt, I did snap some pictures to make a tutorial which I will share.

Step 1-Cut out 2 ovals of one fabric which will have the finished size about 7x5. Make two half ovals cut on the fold. The pockets are just smaller than half the big oval. Cut 1-2 layers of insulating batting.

Step 2-Topstitch along the folded edge of each pocket.

Step 3-Pin each pocket to one of the ovals and line up the edges. Try to keep the pocket's folded edges parallel to each other. Sew around the edge of the big oval stitching over both pockets.













Step 4-Place oval with pockets right sides together with second oval.

Step 5-Then place 1-2 layers of batting on the wrong side of the second oval.

Step 6-Pin and sew through all 3-4 layers following the previous stitching leaving a generous space for turning the thick layers.

Step 7-Trim seam allowances and clip curves.

Step 8-Turn right sides out. It is thick and best to go slowly. The insulating batting will be on the inside, pockets on one side and plain on the other.

Step 9-Smooth out edges and press (optional). Tuck in raw edges and pin for sewing. Top stitch around the whole mitts stitching closed the opening. The opening could also be hand stitched closed first.

This little mitt would be perfect for taking a hot plate or mug out of the microwave, removing a pot lid or holding a hot tea kettle handle.  Coordinating fabrics would be fun too.

I searched around after writing this and found the mitts are often called microwave mitts. There are many tutorials for microwave mitts. I found one tutorial which leaves one end open for turning. That is a great idea!