Skip to Content

Wacky Cute Chicken Pot Holders – Upcycling with Old Jeans

A few months ago I sketched out a bunch of pot holders I want to make from old jeans.  

So far I’ve made seven pot holders, one reverse applique pot holder, two square pot holder, two pot holders with finger protectors, and these two cute wacky chicken pot holders.  

These two chicken pot holders are so adorable.  I don’t think I’ll want to use them or risk getting them dirty!  😀

Wacky Chicken Pot Holders
My favorite pot holders are probably pot holders with finger protectors, whenever I’m pulling something from the oven, I find myself reaching for these pot holders. 

These pot holders are easy to make using supplies you probably already have on hand.  They also protect so well!

Uses for Old Jeans - Potholders

Super-Cute Chicken Pot Holders

Here’s an overview of how I made these wacky chicken pot holders.  I don’t plan on putting up a tutorial or pattern.  I just winged it as outlined below.

  • Drew the chicken pot holder pattern
  • Created pattern pieces using an old manila file (it’s easier to trace around a manila file than it is a piece of paper).  You could also use an empty cereal box for the traceable pattern.
    – main chicken body
    – smaller chicken body for the inside insulation (which is three layers of denim)
    – wings
    – nose
    – comb (hat looking thing on the chicken head)
    – I used buttons for the eyes
  • I used denim for the pot holder backing
  • I used three layers of denim for the insulation
  • I used cotton scraps for the main chicken body, wings, nose, and comb

 Here’s my actual drawing.  Yep, I draw like a five-year-old.

Free Chicken Pot Holder Pattern

I started off by making the pattern pieces (from my drawing), I made templates out of a manila file.  I made the wings more alike than in my drawing.  

I also made a template for the denim on the inside of the potholder (insulation) which is just slightly smaller than the main chicken body.  

I didn’t want to struggle with four layers of denim in the seam.

I stitched the insulating layers to the back fabric.

Chicken Pot Holders

I traced the main chicken fabric to fabric and then cut it out about 1/4″ larger than the line.  I then used scraps of fabric for the wings, nose, and comb.  

I traced each part onto the wrong side of a scrap of fabric and then stitched the scrap right sides together with another scrap.  Alternatively, you could use fusible web for this part.  

Or you could do needle-turn applique.  I left the long straightish sides of the wings open for easy turning.  I also left the comb end open for turning.  

I turned the beak right side out by cutting a slit in one of the fabrics, taking care not to get within 1/4″ of the seam.

Chicken Pot Holder Pattern

I used a mechanical pencil with the lead all the way down to push the curves and the corners of the fabric out.  Then I pressed the wings, nose, and comb with a hot iron.

Cartoon Chicken Pot Holder

I pinned the wings and nose in place on the right side of the chicken body and stitched them down.  I manually sewed on the button eyes.

How to Make Chicken Pot Holder

Next, I layered the chicken front to the chicken back right sides together.  I left an opening where the comb is inserted after turning the wacky chicken pot holder right side out.

TIP:  If I made this pot holder again, I’d probably go ahead and stitch in the comb and leave an opening at the bottom of the chicken for turning the right side out.  

I think, since the bottom is fairly straight, it would be easier to deal with than the curve of the head.  

Before flipping the chicken right sides out, I trimmed down the seam allowance (look at the bigger chicken body, and you’ll see the trimmed seam allowance).

Pot Holder Tutorial

After turning the pot holder right side out I stitched around the edges.

Wacky Chicken Pot Holder

If you are looking for a bigger sewing project to use up a bunch of old jeans, be sure to check out my Denim Rag Quilt tutorial.  I made this quilt from a stack of my husband’s old jeans.  

Denim I Spy Rag Quilt

I also have a super cute I Spy baby quilt – part 1 and part 2 quilt.. Jack's I Spy Baby Quilt Binding

Chicken Friends Wall Hanging Quilt 
Friends Chicken Quilt

Here are more chicken pot holder patterns to make:

*** This post contains affiliate links.

 

Renee

Thursday 25th of January 2024

Going to make your potholders and finger one also my grandson which I raised said he needs potholders cause ones he bought burns his hands. He wanted to take mine which I had made.

binance sign up

Saturday 27th of May 2023

I don't think the title of your enticle matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the enticle. https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=P9L9FQKY

Judie

Thursday 1st of December 2022

It is a great pattern, would like to down load the pattern

Jenny Bowles

Sunday 27th of October 2019

Hi - are you meant to be able to slip your fingers under the wings (like your earlier pot holder?) Or do you just fold it in half?

Lois

Monday 6th of August 2018

I would love for you to out up a pattern. I would love to make a bunch of these for gifts.

I hope you love the products I recommend! When you buy through links on HangryFork.com, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more