Pot holder and teapot cosy

A “stripe” patchwork block is built by sewing fabric strips of equal width one after another round a central square. No special template is needed to mark the strip width – a ruler of the right width is enough. Strips are not cut to exact length in advance: after each strip is sewn on, the extra is trimmed level with the edge of the block. If the strips are sewn on going round clockwise, each new strip is longer than the one before and the block grows step by step; in another version the strips are added in pairs to opposite sides of the central square. Alternating light and dark strips makes the pattern stand out. For a pot holder you need two cotton fabrics, thick cotton batting, bias tape for the edge, thread, needle, thimble and scissors. Safety and material notes: a pot holder is for holding hot dishes, so its inner layer must be thick. Synthetic batting (sintepon) melts at high temperature and can catch fire or stick if it touches an open flame or hot hob, so cotton batting and cotton fabric are safer; never put the holder on a flame, a red-hot plate or a boiling metal surface; a damp holder can pass steam and scald, so keep it dry. Pass sharp scissors closed; work on the machine and iron only under the teacher; count needles and pins. Children use such a holder in the kitchen only when an adult is present.