You already have everything you need to make this.
A little cotton fabric. Some batting. Your machine. That is it.
The rag quilted potholder is one of those projects that looks like it took real skill but comes together in an afternoon. The frayed edges are not a mistake. They are the whole point. And once you see that beautiful raggy edge come out of the dryer, you will want to make a whole stack of them.
I have been sewing and selling these for years. Thousands of them. They are one of the most reliable sellers I have ever made, and they are genuinely one of the first things I recommend when someone asks me what they should start making to sell.
Meet Lisa – Your Creative Guide
I’m Lisa—a fourth-generation seamstress from small-town Iowa with over 30 years of creative business experience. Applique is one of my favorite ways to breathe new life into everyday items. I design every pattern with love, rooted in the tradition passed down from my grandma's sewing room to mine.
From baby gifts to kitchen towels to tote bags—you’ll find projects that spark your creativity and fill your shop (or home!) with beauty and joy.
Why this project works so well:
The materials are inexpensive and easy to find. The skills required are basic. The finished product looks polished and intentional. And people love them.
At a craft show, these sell fast. Bundle two or three in coordinating fabrics and they move even faster. They make great gifts, great stocking stuffers, and great additions to any kitchen-themed display. Low cost to make, quick to produce in batches, and customers come back for them every season.
If you have been wanting to start selling your sewing, this is one of the best places to begin.