Skip to content
35

How to Make Mini Oven Mitts (with FREE pattern)

These mini oven mitts, also know as finger thumb oven mitts are so much easier than the large oven mitts used for taking out heavy roasting trays. We need these little ones for taking bowls out of the microwave, pulling forward an oven rack to check how our baking is doing and for handling light cookie sheets. They are so much easier than putting on a long oven glove. Most times we tend to just grab a dish towel to protect our fingers for these light weight jobs, and that’s when we don’t fold it properly or its wet, that we get our fingers burned. So, make yourself one of these today – you’ll soon have friends asking for the finger thumb potholder, or mini-microwave mitts as these are known.

homemade mini oven mitts

We all know the feeling of reaching into a microwaves, anticipating our steaming bowl of noodles that have only been in there for two minutes and getting a nasty surprise because the bowl is too hot to handle. Enter the mini oven mitt that slips on easily, unlike those long oven gloves, and can be grabbed in a second to retrieve bowls from microwaves or adjust baking trays in the oven. They are sufficiently padded to protect your hand for those lighter jobs around the kitchen – the ones where you usually underestimate how warm a hot lid or handle will be. Follow our step-by-step tutorial to learn how easy the mini-mitt is to make.

finger thumb potholder diy with lentils soup

Below you will find my step by step finger thumb potholders written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Some of the links may be affiliate meaning we earn a small commission if an item is purchased.

How to make Mini Oven Mitts

holding bowl with two mini oven mitts

Supplies and tools

mini oven mitts template and supplies

DOWNLOAD: mini oven mitts pattern [Free pdf file] 

Follow us for free patterns & tutorials! [easy-profiles]

How to Sew a Finger Thumb potholder aka Mini Oven mitt

Watch the diy finger thumb potholder video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

Finger Thumb Mitt VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Get the mini oven mitt template

mini oven mitts pattern

Download the mini oven mitt pattern provided for this project. Print it at 100% on US letter paper/ A4 and cut out the pattern.

STEP 2: Layer fabrics

You’ll need two 10-inch (25cm) squares of fabric – one patterned and one plain as well as a piece of batting (wadding) 5 x 10″ (13 x 25cm) to make a mini oven mitt. Pin the squares with the right sides facing each other.

STEP 3: Cut out the fabrics

Draw the pattern onto the wrong side of the plain fabric – it is easier to see the lines on this than on the printed fabric, placing the pattern first facing up and then flip it down before you cut out the second set to best use the fabric. You will see a line on one of the pattern pieces through the center – don’t forget to mark this on one the fabric and cut along the mark. These will be for the finger part (the larger piece) and for the thumb part (smaller piece) of the mitt.

cutting layout for the finger thumb potholder

There will be a little extra fabric on the one end – just chop that off using scissors or your rotary cutter and a cutting board. It will be 10 inches by 1 inch (20cm x 2.5cm) roughly. Keep the printed offcut, because this will be your hanging loop for the oven mitt.

Also cut out one piece of the batting.

mini oven mitts - all parts

Step 4: Prepare the hanging loop

Some people like to sew down the two edges on the wrong side of the fabric, of the folded strip, then turn it the right way out. That is fine but I find it easier to fold the strip in half down the length, press in the fold, then open out and turn in ¼ inch (6mm) on either side, press then fold down the original pressed fold, then stitch down the one side opposite the fold. It’s just a little less fiddly than turning fabric.

Cut to the size you want your hanging loop to be. I cut it down to 5″ (13cm).

Step 5: Stitch

Take the pinned fabrics for the finger part and the thumb part of the oven mitt and stitch down  1/4″ (6mm) along the straight edge.

Step 6: Topstitch

Fold each piece open to the right sides are outwards, finger press the seam and then fold so the wrong sides are facing each other and top stitch along the straight edge on each.

mini oven mitts with topstiched parts

Step 7: Stack the fabrics

1. Place the batting on the worktop
2. The printed fabric right side up, aligning so the pattern shapes match up – one side is wider than the other.
3. The smaller printed side of the half piece you top stitched patterned right side facing the patterned right side and aligning with the edges on the smaller end
4. The larger printed side of the other half piece you top stitched, patterned right side facing the patterned right side and aligning with the edges. (Note there will be a ½ inch (1.3cm) or so gap between the smaller pieces – this is fine.)
5. In the gap between the two smaller pieces the hanging loop you stitched with the raw edges facing the edge of the pattern and the loop facing into the center of the gap.
6. The plain piece of fabric, right side down.

stacking the fabrics for the mini oven mitt

Step 8: Pin all layers

Pin or clip (clipping is easier), all the layers together making sure that nothing moves.

mini oven mitts - sewing around

Step 9: Stitch around the mitt

Carefully stitch all around ¼ inch (6mm) from the edge leaving a gap of 2 inches (5cm) just above the part where the loop is inserted to enable you to turn the fabric. Back tack at the start and finish of the gap and backtack over the gap between the small pieces to reinforce that part. There are a few layers to sew through but take it slowly and steadily and your domestic machine will handle it – just make sure you have a sharp needle. If you need you can release the foot pressure a little and remember to leave the needle in the fabric and release the pressure foot when turning through the curves. Once done, check that all the layers have been caught by the machine stitching.

stitched all around the mini oven mitt

Step 10: Trim

Once stitched, all that remains is to trim any wayward edges and the excess batting, and turn out the right way through the gap.

Step 11: Sew the gap closed

Turn in the raw edges of the gap and stitch closed either by hand or with your machine with a top stitch.

mini oven mitts with stiched gap

If you don’t feel lazy, you can turn the finger part of the oven mitt inside out, fold under the raw edges and stitch the gap. Then turn it over so there will be no stitches visible.

Step 12: Turn right side out

The actual little finger grips of the oven mitt remain to be turned out and it will be ready to use.

mini oven mitts from different angles

These are such a useful little item to have in your kitchen – especially hanging right next to the microwave. If you enjoyed making up this pattern from two 10-inch square of left-over fabric, then hit the subscribe button to have more of our projects delivered straight to your inbox.

mini oven mitts view from above

Do you like this? Pin for later:

diy finger thumb potholders

Wanna be friends? Click HERE and follow me on Pinterest

RELATED:

Large quilted oven mitts tutorial

Free apron sewing patterns for everyone in the family

DIY hot pads with pattern

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 35 comments
Loraine Phelan - June 4, 2022

How do I find the free pattern for mini oven mitt

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    Under supplies and tools

    Reply
Jennifer - June 4, 2022

K where is the link for the pattern? Am I missing something?

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    It’s under supplies and tools

    Reply
Marilyn - June 4, 2022

Sorry but I don’t seem to be able to download the pattern template.

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    Apologies for the delay, the link is now fixed and you can go ahead and download it

    Reply
Louise M Haddon - June 4, 2022

where is the pattern?

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    Under supplies and tools

    Reply
Linda - June 4, 2022

Looks like a great project, but I can’t find the pattern.

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    The link is working now, you can get it

    Reply
Paul - June 4, 2022

Difficulty finding the link to the pdf of pattern for oven mitt

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    It’s under supplies and tools

    Reply
Jean - June 4, 2022

Cute idea. Would be perfect for my granddaughters. Where do I download the pattern? Already resubmitted my info.

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    Hi Jean. Indeed it is a great little gift. it’s under supplies and tools

    Reply
Margie Anderson - June 4, 2022

I don’t see a download button for the pattern. Am I missing it?

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    I fixed the link, you should be able to get it now

    Reply
Carole - June 4, 2022

I cannot find where to download the free pattern for the Mini Oven Mitts (with free pattern). Help!

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    I fixed the link, you can download it now

    Reply
una renee walton - June 4, 2022

So cute but I cannot find the link for the pattern.

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    Thanks Una. It’s up now, you should be able to get it

    Reply
Mary D - June 4, 2022

Looks cute but could not find any link for the template. Can you provide the location? Also do you use a special batting like insul bright or does a plain warm and natural work well?

Reply
    Helen - June 6, 2022

    Thanks Mary. I used just plain thick batting but if you want to be extra safe you can get insulbright. The pattern is under supplies and tools

    Reply
Sew Crafty Crochet - August 3, 2022

I love this style of oven mitt, and I really love the nautical fabrics.

Reply
Judy - August 6, 2022

Thanks for sharing the mini over mitts pattern and directions. Sounds like a nice small sewing project.

Reply
Claire Justine - August 6, 2022

These are great. I could do with making some as my dog keeps pinching my plastic one. Stopping by from PoCoLo 🙂

Reply
Meagan Trento - August 6, 2022

I love the fabric you picked to make these pot holders. very cute. I never thought to make my own. Thanks for the great idea.

Reply
Karren Haller - August 8, 2022

I love these mitts, I have saved them twice on Pinterest, LOL, great idea for all the leftover mask making fabric!! And cute idea for Christmas!!
Watch for your post to be featured on Oh My Heartsie Girl this week and thanks for sharing!!

Reply
Rhondda Mol - August 8, 2022

Hi Helen, These Mini Oven Mitts will be super handy to have around! Especially for those of us that have smaller hands – I always find the big bulky oven mitts swallow my hands so much that I have trouble grabbing onto hot items. These would be much safer to use! Thank you for linking up at our weekly Link Party! You are being featured at our Wednesday Party #463 this week. Here’s the direct link to the post in case you’d like to share your feature:
https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/summer-field-bracelet-whirlpool-crochet-doily-mini-oven-mitts-link-party-463/
Hope to see you again next week! Rhondda

Reply
Niki ~ Life as a LEO Wife - August 11, 2022

Adorable! I don’t know if I can manage sewing a curve yet. I rip way more stitches than I put in at this point lol. I’ve only had my machine a few weeks, so we’ll see how long it takes to get there. Thanks for sharing with us on Crafty Creators! I’ll be featuring your post on tomorrow’s party! If you let me know you’re following on social media (you can just leave a comment on the party), I’ll feature it on FB, IG, & Pinterest.
XOXO,
Niki

Reply
Kerryanne - August 12, 2022

These are great Helen. What a fun project and would make great presents too!
Thank you for sharing your DIY mini oven mitts at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring your project at the party tonight and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne

Reply
Deb - December 30, 2022

What a fantastic hostess gift! Thank you so much for this fab pattern. Super easy to whip up.
Cheers – Deb

Reply
Susan - January 6, 2023

Did I do something wrong ? I needed 3 lining fabrics ..

Reply
Pat - September 4, 2023

Thanks so much! I was going to make oven mitts because the ones you buy are so huge, but these are even better. I made some really small ones for the microwave years that are similar to these. Never thought of making them a bit larger for the oven.

Reply
Pat - September 5, 2023

I will definitely use a layer of both Insulbrite and batting, I learned the hard way when I made my first hot pad and the heat went right through one layer of batting. Also, I wonder what you mean by “keep the printed offcut” when cutting out the pieces? I have never heard that sewing term in all my years of sewing. Thanks

Reply
    Helen - September 7, 2023

    good tip. Definitely use insulbrite
    offcut = leftover, scrap piece of fabric
    as for the offcut – if you start with the 10″ squares of fabric, when you cut out the pattern you will have apiece left over that measures approximately 1″ x 10″ you will use that scrap piece to make the hanging loop

    Reply

Leave a Reply: