Tuesday, December 13, 2016

a simple hot pad tutorial

I've had a few requests for a hot pad tutorial...AND it's been on my mental list of things to do, so here we go! This is an easy afternoon sewing project...in theory, anyway. :) It's a great way to use up some scraps or mini charm packs.
These were gifts for a friend that I made last year. The patchwork dishtowel tutorial can be found here. The recipes for the sauces can be found in this post.

Supplies needed for one hot pad:
16 2 1/2" squares of quilting cotton
9" square of cotton batting
9" square of Insul-Brite
9 1/2" square of quilting cotton for the back of the hot pad
2 1/2" strip of bias binding, about 36" long
Step 1: Select 16 2 1/2" squares and arrange in a 4 by 4 array.
Step 2: Sew the squares into rows. Sew the rows together and press well. The block should measure 8 1/2" square.
Step 3: Make a quilt sandwich. Layer the backing (face down), Insul-Brite, cotton batting, then the patchwork (right side up).
 Align the layers. Pin baste if desired.
Step 4: Attach a walking foot to your sewing machine. Quilt the piece with straight lines, echoing the seam lines on both sides. There will be shifting! There are a lot of bulky layers, so take it slow and try to let the walking foot do the work. It will probably get a little bit wonky.
Step 5: Use the base of a mug, a cup or a circular object of some sort. Use a marker or marking pen to trace the arc in all 4 corners.
Step 6: Trim off the excess batting, backing, etc. Trim around the marked corners as well.
Step 7: Sew a line of stitching around the perimeter of the piece to hold all the layers together. This makes it so much easier to apply the binding.
Step 8: Make a strip of bias binding 2 1/2" wide by about 36" long. Fold in half, lengthwise and press. (Bias binding is important since the corners are curved.)
Step 9: Attach the binding to the hot pad. If you use a short stitch length (I used a 2 on my sewing machine), the curves are easier to sew. (Check out my bias binding tutorial if you are unsure of how to make it or how to join the last seam. It's the same method as attaching bias binding to a quilt, just on a smaller scale.)
Step 10: Use an iron to press the binding away from the hot pad. (The binding will stand straight up. :))
Step 11: Flip the hot pad over and wrap the binding around to the back to cover the line of stitching. Use wonder clips to hold it in place. Stitch the binding down by hand or machine, whichever you prefer. (I like hand binding, because it usually turns out neater.)
Step 12: Use your new hot pad or give it to a friend! Repeat as needed!

(These also make great indoor Frisbees....but don't tell your kids or grandkids that! Hahaha!)

If you make any hot pads using this tutorial, I'd love to see them!

15 comments:

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I'm glad I had set my hot tea down before I read about indoor frisbees or it would have been through my nose this morning!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Thanks!! We had our family Christmas potluck party on Sunday and we ran out of hot pads for all the dishes. Never occurred to me to actually make one. LOL

the momma said...

I seriously was thinking, just this morning, that maybe I should make a pot holder or two for my step mom! (we don't do big gifts with them, but I like to give a little something, and she appreciates hand made. In fact - last year, I made patchwork towels :-)
Thanks! Tracy

Timi said...

Thank you so much for the great tutorial!!!

Katherine said...

Thank you! Looking forward to making some!

Rosa said...

Thanks so much .Hope to make some for Christmas gift.

Balvarez said...

Thanks for the tutorial,really helps alot

Paige said...

These WILL make great gifts! Thanks for the tutorial. Now I know what to do while waiting on the rolls to come out of the oven! :)

Mary Marcotte said...

I have only three daughters-in-law who would love these! I guess it's something to get busy with tomorrow and over the weekend. Thanks for the tutorial. :)

Kris Quilts said...

Thanks for the great idea. Now I know what I'm going to make with all those mini charms I just HAD to have. Besides, I need some new pot holders. I don't have insulbrite, so I might use silver ironing board fabric in the middle. Thanks again for the tutorial.

artsycraftsyivy said...

Thanks for the tute! These are great! You are too funny--indoor frisbees! Hah!

sansuey said...

I made the towels last year as part of my neighbor gifts...maybe they need pot holders this year!

Unknown said...

So cute- I will have to make one tonight! Thanks for sharing.

Kim B. said...

These are so cute, Amanda Jean, and you're so kind to publish tutorials for both!! And they look SO fresh in your Good Neighbors fabric!

manos maravillosas said...

The pads I made eons ago have all worn out, I was using them to polish furniture and toss. Thank you so much for such a fabulous tute, I have to replenish my hot pads now, no excuses.