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Whip up a hot pad with this easy sewing tutorial. In 5 simple steps, you can make a great handmade gift or something pretty for your own kitchen. This homemade hot pad is a great scrap buster or only needs 2 fat quarters and is a wonderful beginner sewing project.
Make a matching apron and child’s chef hat to complete the gift.
When I’m not running around feeling stressed, I love baking for the holidays. And I think it’s perfect to pair a gift for the kitchen with a recipe or homemade goodies. So today I’ll tell you how I made these quick and easy hot pads, perfect for simple hostess, teacher or family gifts.
The hot pad features a pocket in the back to slip your hand into when grabbing burned cakes from the oven! And there’s a hook to hang it up and keep it from catching on fire!
How to Make a Hot Pad
Seriously, this is a simple pattern with no binding and just a few materials. For this project, I tweaked the basic pattern from my book 1, 2, 3 Sew and I used fabric from my Garden collection.
Supplies (for one hot pad)
- 2 fat quarters (main and contrasting pocket fabric) Make this a scrap busting project by sewing fabric scraps together to make 8 1/2 squares.
- 1/2 yard batting
- matching thread
- scissors
- sewing machine
- main fabric 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, cut 2
- main fabric 5″ x 2″
- contrasting fabric 8 1/2″ x 13″
- 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, cut 2
- 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
With the 5″ x 2″ piece of fabric, fold and press each long side 1/2″ towards the wrong side of the fabric. Fold the piece in half lengthwise and press again. Topstitch along these folds, 1/8″ from the edge. Fold this piece in half to make a loop, then baste it to the corner of the front 8 1/2″ square piece (on the right side of the fabric). The loop should be placed at a 45-degree angle with the raw edges of the loop in the corner.
Step 3. Make the pocket.
Fold the 8 1/2″ x 13″ piece of fabric in half along the width, wrong sides together, and press at the fold. Insert the smaller batting piece centered in between the layers. Topstitch along the folded edge.
Step 4. Put it together.
Stack your fabric pieces in the following order: 8 1/2″ batting, front piece with loop (right side of the fabric facing up), folded pocket piece with raw edges aligned, and finally the other 8 1/2″ piece with the right side of the fabric down. Pin and sew around the edges with a 1/4″ seam allowance, leaving a 3″-4″ opening at the top for turning in the next step.
Step 5. Trim and finish.
Clip the corners and trim any excess fabric and batting. Turn the hot pad right sides out, by pulling it through the opening. Push out the corners. Pin the remaining opening closed and topstitch around the entire perimeter, just over a 1/8″ from the edge.
Look at that you have made a beautiful pot holder! Such a stylish way to grab those hot pans.
Ellen is a blogger at The Long Thread, writer of 1, 2, 3 Sew and 1, 2, 3 Quilt (affiliate links) from Chronicle Books, and a fabric designer for the Japanese company Kokka.
More Hot Pads
- If you prefer oven mitts here is a quick and easy oven mitt pattern. I have included a free printable template and share a handy trick!
- Quilted Hot Pad
- Turn an oven mitt into a fun teacher gift.
Paige Cassandra Flamm says
These are so cute and would make awesome gifts! I love the patterns you chose!
Paige
BARBARA A Dreisbach says
I only see your instructions stating ONCE to use the 8/1/2 inch batting as you stack….or do you use both at the same time when stacking?????thanks for pattern think they will make nice “neighbor” gifts at the holidays stuffed with goodies…..
Ashlee says
Love these! These will make great gifts!
This Little Blue Homestead says
Now this looks like a project I could do-thanks for sharing!
[email protected] eco friendly homemaking says
This is a great idea! I was looking for a way to contact you but didn’t see an e-mail link or address. Did I overlook it? Thanks.
Suzanne says
A super project!
Joyce Mitchell says
Thanks – these will be great little gifts.