25 Quilted Hot Pad Patterns You’ll Want to Make

Whether you need a quick gift or a fresh look for the kitchen, quilted hot pads are my favorite go-to project. They are the perfect way to breathe new life into fabric scraps, test out a new technique, or whip up a batch to keep on hand for last-minute needs.

When you’re making something meant to handle high heat, protection is the priority. I always recommend using Insul-Bright, extra layers of cotton batting, or a heavier-duty fabric to ensure your hands stay safe. If you’re tackling a pattern with pockets, keep in mind that those extra layers add bulk; I find that slowing down my stitching and slightly increasing the stitch length helps the machine glide through the thickness without getting stuck.

The design possibilities are endless—from oversized trivets for large baking dishes to fun shapes and ric-rac bindings. Honestly, the best part is finally using those orphaned quilt blocks or “Mile a Minute” scrap pieces. By sewing your scraps into a larger slab and cutting them to size, you can create something functional and beautiful in no time.

Hot Pad Patterns For A Quilted Kitchen

I love how customizable these are—you can add pockets for grip, use ric-rac for a fun border, or just keep it simple with a single fabric to practice your quilting.

For safety, I always use at least two layers of batting, like a mix of cotton and Insul-Bright. Since they need to handle high heat, I stick with 100% cotton for the outer layers to keep everything protected and durable.

30 Minute Simple Hot Pad Pattern

This quick and easy hot pad pattern is the perfect way to create a charming, heat-resistant kitchen accessory in just 30 minutes using basic supplies from your stash.

Casserole Quilted Hot Pad

This free pattern features curved corners and convenient hand pockets, making it the perfect functional project for protecting your hands while handling hot casserole dishes.

Large Quilted Hot Pad

This tutorial shows how to make a large, 15×18-inch quilted hot pad that is the perfect size for protecting surfaces from a standard 9×13 casserole pan.

Quilted Hot Pad With Pocket

This quick tutorial uses the “quilt as you go” technique to create a functional hot pad with a pocket and a hanging loop in under 30 minutes.

Quick and Easy Hot Pad

This tutorial uses the “mile-a-minute” technique to turn your favorite fabric scraps into a functional 8.5-inch square hot pad featuring Insul-Bright for heat protection.

Quilt As You Go Hot Pad

This “quilt as you go” tutorial uses a raw-edge technique to create a double-sided hot pad with optional corner finger pockets in just 30 minutes.

Microwave Bowl Potholder

This tutorial uses the “quilt as you go” technique and scrap fabric to create a microwave-safe bowl hugger that stays on your bowl to protect your hands from heat.

Matching Towel & Hot Pad

This tutorial teaches you how to create a coordinated gift set using two kitchen towels and scrap fabric for fun, “sketch-stitched” raw-edge applique designs.

Quilted Hot Pads

This tutorial demonstrates how to create reversible, 10-inch quilted hot pads using insulating batting and a simple faux-mitered binding technique that includes a built-in hanging loop.

Easy Hot Pad

The tutorial provides a simple way to use up your favorite fat quarters or 1/4-yard cuts by creating a set of two 8.5-inch square hot pads layered with Insul-Bright and thin cotton batting.

Hot Pad Or Trivet

This tutorial shows you how to repurpose a leftover 14- to 16-inch quilt block into a table trivet by layering it with Insul-Bright batting and practicing your machine quilting.

Quilted Hot Pad

This tutorial shows you how to use wedge-shaped fabric scraps and Solarize liner to create circular, heat-reflecting hot pads and matching mug warmers.

Quilted Pot Holder From A Vintage Quilt

This project guides you through upcycling a “cutter quilt” or vintage quilt remnant into a thick, insulated hot pad by sandwiching Insul-Bright between the quilt piece and a fabric backing, then finishing the edges with wide grosgrain ribbon.

Quilted Hot Pads

This project uses a freezer paper applique method to create 8-inch square hot pads featuring sewing-themed designs and includes a small ribbon loop for easy hanging.

Hexie Hot Pad

This tutorial explains how to hand-stitch a ring of six paper-pieced hexagons and machine-quilt them onto a circular base to create a decorative, scrap-friendly hot pad.

Large Hot Pad

Designed for protecting tables from 9×13 casserole dishes, this 13×9-inch hot pad tutorial uses Insul-Bright and a simple self-binding method where the backing fabric is folded over to finish the edges.

Simple Scented Hot Pad

This tutorial shows you how to sew a fabric pouch divided into four stitched tubes and filled with rice infused with essential oils to create a fragrant, heat-retaining pot pad.

Heart Shaped Potholders

This tutorial explains how to create heart-shaped pot holders featuring a pocket for your hand by quilting together layers of cotton fabric, batting, and Insul-Bright before finishing the edges with binding.

DIY Recipe Potholders

This tutorial describes how to create personalized pot holders by printing family recipes onto fabric using Spoonflower or printable sheets and sewing them into quilted hot pads with pockets and heat-protective batting.

Round Potholders

This tutorial demonstrates how to repurpose paper-pieced quilt blocks into circular pot holders or trivets by layering them with insulated batting and finishing the design with a decorative pocket and bias binding.

Quilted Strawberry Coasters

This tutorial provides instructions for sewing simple strawberry-shaped coasters using coordinating red and green fabrics, which can be used to add a festive touch to outdoor tables or given as seasonal gifts.

Circle Potholders With Pockets

This tutorial explains how to create round pot holders with integrated finger pockets by layering insulated fleece and cotton batting between fabric circles, which are then sewn together and turned right-side out for a clean, sturdy finish without the need for bias binding.

Quilted Leaf Potholders

This tutorial explains how to sew autumn-themed leaf pot holders by stitching together color-coordinated fabric strips and layering them with batting and insulated fleece to create a functional, decorative kitchen accessory.

Cathedral Windows Hot Pad

This tutorial outlines a machine-sewn variation of the Cathedral Windows pattern to create a dimensional hot pad or trivet by folding and stitching fabric squares into windows, securing small fabric “panes” within the flaps, and finishing the project with a quilted border and binding.

Twisted Mug Rugs Or Hot Pad

This tutorial explains how to quickly assemble a holiday mug rug or hot pad using five charm squares by layering a center base with four folded squares in an overlapping “box-top” fashion, sewing around the perimeter, and turning it right-side out through the center folds.

Supplies You May Need:

• Insul bright batting
• Rotary cutter or a new sharp blade
• Cutting Mat
• Sewing Machine  this brother is my favorite!
• Iron here
• Thread
• Bobbins
• Scissors
• Seam Ripper  not my favorite thing to do!

I hope these designs inspire you to dive into your scrap bin and start stitching. Whether you are using up those orphaned blocks or finally trying the “Mile a Minute” method, quilted hot pads are such a satisfying way to add a handmade touch to the kitchen!

They really are the perfect project for when I want to see a finished result quickly, and they make the most thoughtful gifts for friends and family. I can’t wait to see which patterns you choose to make and how you play with different fabrics and shapes.

Ready to try something different with your orphan quilt blocks?! 

Additional Kitchen Resources

• Smock Apron Tutorial
• Quilt as you go placemats
• Microwave Projects you can sew
• 5 Sewing Projects for the Kitchen
• Bread Basket Cover – Easy to Sew Pattern
• Kitchen Tablecloth Tutorial – Reusing Old Quilts
• Baked Potato Microwave Bag With Video Tutorial

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