How to Make Hotpads

Making a hotpad, also known as a potholder, is a simple and rewarding sewing project.

In the heart of every home, the kitchen radiates warmth, and what better way to enhance your culinary haven than by adding a touch of handmade charm? These versatile and practical accessories not only protect your hands from scalding surfaces but also become a canvas for your imagination.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explore the art of making hotpads—a simple yet rewarding sewing project that brings together form and function.

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or someone looking to dip their toes into the world of handmade treasures, creating your own hot pads allows you to infuse your kitchen with personality and warmth.

Gather your favorite fabrics, unleash your creativity, and let’s get sewing on a crafting adventure where practicality meets style. Your kitchen is about to get a cozy upgrade, one stitch at a time.

Here’s a basic guide on how to make a fabric hotpad:

Materials:

Fabric for the top (cotton is a good choice)
Insulating material (such as Insul-Bright or heat-resistant batting)
Fabric for the backing
Coordinating thread
Sewing machine or needle for hand-sewing
Scissors
Pins
Quilting ruler
Iron and ironing board

Table of Contents

Instructions for making a hot pad:

Choose Fabrics: Select fabrics for the top and backing of your hotpad. Ensure that the top fabric is made of a heat-resistant material like cotton. You can also use scraps or coordinate fabrics to create a visually appealing design.
Cut Fabric: Using a quilting ruler and scissors, cut two squares or rectangles from each fabric—these will be the top and backing of your hotpad. Aim for a size between 7 to 9 inches, depending on your preference.
Cut Insulating Material: Cut a square or rectangle of the insulating material (Insul-Bright or heat-resistant batting) in the same dimensions as your fabric pieces.
Layer Fabric and Insulation: Place the backing fabric right side down on your work surface, followed by the insulating material, and then the top fabric right side up. Ensure all layers are aligned.
Pin Layers Together: Use pins to secure the layers in place, especially around the edges. This helps prevent shifting during sewing.
Sew Layers Together: Starting in the middle of one side, sew around the edges of the layers, leaving a small opening (about 3 inches) for turning. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the stitches.
Clip Corners: Trim excess fabric from the corners, being careful not to cut into the stitching. This reduces bulk and helps create crisp corners when the hotpad is turned right side out.
Turn Right Side Out: Through the opening, carefully turn the hotpad right side out. Gently push out the corners using a tool or your fingers.
Press: Use an iron to press the hotpad, ensuring the edges are crisp. Fold in the raw edges of the opening and press them in place.
Topstitch: Topstitch around the entire hotpad, close to the edge. This will close the opening and add a decorative finish. You can also sew additional lines or a quilted pattern for added interest.
Quilt (Optional): If you like, you can quilt the layers together by sewing straight lines or a pattern across the hotpad. This not only adds a decorative touch but also secures the layers.

Your homemade hotpad is now ready to use! Make a set in coordinating fabrics to add a personal touch to your kitchen or create thoughtful gifts for friends and family.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do you make homemade hot pads?

You can fold tea towels until you have enough thickness for the heated pots you will hold. This is the quickest and simplest way.

What material is used for hot pads?

Cotton fabric is great for hot pads – what you want to make sure you use is the correct batting inside. The batting will need to be able to handle the heat and not transfer it to your hands.

What do you put inside a potholder?

Use Regular Cotton Batting. Thick cotton batting can be used for a quilted potholder, if you layer it works to protect against the heat.
Recycle Another Heat-Resistant Item.
Use Felted Wool Batting.
Knit and Felt a Batting Layer.

Is one layer of insul bright enough for a hot pad?

Insul-Bright is heat resistant, NOT heat proof. So, always use at least one layer of batting when using it for oven mitts or pot holders. I like to sandwich mine between two layers of batting, just to be extra careful!

How many layers of batting for hot pad?

I would recommend and use at least 2 layers of batting material. Either towels or cotton batting or a combination of batting and Insul-Brite. It does make it a little thick, but better to be safe then sorry.

Can wrap and zap be used for potholders?

I use two layers of Wrap-n-Zap in microwave bowl cozies, along with 100% cotton fabric and thread. One cannot use Insulbright in the microwave. I use Wrap-n-Zap and Insulbright, together, in pot holders and oven mitts.

Do you have to use cotton batting with Insul-Bright?

When a hot item is introduced to a cooler environment, steam vapor is emitted. This vapor may pass through Insul-Bright but cotton batting will absorb it for a safe oven mitt, table runner, casserole cozy, tea cozy, placemat or any of the other hot projects.

Additional hot pad resources:

Becky Jorgensen

Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!

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