Hot Pads Tutorial

So my mom has some ugly as sin, macramé “hot pads” that my step-cousin did for my stepdad when we were young.  Really young.  We never really used them (okay, not at all) until recently.  It’s great for when she’s heated tea on the gas range.  The tea pot handle is too hot to touch alone, so we always use that ugly thing.  Well, time to make some new ones.  Unfortunately, I still haven’t made her one.  These went to my friend for her birthday this weekend.

Directions

1. Cut your fabric/batting (or Insul-bright)

• 2 – 5 1/2” squares of linen (or fabric of choice)
• 1 scrap of fabric
• 1 – 5 1/2” square of batting (or Insul-bright)

2. Trace your design on the wrong side of your scrap.  Place the right side of the scrap of your fabric to the wrong side of your linen.  Follow your design, stitching around it three or four times.  You’ve just done reverse [machine] appliqué!

3. Flip your piece over and cut around your design on the inside of the lines, revealing your scrap fabric.  I used my Gingher appliqué scissors to cut this out.

4.  Layer your fabric as shown in the photo, with right sides of fabric together.  Stitch around the edge 1/4”, leaving a ~2” opening on one side.

5. Trim your batting (or Insul-bright) out of the seam allowance and clip corners (see photo).

6.  Turn right side out.  Press.  Really good.  Edge stitch around piece, making sure to close opening.  I also top stitched around my design once to secure layers.  This way when washed, it will keep it’s shape better and just need a quick press.

That’s it!  Get creative and get creating!  And add photos to my Flickr Group!