Hot Pad Tutorial

If you're looking for a last minute gift, give these hot pads a try!  I love to decorate for each holiday, including my kitchen.  I buy holiday kitchen towels and usually try to make a set of pot holders too.  They are easy-peasy and are completed within a couple hours.

Here's what you'll need:

• Cotton Batting
• Insul-Brite
• Cotton Fabric (main color and contrast color)
• Cutting Board / Cutting Mat
• Thread
• Pins
• Scissors
• Safety Pin
• Sewing Machine
• Iron

Start by cutting your cotton batting, Insul-Brite, main and contrast fabric into 9" x 9" squares (two of each).  Out of the contrast fabric, cut out two 4" x 4" squares.

Fold the 4" x 4" squares in half diagonally and press with iron.  Stitch 1/2" from folded seam.

Trim the excess fabric back to 1/4".  Using a safety pin, turn the fabric right side out and press, centering the seam in the middle of one side.  This will be your hanging loop.

Now, take your 9" x 9" squares and layer them as follows:  Insul-Brite on the bottom, contrast fabric right side up, main fabric right side down, cotton batting on the top.

Take your hanging loop and fold it in half, one end over the other. 

Pin the hanging loop in the middle of the pot holder, right side of the loop facing the right side of the main fabric.  Pin all the way around the pot holder, leaving a 2" or 3" gap in the bottom of the potholder.

Starting at the bottom, stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance all the way around the pot holder, through all the thickness, pivoting at corners and removing pins as you get to them.  ***Remember to back track at each end of the opening at the bottom.***  When you get to the top, where the hanging loop is pinned, back track to reinforce this area.

Trim the excess fabric back to 1/4", clipping the corners of the fabric.

Turn the pot holder right side out, using a scissors to press gently into each of the four corners.  Turn the raw edges of the bottom opening to the inside so they are even with the sewn seam and press.  Hand stitch the opening closed.  Voila!  A cute, handmade stocking stuffer!  =)