Quick to sew and perfect to bring to any gathering, these quilted hotpads are a holiday favourite – and a thoughtful last-minute gift, too!

Quilted hotpads are a practical and charming project. You can whip up a few in an afternoon, which means they’re perfect as last-minute gifts during the busy holiday season. Make them scrappy or pick out some new fabric – or better yet: dig out some long-lost WIP quilt blocks and turn them into a crowd pleaser at your next potluck!

What you’ll need

• Cotton fabric for the main (quilt blocks that are ~9″ square for smaller hotpads or about 13″x18″ for oversized hotpads)
  • This project used fabrics from a fat eighth bundle of Felicity batiks by Kate Spain for Moda
• Cotton backing fabric with an additional 1″ overhang on each side compared to the quilt block
  • We used ½ yard of Moda’s grunge fabric to make 1 oversized and 2 smaller hotpads
• 1 piece of 100% cotton quilt batting the same dimensions as the backing fabric
• Heat-resistant fleece material or similar to Pellon Insul-Fleece in the same dimensions as the backing fabric
• 2.25″ wide binding strips from cotton fabric; length dependent on your block size
• Walking foot – a must for this multi-layered project
• General sewing notions (sewing machine, rotary blade, cutting mat, ruler, pin/clips, quilter’s safety pins, cotton thread, etc.)

Ensure all fabric, quilt batting and thread are 100% cotton. Polyester fibers will melt when in contact with hot surfaces.

Getting started

This project is a great way to practise all components of making a quilt, but in a bite size. You’ll gain confidence in cutting fabric using a rotary blade, piecing, making a quilt sandwich, quilting and binding. 

Building your quilt sandwich

• Cut fabrics, batting and therm fleece as indicated in the supply list. 
• Start by placing your backing fabric right side down. Next, add the therm fleece, as per manufacturer instructions.* Then add a layer of 100% cotton batting. And lastly the quilt block, right side up. 

*Please follow the directions provided with your selected therm fleece product, as instructions may vary.

• Baste the quilt sandwich with pins or quilter’s safety pins.
• Quilt the layers together. 1″ vertical lines are a classic look, but any design that complements the block will look great! (We chose 1″ lines on a 45-degree angle to give our red and white stripes a candy cane look. 
• Go slowly and select a slightly longer than normal stitch length. We used 3 mm.

• Trim excess backing, therm fleece, and quilt batting. Round the corners, if desired, using the edge of a bowl or cup.
• Bind the hotpad using your 2.25” binding.

That’s it – you’re all done!

This project is perfect to squeeze in before the new year. Give it a try and share what you make!

Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see and celebrate your creations: @trendtexfabrics