Rhonda

Last lesson we discussed and looked at how to put a quilt block together my way. Now I want to show you how I finish my hotpads. There are always lots of ways to do anything in quilting. I am just showing you my favorite way.

Here is one for border idea. I like to sometimes add a thin border of the same background fabric. This gives you a sense of allowing the design to float. It pops the design out from the background and makes it stand out more.

First we are going to add a thin border. I like to use a wide strip to sew on and then trim it to the size I want. the wider your strip the easier it is to reuse the leftover strip.

Cut 2 strips a bit longer than one side. sew them on to opposite sides. Open and iron the seams open. This helps keep it flat.

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2 side borders added
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Trim the border to your prefered size. Here I trimmed it to 1/2"
Notice that we get a thin border but we didn't handle a narrow strip to accomplish this.
It is really easy to put on a thin border this way and more accurate than if you cut the finished size border first and then sewed it on.

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Now trim the ends
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Add the other two borders the same way
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and trim them the same way also.
So now you have a 1/2" border.
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Rhonda

Okay now add the two short blue borders the same way we did the green borders. Make sure to cut your borders wider than you need. the size is up to you. I trimmed down to 5/8" but you can make that outer border any size you like.

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Add the long blue borders
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I used a ruler to trim the borders. To determine what size I needed I matched the center seam of the quilt block to a line on the ruler. I placed a second ruler on top of the first so you could see where I lined the center seam to the first ruler
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Trim all 4 sides the same size
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Here I added a shoestring loop to the center of the top of the quilt block top
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Now lay the hotpad top face down onto your backing fabric.
Pin it in place and trim the back fabric to match the top
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I use 2 layers of a traditional batting. It is dense and thin. I have never had any problems with getting burned with this. You can of course use insulbrite or any other product if you like.
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Pin the layers together with the batting on the bottom and the backing wrong side out on top.
Trim the batting to match the hotpad.
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Rhonda

I don't like to do binding so this is my version - no binding. It is also called birthing or the pillowcase method.

Before I sew the layers together I like to baste one side to the batting. this helps when you turn the hotpad right side out. the batting will not seperate from the side while being turned.
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Sew around the edge leaving an opening to turn it right side out.
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Once you have it sewn turn it right side out and push the corners out. I use my fingers or I sometimes gently use the tip of my small scissors. If you use your scissors I keep my finger over the end of the scissors til I get it into the corner. Then be careful to not let the tip poke through the fabric. A turning tool is better if you have one.
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Once you have it turned then you need to sew around the edge. I start at the bottom. Push the edges of the opening inside and straighten it. As you sew you will close this opening.
I also backstitch over the bottom of the loop as you sew over it.
I usually put the opening at the bottom (opposite of the loop).It is less noticable there.

After sewing around the edge I use STID along the inner border and then around the design.
I like to spray it with Sizing and iron it good. this will smooth out some of the wrinkles if you have any and will make the hotpad look terrific!
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Rhonda

I didn't show how to make the loop so here are some pictures to show how I prepare the loop.

Cut a piece of shoestring about 2 1/2" long
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Using a needle and thread put the needle through the shoestring ends and then wrap around the ends a few times. then I take the needle through the wrapped thread a couple of times.
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now you have a loop with the needle and thread still on it. Don't cut it off yet. Use the needle now to sew it onto the hotpad top. I sew over the end a few times to attach it to the hotpad. Make sure you have the loop upside down on the top so it will end up the right way when you turn it right side out later.

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Next week we are going to look at the 4 x 4 quilt block I posted in the first thread. I will show you variations of this block and a layout for you to use.

Rhonda

And here is the pdf file for downloading.[ATTACH=CONFIG]450135[/ATTACH]

Murphy1

Wonderful. Thank you so much, I love em. I will post some when they are finished. Thanks again for taking the time to share how to make these potholders.

Marysewfun

Thank you, I love learning your practical methods.

Marysewfun

Rhonda

You're very welcome!