✂️ How to Sew a Square Hot Pad with a Hanging Loop (Beginner Sewing Tutorial)
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If you’ve already mastered the basic square hot pad, let’s take it one step further by adding a simple fabric hanging loop. This makes your hot pad not only useful in the kitchen but also easy to store or display on a hook. It’s still beginner-friendly, uses only a straight stitch, and is finished in under an hour! Let me show you how a beginner can sew a hanging hot pad.
✨ Materials & Supplies for a hanging hot pad
- (2) squares of cotton fabric, 9″ x 9″″ (front and back)
- (2) squares of Insul-Bright batting, 9″x9″
- Fabric strip for loop: 1.25″ × 6″ cotton fabric
- contrasting or coordinating thread
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Pins or clips
- Sewing machine
📝 Tip: Always use 100% cotton for hot pads—fabric, thread, and batting—because polyester can melt with heat.
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🪡 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cut Fabric, Batting & Loop
Cut your two fabric squares at 9″ × 9″ and two batting squares at 9″x9″.
For the loop, cut a strip of fabric 1.25″ × 6″. This hanging hot pad will be about 8.5″ square and the loop is about 2.5 inches long once it’s double over.
2. Prepare the Loop
- Fold the strip in half lengthwise (wrong sides together), press.
- Then, open it up, fold each raw edge toward the center crease, press.
- Next, fold it closed again to enclose the raw edges — it should now be about ⅜″ wide.
- To finish, stitch along both long edges with a straight stitch.
3. Quilt the pieces together, then layer the hot pad
First, quilt one piece of cotton to one piece of batting. The cotton should be pretty side up. Then sew one diagonal line through both layers.
- Repeat this to the other piece of fabric and batting.
- Then, place one quilted pieces pretty side up on the table.
- Next, place the other quilted piece pretty side down on top of the first piece.
Pin or clip the layers.
4. Insert the Loop
To make the loop, fold your finished loop piece in half to form a “U.”
Then you can slip the raw ends of the loop between the two fabric layers in one corner (diagonally opposite the opening you’ll leave for turning). Clip in place. The looped edge should be towards the center of the hot pad, between the two quilted layers. Leave a bit extra hanging past the raw edges of the squares.
5. Sew Around the Edges
Sew all the way around with a ½″ seam allowance, leaving a 3″ opening on one side for turning. For security, make sure you backstitch over the loop for extra security.
6. Clip & Turn
Clip the corners to reduce bulk.
Then, you will be able to turn the hot pad right side out through the opening and use a blunt tool to push corners out neatly.
7. Topstitch to Finish
Fold in the raw edges at the opening, press flat.
Finally, topstitch all the way around, about ⅛″ from the edge, to close the gap and secure the layers. Use a longer stitch length for topstitching.
Now, y our hanging loop should be neatly sewn into the corner!
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🌟 Why Add a Hanging Loop?
- Now, you have a hot pad with Easy storage — no more lost hot pads in drawers.
- Plus, it doubles as kitchen decor when hung by the stove.
- Next, make a set of hot pads and you’ll be gift-ready.
➡️ Next Projects to Try
- New to sewing? Try the Basic Square Hot Pad Tutorial first.
- Or make a full Housewarming Gift Set with hot pads, an apron, cloth napkins, and more.
- Create a bakers gift basket with a sourdough starter jar cover, a bowl cover, a sourdough starter cozy, a bread bag, and a hot pad.
