✂️ How to Sew a Simple 8.5″ Hot Pad (Beginner Sewing Tutorial)
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Hot pads are one of the very first projects I recommend for new sewists. They’re practical, giftable, and a great way to practice basic sewing skills. A standard hot pad is about 8.5″ square, made with cotton fabric and two layers of padding or batting. For this project, we’ll use Insul-Bright batting for heat protection. And the best part? You’ll only use a straight stitch the whole way through.
Whether you want to add something handmade to your kitchen or whip up a quick housewarming gift, this hot pad is the perfect beginner project! You can customize it so many ways once you know how to make the basic pattern.
If this project is one of your first, you might check out a few of my Learn to Sew posts to get your started.
Learn how to thread your sewing machine
This project is also great for using up scraps or fat quarters. If you buy a pack alf coordinating fat quarters, you could make an entire matching set of hot pads, some reversible with a different print on the back. That would be an affordable way to get several different prints and make a coordinated gift set.
✨ Materials & Supplies
- (2) squares of cotton fabric, 9″ × 9″ (front and back)
- (2) squares of Insul-Bright batting, 8.5″ × 8.5″
- coordinating or contrasting thread
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Pins or clips
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Sewing machine
📝 Tip: Stick with cotton fabric for hot pads. Polyester can melt under heat. Quilting cotton offers an affordable options with lots of different prints widely available.
🪡 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cut Your Fabric & Batting
Cut two fabric squares at 9″ × 9″ and two batting squares at 9″ x 9″.
👉 This allows for seam allowance and keeps the layers neat.
2. Make a “Quilt Sandwich”
“quilting” is just the method of sewing through several layers to hold them together. We are going to quilt the cotton onto the batting to help it stay together.
Stack your pieces in this order:
- batting
- cotton square, pretty side up
The ugly side of your fabric should touch the batting.
Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch with a 3.5mm length. Sew a diagonal line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. Set this piece aside and repeat at the process with the second piece of cotton and batting.
Clip or pin the layers so nothing shifts while you sew.
3. Layer your quilt sandwich and Sew Around the Edges
You should now have two hot pad piece. Each piece is a piece of fabric sewn onto a piece of batting. Place One piece on the table pretty side up. Next, layer the second piece pretty side down, matching up all raw edges.
Clip together. Using a straight stitch at 2.5 mm length, sew all the way around with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
👉 Leave a 3″ opening on one side so you can turn it right side out.
4. Clip & Turn
Clip the corners carefully (without cutting through stitches) to reduce bulk.
Turn the hot pad right side out through the opening. Use a point turner too or another blunt tool (like a chop stick or crochet hook) to push corners out. Carefully roll the edges between your fingers to push all of the seam allowance to the edge. press all of the edge to make flat, crisp fold at the seam line.
5. Topstitch to Finish
Fold in the raw edges at the opening and press flat. Take your time because the batting will make it thick and bulky so it’s a little finicky. You can insert both index fingers, then tug against the edge of the opening at the backstitches. This tension will help the raw edge fold over at the same place where your stitches are on the inside. Clip this opening shut.
Topstitch with a 3.5-4.0mm straight stitch all around the hot pad about ⅛″ from the edge—this closes the gap and adds durability. It will also create a pretty border around the edge because of the thickness of all the layers.
For extra stability, add a few quilting lines across the pad if you’d like. Simply sew through all layers, from one corner to another, backstitching at each end.
🌟 Optional Add-Ons
- Quilt diagonal or cross-hatch lines for a decorative touch.
- Add a special embroidery stitch for the topstitching
- Embroider a scene or initials in the center of the hot pad.
🎁 Why This is a Great Beginner Project
- Uses only a straight stitch
- Easy square shape—no curves or fancy seams
- Quick finish—you’ll have a usable hot pad in less than an hour
- Perfect practice for working with layers of fabric + batting
Sew some other gifts to make a gift set
I also have some simple step by step tutorials on how to sew other kitchen items. You could sew several projects form coordinating fabric to make a wedding gift, a housewarming gift, a hostess gift basket, and more.
