Boston Block Hotpad - Lesson Three - Finishing the Hotpad
 

Okay now we are ready to finish the hotpad.

At this point you can choose to quilt the hotpad and add a binding.
I don't like bindings so I use the pillowcase method or the birthing method.

Place your top face down on the backing(face up)
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Trim the backing to match the front
Pin the top and backing together
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Lay the top on the batting and cut out 2 layers
slightly larger than your top
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Make sure you put the top against
the batting. It makes it easier to sew
No seams to catch on the needle this way
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Pin the top to the batting
and trim the batting
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IF you want to use a loop
You can add it now.
Find the middle of one side and
sew on the loop. I fold it in half
and sew the two raw edges together.
then sew it to the edge of the hotpad
I use a shoestring for the loop.
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I like to baste the border to the batting
so when you turn the hotpad right side out
the batting won't seperate
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Now sew around the hotpad.
I leave an opening about 2" or so
to turn the hotpad through
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Turn you hotpad right side out. Use a turning tool to poke out the corners.
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Set the bottom right edge under the needle and lower the needle down onto the fabric.
I hold the other edge so the fabric is pulled taut and I use my scissors to tuck the material in the opening til the opening is even with the sewn edge
Then sew along that edge catching the opening in the seam
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I sew all the way around the hotpad. Here you can see the finish seam along the edge
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If I don't get the opening closed well enough I use a needle and thread and sew it shut using a blind stitch. I sink the knot on the inside at one end of the opening
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Then you slide the needle through the folded edge and come up about 1/2" and switch over to the other side and slide the needle through that side.
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Continue alternating between both sides til you get to the end. Then I sew back the other way for a stitch or two to lock the thread
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Here is my closed opening using a blind stitch
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I like to spray the hotpad with Magic Sizing. I spray it well so it will stiffen. Iron it dry.
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Here is my finished hotpad~
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Hope you enjoyed following along on how I make my hotpads.

Tip:
If you want to use insulbrite you surely can. Just use it as the backing or you can put it in the middle between the batting.

Great teaching job. Love your tutorial - as usual, clear & simple, easy to follow instructions. Tks so much.

You're welcome. But I realized after I went to bed that I forgot to talk about quilting it! LOL

Edit: I forgot to add the quilting part.

I just did Stitch In The Ditch around the star and I sewed along the inside edge of the border. You wouldn't have to quilt it down I suppose but I always like to.
When you sew the inside of the border make sure you don't push the border into a scrunched up mess at the corners.
If I have a problem with one I sew from one end to the middle and then sew from the other end to the middle so you can keep the fabric evenly spaced out. If you get a spot that the fabric gets a little overlapped you if the spot is not too much fabric you can sometimes use your fingernail and scratch it til you get the fabric to smooth back out

Of course if you prefer to do straight line sewing across the hotpad or any other type of quilting that is entirely up to you.

Here are some hotpads I have made over time with my Boston Blocks

wonderful tutorials Rhonda (but then all of yours are). :) Hopefully I might get time this weekend to start on this. It's move in day at the University so we will be getting flooded with tons of students coming back. Sigh. Summer is over.

Rhonda, thank you for the great tut. It is so easy to understand. You are a great teacher. thanks again. Fran

You make me blush ladies! LOL :o:o Thanks I am glad it comes across okay and isn't confusing.

Thanks, Rhonda, for taking the time to do this tute, very easy to follow. Love the pics of all your Boston block hot pads!