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)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]357196[/ATTACH]

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!

Thanks so much for thr great tute!
Terry

Your work is absolutely beautiful and I am grateful that you did the three tutorials on the Boston Square Hot Pad. Hopefully, I will have time this weekend to work on my own projects. Thank you!

Rhonda, thanks so much for your instructions. Due to medical problems I am unable to cut mine out but I am real excited about getting to the point when I can. Your tute was very informative and easy to follow. Thanks so much for your time.

So much easier than binding. I hate binding and binding hates me. Thanks.

Rhonda...........here's another Big Thank You for this great tutorial!! :D I have already made four blocks & am working on putting them together. As soon as I get them done I will post picture's. Your are so right, what a great Christmas gift idea. Thank you again for all of your time & effort.
:D :D :D :D

Thanks for the templates, Rhonda. I plan to try this method this weekend.

Great tutorials!

very easy to understand. everyone in my family is getting some thanks

Great! I am glad you all like the tutorial.

Thanks for the tutorial. You have wonderful teaching skills. Love seeing your work.

I did it, they are all put together & I have started to cut out my next one!! :D Here is a picture of the four hot pads that I have already finished. I hope everyone likes them!! I made different sizes, that's why they look different.
:D :D :D :D

Love them Sulabug!! You did good! No you did great!! Love the color combinations you used.

Here are a couple of my favorite designs using the Bostons

Rhonda...........I really like these pattern's too. Thank you for posting them for all of us to see. I just might try one or two & see how they look!! :D Thank you for your kind words regarding my hot pads. They were so fun to make.
:D :D :D :D

Sulabug,
Love your hot pads. They are too nice to use. Rhonda's tutorials are great.

Blue Bell...........thank you for the compliment. I was thinking the same thing while making them. I do hope that they will be used by the people who receives them!! Wait until you see the next ones that I am working on. I just can't stop sewing!!
:D :D :D :D

Looking forward to seeing your newest pot holders. I should make some, too. They make nice little gifts.

You're more than welcome everyone! Glad you like it.

Here are four more hot pads, as promised!! :D I seem to be on a roll & can't stop making them!! Right now I am making a set of four more for my DDIL for her Christmas. She has ordered dark color's, so I hope she will like these when they are done. I will share more pictures when it's time!! Next will be for my DD, she has asked for Ivy print, guess I will have to find Ivy fabric some where!! Thank you eveyone for looking.
:D :D :D :D

I need to make some hot pads. I haven't made any in years. I need some too. May do that this weekend while it rains.

Wow Sulabug you are really on a roll here!! I love the colors you used. I'm glad you are having such a good time using these!!

You can try out some of my other Boston Designs for my Quilt Block Swap!

Thank you for the great tut teacher :oRhonda

You're welcome sawsan. Glad you like it!

Your Boston block is so versatile. I thank you for sharing your hot pads tute. I will have so much fun making these for friends. I love looking at all the ways they can be put together. Thanks for enlightening me and others.

Rhonda I love your variations. I can't wait to get started.

I dreamed about this project last night. Guess I better get busy today. Thank You Rhonda. You make it look so easy.