Sew Your Stash Fabric
Create a Mega Hot Pad in No Time!
Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here today! Are you ready to transform your fabric scraps into a stunning MEGA Hot Pad…QUICKLY?! You can create this beautiful and functional home décor piece for your kitchen or as a special gift for loved ones and friends.
Click to get the MEGA Hot Pad Pattern at 20% OFF
I’ll show you how to sew your stash of fabric scraps into a one-of-a-kind quilt. Also learn how to add a unique and personalized touch to your quilt. You don’t want to miss the valuable tips and tricks for choosing the right fabrics, creating an eye-catching design, and efficiently piecing together your quilt blocks. You’ll see exactly how to make a stunning scrappy MEGA Hot Pad using your leftover fabric. This is a great way to use up those scraps you’ve been holding on to. So, let’s get started!
So, grab your sewing machine, dust off those neglected fabric scraps, and let’s get started!
Collect Your Scraps
First, gather all your leftover fabric scraps. These can be any size or shape, as we’ll be cutting and piecing them into strips later.
Next, sort your scraps into groups by color or pattern. This will help create a cohesive look for your quilt and give you direction for your design. Once you have them sorted, it’s time to start cutting strips. Determine what size strips you already have the most of and start there. Use a rotary cutter with a sharp rotary blade and ruler to cut your scraps into strips. Don’t worry about making them all the same size – the scrappier, the better!
Click to see this scrappy strip pieced Super-Sized Hot Pad
If you find you have lots of short strips, sew them end to end to create longer lengths. You may choose to group your strips by color or go scrappy and randomly sew them into a long strip. When you have your strips grouped and sewn, place them together and decide which looks best next to another.
With your strips prepared, it’s time to lay out your quilt design. You can arrange the pieces randomly or create a specific pattern, it’s up to you! If you want to create rows of individual colors, now’s the time to place your strips in the order you desire. Otherwise, create a large pile to draw from and get really scrappy for a wonderful look. Play around with different combinations until you find what you like best.
Click to see how to make this Jumbo Sized Hot Pad
Now that you’re happy with the layout, it’s time to start sewing. The easiest and quickest finish is to sew your strips randomly. Then you simply trim it to the size you want. There are a couple examples of that method above.
Making Your Log Cabin Block
Alternatively, if you want to follow the pattern for the MEGA Hot Pad shown, you’ll be working with a log cabin block. Your first step is choosing the center square size. If you’ll be adding an applique or other design, make sure it’s big enough. The square in the Mega Hot Pad is 5-inches. Otherwise, start with any size that works for you. Remember, our goal is to use up those scraps!
Begin adding ‘logs’ to your log cabin block. You may choose to cut each strip to size and sew them individually. For a quicker method, sew your strip to one side and trim it at the end. Then fold your strip out and finger press the seam towards the strip. Turn your block counterclockwise and add your 2nd strip. Do this again two more times until a strip has been sewn to each side of your block. This complete one round. Press your block well and give it a quick trim to keep it square. This will ensure your corners line up nicely.
Continue adding strips until your square measures the shortest dimension of the hot pad you’re making. Then begin adding more strips to the side until your rectangle is the finished size you want. Trim your hot pad with an extra ½-inch for seam allowance. Give it a final press so all the seams lay flat.
Layer & Baste Your Quilt Sandwich
Once your quilt top is finished, it’s time to add the cotton batting, Insul-Brite, and backing fabric. Layer these pieces with your quilt top, making sure they’re smooth and flat. Baste them together to hold everything in place. I recommend spray basting as it’s quick and easy with no pins to keep track of!
Now it’s time to quilt! You can do this by hand or with a sewing machine. Even better, do both! Adding some fun hand stitching looks great mixed in with machine quilting. Keep in mind that five layers create a very thick quilt sandwich, so this is a perfect time to use your walking foot. Your quilting will be faster and more controlled this way! Once you’ve finished quilting, it’s time to trim any excess fabric and square up your quilt. Make sure all the edges are straight and even.
Finishing Your Mega Hot Pad
The final step is binding your quilt. This is another perfect way to use those scraps! Sew them into a long strip, fold it in half, and make a beautiful binding. You may either hand stitch or machine stitch the binding in place. You’ve done it, your stunning scrappy quilted MEGA Hot Pad is complete!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and feel inspired to create your own scrappy Mega Hot Pad. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you visit again soon. Happy Quilting!
