See how to sew a large hot pad with a free pattern in 3 sizes!
These quilted hot pads protect your table from hot baking dishes - and make lovely handmade gifts, too. Just choose the size that fits your favorite casserole dish, grab some pretty fabric, and let's sew! With this free casserole hot pad pattern, you can whip up a quick gift or make a matching kitchen set!
Want the printable PDF version without scrolling through the post? See the → optional PDF file in our shop.
This tutorial is also part of Printable Tutorials BUNDLE
100+PDF tutorials now and growing!
Table Of Contents
Why You'll Love This large quilted Hotpad
- 3 sizes - from small dishes to large Pyrex pans
- Pretty and practical - for holidays and everyday meals
- Quick and easy - beginner-friendly sewing
- Great gift - perfect for handmade kitchen sets
I love how you can customize these to your holiday table! Are you here to sew for home? Check out my best free home sewing projects.
Sewing Video
Here's my potholder video tutorial for the basic version of this pattern.
(Don't see the video? Disable your ad blocker.)
Supplies
Shop my personal favorite sewing supplies on Amazon HERE.
- free pattern
- a fat quarter of quilting cotton for both regular and small size, or ½ yard for the largest, oversized hot pad
- 1 same size piece of Insul-Bright and 1 same size piece of 100% cotton batting - like Pellon's Wrap-N-Zap*
- see my bias tape tutorial to make 1.5 yards of ½" double-fold bias tape (2 yards for the largest, oversized hot pad)
- sewing machine, needle, iron, pins or clips
- scissors or rotary cutter and a cutting mat
*You can also use 2 layers of Insul-Bright or 2 layers of cotton batting instead.
3 Finished Sizes
This pattern includes 3 sizes - finished casserole hot pads so you can choose the size that fits your needs best.
| Finished size | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 13" x 9" | Smaller casserole dishes, like Simax |
| Regular | 16" x 10" | Standard 9" × 13" Pyrex dishes |
| Oversized | 18" x 11" | Large baking dishes, including some 4-quart Pyrex models |
Not sure which size to choose? Go with Regular - it's the most versatile!
Step 1 - Get the free pattern
Join our mailing list and get the pattern emailed to you:
Prefer an ad-free printer-friendly option of the whole tutorial+pattern? See the → optional PDF file in our shop.
How To Print this PDF file
For best results, download the PDF to a desktop or laptop, open it in Adobe Reader, and print at 100% size. (I recommend not printing directly from a browser window or from mobile, it could cause issues.)
Step 2 - Cut the Fabric and Batting
Select your fabric. Large prints and small prints both work beautifully! You can also use scraps - see the qayg method tutorial.
Choose your size and cut the fabric and insulating layers according to the cutting chart.
Cutting Directions:
- 2 pieces quilting cotton: 15" x 11" (Small), 18" x 12" (Regular), 20" x 13" (Oversized)
- 1 piece from 100% cotton batting and 1 piece from Insul-Bright. You can also use 2 layers of Insul-Bright instead.
- see bias tape tutorial to make 1.5 yards (2 for Oversized) of ½" double-fold bias tape (that is, strips cut into 2", folded twice)
Step 3 - Layer THE MATERIALS
Place the backing fabric right side down. Add the insulating layers, then place the top fabric right side up. Smooth out the layers and align the edges.
sTEP 4 - Quilt
- Baste the layers with spray adhesive or safety pins. New to this? See how to baste a quilt.
- Choose your quilting design. Straight lines are easiest! Using a removable fabric marker and quilting ruler, mark the center line first, then add parallel lines working outward. I spaced mine 1½" apart. See my favorite straight-line quilting designs for inspiration.
- Start quilting in the center and work toward the edges to prevent shifting.
- Stitch along the marked lines. A walking foot makes this easier!
TIP: If you're new to quilting, here's a tutorial on how to make a quilt sandwich and how to quilt it.
Step 5 - Cut the Hot Pad Shape
Place the pattern piece on your quilted fabric, aligning its straight edge with the center line. Trace around it, flip the pattern over, and trace the other half. Cut along the outline.
Step 6 - Attach Bias Tape
New to sewing bias tape? Use this bias tape sewing tutorial for more helpful tips.
- Fold under ⅜"-½" at one end of the bias tape and press, then start attaching it to the BACK side of the hotpad.
- Clip the bias tape all the way around, with the raw edges aligned.
- End with a 1" overlap at the starting point.
- Sew along the first fold line of the bias tape.
And now, the other side:
Fold the binding over to the front, covering the previous stitching. Sew along the inner folded edge to secure it neatly, about ⅛″ from the edge.
And that's it - your quilted casserole hot pad is ready!
Make a few in your favorite fabrics for everyday use or handmade gifts. I'd love to see yours! Tag @applegreencottage or #applegreencottage on Instagram so I can take a look.
Make a Matching Oven Mitt!
+Free Oven Mitt Pattern!
Use matching fabric and create this cute oven mitt - 2 sizes, no binding!
+ FREE Pocket Potholder
Questions Answered
I recommend one layer of Insul-Bright and one layer of 100% cotton batting. The heat protection depends on the materials used and the temperature of your baking dish. I used 2 layers in my square potholder pattern, and 1 layer in the round potholder tutorial.
While one side of Insul-Bright will show a bit more of that insulating layer and appears a bit shinier, both sides work the same. Just place it between your fabric layers and sew as usual.
Cotton batting (like Pellon's Wrap-N-Zap) and Insul-Bright work great. I use them together for structure and heat resistance.
Want to skip the binding? Try my free potholder pattern instead!
100% cotton quilting fabric is my favorite! It's easy to sew, comes in beautiful prints, and holds up well to heat. Avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester, which can melt. For the inside, use heat-resistant batting such as Insul-Bright, paired with cotton batting.
Hot Pad vs. Potholder - What's the Difference?
| Type | Best for | Tutorial |
|---|---|---|
| Hot pad | Flat mat that protects your table from hot dishes | See this hotpad tutorial. |
| Casserole hot pad | Larger mat for casserole dishes and baking pans | (this tutorial) |
| Potholder | Insulated pad for gripping hot cookware, sometimes with hand pockets | See round pocket potholder pattern |
Related Ideas
Looking for more easy home sewing projects like this one? Try these:
Sew This Handy Storage Tote!
Check out this pretty ALLina project tote pattern in our shop - for all your storage needs!
Want a printable copy of the whole tutorial?
Prefer a full, ad-free and printer-optimized Printable Tutorial with both instructions AND pattern included? ↓↓
All in ONE place 💙
Prefer everything ad-free, printable and ready to sew?
Leave a Reply