Friday, December 31, 2021

The Last Finishes of 2021

hand quilted hot pads
My daughter asked for hotpads for Christmas.  In the scheme of things, these are tiny finishes (compared to a quilt) but finishes they are.  They are all made from scraps or unused blocks.

Before washing and drying the top ones measured 7 5/8" square and the bottom ones measured 8 1/4" square.  After washing and drying they measure 7 1/4" and 7 7/8", respectively.  So, they shrank about 3/8".  I made them large knowing they would shrink but I expected more shrinkage.  They'll still work.

I debated about using two layers of Warm and Natural batting and finally decided on three layers.  I've made hotpads before but I didn't document exactly how I made them which left me to figure it out again.  After making the tops I cut the batting and background a little larger and anchored them in place.  I hand-anchored two sets, then used a long machine stitch to anchor the other set.  Then I cut them to size and added the 2" folded binding around the edges.  That didn't work very well.  The quarter-inch seam seemed to almost disappear in the thickness of the batting and it seemed less than a quarter inch..  I don't know how else I would have done it though because I don't have a quarter-inch presser foot for my machine.  I'll give it more thought before making more hotpads.

My daughter's kitchen walls are that tealish color and her favorite color is red.  Next time, though, I don't think I'll use such a light color as the off-white in the wedding ring hotpads.  I don't know about you but my hotpads often pick up discoloration when the they touch the edges of a pan where they meet the food.

And that's the end of 2021 (in less than four hours).  Good riddance, I say.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

--Nancy.

14 comments:

  1. Hot pads seem to always be a welcome gift. Last year my son and DIL asked for several sizes including one large enough for a lasagne pan! Happy New Year to you!

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    1. I don't know many people who want quilted hot pads, Pat, (and my favorites are the old-style ones we made with loops on a loom as kids) but my daughter prefers the quilted ones.  I'm happy to make them for her!  That's a great idea to have one large enough for a lasagna pan.  Do you use just batting or some heat-limiting layer?  Is it called thermo-web?
      I hope you've had a Happy New Year, too!

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  2. Great hot pads, Nancy. I think they make a wonderful gift item. I always intend to make some for gifts, but haven't made any since 2006. That is pretty bad. I like each of your designs, but especially the wedding ring blocks.
    Happy New Year to you, too!

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    1. Thank you, Janet.  I made a mistake with the wedding rings.  In my mind, I thought a 7" hotpad, shrinking to about 6 1/2" would be perfect.  But those turned out a little large and I forgot that I would be binding the edges, therefore not losing any size, instead of sewing them like in a quilt.  They'll probably be a fine size for my daughter and I suppose they'll continue to shrink a little.
      I don't love making hotpads but if someone wants some, I'll do it.

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  3. Sweet hot pads. That teal color is especially nice. You're doing great to make hot pads out of quilt blocks. I usually end up crocheting mine. It's mindless crafting in front of the TV. I burned one of the newer ones this fall unfortunately. I need to get another made soon. Are you starting anything new with the New Year? I'm still plugging away at my Cheddarback quilt. I moved from the hand hoop to the floor hoop and I've finally got a rhythm going that helps me get more done per sitting.

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    1. Thank you, Robin.  I really like the teal, too.  I think it will go great with her kitchen. 
      I have two hotpads that my grandmother crocheted but they're not really thick enough to be effective.  And crocheting isn't one of my strengths.  I can't follow a pattern!
      When you say you use a floor hoop do you mean an actual hoop or do you mean your large quilting frame?  I've never used anything but a hand-held hoop.  I think I would have trouble if it were stationery.  (I'm not really very experienced in quilting.) I know your Cheddarback is going to be wonderful!
      Nothing new yet this year.  I didn't even claim a monthly goal!

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  4. I made hotpads recently too and like you, I sort of had to make it up all over again. I didn't take notes, so in a few years I will be making it up yet again, ha ha. Yours are really lovely. It's nice to make something pretty and practical. Happy New Year... 2022 has to get better right?

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    1. Thank  you, Cynthia.  They're just simple things.  What did you put in the middle of your hotpads?  Layers of batting, towels, or something to reduce heat? 

      I think 2022 will get better after I recover from Covid!  I hope your 2022 is wonderful!

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  5. How pretty! Like sweet tiny quilts. Too nice to slop lasagna sauce on!

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    1. Thank you, Lizzy. They may be too nice for lasagna sauce but I'm certain they will get that in more. In a year or two she'll need more new ones. With three littles helping with the baking it's hard to keep things in great shape, especially fabric things.

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  6. Great gifts, Nancy. And I realized this is a great way to test out a block too.A very Happy New Year to you...if I haven't said it all ready.

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    1. Thank you, Jocelyn. You're right, this is a good way to test blocks. Easy enough to get rid of if one doesn't like the block, too. Haha.
      Happy New Year to you, too. I hope you've had a good one so far!

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