How clever is this? Don't you hate it when you microwave your leftovers and the bowl is too hot to handle when you take it out of the microwave? Me too. I found two tutorials on how to make these clever little bowl cozys just before Christmas. Too late for me to make for gifts this year, but I tell you, next year everyone is getting them. Here are the tutorials I used: Syzygy of Me and Been a Very Busy Crafting Bee. The tutorials are handy because they each make cozys that are different sizes and of course you get the perspective of different photos of the process if you are confused.
Here are some photos of my experience, but do check out the tutorials, they are much better than mine in both description and photos.
I started with two layer cake squares (10" square) and two pieces of cotton batting (10" square). I marked an X corner to corner on both fabric pieces with a sewing chalk pen. I put a piece of batting and a layer cake square together and stitched on my X lines on both pieces.
Here is where I ran into trouble. You are supposed to mark and sew darts on both pieces and I screwed up my first attempt.
Fold your fabric in half RST to make a rectangle. Mark your dart 1" out and 2 1/4" down. Mark and sew darts on the two folds, then open and refold the square to make two more darts on the opposite folds. You will make four darts on each piece. Here is the key: mark the dart on the FOLD (as shown), not the raw edge. If you mark and sew on the RAW EDGE this is what you get---
Something that looks like a fitted diaper. No, that is not what you want. Darn. That was cute fabric too. It should look like this---
Yes. Can you see this coming together? See the four darts? Do the same with both pieces and fit them RST (right sides together). Pin and stitch all around the raw edge with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving two or three inches unstitched so you can turn it right side out. Trim excess fabric from darts. Clip the corners and the points.
Ta da. Turn right side out and you are nearly done.
Press and machine stitch all around the outside edges. I used a decorative stitch I call the Wiggle Stitch. You don't have to hand sew the place where you left the seam open to turn it because the decorative stitch catches the edges.
Cute, huh? And practical too.
Cute and oh, so handy!! I'll be making a couple for sure as they'd be useful now. Thanks for the photos, suggestions, and links.
I am about to dive in and clean up my poor wee sewing room so I can then get back to sewing.
It's 15*F here this morning but feels like 6*F and today's high is forecast to be only 28*F. This is nearly a heat wave compared to some parts of the country, but brrrrrrr!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | January 08, 2015 at 06:41 AM
My dear sister in law made us a couple of these for Christmas and we LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Thanks for the tutorial because I've been longing to make a few to fit some different bowls.
Posted by: Staci | January 08, 2015 at 07:05 AM
I'm SO going to try this out! We routinely use big flat potholders to do the same function, but these shaped/fitted ones would be so much nicer! BTW, I have a new computer and it didn't save my previous settings for how I sign in. I'm still the same old sillysally that has been commenting for 4 + years!
Posted by: Sally | January 08, 2015 at 08:10 AM
I love those! how do they hold up to washing?
Posted by: ina | January 08, 2015 at 08:17 AM
I've never made these but many people I follow rave about them. Thanks for sharing the links to the tutorials!
Posted by: Jeanna | January 08, 2015 at 10:02 AM
These are too cute! Thanks for the links to the tutorials :)
Posted by: Anita | January 08, 2015 at 10:39 AM
Love your fabric choices. I just made one of these over Christmas and it was easy except for breaking a needle. I "nested" the seams but the bulk was still too much as I was probably sewing too fast.
Posted by: SaraF | January 08, 2015 at 12:49 PM
Clever... I didn't know I needed one until now!
Posted by: Sinta | January 08, 2015 at 01:51 PM
I have seen these videos also and they are definitely on my Christmas to-dp list for next year. I figure if I make one (or two) a month I should be good
Posted by: Joan | January 08, 2015 at 11:54 PM
I made 12 of these for Christmas last year and got rave reviews from family. I have everything to make some for me but nothing has been accomplished on them.
Posted by: Gari | January 10, 2015 at 02:17 PM