You know, with all the technology and advances in science I think we could find a way to come up with a bowl that doesn’t get hot in the microwave. How many times have you reached in there without thinking about the bowl being hot and burned your fingers, or worse yet, your kids have done it! With this tutorial on How to Make a Microwave Bowl Cozy, you won’t have to worry any longer.
Until science makes even more of our dreams come true with bowls that magically keep our food warm and our fingers unburned we will make these super cute and customizable bowl cozies! Pick fabrics for each kid to have their own, or colors to match your kitchen or patterns that just make you smile and let’s make a couple of these microwave bowl cozies to keep in the drawer. I keep mine on top of the microwave so anyone can use it when they need it!
Printable PDF Version of how to sew Microwave Bowl Cozies - This PDF version has been optimized for printing and you won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. If you would like to purchase an ad free printable version of this sewing tutorial, please visit our Etsy Shop listing for Microwave Bowl Cozy - PDF Download & you can purchase a PDF downloadable version of this grocery tote tutorial or you can keep reading for the free version of this tutorial.
Supplies for a Microwave Bowl Cozy
- 100% Cotton Fabric
- 100% cotton batting
- 100% cotton thread
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Sewing Pins or clips
- Scissors or Pinking Shears
- Safety pins
- Light-colored pen
- As with most sewing projects you will need an iron, ironing board, and sewing machine.
You will need to use 100% cotton for the fabric, batting, and thread. If you do not use 100% cotton, you run the risk of the fabric or thread catching fire in the microwave. My bowl cozy was made for a standard-sized Corelle bowl. The top of the bowl has a 6.25″ diameter and the bottom has a 4″ diameter. You can adjust the size of your squares, as well as your darts to match the size of your specific bowl.
How to Make a Microwave Bowl Cozy
As with all projects, it is important to prepare your fabric. Wash, dry and press your cotton fabric. Sometimes I’m tempted to skip this step, but with this microwave bowl cozy being around food, it’s likely to need to be tossed in the washer and you risk your fabric shrinking if you don’t wash and dry it first, before sewing it together. Pressing the fabric makes it not only look nicer but easier to work with!
Measure and cut out your fabric and batting. You will need the front and back fabric. This includes two squares of 100% cotton – to make your bowl cozy the same size as my example you will need to cut them into 10″ squares. You can use two different fabrics to make your cozy reversible or have two squares of the same fabric. Whatever you choose will be great!!
When you measure and cut your 100% cotton batting for the bowl cozy cut it so it is slightly smaller. I cut a 9.5″ square of batting for my 10″ square fabric.
Lay one cotton square face down. Place one batting square on top of the cotton square. Be sure to center it.
Next, use a light-colored pen and ruler, draw lines connecting opposite corners on the batting. This will create an “X” on your square.
Pin twice on each edge to hold the batting square in place.
Stitch across the squares diagonally, along the lines you drew. Repeat steps 3-6 for the other square of fabric and batting.
Fold one square in half with the right sides touching.
On one end of the folded edge, measure and mark 2″ in from the edge. On the same corner, measure and mark 3/4″ down from the fold on the raw edge of the square.
Then, connect your two marks with your ruler and light-colored pen.
Now, you should have two diagonal lines along the top fold of your fabric.
The next step in this microwave bowl cozy sewing tutorial is to stitch across both drawn lines.
As I continue to show you how to make a microwave bowl cozy you will need to open the fabric and fold in half in the opposite direction. Your freshly stitched lines will be in the middle of the square.
Measure and mark lines with the same dimensions as step 8 for each corner of the newly folded square.
At this point, you will need to check to see if your bowl cozy will fit your bowl. If it is too loose, feel free to adjust your darts to make the bowl cozy tighter on the top or bottom of the bowl shape. Then, sew the darts you just drew.
If your microwave bowl cozy is a perfect fit, go ahead and cut off the extra fabric on each dart.
Repeat steps 7-11 for your other “X” sewn square.
Place one bowl cozy side inside the other, making sure that the right sides of the fabric are touching.
Pin all the way around the edges of the bowl cozy.
In this step of the how to make a microwave bowl cozy tutorial, you need to be sure to line up the edges precisely.
Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch around the edge of the bowl cozy. Be sure to leave a 2.5″ opening on one side for turning. Make sure this opening is not on a corner because it will be harder to close it later!
Next, trim off the corners, making sure not to cut through your stitches.
Through the opening you left, turn the bowl cozy right side out.
We are almost finished with our microwave bowl cozy! Push the fabric in along the opening, trying to keep the folds even with the seams you sewed. Press along the edges of the bowl cozy to make the fabric lay flatter.
Using just less than a 1/4″ seam allowance, topstitch around the edge of the entire bowl cozy. Be sure you catch the edges along the opening with your stitches!
Now, you have a wonderful microwave bowl cozy that will save your family’s fingers from all those hot bowls coming out of the microwave.
These also make great gifts for someone who is moving into a new home or maybe a college student who just got their own apartment. And the best thing is when you inevitably spill something on them they can be tossed in the laundry and cleaned with your kitchen towels!
If you liked this how to make a microwave bowl cozy sewing tutorial make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make the bowl cozy take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices others make.
How to Make a Microwave Bowl Cozy
Wouldn't it be nice if there were something you could put around your bowl while you microwaved it so when you went to take it out you wouldn't burn your fingers/hands? Well, now there is and it's so simple that even those with little sewing experience can easily make their microwaving experience a little nicer!
Materials
- Fabric (See notes)
- 100% cotton batting
- 100% cotton thread
- Pins or clips
- Light-colored pen
Tools
- Scissors
- Optional: Rotary cutter and mat
- Iron/ironing board
- Sewing machine
Instructions
- Wash, dry and press the fabric.
- Measure and cut out your fabric and batting. You will need: a) Front and back fabric: Two squares of 100% cotton (mine were 10” squares – see notes)
b) Inside batting: Two squares of 100% cotton batting (mine were 9.5” squares) - Lay one cotton square face down. Place one batting square on top of the cotton square – centered.
- Using a light colored pen and ruler, draw lines connecting opposite corners on the batting. This will
create an “X” on your square. - Pin twice on each edge to hold the batting square in place.
- Stitch across the squares diagonally, along the lines you drew. Repeat steps 3-6 for the other
square of fabric and batting. - Fold one square in half with the right sides touching.
- On one end of the folded edge, measure and mark 2” in from the edge. On the same corner,
measure and mark 3⁄4” down from the fold on the raw edge of the square. Then, connect your two marks with your ruler and light-colored pen. (see photo for reference) - Stitch across both drawn lines.
- Open the fabric and fold in half in the opposite direction. Your freshly stitched lines will be in the middle of the square.
- Measure and mark lines with the same dimensions as step 8 for each corner of the newly folded square.
- At this point, you will need to check to see if your bowl cozy will fit your bowl. If it is too loose, feel free to adjust your darts to make the bowl cozy tighter on the top or bottom of the bowl shape.
- If your bowl cozy is a perfect fit, go ahead and cut off the extra fabric on each dart.
- Repeat steps 7-11 for your other “X” sewn square.
- Place one bowl cozy side inside the other, making sure that the right sides of the fabric are touching.
- Pin all the way around the edges of the bowl cozy. Be sure the edges line up precisely.
- Using a 1⁄4” seam allowance, stitch around the edge of the bowl cozy. Be sure to leave a 2.5” opening on one side for turning. Make sure this opening is not on a corner – it’ll be harder to close it later!
- Trim off the corners, making sure not to cut through your stitches.
- Through the opening you left, turn the bowl cozy right side out.
- Push the fabric in along the opening, trying to keep the folds even with the seams you sewed. Press along the edges of the bowl cozy to make the fabric lay flatter.
- Using just less than a 1⁄4” seam allowance, topstitch around the edge of the entire bowl cozy. Be sure you catch the edges along the opening with your stitches!
- Your bowl cozy is done! It is reversible, so you can use whichever side strikes your fancy.
Notes
You will need to use 100% cotton for the fabric, batting, and thread. If you do not use 100% cotton, you run the risk of the fabric or thread catching fire in the microwave.
My bowl cozy was made for a standard-sized Corelle bowl. The top of the bowl has a 6.25” diameter and the bottom has a 4” diameter. You can adjust the size of your squares, as well as your darts, to match the size of your bowl.
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