Quick Gift: Microwave Bowl Cozy

Sewing a last minute gift is practically a tradition for most quilters. This year the Microwave Bowl Cozy (yes, it just a giant pot holder!) seems to be all over the web, so here are my directions for making it:

SUPPLIES

Microwave safe 100% cotton batting--TWO 15" squares (see fabric below)-- I used Wrap & Zap by the Warm Co. They are no longer making Warm Tater, but say that Warm & Soft is the same...I could not find that in the Big Box store. You want something without a scrim (which Warm & Natural has, even though it says 100% cotton). I have never heard a personal experience of batting catching fire in a microwave, and suspect it might happen only if you cook something too long! But I also did not want to run my own test!

100% Cotton fabric-- TWO 15" squares-- you can measure a bowl or plate and make a custom size, but I think this will fit anything pretty well. It could be larger or smaller, but cut the batting to same size, to make two pairs of fabric & batt. They can be different prints/ colors, etc.

MACHINE SET UP This is the stuff nobody thinks to tell you about before you get started!

Use a size 90/ 14 needle, because you will be going through a lot a layers before you're done (esp. if you have a chosen a BATIK for this or pieced the squares).

Match your bobbin to the top thread! Just do it now so you don't have to wish you had later.

You can sew the whole thing with a walking foot if your machine handles lots of layers better with one. If so, put it on now.

Use a slightly longer stitch length...do not sew this with teeny tiny stitches.

SEWING
1. Sew an X on each fabric/batt pair, corner to corner.

The two pairs, different sides up

You can see a little zig-zag at the bottom right! It's perfectly OK to piece your batting so you can use the whole package.

2. Make a dart in the center of each side: fold the square in half Wrong Side out, and mark 1" away from the fold, and 2.5" down along the fold. Draw a line to connect the dots (I used a Sharpie). Pin to hold. 

Draw a sewing line for the dart

You can mark two sides, then re-fold the square and mark the other two before sewing.

Each square/pair gets four darts. You can start sewing from either end, and it only has to be back stitched at the point on the fold.

Zig-zag batting join will never be seen!

3. Use your scissors to trim the excess dart fabric. The sewing and  trimming do not have to be precise. be sure you have 4 darts in each square/pair before the next step!

Nobody cares how wide the seam allowance is

4. Place the two square/pairs Right Sides together, one "inside' the other. Pin to match at the darts and corners. Take my word, you want the darts in BEFORE you sew it all together! Unless you'd like a cozy that matches my personal one, which was supposed to be a gift, but ended up with darts on the outside.

Don't worry, it looks better when it's done!

5. LEAVE AN OPENING about 3" when you SEW all the way around. You know why I put that in caps right up front! Sometimes I start by back stitching, then lift the pressure foot and pull the item though a few inches, then back stitch and sew the rest of the way around. The seam allowance can be 1/4", or less, or maybe different on each side!

6. Turn the cozy Right Side out...poke out the corners (nobody cares if they aren't sharp...in fact, you may want to sew the next one with rounded corners!). Top stitch all around.

I like to close the opening as I top stitch, and usually trim the batting out of the seam allowance there first. You could hand stitch it closed, especially if you want to top stitch more than 1/4" in from the edge and avoid the extra batting layers.

Lots of layers do well with a walking foot. My Janome 7700 has a special one.

7. Most of the instructions end there, but I like a final step to hold the two layers together. In the center of the bottom, sew a little square or just tack in place. That X sewn can be pinned to line up, but it really doesn't matter.
This means you can throw it in the wash, which is a good thing for any item that is used in the kitchen!

One stitch in the center would be enough

Well, that's it! Quick and easy, as well as being very useful. Tell your giftee it just goes right in the microwave with the bowl or plate, ready to protect their hands when they remove the dish. And remind them it can be washed!

I even patched batik scraps for this

Sure, you can use patchwork for one or both sides (it's really 2-sided) or maybe a nice holiday fabric. If the shape seems a little odd, I'd just put a plate of cookies in it, fold in the corners and tie it up with a ribbon. 

Be sure to mention if the plate is microwave safe OR NOT! I got some metal ones from the dollar store, and they are NOT.

As with any simple item, you can get quite creative. But you can also make one of these cozies pretty darn fast!

Fast Gift Items

Here are some ideas about my favorite gift items that are quick to make.

Two things will be great helpers: start with a pre-made item (pot holder, towel, etc.) and hopefully your stash has some Fabulous Fabric that will do most of the owrk for you (that's a fabric that is beautiful or is a theme print that matches to "giftee's" interests or favorite colors).



1. Tissue holder: buy the purse size pack first then wrap the fabric around it to find the size to cut a rectangle. Add an inch on each size for the seams and some ease. Finish the edges that will wrap to the center of the pack, then WS (wrong side) out sew the two ends. Turn RS (right side) out, and insert the tissues!

2. Eye/ Sun glasses holder and...

3. Rotary cutter holder: Start with a pot holder. Fold it in half WS out and stitch along two sides, then turn. If it has a nice binding, just sew it RS out along the edge of the binding.

4. Scissors holder: same as above, but sew a slanted line to match the scissors, then trim off the excess fabric before turning.

5. Kitchen towels and...

6. Bath towels or Guest towels: Time to use the Fab. Fabric! Buy a set of towels and personalize them with a strip of fabric across one end as the acent (often towels have a different weave right where you can sew this). Just cut the strip, press the long edges in and top stitch it (tuck in the short ends as you begin and end).

7. My Favorite Apron: this is perfect for the serious cook, and also great for GUYS! Start with a bath towel, then add a waist tie by making a long doubled over strip of fabric (or even purchased binding!) to top stitch to one long side. Add a pocket if you have time. This is perfect for people who like to wipe their hands often.

8. Clutch purse: Shop the housewares department for some wonderful placemats! Don't be afraid to try some non-fabric ones, as long as it seems something you can sew through. Sew it RS out if it already has a nice binding. Fold one short end to 2--3" more than the middle, stitch the sides and fold the rest down over the opening.

9. Applique on any pre-made item: For the truly desperate, use a Heavy-Duty paper-backed fusible web to attach shapes or motifs cut from fabric. Do NOT try to sew through this stuff...but it will stay on perfectly. Hint: cookie cutters and other shapes can be found all over the kitchen!

10. Pillowcases: OK, these take a bit more sewing, but are so much fun and can be made with Fab. Fabric to reflect anyone's person interest. If you Google "pillowcase tutorial" you'll find loads of how-to's with pictures. It still falls in thehalf-hour range to make.

And then I'll add to my list "how to put links in my blog"!