How to Sew a Simple Soup Bowl Cozy (FREE PATTERN)

Protect your hands and furniture from hot soup, chili, and oatmeal with microwave-safe bowl cozies that are as cute as they are functional! Because they're quick and easy to assemble, they are an ideal gift to make in multiples. You can even use them to hold cold items like ice cream! These soup bowl cozies even use 10" squares, so you can use precuts if you plan to make many!
Get the free sewing pattern here: www.hhstitches.com/post/soup-...
See a list of the supplies we used to make the soup bowl cozy here: www.hhstitches.com/post/soup-...

[@Pip7-px3wq]

Love it, thanks for doing this with just you & your machine & no annoying music, very pleasant to listen to. Great job

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you for watching! Happy sewing!

[@tamrahelmers3872]

I've made bowl cozies with the batting 10 inches, and tried one your way having the batting 9.5 inches and it is soooo much better! Less bulk around the edges and much easier sewing the top stitch around at the end! Thank you!!!

[@HappyHourStitches]

Amazing!! Yes, after years of making soup bowl cozies with 10" squares of batting, we tried this method, and it was so much easier. Thank you for watching!

[@kalt5532]

This is my favorite video on making bowl cozies. It's the best technique I've seen overall.

[@HappyHourStitches]

Wow, thank you! That means a lot. Happy sewing!

[@Spirit_of_Morning]

The quilting group at our Senior Center sells a lot of these. They are a favorite item in our gift shop.

[@HappyHourStitches]

Love it! They're such a useful item to have in your home!

[@ZombiieLoveQuadCreations]

Hi, and thank you for the tutorial and pattern!. I’d like to say that polyester fabrics do not catch on fire they melt. Natural fibers burn especially cotton that hasn’t had all of the natural “fat” removed from the material. Remember that moisture and fats and dairy when put in the microwave heat up from the micro waves. Therefore when the cotton has a spill or seed remnants (or anything other than being clean and dry) will heat up and possibly catch fire. Now if this was on polyester (plastic) the fibers will simply melt. You are absolutely correct about the metallic materials being dangerous. I guess my comment was to help by bringing awareness to why they catch on fire and give a couple tips on how to prevent it when putting the cozy into the microwave. Cook on short bursts no longer than 40 seconds. Even 40 seconds could be too long depending on what is on the fabric or if it’s dirty. Always make sure you clean your cozys and never add fabric softeners or scent beads to their laundry. And always pay attention to what’s cooking in the microwave so you can quickly extinguish it if needed. Remember water is the worst for oil fires! I hope this comment helps. It was not meant to sound rude or anything. I just have a super fear of fire and wish everyone safety and wellness.

[@HappyHourStitches]

Great explanations! Thank you so much for sharing that information with us. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

[@OHlookSHINYthing]

So correct! I've only had one fire in the microwave, and it was on a spud sack made from 100% cotton. I discovered that one potato had somehow gotten on a fold of the fabric and caused it to heat up more. Thankfully I was right there watching! Now I know to check the spacing of the potatoes before microwaving.

[@kerfuffle9312]

I make these to sell with added strict written instructions not to put in the microwave. I use polyester thread, and use holiday themed material with metallic thread. I make sure to tell the buyers this and many people tell me they wouldn’t even think about putting them in the microwave anyway. Always receive great feedback. This was a great thorough and well demonstrated tutorial! Thank you👍

[@carmenbailey1560]

I have bowl cozies as well and never put them in my microwave

[@markathryn]

Turning it is easier if you pull the furthest corner out, then the rest of it follows. Less wear and tear on it. Nice video!

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thanks for the tip!

[@charliem6335]

Thank you! I'll be making these for Xmas gifts!

[@HappyHourStitches]

Amazing -- they make the best gifts! Happy sewing!

[@KJSew]

Thanks for the tip on the Hera marker…. I was using a template for the corners…. Like the idea on the x also. Thank you!

[@moon-ud8tq]

Info on using 100% cotton and not polyester (may spark a fire) was most helpful so that was most valuable: thank you 👍💙

[@moon-ud8tq]

Also threads or batting must be 100% cotton if using in microwave oven otherwise OK to use polyester. Info from a reply somewhere below.

[@HappyHourStitches]

Glad it was helpful! Hope you enjoy making them!

[@marthatilbury2209]

Great video! I have been wanting to make this for awhile and your clear and easy video has motivated me! Thank you!

[@HappyHourStitches]

Amazing! Good luck sewing them -- they're so fun to make!

[@OHlookSHINYthing]

I've been making these literally for years, but I never heard of a Hera marker until just now. That would have made these a whole lot easier! I make mine a little bigger, and sew a quilting line through the two layers after they're done, to keep them from separating. Makes it easier to wash them too. 🙂

[@jwall6006]

I wondered what kept the 2 layers together. These will be used and get food on them necessitating washing. A pin through the center of each layer at the end and sewing an X across the current sew line would be easy enough, true?

[@OHlookSHINYthing]

@@jwall6006 yes, that should work. What I usually did was draw a circle on the bottom after they're sewn together, then sew that circle through both layers. It kinda outlines where the bowl would sit and ties the two layers together at the same time. Mine get washed a LOT, and ironed after each wash to kind of pull them back into shape.

[@moon-ud8tq]

My mother was using it in the sixties in Japan and I wondered what a "hera" was.

[@hopegarza]

I have that hermarker but wasn't sure how to use it.😅

[@connietowler3725]

Great tutorial. This turned out so nice. Thank you...

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you! Happy sewing!

[@deborahtabb]

Fantastic tutorial. You do a great job explaining and showing how to make the bowl cozy. I've watched several tutorials but I think yours is the easiest to follow! Thank you so much for this! Now to get started!

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad the tutorial was helpful -- happy sewing!

[@kayharris6457]

Thanks for the pattern. I will be making these bowl cozies.❤❤❤❤

[@HappyHourStitches]

You’re welcome 😊 Happy sewing!

[@pjacksreads536]

Great job explaining. I’ve made a lot of these b4. Great gifts.

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you! They're such fun gifts to give!

[@gloriahowell1338]

Thank you, I am definitely going to give this a try.

[@HappyHourStitches]

Wonderful! Happy sewing!

[@jackiegenandt6661]

Great tutorial!!!! Thank you for the free pattern too!!!

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you! Happy sewing!

[@janelicata5328]

Thanks for this easy to follow video!

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you! Happy sewing!

[@edwardhair3812]

Thank you for sharing, you made it so easy!

[@HappyHourStitches]

You are so welcome! Happy sewing!

[@jayneevanderheym352]

Great video, going to make with my granddaughter today. 😊

[@HappyHourStitches]

Happy sewing! Your granddaughter will love this!

[@theresamiller996]

Great video!

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you! Happy sewing!

[@aburk8417]

Wow way easy!!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@HappyHourStitches]

You're welcome! Happy sewing!

[@ColleenU]

Thank you. Great video

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you! Happy sewing!

[@brendaaustin5541]

Great video and easy to follow.... But I would like to make a suggestion... I would trim the corners to reduce the bulk...

[@paulasmith6169]

Very good tutorial ❤😊.

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you! Happy sewing!

[@lizwilson8371]

Thanks for sharing. I do use my hera marker but I didn't realize how clear it is on batting. It's great to know. Thx 😊

[@HappyHourStitches]

Hera markers are magic!

[@sandrasaddleman581]

Great tutorial

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you! Happy sewing!

[@dianehuntley2493]

I always back tack on the darts to assure the stitching doesnt come out. Good tutorial😊

[@HappyHourStitches]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@stormyg1945]

You should trim the corners before turning - otherwise it’s very hard to get a sharp pint in each corner. Also, you should align your dart seams and l make sure that each seams “nests” with the other - one seam goes one direction, the other seams goes in the opposite direction. Otherwise it becomes very bulky.

[@veronicascott8012]

Thank you! Perfect for gifts 😊

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thank you! Happy sewing!

[@nonstopmom8185]

I have made bowl cozies for years. I always told people "Not to use in the microwave". My point was that if the cozies had some grease on it, could catch fire. I always do all cotton by the way. Recently I did see a caution note on another recent site that said, "not for the microwave". I'll bet it's because people had some issues. Something to think about.

[@HappyHourStitches]

Absolutely! Soup bowl cozies are made to go in the microwave if everything is 100% cotton, but we all still need to all practice safety and caution anytime we're cooking or heating things. :)

[@nonstopmom8185]

@@HappyHourStitches Of course we all should, but at that point you're hoping the customer who buys these has an ounce of sense so that using it in an unsafe manner doesn't become the seller's liability. They could microwave too long, microwave just the fabric bowl without food, leave the microwave unattended or microwave after spilling something on it. Just a cautionary note. Mine are all cotton but I sell with a note.

[@joycethigpen5204]

@@nonstopmom8185 Thanks for the info on the note. and how to use these bowls for safety precautions while using microwave.

[@sewingSue]

Before turning the bowl outside (at time stamp 9.47esh), clip the corners

[@maureenkearns5376]

I am very confused by comments because I thought the whole purpose of these is to use them in the microwave so our hands don’t get burned taking out bowls or dishes that are hot. I was a All photo’s to use all cotton fabric, bedding and thread so it doesn’t burn in the microwave. If they cannot go in the microwave, what is the purpose? As I said, I’m very confused by comments about not putting them in a microwave

[@HappyHourStitches]

You can absolutely put these in the microwave if you use 100%-cotton fabric, batting, and thread! Some people make them with polyester thread or other unsafe material, so they just transfer the bowl to the cozy after heating it to protect their hands/furniture when eating.

[@Phollenbeck1950]

I never microwave the cozy with the bowl. It’s so simple to transfer the bowl to the cozy.

[@barbaradrentlaw597]

Thank you for stating that you should put only the bowl in the microwave and then transfer the bowl to the cozy.

[@HappyHourStitches]

Always better to be safe than sorry!

[@lindaspells3882]

0:47 0:47

[@deliakinmont9042]

Great informative video! Does the batting get sewn into the seam when you are topstitching? Thanks again! 😀

[@HappyHourStitches]

The batting doesn't get sewn into the seam -- it's held in place by the quilting. By cutting the batting smaller than the fabric, we eliminate all the bulk in the seam, which makes it much easier to sew!

[@deliakinmont9042]

Thankyou!

[@shermaynebrown5165]

I had a lot of fun making this for a coworker I saw burning her hands on a bowl from the microwave at lunch! No more hot hands!!!!

[@HappyHourStitches]

Love that! What a thoughtful gift!

[@mist4926]

Do you pre shrink your material and batting. Does anyone know

[@HappyHourStitches]

We've never preshrank our material, but you can if that's a normal part of your sewing process! If you don't prewash your materials, we suggest washing your finishing soup bowl cozy in cold water and air-drying/drying on low to help avoid shrinking.

[@rhondaregister8081]

I put Wrap & Zap in dryer for 20 minutes (2 sheets) to preshrink, and wash and dry all fabric before using.

[@vickykozuch9028]

If you use 100% cotton fabric, 100% cotton thread and 100% cotton batting; it is safe to put in microwave.

[@mist4926]

Do you have to line both squares of material. Isn't one enough

[@HappyHourStitches]

We've found that one just isn't enough to protect hands and furniture from the heat of the bowl. But you can try it with one and see how it works for you!

[@joycethigpen5204]

HI, I had the same thought!!@@HappyHourStitches I will try with one first then try using two.

[@njhoxsey]

You don’t sew the batting when sewing around?

[@HappyHourStitches]

No, this pattern doesn't call for it. The batting can make the seams really bulky and hard to sew, so this pattern eliminates that. The batting is held in place to the fabric with the basic quilting you do at the beginning of the process!

[@bessevaraven859]

So what's wrong with the thermolam? It's non metallic and temperature protevtive

[@HappyHourStitches]

Thermolan is designed to insulate, but should never be put in the microwave, as synthetic material can melt or catch fire when heated.

[@Eekeim511]

If you’re making these as gifts, shouldn’t it be for the largest bowl possible to accommodate any bowl?

[@HappyHourStitches]

You can make them whatever size you feel comfortable with! This size fits a standard soup bowl with a little wiggle room for a slightly larger bowl. If the cozy is too large for the bowl, it makes it harder to grip which can lead to spills.

[@Eekeim511]

Ahh thank you

[@bonniestalhiem8025]

Word of warning….read the fine print on your wrap-n-zap…..it too is not fire proof!

[@joannsanders242]

Well, what’s the point then?? So we can use 100% cotton batting which I have tons of?? I bought the Wrap & Zap for this. 😫

[@bonniestalhiem8025]

@@joannsanders242 wrap N Zap is 100% cotton. A lot of batting’s are an 80/20 blend which most people purchase and use. Wrap N Zap guarantees 100% cotton. But the point is, is that even wrap n zap comes with a warning about using it in the microwave.