BOWL COZIE TUTORIAL

SEAMS BY SARAH ELLEN

My name is Sarah, I am a mom to 5 adult children and 7 of the most beautiful grandkids in the world.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and tutorial on how to make a bowl cozie. 

The first thing I ever sewed was a doll dress when I was 5 years old, and I haven't quit sewing since.  I've made doll dresses, baby quilts, my own clothes, zipper bags, tote bags, hair scrunchies, and the list goes on.  Pretty much if it can be sewn, I have probably made it.

Now, on to the instructions on how to make bowl cozies.   I tend to be a visual learner, so I will try to make this tutorial the way I would like to read one and how I learn best.

First of all, the materials that you will need:

*2 10" squares of 100% cotton fabric  (I always pre-wash my fabric to make sure the colors don't bleed before I start any project.)

*2 10" squares of cotton batting--some use Wrap N Zap, but I use Warm N Natural Cotton

*Thread, scissors, marking tools such as tailor's chalk, and the obvious--a sewing machine

FOR PLATE COZIES:  Cut 14" squares of fabric and batting.  Make your darts 3/4" from center fold and 2" long.

FOR TINY BOWL COZIES:  Cut 8" squares of fabric and batting.  Make your darts 1" from center fold and 2" long. 

Next, cut your 2 10" squares.  The fabrics can be the same print, or you can use 2 different prints.  I usually use two different prints so the cozies can be reversible.

After you cut the 2 fabric squares, cut your two squares of batting.  I usually cut a little bigger than 10" then trim to fit.  Then, I put each fabric square on top of each batting square and iron it.  This helps the fabric to not move around when marking and sewing it.

After you iron the fabric on top of the batting, trim the batting.  I use an acrylic ruler as a guide, and a rotary cutter to cut.  

Then, mark the fabric side with an X.  I like to use a chalk based tailor's chalk instead of a wax based one.  You can use a fabric marker if you prefer, just make sure it's washable. 

After you have the "X" marked, stitch the X with your sewing machine.

Next, we will make the darts.   Fold the first square in half and mark the darts.  The first mark will be at the top of the square, 1 inch from the fold.  After you make the first mark, mark the bottom of the dart 2 1/2" from the top then secure it in place with a straight pin.  Do this for each side of the first square, and then for each side of the second square.

Sew each dart from outer edge to the point of the dart, then trim the darts.

After all the darts are trimmed, put right sides of the bowl cozie together and pin.  I like to pin on each corner and on each dart (that's a total of 8 pins for each bowl cozie).

Sew 1/4" seam along each edge, but leave a 2 1/2 to 3" opening along one side to allow for turning the bowl cozie right side out.  If you slow down when sewing over the darts (because it will be quite bulky) you will have less of a chance that your needle will break.  

Trim corners then turn right side out.  Use something with a dull point such as a small knitting needle to "poke" out your corners so they look sharp.  Be careful to not poke too hard, otherwise you may make a hole in the fabric.

Use a straight pin or two to close the opening.   Smooth out the bowl cozie as much as you can.  Tug at the darts to try and make them smoother to sew over.

Topstitch 1/4" around the edge of the bowl cozie, making sure to close the opening where you turned it.  Once again, SLOW DOWN when sewing over the darts to lessen the chance of breaking a needle.  If you get to the corner of the bowl cozie and it won't advance, all you need to do is turn the cozie around and sew backwards 3-4 stitches.  You may need to do this for each corner.  After sewing 3-4 stitches, just turn it around again and stitch like before, slowing down over each dart.

That little piece of thread where you started sewing?  Make sure you trim it before you finish sewing your cozie.

To sum it up, cut 2 10" squares of 100% cotton fabric and 2 squares of cotton batting.  Darts are 1" x 2 1/2".  Make sure you use cotton batting, anything else could catch on fire in the microwave.

That's it!  Congratulations, you made a bowl cozie!   If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email seamsbysarahellen@gmail.com.  You can also find me on Facebook at Seams by Sarah Ellen | Facebook .