Microwave Cozies – A Mini Tutorial

Update November 2017:  new pictures reflecting the use of a laser light instead of marking the lines – NO marking required!

We made microwave cozies for the baby shower that we recently hosted.  We found a bunch of cute fat quarters, Pellon Wrap ‘n Zap batting (microwave safe) and cotton thread.  I took a look at Pinterest and hours later remembered what I was actually looking for.  Seriously!  I can get lost on that website.  I printed out a couple of ideas but in the end, did my own thing.

 

In our first attempt, I used some Chicago Cubs fabric and followed one of the patterns exactly.  The fabrics were cut to 10″ squares, the batting to 9″, and an “X” and “+” were drawn on the batting.  I sewed on those lines without issue.  Then the darts were marked on the “+” sides.  The instructions said to mark them 2.5″ long by 1″ wide, and draw a line between those two marks.  A 1″ dart really takes away 2″ from each side before the seam allowance.  I don’t know about your bowls, but my regular cereal bowls that came with my dishes are bigger than that.  I don’t want to have to fight with a bowl filled with hot liquids to use the cozy.  See the finished example above with a mug in it – way too small for any bowl in my opinion.

Cozy-save

Attempt number two was successful and was what we used.  Same 10″ square of each fabric – two different ones to make it reversible.  Batting cut to 9″ squares – draw the “X” from corner to corner and “+” in the center both ways.  Sew those lines using COTTON thread – I used a fairly large stitch since this was the quilting.  So here we go, step by step!  Almost – I didn’t show cutting the fabric or batting.

Cozy Tutorial

  • Use your ruler and mark line from corner to corner diagonally, and then a line down the middle in both directions.  You’ll see an “X” and a “+” symbol when complete.
CozyUpdate1

11/2017:  No marking needed if you use the laser light – here it is in action starting a cozy Xs

  • Center your batting on the wrong side of each piece of fabric, marked side up.  Pin if you’d like. (I now skip the pins – see photo above)
  • Sew on each line WITH COTTON THREAD  on both pieces – I set my stitch length to 3 as I wanted it to look like quilting
  • Fold in half, right side together.  Ideally, this will be on the line that was sewn in the middle of one side
  • Measure and mark 1/2″ in from the fold of the fabric
  • Measure and mark 2″ from the edge of the fabric; then draw a line between the two marks
CozyUpdate2

11/2017:  skip drawing the line – just use the laser for the straight line between the two marks

  • Sew the darts – I started at the narrow end of the dart and also chain sewed them
  • Trim the seams on the darts just for less bulk – around 1/4″ size
  • Flip them right sides out and admire them 🙂
  • Nest them right sides, matching the dart seam line.  Have the dart seam on the bottom go with the sewing direction so you don’t have to worry about it not laying flat
  • I pin at each dart and the corners.  Sew around the entire top using a 3/8″ seam, leaving an opening on one side of about 3″.  I use different colored pins to mark where to start and stop sewing.
  • Flip right side out through the opening and poke out the corners.  I didn’t bother trimming the corners but if it annoys you, go for it!

Cozy3

  • Fold in the fabric on the opening and pin closed – the next step will sew it shut permanently
  • It’s time to topstitch around the edge.  I used the width of my presser foot as a guide; it was about 1/4″
  • You’re finished – I see cozies in your future – completely reversible :

 

Cozies Summary/Recap

  • 2 – 10″ fabric squares (coordinating or the same fabric) **Using fat quarters?  Make the squares 9″ instead of 10″
  • 2 – 9″ Pellon Wrap ‘n Zap (or other microwave-safe batting) – can be microwaved for 8 minutes maximum **Adjust to 8″ if using a fat quarters
  • Cotton thread – polyester will catch on fire
  • You’ll also need a ruler, marking pen, laser light for quicker cozies, and some pins/clips

 

Thank you for reading this far!  Thank you for asking how I made the cozies for the shower.  It is greatly appreciated.

 

Our Linky Parties page shows our quilting friends’ websites- see what they’re up to.   Like/follow us on our Facebook page and share your finished cozies!  We would love to see them.  Thank you!

Sharing

You may also like...

8 Responses

  1. Hooray for the linkup! thank you.

  2. Marsha Cooper says:

    I gave these to EVERYONE one year for Christmas and have made countless sets since then.

  3. Cocoa Quilts says:

    I knew you did these Roseann, had to go find the post so I can do a few this weekend.

  4. Pamela says:

    I like your instructions on making these. The laser light sure helps! I plan on making a couple for myself. Thanks!

  5. You make it look so easy. 🙂 Thanks for the tutorial. I plan on making a bunch of these for Christmas gifts.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.