Well it has been a while, with lots happening in the Nanny and Poppy house but the other day, while making rolled oats for my grand children for breakfast, I decided the time was right for a Spin! You see I was making the ‘porridge’ in the microwave and very nearly burnt myself and I remembered seeing these great microwave bowl holders AND I wanted to make something from our Swap Squares so this was the project for me!! Nanny’s take on microwave bowl holders!!
Note: I am making mine to fit a ‘Corelle’ bowl which is about 61/4″ in diameter and 41/2″ across the base. Please check your dish for size and adjust accordingly.
You will need:
i) 4 x 5″ squares – (I am using some from the Black & White Swap.)
ii)1 x 9″ square (you could use more squares if you like – I just want to use the same fabric to make a ‘set’ and I am cutting from a Fat Quarter so it has to be 9″
iii) 2 x 8.5″ squares of 100% cotton wadding – I am using ‘Warm Tater’ which is recommended for Microwave projects as it doesn’t contain any resins or glues. (important for my Fibromyalgia!!)
NOTE: You will need to sew with cotton thread as well – no polyester!
NOTE: You will need to sew with cotton thread as well – no polyester!
Let’s Sew!!
1. Select 4 squares and join them in pairs
2. Join the squares.
3. Take a square of wadding and pin to the wrong side of your squares
4. Quilt as desired – I am just going to follow the seams – nice and fast! I used white thread on the white background and black on the black. (I have swapped to my second one here hence the change in fabric!)
Trim your 2 quilted squares to the same size.
5. Now we have to shape it. Using your bowl as a guide, measure across the base – I will be using 4.5″ (you want your bowl to be able to sit in the holder )
6. Mark that measurement along the seams each way.
Transfer the pin marks to the wrong side
7. Fold along the seam line and sew a dart – I went to the 2nd row of my quilting which is about 3/4″ and taper to the mark you just made. Do that on each seam.
You now have a bowl shape.
8. Repeat that process on the other quilted square.
9. Place the ‘bowls’ right sides together and stitch around the edges leaving an opening for turning. ( I came around a corner, finished with a back stitch and left it open to just before the dart then started with a backstitch and continued.) Clip corners and turn through to the right side.
10. Topstitch around the edge to finish!
I love it!!! Thank you to ‘belmer from Minnesota’ for the inspiration – these will be greatly used down here in Australia!!
You can have it this way up:
or this way!!
Enjoy your new microwave bowl holder ! I have to finish that other one now so Poppy doesn’t feel left out! 😉
Until next time
Nanny xx
Great idea, Margie!!! Thanks for sharing the tutorial.
Thanks Pam! I can’t claim the idea but it was fun to make and a great use for some of our squares!! 🙂
Hi Margie, I’ve featured your microwave bowl holders today…
Wow!! Thank you so much, Pam! 🙂
Thank you for you much, it was a great help!
Thanks Judith! I’m glad you found it useful! 🙂
Thank you for pattern. I received one fot my birthday and would love to make some and give as gifts.
You are so welcome San Juanita! I think they will make wonderful gifts ! 🙂
Super idea! I will be making these with my grandaughters. Great beginer project.
Thanks Amanda! I think it is a great beginners project too – and fun to make! 🙂
Super cute.Thanks for the tutorial!!.
Thank you Rosa! Enjoy! 🙂
Great idea and a very helpful tutorial!
Thank you Mrs Lucky! I use it all the time now! 🙂
Ooh that’s a great idea, they kids would love these (and mummy)
Thanks Mel – I can see these in different fabrics for each child so no squabbles! lol 🙂 That will make mummy happy too! 😉
such a great idea! thank you
Thank you Wendy – you are most welcome! 🙂
Easy to follow your tute & clever as well! Thank you!
Thank you so much and you are welcome! 🙂
I can’t wait to try this. Thank you.
Thanks Colleen! I would love to see how you go! 🙂
Awesome, I’ve been wanting to make something like this, thanks for sharing the pattern.
Thanks Melody and welcome! I’m glad to help and would love to see your results if you would care to share! 🙂
This is great! Just one question — do you put the bowl holder under the bowl before you micro the food, or use it as a pot holder to retrieve the food and then have it under the bowl? In other words, is it OK to have the bowl holder in the microwave while it’s running (like a potato bag)?
Hi CarolB! I use it under the bowl in the microwave – I used the same wadding as for the Potato Bag “Warm Tater”. 🙂
Doesn’t the fabric get hot as well?
Hi Flowergirl! I’m sorry that I hadn’t seen this earlier – I have only used it when cooking something in the bowl so only a couple of minutes, stir, couple of minutes – that is why you must use all cotton fabric and the correct wadding. I hope this helps! 🙂
Where can I find 100% cotton thread? Love these and plan to make lots of them for Christmas.
Hi Elaine! You can find 100% cotton thread where you buy your threads – Gutermann makes one and Aurifil also (just what I had in my stash). Hope this helps – they will make great Xmas Pressies! 🙂
I have seen these in ads and have been wanting to make one. I have been burned way too many from taking hot bowls from the microwave. Can’t wait to get into my stash and start this. Thank you for a great tutorial.
Thanks Bev! I’m sure you will love using it – would love to see when you are done 🙂
I have to tell you, this is without a doubt the most genius ideas I have seen in a long time. No kitchen shouldbe without them! They save burnt fingers and are used daily in our home for anything that has been microwaved. My hubby always reminds me to use his hotpad on his microwaveables. Easy to make and they are washable and dryable as well. They are a kitchen Must Have…..They also make great gifts!
Thank you so much for sharing….God Bless
Hi Diana! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with me. This has been one of my most popular posts but as you can see, not everyone thinks to let me know how they find them and when someone does, it makes my day – so Thank You!! 🙂
Hi, Love this project. Thank you for sharing.
Do you need 2 layers of batting…..would one not do?
Hi Jean! I recommend two but by all means give one a try! If you think of it like a potholder, I think you need some thickness to be safe, especially if being used by children.
Another hint!
Use 2 12.5″ squares…same process…you will have a serving bowl holder which will keep your main dish hot during the meal…just leave it on the bowl at the table.
Thanks Barb for the great tip! 🙂