How to Sew a Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover

To those who are lucky enough to own cast iron cookware, the answer to keeping your hands from getting burned when cooking with a cast iron skillet is by making a DIY fabric cast iron skillet handle cover.

I love my cast iron skillet!  I use that thing every day, and now I've started keeping it out on the back of my stove since it's such a kitchen staple.

If you've ever used one, you know that the handle gets mega-hot!  I bought a silicone handle cover and was very disappointed since it kept twisting and slipping, eventually leading to burns.

The store bought cast iron handle covers just don't seem to fit correctly. 

This tutorial gives instructions for making a fabric handle cover.  Just use this simple cast iron cover pattern to make a fabric cover that keeps hands safe from burns.

Can cast iron handle covers go in the oven?

Watch the video below or scroll down for written directions with photos.

INSTRUCTIONS for making a fabric cast iron skillet handle cover

STEP 1: Layering the fabric

Begin by laying the two pieces of Insul-Bright on top of each other.

Be sure to match the fabric evenly.

On top of the two layers of Insul-Bright, lay the lining fabric right side up.  The lining fabric can be the same pattern as the main fabric or another fabric design.

For this tutorial, the lining is the same fabric as the outside cover.

Keep in mind that the lining fabric will be inside of the cast iron skillet handle cover and won't be visible.   

Once the three fabrics are lined up evenly, lay the outer fabric on the very top of the pile with the right side facing down.

Using the straight pins, pin all the way around the edges of the fabrics to hold them together.

STEP 2: SEW the four fabrics together

Carefully, carry the stack of fabrics to the sewing machine. Sew across one of the short ends, which is the 6" edge, using a 1/2" seam allowance.

The seam will be bulky, so using the fabric scissors, trim the Insul-Bright fabric layer close to the seam without cutting through the stitching.

Open the sewn piece so the outer and the lining fabric are right-side up. The outer fabric with Insul-Bright should be on one side and the lining on the other side.

step 3: sew the fabric cover in half

Fold the piece in half lengthwise with the right sides together.

Using the straight pins, pin the folded portion in place along the entire side.  

Sew along the outside using a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving an opening on a long side of the lining which is about 3" long. 

Be sure to back tack at either end of the opening.

This opening will be used to turn the handle cover right side out.

Center the seam you just sewed on the back of the handle cover and press open with the iron.

step 4: sew the ends of the cast iron skillet cover

The ends of the cover can be left square or use a marking pencil and draw a curved line on each end.

Stitch either straight across the short ends or along the curved line on the ends using a 1/2" seam allowance.

For this tutorial, the ends are left square.

Clip the corners of each end for ease in turning the fabric right side out.  Clip the squared or curved corners.

step 5: Turn the insulated handle cover right side out

Turn the cast iron skillet handle cover right side out through the opening that was left on the lining portion of the cover. 

This can take some time to do because there is so much fabric to push through the 3" opening.  Be patient.  It can be done!

step 5: stitch the 3" opening closed

Once the handle cover is turned right side out, either hand stitch or machine stitch the 3" opening close to the edge to close it. 

Remember that this is the lining and will be inside of the cast iron skillet handle cover and won't be seen.

step 6:  slip the lining inside the cast iron skillet handle cover

Slip the lining to the inside of the handle cover.  It will be necessary to use something long such as a chop stick to get the lining in the entire way. 

Gently use the chop stick to push out the corners, being careful not to push through the stitching on the fabric.

Once the lining has been pushed completely inside the cover, the cast iron skillet handle is complete! 

Slip the cover over the cast iron skillet handle.

No more burned fingers!

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial showing how to make a fabric cast iron skillet handle cover!  Please like, share, and pin!

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