Crazy Bowl Cozy Pattern with Accuquilt Bowl Cozy Die

A soup bowl cozy is a must when microwaving leftovers. The bowl cozy can be put into the microwave around the bowl and provides an easy way to remove the bowl after heating without burning your fingers.

You can also use a soup bowl cozy around an ice cream dish to keep your hands from getting cold when holding the dish.

It's a Perfect Holiday Gift!

Get started early on your holiday gifts!  These bowl cozies will make wonderful gifts for the holidays. Every household can use one or more of these bowl cozies.  My family, friends and teachers should know what they are getting next Christmas! 

Personalize the bowl cozies with fabrics matching the personality of the recipient.  Or match the theme of the kitchen.

Once you make one, you won’t be able to stop! These bowl cozies come together so quickly and easily when you use our assembly line method.

Our Crazy Bowl Cozy

Our bowl cozy is named the crazy bowl cozy because it uses a crazy quilt block for the top fabric.

Our bowl cozy pattern uses two Accuquilt dies, the bowl cozy die and the crazy quilt die. Using the Accuquilt dies to cut the fabric speeds up the process of making bowl cozies! The crazy quilt die is optional. 

If you don't have an Accuquilt cutting system, click the link to head over to our traditional sewing pattern for String Pieced Bowl Cozies! 

Learn more about the Crazy Bowl Cozy by watching our video through the link below or keep reading this post.

Crazy Quilt Block

This bowl cozy is named crazy bowl cozy because it uses a crazy quilt pieced block for the top fabric.  This makes the bowl cozy pattern perfect for using up scrap fabrics.

A few weeks ago, I showed how to use an Accuquilt cutter and Crazy Quilt Die to create the crazy quilt blocks. Click the link for the tutorial.

This bowl cozy tutorial starts with assembled Crazy Quilt Blocks and they are used for the top fabric.

About Accuquilt Bowl Cozy Dies

This bowl cozy pattern uses an Accuquilt cutter and the Bowl Cozy die to cut the pieces for this project. The Bowl Cozy die speeds up the process of making bowl cozies because it cuts out the darts and the final bowl cozy shape.

Accuquilt has two sizes of bowl cozy dies.  For this bowl cozy pattern, I am using the Big Bowl Cozy die that makes an 8” x 8” bowl cozy.  This size is ideal for fitting up to 7” diameter soup bowls.  This bowl cozy die is very large at 14" x 16" and will only work with the Go! Big and Studio 2 cutters.  

If this is your first larger die, don’t forget to purchase the mats sized for this die.  Of course, I didn’t realize this die was larger so I had to order new mats and wait for them before using the die!

If you have the Go! cutter, you can still make bowl cozies using the Small Bowl Cozy die.  Bowl Cozies made with the small die will finish at 6.75” x 6.75” so these will fit smaller bowls.

Accuquilt has two free downloadable tutorials for making bowl cozies.  I have included links to these tutorials at the end of this tutorial. 

IMPORTANT! Fabrics to use when making Bowl Cozies

Since bowl cozies may be used inside the microwave, it's very important to use 100% cotton fabric, 100% cotton batting, and even 100% cotton thread.  

If the fabrics and threads are not 100% cotton, they can melt, burn or cause a fire in the microwave.

I recommend using Pellon Wrap-n-Zap batting when making your bowl cozies.  This product is specifically made for use in the microwave.  

If you decide to use another 100% cotton batting, make sure that it does not contain polyester scrim, glues or binders. Scrim can be a very thin, polyester stabilizer and is needle-punched into the cotton fibers.  The polyester scrim makes the batting unusable for the microwave.

So, please take care and confirm the fabrics, batting and thread you are using are all microwave safe!

WHAT YOU NEED to Make a bowl cozy

Find links to specific products at the end of this tutorial.

• Accuquilt Big Bowl Cozy Die
• Assembled 10 ½” finished square Crazy Quilt Block assembled with 100% cotton fabric and thread.
• 10 ½” square 100% cotton fabric for the back (Option to use two pieces instead of the crazy quilt block.)
• 2 – 10 ½” square pieces of Pellon Wrap-n-Zap 
• 100% cotton thread
• Fabric marking pencil or chalk
• Quilting Clips (optional) or pins
• Scissors
• Blade Saver Thread Cutter (optional)

A small bowl cozy die can also be used for this project. Measure the die cutting area width & height and add ½” to get the size of the fabric squares to cut.

Fat quarter friendly and Layer Cake Friendly project

These bowl cozies are a fat quarter friendly project.  Pick out two coordinating fat quarters and make a bowl cozy!

Don't stress about finding matching fabrics! Bowl cozies can also be made with a layer cake bundle.  Purchase one layer cake and make 21 bowl cozies.  Please note that layer cakes are 10" x 10" and this size exactly matches the die cut on the large bowl cozy die.  So, there is no extra so aligning the fabric is essential.  

I made some bowl cozies with a layer cake and the large bowl cozy die. It worked out well.  I carefully laid the fabric so it just covered the die.  I didn't worry too much if it was slightly off because you can't tell once the bowl cozy is finished.

Step 1: Make the Crazy Quilt Blocks

The crazy bowl cozy gets its name because the top layer of fabric is a crazy quilt block.  

Create 10-1/2" crazy quilt blocks using traditional methods or use the Accuquilt Crazy Quilt Die and our Crazy Quilt Block Tutorial to quickly create the blocks.

Crazy quilt blocks are perfect for using up those fabric scraps!  Just be sure to use 100% cotton fabrics and thread when creating the crazy quilt blocks.

If you don't like the crazy quilt look, use one piece of 10-1/2" square fabric or piece together another type of block.

Step 2: Prepare the Fabrics 

Cut all of the 10 ½” squares of fabrics and batting before starting to cut with the Accuquilt cutter.  The bowl cozies can be sewn in an assembly line fashion so don't make just one.

I like to stack the front and back of each cozy together and then stack all of the cozy fabrics into a pile.  Cut enough batting for each cozy and keep that in a separate stack.

Step 3: Use the Accuquilt Cutter & Bowl Cozy Die to Cut Fabrics

To speed up the assembly of the bowl cozy, cut a layer of batting topped with the cotton fabric in one pass through the cutter.  This ensures both layers are cut exactly the same and are conveniently layered together and ready for the next step.

Place a layer of cotton batting across the die and then put the crazy quilt block on top.

Make sure both the crazy quilt block and the batting extend past the edges of the dark section on the die all the way around.  Place the mat over the die and send it through the cutter.

Make a stack of cut pieces keeping the fronts and backs of each cozy together. The bowl cozy die cuts the curved edge and the darts making it faster to assemble the cozy.

Next, cut the back of the cozy in the same way.  Layer the batting and backing fabric together on the die.

Send it through the cutter and then stack the back with the front.

Continue cutting all of the bowl cozy fronts and backs with the batting and putting them into one stack.

The Accuquilt cutter will also cut the four layers (2 cotton fabrics and two batting) for one cozy in a single pass. So you can cut all of the fabric for one cozy together.

Step 4: Draw Diagonal lines

Prepare to sew two diagonal lines across each set of fabric from corner to corner.

At a work table, use a ruler and your favorite fabric marking pencil or chalk to mark two diagonal lines on each fabric/batting set.  I love to use the Clover Chaco Liner.

If you want to save time and can stitch straight lines without a marked line, skip this step.

Step 5: Stitch Diagonal lines

At the sewing machine, thread your top and bobbin with 100% cotton thread.  Use a straight stitch and standard stitch length.

Sew from corner to corner following the marked lines.  There is no need to back tack.

To speed up the process of making multiple bowl cozies, chain stitch the diagonal lines in one direction.  Chain stitching saves thread and is quicker to sew. 

To chain stitch, stitch the first line across the fabric/batting set.  Stitch 2-3 stitches off the edge of the fabric.  Then place the next fabric/batting set under the presser foot and stitch the line without cutting the thread.  Continue stitching all fabric/batting sets.

After stitching the first set of lines, use your scissors or the handy Blade Saver cutter to cut apart the pieces.  Start with the last stitched set and stack them in the same order from last to first.  After each step of the process, keep the fabric/batting sets in the same order.

Continue stitching the second diagonal line across each fabric/batting set by chain stitching. Cut them apart stacking in the same order from last to first.

Our video tutorial for this project explains the process of chain stitching, so be sure to watch that video if this is confusing. 

Step 6: Stitch Darts

To sew the darts, fold the fabric in half and line up the darts.  Stitch the first two darts and then fold the fabric in the opposite direction and stitch the second two darts.

Change to your 1/4" foot if you have one.  The darts are stitched with a 1/4" seam allowance starting from the center point of the dart and working towards the edge.  Back tack at the beginning of the dart.  It is not necessary to back tack at the end of the dart because the seam holding the layers together will keep the dart from coming apart.

Again, chain stitch the first dart on each fabric set. Fold the first fabric in half matching the darts.  Stitch the first dart on the first fabric/batting set.

Stitch a few stitches off the end of the fabric.  Continue by inserting the dart for the next fabric/batting set under the presser foot and continue stitching.  Don't forget to back tack at the beginning of each dart.

Finish stitching the first dart of each fabric/batting set. Cut the fabric/batting sets apart keeping them in the same order.

Starting with the first fabric/batting set, flip it over and stitch the 2nd dart on the folded edge. Sew all of the 2nd darts by chain stitching, cutting them apart and stacking.

Continue to sew the 3rd and 4th darts in the same way.  Take each fabric and fold it in half in the opposite direction.

Then stitch the 3rd dart on each fabric/batting set.  Once the 3rd dart is stitched, finish the darts by stitching the 4th dart.

The bowl cozies are starting to look like a bowl now.

Step 7: Place the bowl cozy front & back together

If you've kept your cozies in order, the fronts and backs should all be next to one another in the stack.

Take the first front and back bowl cozy pieces and place them with the right sides facing together.  I like to use quilting clips to hold the cozy together but you can also use pins if you don't have clips.  The fabrics are thick so the clips are worth it!

First, match and open the dart seams and clip them together.  Then place a clip on each corner curve.

Above are all of my bowl cozies stacked together and ready to be sewn!

Step 8: Sew the bowl cozy together

Sew around the bowl cozy with a 3/8” seam allowance. Change to your standard presser foot for this seam. Leave a 3” opening for turning on one side between the dart and the corner.  Sew slowly around the corners.

I like to start sewing just before a corner. Remember to back tack at the beginning and end of the seam.  

Take the first corner clip and place it next to the last clip by the dart.  This will remind you to stop stitching at the end.

Sew around the bowl cozy removing the clips as you stitch.  When you get to the two clips, stitch over the dart and then stop.  Remember to back tack.

Continue to sew together all of the cozies leaving an opening for turning.

Step 9: Clip corners and turn right side out

Using sewing scissors, clip in 3 - 4 places around each corner.  Also, clip on each side of the darts.  When clipping, do not clip across the stitching line.

Turn the bowl cozy right side out through the opening.  Use a turning stick or chopstick to help push the corners out and the seams flat.

Step 10: Press the bowl cozy

At the ironing board, give the bowl cozy a good press.  Press around the edge and the darts.

Finish the opening used to turn the bowl cozy by turning the raw edge to the inside and press flat.  Pin or clip the opening closed.

Step 11: Edgestitch around the bowl cozy

At the sewing machine, edgestitch around the cozy 1/8” away from the edge. The edgestitch will hold the layers together and help keep the bowl cozy layers in place when it’s laundered.  This stitching will also close the opening.

The crazy bowl cozy is finished! 

Wash the bowl cozies before gifting or using them. This ensures there is no sizing or anything on the fabric that can cause a fire in the microwave. Don't use fabric softener.

Always use caution when using the bowl cozy in the microwave and always supervise when microwaving with a cozy.

Gifting the Bowl Cozies?

Remember to include our Free Printable Bowl Cozy Tags with your bowl cozy gifts.  These instructions and care cards are perfect to let your gift recipient know the proper way to use the microwavable bowl cozies. 

We hope you enjoyed learning how to make these Crazy Bowl Cozies and make some for yourself, friends and for gifts.

Here are some other kitchen sewing projects:

• How to sew a cloth napkin
• Free Hanging Dish Towel Pattern
• Super Simple Quilted Placemats
• String Pieced Potholders