Homemade Microwave-Safe Soup Bowl Cozy
There’s nothing better than warming up your favorite soup, stew, or chili on a cold day—except having a cozy to actually hold the hot bowl without burning your fingers! Today I’m sharing a quick, practical sewing project you’ll love: a microwave-safe Soup Bowl Cozy you can whip up in 20 minutes or less.
This easy project is perfect for:
- Leftover nights
- Holiday gift baskets
- Teacher gifts
- Craft fairs
- Your own kitchen drawer
- And of course… curling up with a cozy meal!
Let’s jump right in.
Why Make a Microwave-Safe Bowl Cozy?
If you ever pull a bowl out of the microwave by the very tips of your fingers (and whisper a prayer you don’t drop it), this project is for you.
These cozies keep your hands safe and give your bowls a soft, padded little “nest.”
Plus—they’re washable, reusable, and incredibly giftable.
What You’ll Need
- 100% cotton fabric – Two 10″ squares (you can use scraps or coordinating prints) *
- 100% cotton batting – Pellon Wrap-N-Zap – One 10″ square *
- 100% cotton thread – This is important for microwave safety
- Sewing machine, scissors/rotary cutter, pins or clips
- A ruler and fabric marker
* Small cozy – cut 10″ squares
*Medium cozy – cut 10 1/2″ squares
*Large Cozy – cut 11″ squares
Contains an affiliate link to Amazon. I may earn a small commission without it costing you anything!
🔥 Why all cotton?
Polyester melts. Cotton doesn’t. Stick to 100% cotton everything if you want your cozy to be microwave-safe. Polyester is a synthetic product similar to plastic. This particular batting doesn’t contain any scrim.
Cut:
2 fabric squares whichever size you want to make and 1 square the same size of the batting.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Layer and Quilt
Place one fabric square right-side up, layer on top of batting square.
Quilt however you like. I used a fabric marking pen (a FriXion Pen) to draw diagonal lines on the right side of the fabric. Also draw a line down the center horizontally and vertically. Four lines total. With my friction pen, I was able to press the lines out.
Next, pin and then sew on the drawn lines. Use a stitch length of 2.5 or 3.
These sewn lines serve a purpose. The quilting holds the fabric and batting together at the corners, and along the sides while you are sewing the darts.
2. Mark the Darts
Fold your quilted square in half. On each folded side, measure and mark:
- 1″ in from the fold
- 2″ down from the top
Draw a triangle and stitch along the marked line. However, it is easier to just use your cutting board to line up the 1″ in from the fold and the 2″” down from the top. Use your rotary cutter and ruler to cut the triangle out.
Repeat on the opposite side.
Open the square, rotate, fold the other direction, and repeat for two more darts.
Repeat with the other square (lining piece)
3. Sew the Darts
Subsequently, sew the darts. Fold the piece in half (the same way it was when you cut it) and sew the diagonally cut edge together using a 1/4″ seam, being sure to backstitch at the beginning and at the end. Once all four darts are sewn, your fabric will begin to take on that bowl-shape. Trim excess from the darts to reduce bulk.
4. Sew the Lining Using the Same Steps
You’ll repeat the entire dart process with your second square.
5. Join Cozy & Lining
Next, Place the two “bowls” right sides together matching up the corners and the darts. Pin around the edges.
Stitch with a ¼” seam allowance, leaving an opening for turning. Start sewing near one of the darts and sew around the edge of the bowl cozy. Sew off the edge of the last corner to the end. Pivot on each corner with your needle in the down position.
Leave an opening to turn.
Trim the corners.
6. Turn & Topstitch
Time to turn your cozy right-side out, gently push out corners, and give it a good press. Then, turn the raw edges at the opening to the inside.
Topstitch around the entire edge—this also closes your turning gap. Begin sewing at the gap.
And just like that… your microwave-safe soup bowl cozy is ready for action!
This is the large size.
🎁 Gift Ideas (These Always Impress!)
- Pair a cozy with a pretty soup bowl
- Add a quart of homemade chili
- Bundle in a holiday basket with crackers + a spoon
- Make a matching set of 2–4 for family members in different sizes
- Choose themed fabric (sports, holidays, farmhouse, florals)
Care Instructions
- Machine wash cold
- Air dry or tumble low
- Do not use cozies with extremely oily foods (oil can scorch)
- Always microwave with a bowl inside (never empty)
Final Thoughts
This project is one of those simple, satisfying makes that you’ll come back to again and again. Whether you’re sewing for yourself, your family, or your craft booth, these little cozies are both charming and practical. And they can be used for a bowl of cold ice cream as well.
If you sew one, I’d love to see it! Share your creation and tag me on Instagram at @frostedsaddle so I can cheer you on.
