Learn how to quickly make a DIY bowl cozy using a $2 hot pad. If you use your microwave regularly you’ve undoubtedly struggled with the “hot bowl” syndrome, trying to get a bowl filled with hot food out and onto the counter. After some searching, I found that you can purchase “bowl cozies” which are pretty awesome but also very expensive for basically a curved hot pad. Being the frugal soul that I am I though “I can make that!” Also, being someone who prefers not to drag out the sewing machine unless I absolutely have too, I tasked myself with making one by hand. All I needed was a large $2 rectangle hot pad from Walmart! Also, make sure to check out how to Spice Up Your Kitchen with These Delightful DIY Kitchen Decorating Ideas and one of our spectacular upcycle ideas: Contemporary Kitchen Craft Series : Tall Pasta Containers.
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Supplies
- Large rectangle hot pads (We bought ours for $2 at Walmart!)
- Thread and needle OR
Hot Glue Gun (We’ve not used this over time to see how it holds up) - Ribbon if desired. I used what I already had.
Instructions
Picked up this set at Walmart for $2. This will make 2 cozies.
These work for bowl of various sizes.
All you need to do is hold the ends together somehow, so the bowl sits inside comforatbly.
You can tack them using a needle and thread, a sewing machine if you desire. I also tested a hot glue gun which seemed to work but I suggest testing that out on another piece of fabric first.
Mark where you will tack the hot pad together. This is a little over 1″ up from the fold.
Make sure the correct side of the hot pad is INSIDE where the bowl will sit and then using a strong needed, sew it together with several stitches.
Make sure to use a dozen or so stitches over the same area so it holds well. 
You can also possibly use HOT GLUE though I’m unsure how it will hold up over time. Make SURE the glue itself does not get hot when placed in a microwave. 
That’s it! Easy peasy!
Fits a variety of sizes of bowls. 
I decided I wanted to make it look nicer so I grabbed some ribbon I had lying around. 
NOTE: You can use heaver ribbon to literally TIE IT TOGETHER without sewing orglue. I suggest grosgrain ribbon at least 1/2″ however. I added ribbon to one that I had sewed just because it looked nicer. 
Perfect for making microwave baked oatmeal!
Even your thread should be 100% cotton to prevent possible fire. Polyester thread will melt. Leave in microwave no longer than 7 minutes.
Wow, thanks for your tip . ❤️ And now I can have several laying around. Yay
Not sure about hot glue in a microwave….could be a recipe for disaster. And trust me make sure it’s all cotton or it can ignite while using it in the microwave. It is a great idea, just needs to be safe!!
Great idea! I’m hoping the potholders were 100% cotton thread and batting!