Microwave bowl mitts

Microwave mitts made with "Garden Project" fabric designed by Tim & Beck for Moda

I learned how to make these bowl-shaped potholders at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan this September. The potholders are meant to be used with bowls inside the microwave to keep diners from burning their hands on crockery filled with hot liquids. The microwave mitt is made entirely of cotton materials because polyester might melt in the microwave. I think it would also work well to cook a potato in the microwave. If packaged with a covered soup bowl and dry soup-mix, this mitt would make a thoughtful holiday gift.

Please read and print the WARNING at bottom of this post. If used as gifts, include a copy of the warning with each gift.

Materials

• 2 10-inch squares of 100% cotton fabric in coordinating colors (I used "Garden Project" layer-cake precuts by Tim & Beck for Moda.)
• 2 10-inch squares of Pellon Wrap-n-Zap Tator batting (or other 100% cotton batting)
• 100% cotton thread
• You will also need a "walking foot" to assemble your microwave mitt.

Directions

Begin by marking both batting squares according to the template, below. Instructions for marking the lines follow after picture.

1. Draw an X through the center of your batting.
2. Mark the center of each side and connect marks to create a diamond shape.
3. Mark a dot 3.5-inches from each center mark toward the center of the batting
4. Mark a dot 3/4-inches to the left and right of the center dot on each side.
5. Connect the side dots to the dot marked near the center of the batting.
6. These V-shapes are the sewing line for the darts that create the bowl shape.

Layer one pre-marked 10-inch batting piece to the wrong side of one 10-inch fabric piece; repeat for the second pair.

Using 100% cotton thread and a walking foot, stitch one piece of fabric and one piece of batting together along the marked lines that create the X and diamond shapes. 

Fold with right sides of one fabric/batting piece together on the center of the dart, matching dart markings. Sew from the point of the dart to the edge of the square -- sewing along the marked line on the batting. Repeat for each of four darts.

Clip center of each dart, cutting 1/4-inch from sewing line.

This is how your work will look after sewing all the darts.

Repeat for second piece of batting and fabric. 

When both pieces are sewn and darted, layer both pieces with right sides together and stitch around all four sides a scant half-inch from the edges of the fabric. 

Leave a four-inch opening on one side of the mitt; reinforce the ends of your stitching by sewing back and forth. Clip corners.

Turn the mitt right side out by pulling the inside through the hole until the entire right side is turned out. Push out corners with blunt utensil.

Stitch opening closed, close to edge of mitt. Topstitch around all four sides of the mitt. (See top photo for topstitch detail.)

Warning from Pellon:
When working with products intended for use in a microwave, certain precautions should be taken.  Use only 100% Cotton batting, thread and fabric.  Wrap-N-Zap® is made of 100% Cotton fibers without any additives. It is not fire retardant or flame proof. For this reason, we suggest cooking in 2 minute intervals for a maximum of 8 minutes. Never leave the microwave unattended.  Do not use in a Convection/Microwave oven.