Whenever I am asked to bring a hot dish to a public gathering, I find a quilted tote comes in handy. A new casserole bowl placed in one of these totes also makes a nice bridal shower gift.

Once you get the basic idea, the measurements given can be enlarged to accommodate whatever size casserole bowl you have. An extra-large one will even carry a roasting pan, as long as the turkey you have in it isn’t too heavy! In that case you would need larger dowelling for the handles.

The most economical way to make these is to watch for pieces of quilted cotton on sale in bargain bins, so I am giving the measurements for each piece rather than yardage. If you have a quilted bedspread that is wearing thin in the middle, you can even salvage the edges that are still strong to make one of these totes, (as I have done in the photo). Or, if you have extra batting left over from quilting, you can quilt your own material rather than buying it already quilted.

MATERIALS:

2 pieces quilted cotton (A) 36×13-1/2 inches (92×35 cm) and 4 pieces (B) 16×13-1/2 inches (41×35 cm)

1 piece 1/4-inch plywood, (D) 12 inches square (31 cm) (I used a spare ceiling tile that size)

2 pieces wood dowelling, (C)12-1/2 inches long (33 cm)

1 package 1/2-inch double-fold bias tape (or make your own)

DIRECTIONS:

Round edges of each B piece as shown, and with right sides together, stitch around two long sides and one short side. Turn right side out. Topstitch all around, including raw edge.

Place A piece right side up, and with right sides facing, centre the two B pieces and baste in position. (Fold back excess length and pin so it will be out of the way while you do the next step.) Place other A piece over top of A and B pieces (right sides facing) and stitch, long sides only, catching in the B pieces as you sew, but leaving the inside A piece open between E and F. Turn right side out. Topstitch in two places across A in line with either side of B pieces as shown to make casing for board. Topstitch around outside edges.

From cardboard, make a U-shaped template for handles 4-1/2 inches (11.5 cm) wide by 3-1/2 inches (9 cm) deep, rounding the corners. Use it as a pattern to cut out handles on either end of piece A. Finish handle edges with bias binding.

Fold over and stitch edges on either side of handles using a 1/4-inch seam. Fold over again and stitch to make a 1-inch casing for the wooden handles. Machine stitch two of the ends closed.

Insert dowelling handles and slipstitch other two ends closed.

Insert board into opening between D and E and slipstitch edge closed.

If you have any scraps left over, make a couple of matching pot holders.

– Alma Barkman writes from Winnipeg