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.
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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
