The last thing you want to happen when arriving at a potluck is having your dish come cold. Instead of asking to reheat, pack up in this stylish casserole carrier that will turn heads as you soon step through the door! Make your carrier with fun fabric and simple sewing skills, including a handy pocket; everyone will ask about your carrier.
Do you like to cook and bake? Do you want to take your delicious treats to potluck dinners or parties? If so, then you need a hot dish carrier! This project is easy and makes an excellent gift for the cook in your life. Or, if you are like me and love to share your tasty treats with friends and family, this project is a must-have!
It is always enjoyable to sew something that is both practical and looks good. This casserole carrier is perfect for that. It is a quick project that you can sew in a few hours. The best part is that it is sure to be appreciated by the recipient.
To make a casserole dish carrier, you will need:
Things You’ll Need
- Carrier Top Fabric (Fabric #1) 1-yard fabric
- Carrier Inside (Fabric #2) 1-yard fabric
- Batting 1-yard
- Pins and Clips
- Small bowl
- Disappearing Ink Marking pen
- Scissors or Rotary Cutter
- Sew-In Velco
- Ruler
- 1/2 Inch Wooden Dowel
- Miter Cutting Tool
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Are you excited to get started on this project? Check out the video tutorial below or follow the step-by-step instructions! You choose how you want to learn to do this project! The video tutorial is excellent for those who want to see the project come together, and the step-by-step instructions are perfect for those who want a more detailed look at each component. Either way, you’ll be able to create this project with ease! So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Step 1: Cut Fabric and Batting
Fabric Cuts
- 10 1/2-inch x 40-inch Carrier Sides Fabric #1 – Cut 1
- 18-inch x 28-inch Carrier Cover Fabric #1 – Cut 1
- 10 1/2-inch x 40-inch Carrier Sides Fabric #2 – Cut 1
- 18-inch x 28-inch Carrier Cover Fabric #2 – Cut 1
Batting Cuts
- 10 1/2-inch x 40-inch- Cut 1
- 18-inch x 28-inch – Cut 1
Step 2: Pin and Sew Casserole Carrier Cover
Place the carrier cover fabric pieces (18 “x28”) with their right sides together, and then place the batting on top — you should be three layers.
Clip and mark a 6-inch opening. The opening is the “No Sew Area.”
Then sew a 1/4-inch seam along the edge, making sure not to sew in the 6-inch space. Once sewn around the edge, clip your corners and turn them right.
Now give it a good press. Next, topstitch to close the short opening of the fabric and continue topstitching around all four sides. Then set it aside.
Step 3: Pin and Sew Casserole Carrier Sides
Repeat the layering steps above for the carrier sides (10 1/2” x 40”) and clip in place. To create the opening for the handles, you will trace around half of a small bowl on the short ends of the carrier sides and mark with the disappearing ink pen. See photo for placement of the bowl.
Make sure to mark a 6-inch or “no sew” opening on this piece. We will use this opening to turn the fabric right side out. Then sew a 1/4-inch seam along the edge, ensure not to sew in the 6-inch space, and sew along the curve we made with the bowl for the handles.
Step 4: Cut and Clip Handle Openings
We need to cut around the handle opening before we turn the cloth right side out. I like to leave 1/4 of an inch between the stitched line and the edge. Once you cut the handle open next, you should carefully clip along the curve, which will aid in giving a nice smooth finish.
Step 5: Turn Right-Side Out and Press
Turn the fabric right side out, and I like to use my clover tool to work out the corners by the handles. Once the fabric is turned, it is time to give it a good press. Taking the time to press it will help provide your topstitch with a professional look.
Step 6: Topstitch
Next, topstitch to close the short end of the fabric and continue topstitching around all sides.
Step 6: Pin and Sew the Handle Openings
Now it is time to finish the handle openings. Fold down the corners’ ends 1 1/2” and pin them in place. Then sew a 1/4-inch seam around the edge and across the handle edge. This fold will provide a pocket to insert the dowel for your handle.
Step 7: Cut Dowels to Fit Casserole Carrier
Now it is time to cut your dowels. I use a tool that my husband bought for me. It is a Miter Cutting Tool. It cut right through the 1/2 inch dowel. Measure between the edges of the carrier handles’ short edge to determine the dowel’s length. I cut mine at about 9 1/2 inches.
Step 8: Putting the Pieces Together
Let’s put this all together! Lay your Handle section in front of you with the inside fabric facing up and determine the center point.
Then lay the Cover section on top of the Handle section with the inside material facing up.
Center the cover section and clip in place. To attach the two pieces, sew a seam down each of the long edges of the fabric. You will create a pocket for carrier accessories by only sewing on the long edge!
Step 9: Attach Hook and Loop Fasteners
Now let’s add then velcro to help secure your dish in place. Make sure that you are using sew-in Velcro. If you use the adhesive type, you will risk gumming up your needle when you sew it in place. Determine where you want to add the fasteners. I like to place mine about 4 inches from the edge of the cover and 1 inch down. See the photo, for example.
Pin the Velcro in place. Make sure to put one part on the inside fabric and one on the outer material. This step will allow you to have the fastener secure the cover over your pan.
Sew the Velcro in place.
There you have it, a casserole carrier that will impress friends and family at your next potluck. This carrier is easy to make and will protect your dish while you transport it. Be the envy of your friends with this stylish and practical carrier.
If this project inspired you, check out some of my other projects for more inspiration!
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