A friend of mine once described a bowl cosy as “something you never knew you needed, but once you have one you can’t do without.”

She was absolutely right.

If you’ve ever grabbed a tea towel to pick up a bowl of soup because the bowl was too hot, or wished your breakfast porridge would stay warm for just five more minutes, a bowl cosy is the simple, handmade solution you didn’t know existed.

So, what exactly is a bowl cosy?

A bowl cosy is a small quilted holder that your bowl sits inside. It keeps your hands protected from hot bowls, keeps cold bowls cold, and frankly looks a lot nicer than draping a tea towel under or around everything.

They’re quick to make, incredibly practical, and they make a lovely handmade gift, especially for anyone who loves a cosy night in with a bowl of soup or something like a crumble with custard, whilst sitting on the sofa.

What do you need to make one?

The great news is you don’t need much:

  • 2 squares of cotton fabric, 10.5″ x 10.5″ (mix and match patterns or keep them the same, both look lovely)
  • 2 squares of *Insul-Bright, 10″ x 10″ (available from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4grIa6K)
  • Thread
  • A sewing machine
  • Scissors and a ruler / pen

*A note on Insul-Bright: this is a specialist insulated batting that reflects heat, just remember it’s not suitable for use in the microwave.

Watch me make one

In the video below I show you how to make a bowl cosy (or bowl cozy as they are known in the US) from start to finish. I wish I could make them this quickly in real life!

How long does it take?

Because they’re so quick to make and use such a small amount of fabric, bowl cosies make a wonderful handmade gift, especially at Christmas. They’re the kind of practical, pretty present that people actually use every day, and they feel genuinely special because they’re handmade.

They’re also a lovely make-and-give project if you’re just getting started with sewing. No complicated techniques, just straight lines and a little patience.

Bowl cosies as gifts

Once you’ve made your first one, you’ll be amazed how quick they are to put together. They’re a brilliant project for using up fabric scraps too, any cotton fabric works beautifully.

Handmade Bowl Cosy Collection
Please note: This article contains links to various arts & crafts supplies on Amazon. Should you decide to make a purchase, I may receive a small commission for introducing you to the supplier. This will NOT affect the price you pay.