Skillet Cozy Tutorial

Hello friends!

Last month when I shared my projects using the La Conner fabric designed by Jera Brandvig, one of the things I made generated a lot of requests on Instagram for a tutorial.  It was the little quilted cover for the cast iron skillet that I called the Skillet Cozy!  Who knew?!

So today I've got a simple little tutorial for you so that you can make a Skillet Cozy too!

A list of supplies needed are:

• Rotary cutter and mat (or scissors will work if you don't have a rotary cutter)
• Sewing Machine
• Fabric scraps cut 2.5 inches wide and varying lengths up to 14 inches
• Fabric scrap cut roughly 14 x 14 inches square
• Insul-bright batting cut roughly 14 x 14 inches square (I will explain that below)
• Fabric for binding cut 2.5 inches wide and approximately 56 inches in length - you can piece numerous pieces together if necessary.  (Optional:  purchase pre-made double fold binding)
• Button

I used ten different fabric scraps but you can use fewer.  Don't be afraid to get creative and really mix and match many different colors and designs.   The fabric I used is the Gingham Girls collection by Amy Smart for Penny Rose Fabrics.  

INSUL-BRIGHT is a mylar/poly batting that is used in potholders to either keep heat away, or in the case of the Skillet Cozy to hold heat in.  You can purchase it at JOANN's craft store, Hobby Lobby, or even on Amazon.  

Sew your fabric strips together in any form you desire.  I chose to sew mine on the diagonal, but sewing them all straight is just as pretty and might be a little easier.   Trim your final square to 14 x 14 (or close... it doesn't have to be exact, as you will be trimming it smaller after it's quilted).

Make a quilt sandwich layer by layering your 14 x 14 fabric scrap right side facing DOWN, top with the layer of Insul-bright and top with your pieced fabric strips right side facing UP.  Pin the layers carefully and machine quilt anyway that you would like.  I quilted mine by stitching in the ditch between the fabric strips and once seam down the middle of each strip.

You can also choose not to do any quilting.  I do feel it gives it a more finished look.  But it will not matter in the use of the Skillet Cozy if you choose not to quilt it!

Now that you have your quilt sandwich quilted together, trim to a 13 x 13 inch square.   

Make your binding by taking the long fabric piece and fold it in half width wise, wrong sides together.  Iron it so that it lays flat.  

Using a 1/4 inch seam, sew your binding to the top of the quilt sandwich, right sides together, mitering corners as you go around the four sides.  

If you do not know how to attach binding to a quilt, there are a lot of tutorials online that show it in great detail.   

Once your binding is sewn to the front, turn the folded edge to the back of the Skillet Cozy, holding it in place with binder clips or pins.  

Sew the binding in place by sewing in the ditch on the front of the Skillet Cozy.  Be sure that you are catching the binding on the back.  

Keep in mind this is not a quilt and the binding doesn't need to be sewn with perfection!  I NEVER, EVER finish binding with my sewing machine as I love to hand bind a quilt.  However, for this project there is no need to hand sew your binding.  Don't get too concerned about what it looks like on the back!  It's not going to be seen when you are finished!

Once your binding is sewn in place mark a straight line in one of the corners for your buttonhole.   I made my buttonhole about an 1.5 inches long as I used a larger button.  You can also eyeball this for your buttonhole if you want!  

Using a buttonhole attachment, sew a buttonhole.  If you do not have a buttonhole attachment, make your own buttonhole by sewing a tiny zig-zag rectangle around the drawn line.

Note:  I have an amazing sewing machine with an awesome buttonhole attachment that has NEVER given me problems... until I try to do a picture tutorial for you and I end up with this terrible buttonhole!!!  But guess what?  You will never see it!  I chose to not stress over it! 

Fold the remaining three corners together overlapping them at the points.  Have a sweet little girl hold it for you and sew your button through all three layers.  

I did a couple hand stitches through all three layers first before sewing my button on and that seemed to make it a little easier.  It's a lot of fabric plus the Insul-bright to hand sew through so it takes a bit of tugging.  

Your Skillet Cozy will now look like a quilted envelope and is ready for your skillet!

Oh, by the way this Skillet Cozy is made for a small 6.5 inch cast iron skillet.  Perfect for a tiny little apple pie!  

If you don't own one this size, you need to buy one!  If you live where there are antique stores nearby that is where I recommend purchasing a skillet.  They are usually well used and "seasoned"!   You need to own a few!

Slip  your skillet into the Cozy.  It will fit very tightly.  Turn the handle so that it will stick out the side of the Cozy when you button it up. 

Fold over your third corner and button is up.  Your Skillet Cozy is complete and you are good to go!!  Your pie will stay hot for up to an hour and it also makes it very easy to carry and transport.  No potholders needed!   

Please make a Skillet Cozy and tag me on Instagram @redfeedsack.  Use the hashtag #skilletcozy !  

If you have any questions or problems making your Skillet Cozy feel free to email me.  redfeedsack@gmail.com  

Happy Sewing!!!