Color My Summer: Purple Potluck Bowl Covers {Tutorial}

 

Today I'm participating in the Color My Summer series being hosted by Kojo Designs and Delia Creates.  Each day a new color is celebrated with a fun summer project and today my color is "Purple".  So, welcome to all of you that are new to "The Cottage Home" - I'm so glad to have you visiting for Color My Summer!

Summer time means picnics, barbecues, and potlucks!  Many times we are invited to outdoor activities and everyone is asked to bring a dish to share.  I thought it would be fun to create a reusable fabric bowl cover so that we can tote our side dishes to these events in style.  These are also great to have at an outdoor picnic to keep the bugs off of your food when no one is eating.

These bowl covers will take you no time at all.  It will probably take you longer to decide on your fabric and coordinating bias tape than it will to actually sew them.  Make one for your favorite bowl or make a whole set for all of your serving bowls!

So, let's get started..........

Supplies:
1 Fat Quarter (should be enough for a large bowl)
1 package double fold bias tape (or you can make your own)
Thin Elastic - 1/8" or 1/4" (the amount depends on the size of your bowl)
Safety Pin
Sewing Machine
Scissors

Directions:

Take the bowl that you plan on making a cover for and flip it over.  Place it on your fabric.  If you are using a directional print or something with a certain design, make sure to center your bowl over the design.

Using scissors or a rotary cutter, cut a circle that is 2" wider than your bowl.

Sew your bias tape around the entire edge of the bowl (click HERE for my bias tape tutorial).  Leave an opening in your bias tape large enough for a safety pin to fit through.

Above you can see the opening in my bias tape.

Measure towards the top of your bowl and subtract two inches - that is how much elastic you will need.  My elastic was very stretchy, so if yours isn't, then you may need to make yours a little longer.  Stick a safety pin through the end of the elastic.  Typically I use a bodkin to thread elastic, but in this case, only a safety pin will fit through the bias tape opening.

Thread your elastic through the bias tape opening and around the circle.  Stitch the ends of elastic together and close the opening in your bias tape by top-stitching with your sewing machine.

Place your covers on top of your bowls and you are ready for your summer potluck!

You could certainly make these in a more casual fabric or even make them to coordinate with your outdoor picnic blanket or tablecloth.  These are not meant to replace foil or plastic wrap when you need a seriously tight seal, but these are just right for taking your dish to and from your summer get together!

Thanks for inviting me over to play at Color My Summer!  As always, Kirstin and Jordan, it's been so much fun.  If you guys haven't checked out this series, you must head over and see some of the great projects being shared by some pretty great bloggers.

To visit, Color My Summer, click HERE.

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