I acquired a large quilted pad with cotton on both sides and polyester filling and decided it would probably make a very nice casserole carrier. I stitched cotton batting to one side piecing as I went to give it enough heft. I dug through my precut and some already sewn pieces and put together strips which I added to the batting using QAYG stitching. I put the first strip right side up on the corner lining up the bottom and side. I laid the next strip over it right side down and stitched my seam through all the layers. I folded the top one back over the batting and repeated the process until I had covered the end. I repeated the process on the other end of the batting. Finally, I added a large strip across the opening in between with the pieces running the other way. I turned both edges over and top stitched this piece into place then ran a couple of lines of stitching in the ditches of the long seams. Everything was nice a secure and quilted.
I added a backing in a mottled warm green fabric and stitched a few lines to secure the backing to my main piece. Several on each end and two through the middle section. I trimmed the backing leaving 1.25" on all sides. I folded it over by half and turned it over the front like I have been doing
the potholders. I finally had a large piece nicely quilted piece (27" x 35") - really a very small quilt.
I then proceeded to make the handles. I used a coordinating green cotton and cut a strip that was about 84" x 5". I folded it in half on the length and then folded a half inch or so on each long edge. I stitched the ends to created a large circle and then stitched along both sides to finish off the handles. Next, I folded it in half with the seam on one end and marked the other fold with a pin. These two points would be in the center of the bottom of my carrier. Always works best when the two handles are the same length.
I carefully pinned the handles to the bottom of my quilted piece - about 6" from each edge and the seam and my marked position in the center of the piece. I measured how long I needed for the handles to reach the edge of the casserole and marked that with a pin on each handle. I stitched from one mark, across the bottom and up to the other mark, across the handle and back to where I started. Did the same on the other handle. The pattern I had used as inspiration stitched the ends together to make a pocket into which you would have to insert your hot casserole. I decided to add elastic loops and buttons instead which makes it really easy to wrap your hot casserole. Just put it in the middle, fold over one side and then the one with the buttons and put the loops over the buttons. All ready to go!! I covered the ends of the elastics with a little square of the same fabric as I used for the handles. Secured it well with stitching.
You can see here that I decided to change up the buttons I had used once I gave it a test. The elastic was a bit wide to stay under the red buttons so I removed them and added two larger green buttons instead. That will work better. You can see below the casserole in the middle with one flap brought over. I am happy with how it worked out and this size will accommodate a larger dish - up to 10" x 14". Therese
