If you’re like me, you probably have some kind of dough rising on your counter more days than not. If you’re also like me, you probably want to cut down on waste wherever possible. Why not start with a bread bowl cover that you can use and reuse over and over? Its practical and waste free! Plus, as an added bonus, it can make your rising bowl of dough an ornamental piece sitting on your counter! Follow along with this simple tutorial to learn how to make a bread bowl cover for any sized bowl in your cabinet!

Supplies Needed
- Your outer fabric of choice. I like to choose a print fabric for the outer layer, but whatever you prefer is the best choice here! I recommend using 100% cotton fabric for both the outer layer and the inner layer. The amount you will need will vary depending on the size of bowl you want to cover.
- You inner fabric of choice. I recommend keeping this simple and going with a plain cotton muslin fabric. Again, the amount you will need will vary.
- All purpose thread
- 1/4 inch elastic. The amount needed will depend on the bowl size.
- Scissors
- Straight Pins
- Pencil
- Measuring Tape
- Safety Pins
- Sewing Machine and Bobbins
- Iron and Ironing Board
- The bowl you plan to cover
*You can find a link for many of these items at the end of the post!

Preparing your Project
Now that you have all your supplies gathered, there are a few things that you need to do before assembling your bread bowl cover.
To prepare the fabric, you will need to wash it on whatever cycle you plan to wash your reusable bread bowl cover. Dry the fabric after washing on whatever dryer settings you normally use.
After washing and drying the fabric, iron out all the wrinkles so that you have a wrinkle free piece of fabric to cut. You’ll need to follow these steps for the outer and the inner piece of fabric. You need to prewash and dry your fabric so that any shrinking happens to the precut fabric and not to the final product.

To prepare your sewing machine, first follow your machine’s instructions to wind your bobbin. Once your bobbin is wound, follow your machine’s instructions to thread your bobbin in the machine.
Finally, follow your machine’s instructions to thread your main spool. Always run a few test stitches on a scrap piece of fabric before beginning to sew on your main project.
Cutting the fabric for your bread bowl cover
Now that you have all the supplies gathered, and all of the preparation finished, it’s time to cut the fabric for your project.
Take the bowl you plan on covering, and lay it face down on top of the plain muslin fabric.
Begin by making a mark with your pencil 3 inches out from each corner of the bowl onto the fabric.
After marking in these four places, begin by making three or four equally spaced additional small marks in each quarter.

At this point the marks should be close enough that you can connect them together to draw one full circle three inches wider than the bowl all the way around.
Now that you have drawn you cut line on the muslin piece of fabric, lay this piece on top of the print fabric, and pin these two pieces together.
Carefully cut along the line making sure both pieces of fabric are staying pinned together as you cut.

Assembling your bread bowl cover
Now that your pieces of fabric are cut, the only remaining steps are to actually assemble your cover.
Place the two pieces of fabric on top of each other making sure the right side of the print fabric is facing in. Always remember the sewing rule to keep right sides of fabric together.
Pin the two pieces of fabric together and stitch along the edge of the circle giving yourself about a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Also be sure to leave about 2 inches unstitched to turn your work.

Once this step is completed, turn your work so right sides of fabric are facing out. Press the Cover flat with your iron.
Now, you’ll need to make another seam on the turned cover that is about 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch from the edge. Sew this seam all the way around.

Adding Elastic
At this point, you’ll need to grab your elastic and feed it through the edge of the cover through the opening you left in the first seam. It can be helpful with this step to attach a safety pin to the end of the elastic.
Once the elastic is through the entire edge of the cover, adjust it so that it is a good amount of stretch to cover your desired bowl tightly.

Cut the elastic Leaving enough of a tail on each side to tie the elastic together. Very tightly tie the elastic into a knot and double knot. Trim the edges of the elastic and tuck the knot into the edge of the cover. Push the knot back into the seam so that the presser foot of the machine doesn’t run into the knot.
Finally, make one final seam closing the two inch gap you left in the initial seam. Keep this seam as close to the edge of the fabric as possible so as not to catch the elastic with your needle.
Place your cover over your rising bread and enjoy it’s practical and aesthetic value!

Bonus Tip
You can follow these instructions for any size bowl OR jar! Make a small version of this cover to add a practical and lovely cover to your jar of sourdough starter or your ferments!
If you decide to make your own bread bowl or jar cover, be sure to tag us in a post Instagram or Facebook @almostheavenhomesteading
Pin this tutorial to save to your project ideas!

Get your hands on this convenient sewing essential kit on amazon which includes many of the items needed for this project including scissors, measuring tape, fabric pencil, thread, pins, safety pins, and many more useful items! This is a great project for beginner sewers, and this is a great gift idea for the beginner sewer in your life!
Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means I make a small commission on products purchased at no extra cost to you. Read my full affiliate disclaimer here.
Additional Posts to Check Out:
How to Make a Bread Bowl Cover
This bread bowl cover is an easy beginner sewing project that can be assembled in an hour or less from start to finish.
Materials
- Outer Fabric
- Inner Fabric
- All purpose thread
- 1/4 inch elastic. The amount needed will depend on the bowl size.
- Scissors
- Straight Pins
- Pencil
- Measuring Tape
- Safety Pins
- The bowl you plan to cover
Tools
- Iron and Ironing Board
- Sewing Machine and Bobbin
Instructions
- Wash, dry, and iron your fabric.
- Thread your machine and bobbin following your machine's instructions.
- Place your bowl face down on the muslin fabric.
- Make small marks all the way around the edge three inches wider than the edge of the bowl.
- Trace the marks to have a solid line circle around the edge of the bowl.
- Pin the muslin fabric on top of the outer fabric and cut along the line of the circle.
- Pin right sides together and sew along the edge of the fabric with 3/8 inch seam allowance leaving a 2 inch opening.
- Turn your work and press flat.
- Sew another seam all the way around about 3/4 inch from the edge of the fabric.
- Add your elastic to the edge of the cover by feeding it through the 2 inch opening from the initial seam.
- Cut the elastic at the desired tightness and double knot the two ends very tightly. Trim the edges of the elastic.
- Tuck the elastic in and finish off the 2 inch opening with a seam close to the edge of the fabric.
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