There are a lot of ways to make casserole carrier out there, but my craft leader, Linda, created this one by modifying and adding to other patterns. I didn't have the foresight at the time to write down the directions and measurements, so I had to reverse engineer it with some of my craft buddies. Here's a "recipe" for her casserole carrier so that you can make one too (and so that I have a secure place where I have it saved for future reference!).

*If don't include/use the pocket, then it's also reversible. But wait, there's more! It also doubles as a pretty hot pad for your dish when you arrive at your potluck party =)

Step 1: The "Ingredient" List

Here's what you'll need to complete your Casserole Carrier recipe:

Outer fabric (preferably at least medium weight)
Coordinating inner fabric (light to medium weight)
Batting
Insul-Bright (optional - I did not use it)
Sewing machine
Pins

*Note: You will want to wash, dry, and iron the fabric before starting this project.

Step 2: Measure Twice, Cut Once!

Here are the pieces that you will need to cut:

1 - 21" square from outer fabric
1 - 21" square from inner fabric
1 - 21" square from batting
1 - 21" square from Insul-bright (again, this is optional)
2 - 3" x 15" long straps from outer fabric
2 - 3" x 7" short straps from outer fabric
1 - 6.5" x 7.5" pocket piece from outer fabric
1 - 6.5" x 7.5" pocket piece from inner fabric

Step 3: Making the Straps

Let's start by making the straps:

To create the long straps, fold the strips lengthwise (so that you have a 1.5" x 15" rectangle) and pin in place. Repeat with short straps (to make 1.5" x 7" rectangle).
Then sew down the entire lenth of the straps, leaving the ends (1.5" sides) open. Use a quarter inch seam allowance or the edge of your presser foot.
With great patience, turn the tubes inside out and iron flat. (Because my fabric had a pattern, I decided to iron the seam to the middle-ish of the back side, but you could just iron it to one side.)
Optional step: You can topstitch down the two long sides of the straps or add decorative stitching at this point. (I felt my fabric was pretty and stiff enough to forgo the topstitching... or maybe I was being lazy...)

Step 4: Making the Pocket (optional)

I love pockets, so I put them on just about everything. That said, the pocket is optional =)
If you choose to include the pocket, then you must decide which fabric you want as the main pocket. I opted to use the inner fabric as the main pocket and the outer fabric as a mock rolled hem on top, but you go do the opposite and it will look just as fabulous.
Here's how to make the pocket:

With right sides together, sew them together along one of the shorter sides (6.5" side) using your presser foot as the seam allowance.
Flip fabric so that right sides are showing and decide how much of a hem you want.
Mark where you folded for the hem and flip it backwards at that point so that it is now right sides together again.
Sew the remaining three sides with a presser foot seam allowance and leave an opening of 2" at the bottom of the pocket for turning.
Turn pocket right side out and iron.

*Sorry I don't have pictures for this step, I got overzealous and forgot to take them. I promise to add some when I make this again =)

Step 5: Attach Straps

We're going to attach the straps to the inner fabric and batting now, just to keep them in place.

Start by placing the long straps on opposite corners and the short straps on the other two opposite corners.
I positioned my straps to be about 1.5" from the tip of the corner on each side and pinned them in place.
Sew the straps down using a scant quarter inch seam allowance (don't worry, you will be sewing it again).
Position the straps toward the center of the large square without pulling the corner up.
Flatten the strap against the large square and baste it down (either by hand or with a sewing machine). This will make sure that it doesn't get caught in the outside seams when we are assembling the main carrier.

Step 6: Creating a Fabric Sandwich

We're going to start by making a fabric sandwich. Layer the fabric in this order:

Outer fabric - right side facing up
Inner fabric - right side facing down
Insul-Bright (if using)
Batting

Pin it together well because the batting tends to make the fabric shift. (I use a pin every 4" or so.) Mark an opening for turning of about 5" on any of the sides.

Step 7: Sew the Main Carrier Together

Using a 3/8" seam allowance, sew around the square -- taking care to leave an opening for turning! (Sounds obvious, but I've sewn things shut before... thank goodness for my trusty seam ripper!)
*See picture for tip on sewing the opening part.

Once you're done, clip the corners and also trim away any excess batting all around, but especially from the opening. The bulk will make it harder to turn and topstitch.

Turn the carrier right side out and iron. (It most likely will have gotten creased during the turning process.)

Step 8: Add the Pocket (optional)

If you are adding a pocket, then position it on the outer fabric in one of the corners about 3.5" from the corner tip and pin in place.

Sew around the three sides (thereby also closing up the opening that you left for turning!)

Yay, now you have a pocket for recipe cards, keys, serving spoon, etc.

Step 9: The Finishing Touch -- Quilting (very Much Not Optional)

Now for the final step, you're so close to finishing! We need to quilt the carrier so that stuff doesn't shift around when you use it or wash it. Here's what you need to do:

Topstitch all the way around the carrier (again, you'll close up the opening left for turning PLUS you'll secure the straps even more. Triple WIN!)
Quilting -- you can either quilt fabric around its pattern (like how I attempted to stitch around the paisley patterns) or you could sew straight lines like a tic-tac-toe board either parallel or diagonally. You could also use decorative stitches here if you have a fancy machine knows how (mine only does straight and zigzag).
Remove the basting stitches from the straps, and you're done!!

Step 10: How to Use the Carrier

Some of my fellow crafters, who have already made one of these carriers, have been asking how to use it, so I figure I should explain it just in case.

With the carrier open, position your dish in the center (I really like this carrier because it will accommodate square, rectangular and circular dishes!)
Bring the two longer straps together over the dish to make a "pole."
Take each of the shorter straps and loop it around the "pole."
The longer straps are now your carrying straps!

Introduction: Linda's Simple Square Casserole Carrier