It’s peak season for backyard gatherings, and there’s no better excuse to handmake summer entertaining accessories that are as functional as they are fun. Whether you’re hosting a full-blown BBQ or just keeping drinks cold on the patio, these fun projects are quick sews that make a big impression. As an added bonus, they’re a great way to put Fairfield World’s batting and interfacings to good use!
Insulated Drink Cozies
Drink cozies are a classic for a reason. A well made drink cozy keeps cans and bottles cold in the summer heat while giving guests something to hold onto besides a sweaty aluminum can or glass bottle. The trick to a cozy that actually insulates (instead of just decorating) is sandwiching a layer of low loft batting with Solarize Liner Fabric between your outer fabric and lining. A single layer of cotton batting adds just enough loft to make a real difference without bulking up the seams. These work up fast enough to make a whole set in an afternoon! Here are a few tutorials and patterns to inspire you:
- How to Sew a Summer Can Cozy from Heather Handmade
- Insulated Can Cozy PDF Pattern at Pin Cut Studio
- Insulated Drink Cozy Tutorial by Mary Martha Mama
Bottle Carrier Tote
A fabric bottle carrier is one of those projects that will get used for many events to come. A structured tote with individual fabric dividers keeps bottles from clinking together in transit, whether you’re heading to a friend’s cookout or setting up a self-serve drink station at home. Stiffen Fusible Interfacing in the base and side panels gives the bag enough structure to stand up on its own when loaded, which makes it both more useful and more attractive sitting out on a table. A canvas or duck cloth exterior holds up well to condensation and outdoor use. Check out these beautiful project ideas:
- How to Make a Four Bottle Carrier Tote video tutorial by Ae PooiM
- How to Make a Bottle Tote Bag by Art Gallery Fabrics
- DIY Two Bottle and Four Bottle Tote Bags from Sewing Times
Grilling Mitts
No backyard BBQ setup is complete without a good mitt, and a handmade version lets you actually get the insulation right. Grilling mitts need real heat protection, so this is a project where batting choice matters. A doubled layer of Toasty Cotton batting under a cotton exterior gives meaningful protection without making the mitt too stiff to bend and grip. Quilting the layers together before assembly also adds durability along with insulation, so the mitt holds up to repeated use all season. These patterns and projects will help you get started:
- Sew Your Own BBQ Gloves (four sizes to choose from) on the Bernina Blog
- Quilted Oven Mitt Tutorial at Suzy Quilts
- Upcycled Denim Hot Pad and Grilling Mitt Tutorial at Scratch and Stitch
Bottle Aprons & Coasters
If you want to round out a matching set, quilted coasters and a simple bottle apron (a fitted fabric sleeve that catches drips on a wine or beer bottle) are both quick makes using the same batting and fabric scraps left over from the projects above. They’re an easy way to use up extra materials and give a hostess gift or party favor a handmade touch. We think you’ll enjoy these project tutorials:
- Apron Bottle Cover Tutorial by A Bee in My Bonnet
- Retro Bottle Apron DIY from Hostess with the Mostess
- Gingham Summer Coasters made by Flamingo Toes
Food Carriers
Drinks aren’t the only things that benefit from a little insulation. A homemade casserole or dish carrier is one of the most practical sews for anyone who’s ever tried to transport a hot side dish across town without it going cold (or a cold salad without it going warm). A fitted carrier with handles, built around a layer of low loft batting and Solarize insulated lining, holds a dish snugly and keeps food at temperature far longer than a towel wrap ever could. It’s an especially good project for BBQ season, when potlucks and shared tables are the norm. Guests will notice the beautifully handmade item, and it solves a real problem instead of just looking nice on the table. We have an entire blog post dedicated to casserole and pie carriers you can make
Enjoy Making Summer Entertaining Accessories!
Individually, any one of these projects makes a great weekend sew. Together, they form a coordinated entertaining set that’s genuinely useful, and not just decorative. This round up of summer entertaining accessories is perfect for BBQs, patio hangouts, and any summer gathering that calls for a well-stocked bar cart.
Batting and stabilizer choice does a lot of the heavy lifting in these summer entertaining accessory projects, as the right loft and weight is what separates a project that just looks the part from one that actually performs, whether that means keeping a drink cold or protecting a hand from a hot grill grate. Pick one project to start, or knock out the whole set!