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DIY Pan Protectors to Keep Your Cookware Scratch-Free

When your pans are stored stacked inside each other they will invariably get scratched – but let’s be honest, who has never stored pans and pots this way? It just takes up so much less space. Not all of us have the luxury of overhead hanging pot and pan racks – and besides they can look a bit cluttered. So, here is the solution to keeping those non-stick pots and pans in pristine condition while stored in a stack inside a kitchen cupboard – the DIY pan protectors.

diy pan protectors

The idea is so simple and can also be used for large glass and ceramic bowls, giving them some cushioning so they don’t risk getting cracked or chipped. What is even better is that you don’t have to be a sewist to complete these – there is a sewn and a no-sew version of the DIY pan protector.

diy pot saver

Below you will find my step by step written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to make pan protectors

Keep your cookware in mint condition longer with this clever storage solution. Just see how this easy to make fabric protector keeps your pots and pans scratch free. When you have invested your hard-earned money on quality cookware, you want to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Proper storage is key. These star shaped fabric pot and pan protectors fit between your pots, pans, skillets, and dishes to prevent scratches on the surface.

how to make pan protectors

Pot savers Supplies and tools

pan protectors template and supplies to make them

DOWNLOAD: pan protector pattern (Free PDF file)

Follow us for free patterns & tutorials! [easy-profiles]

How to Sew Pot Protectors – 2 ways SEWN AND NO-SEW

Watch the diy pan protectors video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

DIY POT SEPARATORS VIDEO TUTORIAL

DIY POT AND PAN PROTECTORS – INSTRUCTIONS:

METHOD 1: SEWN pot and pan protectors

First you will need to check out how many pots and pans you want to protect and their sizes. We have three pattern sizes for you to download – a small, medium and large. You can always adjust these on a printer or photocopy machine by enlarging or reducing the size.

homemade cookware protectors

To make one pan protector for the sewn version you will need:

1 piece of polyester felt
1 piece of fabric in a pattern or your choice – quilting cottons work well

STEP 1: Prepare the pan protectors pattern

Get the pot savers pattern from the link above, print it out on a US letter or A4 paper, tape the pages together and trim around it. It has three sizes – LARGE, MEDIUM and SMALL

pan protectors pattern layout

STEP 2:

PRO TIP: if you want to speed up the process, place the outer fabric on top of the felt, wrong sides facing and the cut them out together.

tracing around pan protectors

If not – Place the paper pan separators pattern you have printed out on the felt and using a fabric marking pen mark the edges of the pattern.

Place the cut out felt piece on the wrong side of the outer fabric and mark out the pattern using the felt to guide you – this is to ensure the fabric is just a teensy bit larger than the felt and that it is accurate to the felt pattern.

STEP 4:

Pick one of the flaps of the pan protector and mark with an x on the wrong side of the outer fabric and the corresponding spot on the felt so you can line them up again after cutting.

STEP 5:

Cut out the outer fabric again using your rotary cutter or a pair of scissors. You will have two identical star shaped pieces

cut the fabric for the pan separators

STEP 6:

Line the fabrics up with the right side of the outer fabric uppermost – check those little x marks and ensure they sit on top of each other and that the arms of the pan protector are all matched up, then clip into place.

pinned fabrics for the pan protectors

STEP 7:

Either set your sewing machine to a zig-zag stitch or use a serger (called an overlocker if you do not live in the US) . Pick a point to start sewing neatly around the edges.

zig zag around the pan protector

Each time you come to a corner, lift the pressure foot, leaving the needle in the fabric, swing the fabric around, then lower the pressure foot before stitching again. Continue in this way until you have completed all the edges.

STEP 7: (optional) Trim the excess fabric

trimming the raw edge of the pan protector

The pan-protector is now complete and ready to be used. You’ll probably want to make a few more so all your pans are protected.

felt and fabric pot and pan protectors for stacking

METHOD 2: NO-SEW felt pan protectors

no sew felt pot protectors

For the no sew version all you need to do is

  • cut out the pattern in the size you need
  • place the pot protector pattern on the felt and trace around it

no sew felt pan protectors marking around the template

  • cut the felt out using a rotary cutter and cutting board or scissors.

no sew felt pan protectors cutting the felt

And that’s it – it is ready to use. This will be a plain felt pan protector.

felt pot saver - finished

If you want to give the pan protector a pretty printed outer covering you can follow steps 3 and 4 for the sewn version then cut out the outer fabric using pinking shears so that it does not fray. Use fabric glue to stick the outer fabric to the felt lining.

See how easy it is to make various sizes of pan protectors so you need never risk scratching those expensive non-stick pans or pots again. Follow our step by step tutorial to see how it is done. Kitchens never seem to have enough cupboards for us to store each pan and pot separately so we do tend to place them one inside the other. With the pan protector you’ll keep your pans looking as good as the day they were unpacked from the store. We have two versions – the sewn version and a no-sew version. These will also make a great housewarming present.

 

Do you like this? Pin for later:

fabric pot pan separators

 

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 20 comments
Tina - March 2, 2022

Instructions are superb but can’t find the link to the pan protector pattern

Reply
    Helen - March 3, 2022

    Thank you, Tina. Can you check whether they load fine now. The link is under supplies and tools

    Reply
Paula Pudil - March 6, 2022

I love this pattern thatnk you

Reply
    Helen - March 7, 2022

    You are so welcome, Paula. Thank you for the nice comment

    Reply
Joy - March 15, 2022

Great idea! My Mother always put paper towels (don’t know what she used before paper towels came out) between her pans and especially between glass dishes. Thank you for the pattern here.

Reply
    Helen - March 16, 2022

    Thank you, Joy. Sounds like this is something she’s going to enjoy

    Reply
Sandy - April 21, 2022

I would love to make this but the pattern will not download., am I doing something wrong..?

Reply
    Helen - April 21, 2022

    Hey Sandy, it loads fine on my end. Perhaps your browser is blocking the pop up PDF. Try a different device (phone, computer) or different browser (chrome, firefox etc.)
    Hope that helps

    Reply
Linda @ Linda's Lunacy - April 26, 2022

Such a great idea!
Thanks for sharing at the Making a Home – Homemaking Linky at Linda’s Lunacy!

Reply
Karen, the next best thing to mummy - April 27, 2022

I am going to have #alittlebitofeverything

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Esmé Slabbert - April 27, 2022

What an awesome and brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing. You should make them to sell. @esmesalon #SeniorSalonPitStop

Reply
Carol - April 28, 2022

What a great idea for protecting pots & pans as well as glass bowls in storage. Your instructions and photos are perfect for anyone to follow.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com

Reply
Lisa | Handmade in Israel - April 29, 2022

What a good idea! They look so pretty too.

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Michele Morin - April 29, 2022

Wow! An indispensable tool that I have never thought of!

Reply
Lovely - May 2, 2022

This is a great idea! Thanks for this DIY!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com

Reply
Rhondda Mol - May 3, 2022

Hi Helen! Your DIY Pan Protectors are a fantastic idea! It is so expensive to buy these at the store (I paid almost $20.00 for 3 at Homesense) and they were definitely not as pretty as your handmade pan protectors. Thank you for linking up at our weekly Link Party! You are being featured at our Wednesday Party #449 this week. Here’s the direct link to the post in case you’d like to share your feature: https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/granny-square-pot-holder-diy-pan-protectors-crochet-market-bag-link-party-449/

Hope to see you again next week! Rhondda

Reply
Stephanie 139a - May 5, 2022

I’ve just realised I need a set of these – to replace the pot holders I’m using as a make do! Thanks for sharing with #PoColo

Reply
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs - October 30, 2022

What a genius idea! And so inexpensive to make too. Brilliant! 🙂 #MMBC

Reply
Kelly - November 25, 2022

When I downloaded the pattern it’s showing 6 pages not just 4 like your video. Is that correct?

Reply
    Helen - November 26, 2022

    Hi Kelly, this is correct. The pattern got updated and now has 6 pages. Small will fit pots and pants at about 14″, medium – 16″ and large – 18″. Hope that helps

    Reply

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