How to Make a Microwaveable Potato Bag

Microwaveable potato bags are all the rage because they allow you to bake a potato quickly and evenly. Just eight minutes in the microwave is enough time to cook two large baked potatoes, which sure beats 45 minutes in the oven.

If you don’t own one yet, it’s a really easy sewing project. We’re talking 15 minutes and done. I’ve sized this particular potato bag so it can be made from a fat quarter. Just dig out a pretty scrap from your fabric stash, or pick up a fat quarter at the store, and you’re good to go.

This would be a great gift idea, if you’re thinking ahead to Christmas.

How to Make a Microwaveable Potato Bag

What You Need:

A fat quarter of 100% cotton fabric (washed)
100% cotton batting (I recommend Pellon’s Wrap N Zap)
100% cotton thread
A ruler
Scissors
Sewing pins
A sewing machine (This is the machine that I have)

Warning: Only 100% cotton, non-metallic fabric and thread should be used, since your potato bag will be going in the microwave. Other materials could catch fire. If the batting says it contains scrim, it’s not 100% cotton.

Optional (But Nice to Have):

An air or water-soluble marker
A self-healing cutting mat
A rotary cutter (I use an Olfa 45mm Deluxe Handle Rotary Cutter)

What You Do:

Cut out two 9″x20″ pieces of fabric and one 9″x 20″ piece of batting.

Lay the two fabric pieces on top of each other, good sides facing in. Then, place the batting on top of them, and pin the layers together.

Sew a half-inch seam around three sides, leaving one of the ends open for turning.

Trim of any excess material from the edges and corners. Then, flip the potato bag right-side out, and adjust the seams so everything lines up as it should.

Now, fold the open seam in; pin; and sew shut, using a quarter-inch seam allowance. Sew the same quarter-inch seam along the other end of your long rectangle. This will dress the bag up a bit, but it’ll also add a lot of strength to opening of your potato bag, so the batting doesn’t tear with repeated use.

Use a ruler to mark 7.5″ up from one of the ends of your rectangle. Then, fold the end up to this line, and pin in place.

Sew a half-inch seam along the sides to hold this flap down.

Then, use your ruler to mark one inch down the flap you just created; fold the other end to this line; and pin in place.

Sew the second flap down with the same 1/2-inch seam.

Then, trim any threads, and you’re microwaveable potato bag is ready to take for a test drive.

How to Use Your Microwaveable Potato Bag

Wash one to two potatoes, and place them in your potato bag. There’s no need to dry them first. The extra moisture will actually help them to steam. Microwave on high at one-minute intervals, until your potatoes are done. Do not exceed eight minutes. Overheating could cause scorching or fire. If you need to bake more than two potatoes, allow the bag to cool, before using it again.

This bag is not intended to be heated empty, and you shouldn’t leave your microwave unattended when it’s in use.

To sum things up: this potato bag has been designed with a special batting that was engineered for this exact purpose, but if you do dumb things with it, dumb things will happen.