How to Make a Microwave Potato Bag + Free Sewing Pattern | Sew Simple Home
Textual description of firstImageUrl

How to Make a Microwave Potato Bag + Free Sewing Pattern

Have you ever been planning a recipe dinner and realized you needed baked potatoes for the recipe?  Please tell me I'm not the only one.  

Wouldn't it be nice if potatoes could bake in under 5 minutes?  Baked potatoes take at least an hour in the oven.  And since dinner should've been on the table an hour ago, you just don't have time for that!

You need to learn how to make a microwave potato bag.

Need to bake a potato super fast?  You'll learn how to make a microwave potato bag with this step by step tutorial and free downloadable pattern.
This post contains affiliate links to products I recommend.  I do make a portion off any you may purchase. See full disclosure here.


    Yep.  That's right.  You can bake a potato in the microwave!!  In fact, microwaves were invented so that people would actually cook entire meals in them.  (Check out the brief history about the microwave here.)  

    Most of us were raised using the microwave as a way to reheat food, but you can actually cook with the microwave and if you don't believe me check out our easy potato recipe. 

    So it shouldn't come as a big surprise that you can bake a potato in the microwave - and fast!!



    How to Make a Potato in the Microwave


    How to Make a Potato in the Microwave


    How does it work?  Well, poke holes in a potato, put it in the microwave and bake it for 3-4 minutes.  Of course, when you pull it out it will be all wrinkly and a bit withered.  But it is baked.

    You want to know the BEST way to microwave a potato?

    Make a quick microwave baked potato bag!!

    A microwave potato bag will lock the moisture inside and keep those potatoes from losing their shape and make them extra moist.  

    You'll simply place those washed, raw potatoes right inside the microwave potato bag and pop it into the microwave for 3-4 minute intervals.  

    Usually you'll have a nice baked potato {or 2 or 3} in less than 5 minutes.  You don't even have to poke them with a fork!!  It is that easy to make a baked potato in the microwave.

    how to make a microwave potato bag


    The Microwave Baked Potato Sack is made of 100% cotton materials.  This allows the sack to be placed in the microwave for 4 minute intervals without scorching.  

    You can now bake a potato in under 10 minutes.  You can also use the microwave potato bag to cook corn, vegetables, sweet potatoes, or taco shells and breads.  If you'd rather, you can just make a tortilla warmer for heating tortillas.




    Shop Pattern


    Just want the pattern and full tutorial and none of the hassel?  Get it for download for just $3.97.  No need to access the internet each time you want to make your own.
    ---------------------------------------------------


    How to Make a Microwave Potato Bag

    There are some very specific materials that you'll need for a microwave potato bag.  Since you will be placing this bag into a heating element, you want to prevent a fire from starting.  

    To insure this, you'll want to make sure to buy all 100% cotton materials.  I'm not just blowing smoke (excuse the pun).  You can really catch your microwave on fire or melt material to your oven.  You don't want that.  


    So follow directions!!!






    Materials Needed:
    ALL MATERIALS MUST BE 100% Cotton





    We've got two videos in the post.  You can watch the short form video that will quickly walk you through the steps of sewing up the microwave potato bag.  Make sure to turn off your ad blockers.

    Or, head to the bottom of the post and watch the Facebook Live of me sewing up the pattern in real time.


    potato bag

    Step 1
    Cut out your fabric, lining, and batting using scissors or a rotary cutter (get my full list of sewing essentials here).  I cut mine 12" x 20".  This allows me to cook between 4-5 small-medium potatoes at a time.  

    Feel free to make a larger bag if you plan to cook more potatoes at a time.  I wouldn't cook more than 8 at a time because more will slow down your cooking process.







    microwave baked potato bag

    Step 2
    Stack your layers with batting on the bottom, lining in the middle with the right side up and main fabric with wrong side up on the top.  Stitch the short sides together at 1/4".

    The photo shows you my 3 layers.  If your lining has a right or wrong side, make sure to place it with the right side up.







    microwave baked potato bag

    Step 3
    Next, take your main fabric in one hand and flip it so that the right side of the main fabric is on outside.  

    At this point, your batting should be sandwiched in between your lining and main fabric.  Topstitch down your short side of the bag with seams at 1/8".





    microwave baked potato bag microwave baked potato bag

    Step 4
    Take your 2" x 5" piece of fabric and fold it long ways with right sides together.  Stitch down the long side. 

    Turn your loop right side out using a safety pin.  Press your loop so that the seam is in the middle of the wrong side.  This way the seam won't show when you stitch it to your potato bag.








    baked potato pouch pattern for microwave

    Step 5
    Fold loop in half and match the raw edges to the edge of one of the long sides of the sack.  You want to measure down about 3" from one of the short sides along one of the long sides. 

    Pin it in place or you can do a quick basting stitch over the loop so it stays in place.









    baked potato pouch pattern for microwave  baked potato pouch pattern for microwave

    Step 6
    Carefully fold one of the short sides down about 3" and fold the other short side overlapping the other short side about 1".  

    Make sure the long side overlaps the short side, otherwise your bag will open up incorrectly.  (Been there, done that.)







    baked potato pouch pattern for microwave

    Step 7
    Stitch down the short sides of the sack.  Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end so that the sack doesn't unwind when flipping.  

    Trim your sides and corners.  If you'd like to add a seam finish like a zig-zag, that would be fine, but since the seams will be inside the bag, you should have issues with it.



    Caution:  Don't finish your seams with your serger unless you have 100% cotton thread in your serger.  Remember that fire warning at the beginning?  









    How to Make Microwave Baked Potato Bag Tutorial

    Step 8
    Flip your microwave potato bag right side out and push your corners out so it squares up.  Press your potato sack.




    Congratulations!!  You've made your first ever microwave baked potato bag!!  You are going to love how quick and easy it is to make a potato in the microwave.


    potato bag



    Pattern Shop

    Just want the pattern and full tutorial and none of the hassel?  Get it for download for just $3.97.  No need to access the internet each time you want to make your own.



    Like watching videos?  Watch how to make a microwave potato bag in a Facebook live below.









    microwave potato bag pattern

    Instructions on How to Use Your Potato Sack Correctly



    • Wash and dry your potatoes.  
    • To keep from having to clean your microwave potato sack every time, wrap potatoes in a paper towel to keep inside of sack clean.  
    • Place in the potato sack.  Set microwave for 4 minutes.  Watch carefully to ensure no fire starts.  
    • Let potatoes rest 30 seconds.  If they need more time to cook, continue adding minutes.



    ***Disclaimer*** 

    Sew Simple Home is not responsible for issues that may arise from using your own Microwave Potato Bag.  Please make sure that ALL materials are made with 100% cotton including fabric, thread, and batting.  Do not use bag for more than 4 minute intervals to avoid scorching of any kind.  You are at your own risk when creating and using.  Do not leave unattended when in use.



    Need to bake a potato super fast?  You'll learn how to make a microwave potato bag with this step by step tutorial and free downloadable pattern.