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Tutorial: Potato bag for microwaving baked potatoes

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I’ve recently found out that the secret to perfect baked potatoes in the microwave is to put them in a bag while you cook them.

Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood of Craft Sanity has created a tutorial for making a fabric bag for microwaving potatoes, and it’s a game changer! No more struggling with a flimsy paper sack, this fabric bag is made of cotton and is designed to handle the heat of the microwave.

To make your own, you will need cotton thread, two 11 x 24-inch pieces of cotton fabric, and one piece of cotton quilt batting cut to the same size.

The tutorial is easy to follow, with clear instructions and helpful illustrations. Whether you’re a seasoned seamstress or just looking to try something new, this fabric bag is the perfect project for you. 

Here are some popular recipes you can make with microwave-boiled potatoes:

Classic Butter and Herb Potatoes: Cook potatoes in the microwave until soft, then toss with melted butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes: Slice the boiled potatoes and layer them in a baking dish with shredded cheese and a cream sauce made with milk and flour. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Potato Salad: cook the potatoes in the microwave, then toss with diced red onions, diced celery, mayonnaise, and a splash of vinegar.

Garlic Roasted Potatoes: Cook the potatoes in the microwave, then toss with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast in a hot oven until crisp and golden.

Baked Potato Skins: Cut the cooked potatoes in half, scoop out the flesh, and brush the skins with melted butter and a sprinkle of salt. Bake until crispy and serve with sour cream, cheese, and green onions.

You can also buy Microwave potatoes bags if you want to test them out before handmaking one. 

 

 

Comments

  3. I have been trying to make a potatoe bag I got the pattern I hve made 3 of them and they all caught on fore I used every 100% cotton what is wrong?

    • Unfortunately, I don’t have an answer to this question. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps you heated it too long or on higher power. –Anne

  4. want to make a potato bag but don’t have a pattern. I’ve seen the bags and I’ve heard they work great.

  7. Make sure you wrap your potatoes in wet paper towels before placing inside the bag. The moisture is used to cook the food and cool the bag down. I hope this helps

  8. I would very much like a pattern for a baked potato bag.

    I;m 84 years old and there isn;t much I can see to make but still like to try

    Please and Thanks

  10. Summary of comments above:
    First, wrapping in paper towels is not necessary, however it does help keeping the bags clean longer.
    2. dottie willie,

    (a) make sure you are also using 100% cotton batting? Sometimes, even products labeled 100% cotton will have a synthetic scrim in them.

    (b) duh, is the thread you used also 100% cotton? (did you remember to change the bobbin as well?)

    (c) Lastly, and this is a big-ole ‘duh’ moment, are you pu0ting potatoes in the bags when testing them? Just heating an empty bag, is a great way to catch ’em on fire.

  11. I’ve always used 100% cotton fabric/thread and Warm Tater batting for my potato bags. My neighbor just ordered a potato bag from a TV commercial. Shell is 100% polyester, lining is 85% polyester/15% cotton, batting is 100% polyester! What?????

  12. I am wondering if instead of a paper towel could you use a piece of muslin to wrap the potato in before baking. I thought then it could be washed and re-used rather than throwing away the toweling.

  13. I just bought the items to make a microwave baked potato bag, and there is actual batting made just for that purpose. It is called Warm tater 100% Cotton for potato bags and other microwave projects. Doesn’t have resin or glue in it. Website:
    http://www.warmcompany.com

Have you read?

Sewing Pattern Saturday: Polly Tea Dress Sewing Pattern Review

I’ll be honest — I’m a bit in love with this one. The Polly Tea Dress is exactly the kind of pattern that makes you look at your fabric stash differently. You know those larger scrap pieces you’ve been hanging onto because they’re too nice to part with, but not quite enough for a full dress? This pattern feels made for them.

It has that relaxed, wearable tea-dress shape that works for real life, not just for photos. Easy, unfussy, and incredibly versatile, it’s the sort of dress you can throw on and feel instantly put together. Patterns like this are gold because they solve a problem most sewists have: beautiful fabric with no obvious plan.

Quick Pattern Overview

  • Pattern type: Dress

  • Skill level: Confident beginner

  • Format: PDF sewing pattern

  • Sizing range: XS and up (as listed by the designer)

  • Designed for: Everyday wear, casual styling, scrap-friendly sewing

  • Where to find it: Etsy (PDF sewing pattern)

Skill Level – What You Really Need to Know

The Polly Tea Dress is very approachable, but it’s best suited to sewists who already feel comfortable sewing garments. There’s nothing complicated here, but it does assume you’re confident with basic construction and following instructions independently.

If you’ve sewn a few dresses or tops before, this will feel enjoyable rather than challenging. The pattern focuses on clean lines and wearability rather than tricky techniques, which makes it a great “feel-good” project.

Fabric & Material Suggestions

This is where the Polly Tea Dress really shines.

Because of the way it’s designed, it’s perfect for using larger scrap fabric pieces, remnants, or fabric you’ve been saving for “something special.”

  • Best fabrics: Cotton, rayon, linen, lightweight blends

  • For a relaxed look: Washed linen or soft cotton

  • For a dressier feel: Rayon or lightweight viscose

  • Fabrics to avoid: Anything too stiff or heavy

You can mix prints, use colour blocking, or keep it classic and simple. It’s a great opportunity to be creative without committing to metres of fabric.

Fit, Sizing & Wearability Notes

The Polly Tea Dress has that easy, forgiving fit that makes tea dresses so popular. It skims the body rather than clinging, which makes it comfortable to wear all day and flattering across a range of body shapes.

It’s also the kind of dress that adapts well to small fit tweaks if you like to customise — whether that’s adjusting length, tweaking sleeves, or playing with proportions.

Before You Start Sewing This Pattern

  • Read instructions fully before cutting

  • Check finished garment measurements

  • Lay out pattern pieces carefully to maximise fabric use

  • Pre-wash fabrics to avoid shrinkage

  • Consider making a toile if using precious fabric

These steps really help when you’re working with limited or special fabric pieces.

Customisation & Styling Ideas

This is a brilliant base pattern that invites personal touches.

You could:

  • Use contrasting fabrics for different panels

  • Shorten or lengthen the hem

  • Add pockets (because we always want pockets)

  • Play with sleeve variations

  • Dress it up with a belt or keep it loose and relaxed

It’s the kind of pattern you’ll want to make more than once.

Who This Pattern Is Best For

This pattern is a great choice if you:

  • Have larger scrap fabric pieces to use up

  • Love relaxed, everyday dresses

  • Prefer wearable over trendy

  • Enjoy customising patterns

You may want to skip this if:

  • You’re brand new to garment sewing

  • You prefer very structured silhouettes

  • You want a highly detailed construction project

Why We’re Sharing This Pattern

We love patterns like the Polly Tea Dress because they respect how sewists actually work. Not everyone wants to buy metres of fabric for every project. Sometimes you want a pattern that works with what you already have, and this one does that beautifully.

It’s practical, creative, and genuinely wearable — exactly the kind of pattern that belongs in a Sewing Pattern Saturday feature.

About Sewing Pattern Saturday

Sewing Pattern Saturday is a regular series here on CraftGossip where we highlight sewing patterns created by independent designers, with a strong focus on Etsy sellers and small businesses. It’s our way of supporting talented pattern makers while helping sewists discover patterns they’ll actually use and enjoy sewing.

Find the Pattern Here

You can find the Polly Tea Dress Sewing Pattern on Etsy