Microwave Potato Bags

I sell many, many of these throughout the year.   After researching the internet on how to make them, I made them, and decided it was time for me to redo the pattern in a way that I liked.  This is what I have come up with, and for those of you who don't believe in these, believe me, they work!

Microwave Potato Bag

Materials needed: 

11" Cotton fabric for outside.  I use the potato print, and it can be found online, or if you live by me, Ben Franklin's in Gaylord 

11" Muslin, for the lining

5" Grosgrain ribbon

11" 100% cotton batting, NO EXCEPTIONS

Velcro, I use 2" wide, about an inch and a half.

Cutting:

You will need two pieces of the outside and inside fabric, one piece 11" X 5", and another, 11" X 16".   Cut the same of the muslin.  Cut only one piece, 11" X 16" of the batting.

Assembly:

Lay the print fabric on top of the batting. 

 Fold both pieces in half, print side together, and sew down each side.

Pleats:

With bag inside out, lay the side seam along the "imaginary" bottom seam of the bag.  Sew an inch, incch and a quarter from the tip.  Sew the same way on the other side.  Repeat for the lining, just sewing the lining, not with lining and batting.

This is what it should look like with both sides done.



Flap:

Lay the 5" piece of print fabric face down on top of the 5" piece of muslin. I take a canning ring, and mark with a fabric marker, leaving a rounded guide for you to sew by.

 After you have sewn the two pieces together, trim and clip corners for a neater, smoother look.

Turn flap inside out and topstitch. 

Loop:

Using a 5" piece of 7/8" wide Grosgrain ribbon, loop it and secure with a pin. 



 

Final Assembly:

With the outside of the bag, print  batting, turned inside out, place the lining, right sides together, inside the outside.  Pin the ribbon to the middle of the back side of the bag on the print side.  Insert the flap between the lining and the outside. Pin and stitch all the way around.  (don't worry, I'll show you how to get it right side out here in a moment)

 In this picture, I actually pinned the ribbon to the flap. 

Sewing all the layers pinned together.

Turning:

Pull the lining out and clip the sewing on one side, about 2 inches worth.  Turn the bag inside out. 

Pin where you opened the seam, and sew closed.

What mine looks like after I've sewn the opening closed.

Finishing:

Push the lining back inside of the outside, and pull up the flap.  Pin and topstitch all the way around the top. 

 Add the velcro, and your done!  (I think it took longer to do this blog than to actually sew the bag!)



INSTRUCTIONS:

How to use your potato bag
* Wash 2-3 medium potatoes, pat dry.
* Wrap the potatoes in a paper towel, either individually or together. Place inside the potato bag, close the flap and place in microwave.  Do not poke holes in the potatoes.
* Cook potatoes in the microwave on high for about 6-8 minutes. You can check the done-ness of the potatoes by pressing on them with your finger. If they are still too firm, cook for another 2 minutes and check again.
* Just a reminder, the potatoes will be very hot when you take them out of the bag.
* Potato Bag washing instructions: Cold water wash and rinse. No bleach. Tumble or hang dry.

I'm new to this, but what they hey, lets try it anyways.  If anything, my kids can laugh at me later about it.