How to Make a Fabric Microwave Potato Sack
Some foods that are cooked in the microwave do not come out with the best taste or texture. Microwaving potatoes is much faster and more convenient than baking them, but they can have hard, undercooked spots or become wrinkled and dry. Microwaving potatoes in a cotton fabric sack can significantly improve the quality of the potato. The sack helps seal in the steam, fully cooking the potato and not drying it out, while the extra moisture is absorbed into the cotton. A potato sack will hold about five medium-size baking potatoes and nine smaller red potatoes. Making a fabric microwave potato sack is simple and will help improve the quality of your potatoes and your potato dishes.
Things You'll Need
- Cotton fabric (100 percent cotton)
- Fabric tape measure
- Fabric marker
- Scissors
- Cotton batting
- Sewing pins
- Cotton thread
- Needle
- Sewing machine (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure and mark two rectangles on the cotton fabric, each measuring 11-by-24 inches. One rectangle will be on the outside of the sack while the other will line the inside. Choose a patterned cotton print for the outside and a plain print for the inside, if desired, or use the same pattern for both areas. Measure and mark a third rectangle, also measuring 11-by-24 inches, on the cotton batting. Cut out all three rectangles.
-
2
Place the rectangle of fabric for the lining of the sack on a flat work surface, right side up. Lay the outer rectangle on top of the liner, face down, so that the right sides are together. Line up all four corners, ensuring that the rectangles are matched up with one another. Lay the cotton batting on top of the two rectangles, matching up the corners. Pin the three pieces together around the edges.
-
-
3
Thread the needle or prepare the sewing machine. Sew along one of the longest sides, creating a seam about 1/2 inch in from the edge of the fabric. Continue stitching the fabric, sewing the two long sides and one of the shorter sides. Leave one short side open. Remove the pins as you sew.
-
4
Turn the fabric right side out, using the short open side to invert the sack. Pull the patterned fabric to the outside, moving the batting in between the two fabrics. Tuck the patterned fabric over the batting at the open end and push it down about 1/2 inch into the opening of the sack. Fold the inside piece of fabric down into the open end about 1/2 inch, positioning it next to the end of the patterned fabric. This closes the sack, leaving a smooth edge. Pin the folded fabrics in place and stitch the edge closed.
-
5
Lay down the sewn rectangle, pattern side up. Fold one of the short ends toward the center about 3 inches. Pin the edge into place. Fold the other short edge toward the center, overlapping the first folded edge about 1/2 inch. Pin the edge in place.
-
6
Sew along each long side, securing the two folded pieces into place and closing the sides of the sack. Remove the pins as you sew.
-
7
Turn the completed sack inside out, using the opening on top to invert the fabrics.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Look for 100 percent cotton when choosing fabric, batting and thread. Anything else might pose a fire hazard.
Never leave the fabric potato sack in the microwave unattended.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
