Do you have an indispensable gadget in your kitchen that you didn’t know you needed until you got it? Something you can’t imagine life without now? For me, one answer is my fabric tortilla warmer. I discovered these little wonders at Portland’s Saturday Market a few years ago, and have used one nearly every day since.
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It nearly goes without saying that my tortilla warmer is an essential part of the process when I make homemade tortillas. I stack them in, fresh and hot right out of the pan, and the heat and steam softens them perfectly by the time we are ready to eat. (Making tortillas is much easier to make than your might think: check out my step-by-step directions for homemade flour tortillas.) However, these insulated fabric warmers aren’t just for heating tortillas – microwave potatoes turn out fluffy and delicious, and they will accommodate a lunch-size bowl of veggies for steaming. They work as an emergency pot holder too! It seems like every week I find a new use for mine. (My kids have been known to make quesadillas in ours: I do not recommend this. Not at all.)
You may be able to find fabric tortilla warmers at your local farmers market, but if you have a sewing machine and half an hour, you can easily make one yourself.
To make one tortilla warmer, you will need:
- 1/3 yard patterned 100% cotton fabric (I got this chili print for 75% off!)*
- 1/3 yard muslin*
- 2 – 12×12-inch pieces of 100% cotton batting (i.e., Pellon Wrap-N-Zap)**
- 2 – 16-inch lengths of extra-wide cotton double-fold bias tape
- 1 – 25-inch length of extra-wide cotton double-fold bias tape
- Cotton thread
Since this is not a project that requires meticulous cutting precision, I cut all the fabric and batting pieces at once. (I’m a quilter and a bit of a perfectionist to boot, so if you lean that way too, trust me – everything will be OK.)
1. Using a compass or the rim of a large serving bowl, draw an 11-inch circle on one piece of the batting. This is your pattern.
2. With the batting pattern on top, stack two layers of patterned fabric, two layers of muslin and both pieces of cotton batting.
3. Cut out all the pieces so that you have two patterned fabric circles, two muslin circles and two batting circles.
Next, make the two fabric-circle sandwiches.
4. For each sandwich, stack one of each – muslin, batting, and patterned fabric. (Right sides out!)
5. Sew a 1/4” seam around the edge.
6. Attached one 16” piece of bias tape to the edge of each fabric sandwich. (To clarify, each fabric sandwich is still separate at this time.) I use a straight stitch, but I’ve seen tortilla warmers sewn with a zigzag stitch too. It’s just a matter of personal preference.
Now it’s time to sew the two fabric sandwiches together.
7. Pin the two circles together, right-sides out, with the bias taped edges aligned. Trim any bits of overhanging, mismatched edge fabric on the raw “unbiased” edges. This will all get covered up, but having them even makes attaching the final piece of bias tape much easier.
8. Attached the 25-inch piece of bias tape to both circles at the same time. Be sure to turn under 1/2” of each end of the bias tape.
NOTE: I could tell you that I pin these together carefully before I sew, but that would be a lie. I just pin the turned under end in place, and then snug the bias tape onto the edge as I go around. I think this makes for a smoother bias-tape application.
That’s all there is to it! Once you make one tortilla warmer and see how fast and easy they are (not to mention how incredibly useful), you will be making them for everyone you know. And remember – they aren’t just for microwaving! Wrap one around a bottle of salsa for a great hostess gift, add one to a festive gift basket, or pack one with warm tortillas for your next picnic.
* You really only need two 12-inch squares of each patterned fabric and muslin, so scraps work just fine.
** DO NOT use any batting with metal! It needs to be microwave-safe.
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Annette says
August 5 atHey Renee,
I was just wondering what inexpensive gift I could give to my daughters and daughters-in-law for their birthdays this year. This sounds like it may fill the bill Thanx
Renée ♥ says
August 6 atGlad to be of service!
Dorcas says
August 28 atHi I ran into this page while I was trying to figure how to make a tortilla warmer and yours is absolutely my favorite. my mom is going to have a get together and I thought it would be a cool idea to create at least 10 tortilla warmers to give out, however, im just so confused on the measurements I don’t know how many yards is good enough to make 10 tortilla warmers if you could help me out on this confusion and also recommend me any good affordable fabric websites or stores that would be great ☺
Renée ♥ says
August 28 atEverything is cut in 11″ circles, so figuring the yardage really depends on how wide your fabric is. For example, You need a total of 6 circles for each warmer – 2 of the outside “pretty” fabric, 2 of inside liner fabric, and 2 of the batting. If your fabric is 44″ inches wide, you could get 4 circles across if you cut very carefully. That means 4 circles = 1/3 yard. (Or just make it a bit smaller.) Let’s take the case of the outside fabric – you will need 20 outside fabric circles for 10 warmers, so that means you need 1 2/3 yards of outside fabric. If all the fabric was the same width (which is won’t be), that means you would need a combined total of 5 yards of outside fabric, liner fabric and batting. Just do the math – it’s pretty easy. Good luck – it sounds like you have a fun project planned!
Hope Mayles says
September 25 atDo you use it in the microwave to heat the tortillas or just for storing them after you have heated them in a skillet?
Renée ♥ says
September 25 atThe warmer is for heating them in the microwave. Works like a charm! No more overcooked, tough tortillas.
Anne says
October 6 atI’ll be making some of these for Christmas gifts this year! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this evening that links to your tutorial:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-fabric-tortilla-warmer/2014/10/06/
–Anne
Renée ♥ says
October 6 atThanks, Anne! So glad you found the tutorial helpful!
Crafty Staci says
October 7 atThese will be perfect to add to the kitchen set I’m making for an upcoming auction for a fallen police officer! I also just wanted to say hello from a former east side camp girl (Arrah Wanna) – my kids went to outdoor school at Namanu. Our house overlooks the Sandy River, and we appreciate the view every day!
Renée ♥ says
October 7 atThanks for stopping by, Staci! It’s always great to connect with other campers – there is always a bond of shared experience there. Under the circumstances, I’m sorry to hear of your auction, but I’m glad to know that the tutorial is helpful. Is there anything local folks can do to help?
Crafty Staci says
October 7 atThanks Renee! There is going to be a silent auction and poker party for him on October 26th. Folks can register or donate here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/tpoa-fundraiser-officer-jeff-potter-registration-13050818349?aff=eorg. He’s a Troutdale officer and SWAT member who was injured by a driver while riding his motorcycle off duty back in June. He doesn’t have the use of his legs, and very limited use of this hands. Thank you for asking! 🙂
Renée ♥ says
October 7 atGreat info, Staci! I will get it out on my channels. What a great cause.
Sue MacDuff says
November 12 atI was told that everything must be 100% cotton for the microwave. All of the bias tape has polyester in it. Can that be used?
Renée ♥ says
November 12 atIt has never been a problem for me. Perhaps the recommendation you are referring to is in regards to the batting, which should either be 100% cotton or specifically made for microwave use. Polyester blend for the bias tape is fine.
Ellen says
December 19 atHi,
Great tutorial however EVERYTHING should be 100%cotton. Bias tape and thread. I’ve sold over 2,000
microwave potato bags. Trust me.
Renée ♥ says
December 19 atAll I can say is that I’ve made a lot of these with poly-cotton blend (Wright’s) bias tape with no problems. The one I have now has been in service for well over two years without any problems.
I wonder if it makes a difference that these are for warming tortillas. What I mean is, I have a potato bag too (I bought it) and because the time it spends in the microwave for any one job is so much longer, it endures much higher temperatures. Just a thought. Anyway, for the tortilla warmer the poly-blend tape hasn’t been a problem, but I would definitely agree that the fabric & batting need to be 100% cotton.
Melanie Duff says
January 4 atI can’t wait to make these and give to all my friends. Thanks for the pattern.
Meghan says
March 24 ati int have any muslin in my stash. Can I just use a piece of an old cotton sheet? I have one I’ve been cutting up and using for various projects.
Renée ♥ says
March 24 atOf course. You can use whatever you want, as long as it is 100% cotton.
Donna says
April 29 atThanks for the tutorial. I am new to sewing on a machine and want to make useful items. This tortilla warmer is something I need and would use. Love it as a gifting idea too.
LubbyGirl says
August 6 atSo, I’ve been making these for a few years and have three on the sewing table right now, waiting for the binding. I ran out on one last night and just made my own from the fabric. I’ve used the same bias binding you use and have never had a problem – I think it’s because the warmer is only in the microwave for a few seconds. I never have mine in more than 20 or 30 seconds. I’ve done the binding your way (before I found this tutorial) and another way I found on another blog. Yours is easier. I think I’ll stick to what’s easy. 🙂 Thanks so much – wish I’d found this sooner!!
Sharon Eaton says
January 6 atGreetings!
To clarify, the muslin will be what is against the tortillas when in use?
Renée ♥ says
January 6 atYes, Ma’am!
Nalva says
February 9 atThank you, very well detailed, easy to understand. I have a question about what kind bias tape did you use. 55% polyester e 45 %cotton, because polyester can not hold to much microwave haet. I am trying to find 100% cotton (bias tape) but unsuce.ss. Thank you. Have a Bless Day
Renée ♥ says
February 10 atI haven’t had any trouble with the 55/45, most likely because it never gets very hot. (Remember, you are just warming the tortillas, not cooking them.) You can always make bias tape though – it’s very easy to do. (There are a number of great tutorials online.)
Desiree says
March 16 atHi Renee, I was looking for a tortilla warmer pattern and came across yours. I work at a fabric store and had a customer come in from Hawaii that was visiting here and buying fabric. She showed me something about the warm and natural batting and wanted to share it with you I case you aren’t aware. It is only 88 percent cotton and 12 percent polypropylene, which is nylon. If you read every bit of the brown label you will find it. I had already purchased mine for my tortilla warmers, so I was bummed! However, she showed me a batting that actually is 100 percent cotton and completely microwave safe. It is called ” warm and zap” . It is made by Pellon and can be purchased on Walmart.com for about 20 bucks after shipping for a ten yard bolt. So it’s pretty cheap. Also, warm and natural does not endorse using their batting in the microwave. I went to their website for more information. So, I just wanted to share what I learned since I was so surprised! Happy sewing!
Renée ♥ says
March 16 atThank you so much for sharing this, Desiree! So far, the W&N hasn’t presented any problems for me, but it sound like the Warm&Zap is definitely a better solution. All these years, I have been under the impression that W&N was 100% cotton.
Sara says
August 22 atCan you please tell me where you found 100% cotton bias tape. I have searched all over and can only find a cotton/polyester blend. Thanks!
Renée ♥ says
August 22 atI use the cotton/poly and it works fine for me, but as I have noted earlier, I don’t do a lot of heavy-duty heating in my tortilla warmer. However, for my potato baker (I have one of those too!) I just make it myself. It’s very easy to do, and for a project this small, it only adds a little extra work. This is a great tutorial for making your own bias tape.
Marie says
October 26 atI bought one about 10 years ago and I love it!
Mine has a crinkly layer, too. Like maybe a plastic????
That keeps everything piping hot–
I must tell you that I use it for holding pancakes
Til they’re all done and ready to serve. Perfection!
Keeps the pancakes hot without drying out like the oven would do.
Wendy says
September 1 atHi!
I know I’m late to the party (as usual), but I’d swear I see 4 layers in picture 3…. I’m a little tired today, but I thought each half was 1 layer print fabric, one layer of Wrap and Zap and one layer of muslin?
Whanks!
Wendy
Renée ♥ says
September 1 atPicture 3 is illustrating the Cutting step. I cut the Wrap-n-Zap circles at the same time. Image 4 illustrates how they are layered to sew. Hope this helps. Get some rest, Wendy 😉
Arleen Frost says
October 27 atThe bias tape I found is 60 percent polyester and 40 percent cotton. Can this be used on the tortilla warmer and put in the microwave? Or is there bias tape 100 percent cotton?
Renée ♥ says
November 8 atI’ve used the 60/40 with no problems, but I also never heat it more than about a minute or two in the microwave. I don’t know how it stands up to longer exposure. I also often make my own bias tape: it’s pretty easy to do.
Stephanie says
November 14 atHow do you wash the tortilla warmer? Do you throw it in the dryer or let it air dry? I’m worried that because there is no quilting on the circles that the batting will bunch when it is washed.
Renée ♥ says
November 16 atAs a quilter, I understand your concern; however,I’ve been using the one I have now for more than five years. I’ve washed it about ten times, and it’s a little faded, but otherwise just fine.
Stephanie says
November 16 atDo you just throw it in the dryer?
Courtney says
August 26 atHello,
This is such a great gift idea! I was actually working on making one for myself first. I was able to do everything just fine until I got to the final step. My sewing machine seems to have trouble getting the needle through all the layers of fabric. I’m fairly new to sewing. Could you give me some advice?
Thanks!
Renée ♥ says
August 26 atGood question, Courtney. The first thing you want to check is the size of your needle. For sewing through many layers, you may want a heavy duty or denim needle, size 90 or 100. Also, you may need to adjust the tension – if it’s too tight, it will cause the thread to break.
Linda Schneider says
November 23 atI’m making some tortilla warmers for gifts. I”m very enthused about them , but how in the world do you do step 8 (sewing the 25 in. bias tape on all layers ) and make it look neat ??? I’m having major stress …on the bobbin side with the stitch not catching the tape!!!! I’ve tried all kinds of ways, only to rip again. It looked ok on top but turn over and wow!! maybe you will have to give some good pointers. when just sewing the short pieces on….. goes great…i know my family is going to LOVE them, we are all big on fiestas!!! thanks a million.. Linda Schneider…
Renée ♥ says
November 27 atHi Linda – Bias tape can definitely be tricky. One technique to make applying bias tape easier is to sew it down one side at a time. Do this by opening up the bias tape, pin it to all the tortilla warmer layers all the way around, and sew it all the way around on that side only. Once it’s secure on one side, fold it over, pin it down, and sew the other side down. The stitching will show up on one edge-side as two lines of sewing, but if you sew it with a matching thread color, you won’t notice it. Hope this helps.