Not all cotton batting is safe for the microwave — but Pellon Wrap-N-Zap was designed for exactly that job. This 100% natural cotton batting lets you make microwaveable kitchen projects that would be risky with standard batting, which can contain polyester or scrim that melts or scorch under microwave heat.
Wrap-N-Zap arrives as a 45" x 1 yard package with a loft of 1/16 of an inch, so it's thin enough to heat through quickly yet thick enough to insulate. Use it for casserole warmers, hot pads, potato bags, and oven mitts — anything that goes in the microwave to warm or steam. Potato and veggie bags made with Wrap-N-Zap can steam corn, potatoes, and other vegetables right in the microwave, and fabric bowls wrapped with it keep buns, tortillas, and rolls warm at the table.
Why 100% Natural Cotton Matters
The key specification is the fiber content: 100% natural cotton, with no polyester and no scrim. In a microwave, synthetic fibers can melt and scorch, and metallic-coated threads are an obvious fire hazard. Wrap-N-Zap contains none of these, which is what makes it suitable for microwave use. (Still, follow common sense: only use 100% cotton fabric, thread, and batting in any microwave project, and never leave a microwave unattended.)
How to Use It
Cut Wrap-N-Zap just as you would any cotton batting, and layer it inside your project like a batting sandwich. Pellon recommends a maximum stitch distance of 4 inches apart — quilting at least that densely keeps the batting from shifting and bunching inside the layers after repeated use and washing. Note the shrinkage rate of 3–5%, which is higher than many battings; if dimensional stability matters for your project (like a fitted casserole carrier), prewash and dry the batting first so it shrinks before you sew.
Care and Practical Tips
Wrap-N-Zap is washable by hand or machine and dry cleanable, so the hot pads and cozies you make can go right in the laundry when they get splattered. Keep the stitching reasonably dense — up to 4" apart is the maximum, but tighter quilting gives a sturdier, longer-lasting kitchen item. Because it's a natural cotton, expect a little softening and crinkle after the first wash, which actually adds a nice quilted texture to finished projects.
If you've ever wanted to make a potato bag, a tortilla warmer, or a set of matching hot pads that can go straight from the microwave to the table, this is the batting to reach for. It's a small specialty item, but it unlocks a whole category of practical, giftable sewing projects.
Shop the Pellon® Wrap-N-Zap® Microwaveable Cotton Batting 45" x 1 yard Package. at Linda's Electric Quilters.
