It never fails – 9:00 pm and my kids tell me they have run out of ziplock bags for tomorrow’s lunch. Same at your house? Enough is enough – I decided to try my hand at making reusable snack bags. Today is the day I free myself from throwaway plastic bags and join the reusable snack bag revolution! <grin>
Materials you need for each bag:
7.25″ wide X 14″ long laminated cotton
7.25″ wide X 14″ long cotton print
5.5″ piece of hook and loop (Velcro)
*I’ve heard you can make your own laminated cotton using iron on vinyl! I’ve not tried it but it’s certainly worth a shot if you don’t have any laminated cotton!
Center hook and loop on opposite short ends of the laminated cotton, on the right side of the fabric. Straight stitch the hook and loop on approximately 0.75″ from the top and bottom of the fabric.
Fold the long end in half and with right sides together so that your hook and loop meet at the top.
Using a 0.25″ seam allowance, straight stitch the sides of the bag. Repeat for the cotton print.
Turn laminated piece right side out and nestle into the cotton print so that right sides are together, matching seams.
Sew along the the top edge of the bag using a 0.25″ seam allowance. Make sure to leave an opening approximately 2-3″ for turning the bag right side out.
Turn the bag right side out through the hole, then stuff the laminate lining into the cotton bag. Top stitch the top of the bag using a small seam allowance (approximately 1/8″) so that you catch the edges of the hole that you left for turning.
These wipe clean in a snap and can even take a spin in the washer if they become soiled on the outside. Sure makes me happy to recycle and reuse!
Great little snack bags!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post that links to your tutorial here:http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-reusable-snack-bags/2015/03/05/
–Anne
Thanks for featuring our snack bags, Anne!
Great tutorial. Going to use this for a back to sewing class with a matching lunchbox
That sounds really cute, Hope!
Thanks for the great tutorial. As a matter of interest are there any particular laminates to use/avoid given that they will have plenty of contact with food.
I’m not an expert on this, Paula, but it’s my understanding that laminated cotton is safe with dry food. Here’s a resource that explains some of the different types of waterproof fabrics: Plush Addict
Theses look fantastic and fun. Is laminated cotton considered food safe? How about iron on vinyl?
Hi Ginny, From my own research, I found laminated cotton to be food safe. Not sure about iron on vinyl. I wonder if you could use the plastic used in the kitchen vacuum sealers for this? That’d be safe and inexpensive! 🙂
This is a great idea. However, I have seen these in use and they are not quite as sanitary as you would like for everyday use. They have to be laundered often, so be sure to make them out of durable fabrics. I can tell you from experience that once a sandwich with mayo, ketchup or mustard (not to mention the “juice” from the lunch meat) has been in one of these and stored in a lunch box at school all afternoon, you will definitely want to burn it.
Sounds icky, Lisa! 🙂 Wet or drippy foods won’t do well in laminated cotton. It isn’t completely waterproof – just water resistant. Great for dry-ish foods.
I’ve seen these bags also made from putting the stick on vinyl laminate over deconstructed Oreo and other food bags from the grocery store. Makes them even quicker to make. The laminate is on the outside and the food safe “bag” is the inside. Just sew seams, hem and add closure. The bags are then all coated and can be washed at the kitchen sink and dried for reuse.
What a clever way to reuse food packaging and keep them out of the landfill. I absolutely love this idea! I feel a new craft coming on. Thanks for sharing, Deborah!
definitely going to give this one a go – thankyou