Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Super Simple Reusable Sandwich/Snack Bag Tutorial



Warm weather is here & that means taking food to the park, beach, in the car and everywhere else on the go.  Why not transport it in a fun, reusable bag?  My Super Simple Reusable Sandwich Bags are a quick project made extra practical by using laminated cotton for the interior that makes them easy to wipe clean or just toss in the wash.  Perfect for sandwiches, cookies and other small snacks.  And so much cuter than a plastic baggie!


You'll Need:
- 1/2 yard cotton fabric (I used this fun picnic-style ant print from Timeless Treasures)
- 1/2 yard laminated cotton** (I used Fruit A La Carte Strawberry by Hoodie from Timeless Treasures)
~or~ 1/2yd of Eco-PUL which will work as a single layer outer/lining (more on this fabric here)
- 1 package of double fold bias tape
- Coordinating thread
- Plastic snaps & snap pliers/press (I get mine from KAMsnaps)
- Sewing notions: ruler, shears/rotary cutter, pins

* Using these fabric amounts you can make quite a few bags, so there can be enough for nearly every day of the week! 

** Note:  I try to use laminated cotton that has been confirmed to be BPA free and has passed CPSIA tests for lead & phthalates.  Materials like oilcloth & vinyl do not pass these tests, so they should not come in contact with food.

From the cotton and laminate cut rectangular pieces that are about 15.5 inches high by 7 inches wide (this would work for most "regular" bread sizes).  Using a small dish or bowl, round off one end in a concave shape and the other end in a convex shape, so they look like this:


Place fabrics together with wrong sides facing.  Encase the concave edge in bias tape and stitch together close to the folded edge of the tape.  Don't worry about folding under the edges - this will get hidden when the rest of the tape is attached.


Fold bag up 6 inches, as shown, so that the laminated side is facing inward and pin together.



Starting at the lower left corner, fold the raw edge of the bias tape under and encase all the fabric layers in the tape, stitching close to the folded edge of the tape.  Continue all the way around the bag to the opposite corner, folding that corner under as well:



Now we have some perfect pouches that just need a quick closure added:



For the closure I prefer to use a plastic snap.  Why?  Well, for one thing, they are super sturdy and very quick to install (I use my snap press and it takes just seconds).  Secondly, they are easy to keep clean with a quick rinse, unlike velcro & zippers that can collect crumbs.  And there's no risk of them wearing out or rusting with a lot of washing, which items like this tend to get with regular use.



Attach snap so the male half is on the center of the inner flap, about an inch from the edge. Attach other half of snap on the front of the bag, this time with the female half on the outside.



Now the sandwich bag is all set, so you can enjoy taking tasty treats wherever you go!





I'm also sharing this project with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.
Click HERE to check them out!

44 comments:

  1. I LOVE THIS!! The ants are fantastic hehe!! Pinning this to my Stitching and Sewing board now, thanks for sharing!

    Hannah ♫
    Sew Lah Tea Dough

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  2. Love this idea very much! Thanks a lot for sharing. This is wonderfully creative.
    Have a nice day.

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  3. I'm definitely going to make some of these. Too cute!

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  4. Great tutorial and beautiful results! But please note- most laminated fabrics are not food safe as they can leach chemicals. Non coated ripstop nylon is a good alternative. You can also search and find a handful of coated fabrics that have been rated as food safe.

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    Replies
    1. As far as I know (and I've spent a lot of time researching this), no by the yard consumer fabric is rated by the CPSIA or FDA as "food safe" at this time, since they have no test in place to check for food safety of fabric. This means ripstop falls in the same category of safeness as other fabrics because it's synthetic. I try to use laminated cotton that has been tested and meets CPSIA provisions for lead and phthalates and is confirmed as BPA free by the manufacturers. I don't know if the uncoated ripstop sold at most fabric stores has those confirmations - I haven't been able to find them, so I don't use it.

      You are correct about avoiding fabrics that are known to leach chemicals - this would include vinyl & oilcloth. It is also recommended not to use any coated fabrics for something that will potentially be chewed on (like baby toys).

      Unfortunately there is no 100% tested food grade option, so it all comes down to what an item is being used for and personal comfort level. If someone wants to be absolutely certain, then it's best to just buy a plastic food container. We no longer have babies in the house, so I'm ok with putting dry goods in a laminated cotton bag for short periods, but again, it's a personal choice.

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  5. I love this idea, I use wayyy to many ziploc baggies!

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  6. This looks easy and is sooooo cute with the strawberry/ants fabrics. love it!

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  7. So cute! I love the patterns you chose. I'd love if you'd like up to The DIY'ers: http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-diyers-and-some-favorites.html

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  8. These are very cute. I love the ant fabric! I saw your post on Adventures of a DIY MOM. I'd love for you to visit my little blog at www.ginascraftcorner.blogspot.com if you have time. Thanks, Gina

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  9. I love the strawberry fabric but I really don't like ants so I'm slightly freaked out by the ant covered sandwich wrap. lol

    Will have to put this on my making list,

    Sarabeth
    Life of an Agnostic Sunday School Teacher

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    Replies
    1. I know how you feel - I HATE carpenter ants, but these are so teeny tiny they are cute enough to get me over my ant phobia. LOL.

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  10. I think these are some of the best sandwich bags I've seen. I'm pinning this!

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  11. Great tutorial! These are adorable and love your fabrics! :) Thanks for sharing!

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  12. I absolutely love this! Will definitely give them a go for my little ones lunch bags xx

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  13. Um...I adore these snack packs! Pinned.

    Pretty please share this on a link party that I host with 4 other blogs called Moonlight & Mason Jars (live Monday at 5pm EST thru Sunday at midnight).

    Xo,
    Jenn Pilgrim
    The Newlywed Pilgrimage (.com)

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  14. I've been wanting to make some of these. Thanks for the tutorial!

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  15. I had ran out of baggies today, this would of came in handy! I need to make some of these! Thanks - became your newest follower on FC!

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  16. This is just darling! I'm not much for sewing but I just might be able to pull this off.
    I'm visiting you today from The Girl Creative. I co-host a Linky Party Tuesday (open thru Sat) and I'd love for you to link up! I hope you get a chance to stop by, link up and leave a comment, too!
    ~ Megin of VMG206
    Join me each Tuesday for Brag About It Link Up Party

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  17. Cute-I like the plastic snap tip

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  18. super fun and totally cute! I love the ant fabric! Thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays and for the link back :o) Can't wait to see what you bring next week. Emily @ Nap-Time Creations
    oh, and I just posted an amazing round-up from last weeks party… stop on over and check it out!

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  19. This is a cute project for me to make over the summer to get ready for the next school year since I pack my daughters lunch every day. I have some laminated cotton from JoAnns but all it says is "100% cotton Food Safe." Do you think that'd be ok to use? Found your link at Buttercream Bakehouse, thanks for sharing! Jill @MamaGing.com

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    Replies
    1. Jill, I think you're ok - as I said in an earlier comment, it's personal choice on comfort level with materials, but I feel that laminated cotton is one of the safest choices. I'd trust something with "food safe" printed on the selvage more than something unlabeled.

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  20. Thanks for linking up to Gingerly Made's Show & Tell party. You''ve been featured! http://www.gingerlymade.com/2013/05/show-tell-features_28.html

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  21. So cute! Love this idea!
    Stopping by from "Brag about it Tuesday"!

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  22. Cheryl!

    We can't stop smiling they are the best-the fabric choice is hysterical - very fun idea.

    Thanks so much for sharing this fun post on our BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT Tuesday - can't wait to see what you come up with next week. BeBetsy Link and Hop

    xo Sharon and Denise

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  23. I need to make these! I always feel bad using and throwing away so many ziplock bags. I have seen a few of my friends send bags like these with their kids and I need to get with the program! Thank you for this! You will be featured!!! Krista @ A Handful of Everything

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  24. these are adorable. my gran loves to sew, i am going to link your blog to her and see if she would make me one! great job

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  25. Could you clarify how many bags are sewn from 1/2 yd of fabric please?

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    Replies
    1. It depends on the width of your fabric. Divide that number by 7 inches (the width of the bag) and you'll know exactly.

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  26. Cheryl Gracias por esta obra tan bonita y el tutorial tan claro.Ya me inscribi en este hermoso blog Desde Colombia con gran cariño.Muchos exitos Mercy

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    1. De nada Mercy y gracias por sus amables palabras!

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  27. Replies
    1. Absolutely - it's ideal since it's confirmed and certified as food safe.

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  28. Hi Cheryl,
    I am not a sewer and was wondering if you sell these bags already made? Fingers crossed!
    Thanks! Amy

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    Replies
    1. Hi Amy, I'm sorry I don't, but these are very simple for a beginner to make.

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  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  30. Its so easy that I believe even I can do it. Thank you for sharing. I am making one for my grand daughter.

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    Replies
    1. Great to hear! Would love to see when make make some:)

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