It's PUL-Palooza! Tutorial Round-up & Pattern Giveaway

Wet wintertime around here has us using a lot of my PUL fabric projects on a regular basis. It seems like a good time to do a round-up of some of those handy, waterproof tutorials AND giveaway a few copies of my perfect-for-PUL Patterns too.

The useful, waterproof, breathable quality of PUL (polyester fabric with a polyurethane lamination) is well known for cloth diapers and training pants, but it's also good for loads of other projects you can make yourself. 

For keeping warm and dry on snowy days, PUL rocks for things like these insulated snow mittens.  Get the FREE pattern for these HERE.

It's excellent for making snow pants too.  Use my DIY Snow Pants tutorial to make some in less than an hour and for way less than the store bought equivalent.

It makes for awesome wet bags for diapers, laundry & swimwear.  Get the how-to for some HERE.

It's ideal for big bags too.  My Wonderfully Waterproof Tote tutorial works well as a diaper bag, travel tote or beach bag:

PUL is great for food storage too, like reusable sandwich bags.  These are super simple to make with small PUL pieces:

Or try making some snack sacks.  See how to make both kinds of bags HERE.  

If you're looking for some of these fabrics, I've added a few favorite PUL prints from my stash to my Etsy shop:

Now let's do a giveaway for a Pair of PDF Patterns for PUL fabric!  

My popular Sanity Saving Training Pants Pattern:



and my Space Saver Backpack Pattern:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wonderfully Waterproof (Inside & Out) Tote Bag Tutorial

Want to make the ideal bag for summer?  Something big enough to haul loads of stuff, but still fold up small?  Repel water, sand and spills, inside and out, yet still look stylin'?  Then today's tutorial is right up your street: it's my Wonderfully Waterproof Tote Bag.

I originally created this bag design years ago for use as a diaper bag.  This was my first version that I still use every week for swim class, 5 years later.  Thanks to the combination of bag design and laminated materials, this baby has worn like iron.  I'm not exaggerating when I say it hauls stuff like a boss: 

I decided it was time to make a second bag and change the dimensions a little for a fresh look. I'm loving this new one just as much.  It's generous size holds almost anything, but it doesn't look crazy bulky:  

You can fill it up high.  It's finished size is 14 inches wide, 6 inches deep and 14 inches high, yet it can be snapped closed to look smaller when carrying less stuff.  These are two obnoxiously large 6ft+ beach towels - totally contained:

And it still looks cute to carry because you can get all designer-style with your fabric choices:



I used to sell this as part of my previous Around Town Bag PDF pattern, but now I'm offering my how-to here for FREE.  'Cause I'm nice like that;)  Plus, in my new version I've also added a firm, removable base piece to help the bag retain it's shape and give extra support.  And that base is totally waterproofed, just like the bag's interior, so go ahead and toss those soggy towels & swimsuits in there - this bag don't care!

Now let's get to the bag making...

Materials:

- 5/8 yard Laminated Cotton fabric 

- 5/8 yard PUL fabric (I use Eco-PUL™ since it's anti-microbial)

- Double fold 1/2 inch wide bias tape 

- Plastic snaps.  Two sets 

- Lip balm - this makes the laminate move smoothly under the presser foot - no sticking!

- Notions: heavy duty needle, shears/rotary cutter, pins, clips/clothespins, yardstick

- Optional: cardboard & duck tape for bottom insert

Got questions about Laminated Cotton? I've got more info & projects using it here.  Note: Just scroll through to see 'em all since this project will come up first. 

PUL fabric?  More info & ways to use that here.  Just scroll down on that too for more PUL fun.

Start by cutting out the main bag and strap pieces from both the laminate and the PUL. Fold fabric so selvages are together on the right side.   We're cutting parallel to the selvages from each fabric:

- 2 inch wide by 21 1/2 inch long strap halves 

- 17 inch wide by 21 1/2 inch long bag body (so when open it will be 34 inches wide)

Turn the main fabric so the fold is on the bottom. With right sides facing, clip along the sides so that the fold is on the bottom.  Pins are a no-no with laminated fabric, since they leave holes, so the clips are ideal.  Stitch down the sides with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

To create the wide depth of the bag, the corners need to be squared off.  Pull each corner to a point to make a triangle and measure 6 inches across and mark.

Stitch along the marking and then stitch another seam 1/4 inch away from the original for reinforcement.  Trim off the excess.

Time to make the strap.  With right sides facing, stitch together one short end of each of the two strap pieces to make one long strap.  Press the seam open and prepare to stitch down by running a bit of lip balm along the laminated side.  This will prevent it from sticking under the presser foot and is easy to just wipe away when done.  Stitch on 1/4" from either side of the seam to reinforce it:

With right sides facing, match up the middle of the each end of the strap with each side seam and clip.  Stitch with a 1.4 inch seam allowance.

Pull strap upwards and topstitch (remember the lip balm!).  Repeat on other side.  Repeat all previous steps with the PUL using the shiny side as the right side.  Note: If you want to add an interior pocket to the lining, this would be the time.  Just decide on pocket size (mine was 9 inches wide by 7 inches high when cut out), center it on a side and make a hem for the top side of the pocket, fold under the remaining sides and stitch 'em down.

With wrong sides facing, insert PUL lining into the laminate outer bag.  Pin together along straps and top edges.  It's ok to use pins here since that will be covered with bias tape:

Baste 1/8 inch away from the edge all the way around on each side:

Now it's time to add the bias tape.  It's actually easier to insert the fabrics into the bias tape as you sew rather than pin the whole things first.  Start on one of the sides and stitch 

3/8 inch from the tape fold.

For the corners where the straps meet the bag, sew slowly with the bias tape as a curve to get a rounded shape:

To finish, about an inch before reaching the beginning, fold open end of bias tape under and overlap on starting point and stitch into place.

Repeat with other side:

To make the bottom insert, cut a piece of laminated cotton that's 14 1/2 inches wide by 13 inches high. 

Cut a piece of cardboard that's 13 1/2 inches wide by 6 inches high and wrap with duck tape.  This keeps the cardboard extra firm and waterproofed:

Fold fabric in half, with right sides facing, so that it's 7 1/4 inches by 6 1/2 inches and stitch along one short end and one side with a 3/8 inch seam allowance (don't want it too be too snug for the insert to fit inside).  Trim raw edges & clip corners, then turn right side out.  Slip cardboard into the sleeve.

Fold the raw edges on the open side inward and stitch closed:

For closures, use some handy plastic snaps - these babies are super strong and ideally paired with these durable fabrics.  I used some cute flower shaped snaps that fit within my normal size 20 snap press.

Attach snaps 1 1/2 inches below top edge and 4 1/2 inches inward from each side corner, with the decorative caps facing outward, using snap press or pliers:

Now the bag is ready to load up and start hauling stuff in style:

What kinds of stuff would you tote around in this bag?

Ultimate Reusable Snack Sack Tutorial Using Food Safe Fabric

Today I'm excited to share how to make my Ultimate Reusable Snack Bags.  They have a design that works great for adults and kids, AND are made from fabric tested & deemed food safe.

Not only are they great for dry snacks like crackers, cookies and cereal:

They're also ideal for things like fruits & veggies:

The ribbon loop drawstring design makes it easy to open wide and shut nice & tight, so filling them is easy and little hands can grab their snacks without making a mess:

The looped drawstring won't ever slip out and makes them easy to carry or hang on things like strollers.  And to clean them, just wipe out or pop them in the washing machine.  

There are a lot of snack bag tutorials out there and many use a variety of materials to make them reusable, but I've discovered the ideal fabric to make them washable, waterproof and mostly importantly, confirmed food safe. What's this magic material? Eco-PUL™.

Eco-PUL™ is polyester knit fabric that's been coated on one side with a thin layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). It makes the fabric both waterproof and breathable. Traditionally PUL used for making cloth diapers & training pants, but can also be used to make bed pads, waterproof pet items and for lining bags.  

What makes Eco-PUL™ different is that it's made with a "green" adhesive that is solvent-free and environmentally friendly.  It's been tested and found free from lead, phthalates, and BPA, so it is safe to come into contact with food.  It's the only waterproof fabric I've come across that has that distinction.  It's even anti-microbial.  And it can be machine washed in hot water (heck, it can even be auto-claved!), so I feel very safe letting my kids, or anyone else's, eat out of these handmade bags.

Materials Needed:
- Fat quarter Cotton fabric for outer 
- Fat quarter Eco-PUL™ knit fabric for lining
- 2/3 yd of grosgrain ribbon (1 inch wide or narrower)
- Sewing Notions: ball point needle, rotary cutter/shears, pins, disappearing marker, iron, lighter or fray-check, hand sewing needle

Start by cutting a 6 inch diameter circle and a rectangle that is 8 inches high by 18 3/8 inches long from both the Eco-PUL™ and the outer fabric.  I know a lot of people will ask about the Space Ghosts print I used.  It's now retired from the manufacturer (being so cool, I can't imagine why), but it's still available here.

Take the PUL and fold widthwise with the coated side facing in and stitch along the side with a 1/4 inch seam allowance using ball point needle:

With coated sides facing, pin together the circle and the newly made cylinder.  Carefully to pin close to the edge (so no pinholes will be outside the seam allowance).  

Stitch together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, going slowly to prevent any slippage or puckering.

Clip into the seam allowance, careful not to cut into stitching.  This will add a little give to the curve.  Set lining aside.

Now take the outer fabric and fold, but make markings 1 & 2 inches from top and 4 & 6 inches from top.  Leave the gaps between them unstitched to create the drawstring casing opening and a gap for turning when outer & lining are sewn together later.

Press the seam open:

Stitch around the casing opening to hold the pressed edges open and create a nice finish:

With right sides of both cylinders facing, pin together close to the top edge, lining up the seams.  Stitch together all the way around with another 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Find gap opening and turn fabrics right side out:

It should look like this when fully turned:

Push lining into outer of sack:

Top stitch around top edge and again about 1 3/4 inches inward to create the drawstring casing:

Cut a strip of grosgrain ribbon about 23 inches long and heat seal the edges with a lighter.  Using a safety pin or bodkin, insert it into the casing and snake it all the way around.  Overlap the edges and stitch together.  

The ribbon is now a loop, so pull around so that the stitched together ends are hidden inside the sack.  Hand sew the outside gap closed with a slipstitch.  Spritz with water and dry on hot in the dryer to seal up the stitching holes (this makes the seams more watertight).  Now it's time to fill them with snacks!

Yummy!

I've also used this fabric to make an even simpler version of my popular Super Simple Sandwich Bag tutorial.  Instead of cutting a separate outer & liner, all that's needed is a single cut of the Eco-PUL™ and some FOE (fold over elastic) for the binding.

Plus, an extra scrap of PUL to help reinforce the snaps:

And now there's a handy, durable, completely food safe sandwich bag with just a single piece for fabric:

For more ideas of ways to use PUL, check out my PUL Projects Pinterest Board:

I'm also sharing this project with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.

Click HERE to check them out!

I was not financially compensated for this post and purchased all items shown myself.  The opinions are completely my own, based on my experience.   I thought this material was worth sharing with other sewing enthusiasts.

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