Tutorial: How to Make Reusable Snack & Sandwich Bags
The following post is from Micaela of Mindful Momma:
source: Micaela Preston
Reusable food bags are indispensable in my life. Whether I am packing a lunch for my kids or grabbing a snack for an afternoon on the run, I am always reaching for my stash of handy snack and sandwich bags. You can find snack bags in so many cute fabrics these days, and the best part is that they can be used over and over again, so you can ditch the wasteful plastic baggies for good!
I think you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make your own snack and sandwich bags. For me, the hardest part is dragging my sewing machine out from the basement. After that, it’s just a few simple steps! Be prepared to whip up a bunch of bags at a time. You will appreciate having a good quantity on-hand (you never know when one might get lost), and they make great gifts too!
Note: After testing out a variety of snack sacks, I have found that the ones I like best are lined with a water-resistant fabric. The lining helps keep stains out of the fabric and makes cleanup much easier. As far as I can tell, basic ripstop nylon is a pretty safe material to use. It is not coated with chemicals to make it waterproof and is free of yucky chemicals like BPA, PVC and phthalates. Of course, if you prefer to use all natural materials for your snack bags, you can use cotton fabric for the lining.
Supplies
cotton fabric
ripstop nylon lining
5/8″ wide sew-on Velcro
coordinating thread
Directions:
Snack Bag (5″ x 6″ finished size): Start with 12″ x 7″ pieces of both cotton fabric and ripstop nylon as well as a 5″ strip of Velcro.
Sandwich Bag (6″ x 7 1/2″ finished size): Start with 14″ x 8 1/2″ pieces of both cotton fabric and ripstop nylon as well as a 6 1/2″ strip of Velcro.
Place cotton fabric and ripstop nylon together with right side of cotton facing out (there is no right or wrong side to ripstop nylon).
Fold top edge under 1/4″ and lightly press with an iron on low setting (not too hot or nylon may melt). Use sewing machine to stitch in place. Repeat with bottom edge.
source: Micaela Preston
Fold the same edges over another 3/4 inch. Press and pin in a couple places. Place Velcro strip on each edge (the fuzzy side on one edge and the hook side on the other edge) and stitch in place.
source: Micaela Preston
Fold material in half with right sides together. Stitch side seams at 1/2 inch. When finished, trim seams to 1/4 inch.
source: Micaela Preston
Turn bag inside out and push corners out with the end of a pencil if you need to. The Velcro seams should match together at the top.
source: Micaela Preston
Finished bags can be washed by hand or machine-washed.
What foods do you carry in snack bags?
Micaela Preston is a green lifestyle writer and marketing consultant with a passion for sustainable products and brands. Her award winning blog, Mindful Momma, focuses on living a green and healthy lifestyle while balancing the realities of life with young children. Micaela lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two boys. When she is not writing, she is busy whipping up a healthy meal or the eco-craft du jour.
Tutorial: How to Make Reusable Snack & Sandwich Bags is a post from Life Your Way
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