I like to look at my glass half full, and today I want to reflect on a positive thing to come out of our “Stay at Home Order.” Being home allowed me to share my love of sewing with my son’s girlfriend. Before Coronavirus and Stay at Home, Myklyn had not sewn! She turned into my mask, making helper, and before I know, she wanted to create Reusable Sandwich Bags. She wants to help our earth, no more plastic baggies. The DIY Reusable Sandwich Bags are great for everyone, whether it’s a car ride, school lunch, or beach day!
Myklyn did a lot of research on making these DIY Reusable Sandwich Bags and found lots of patterns that called for Velcro or snap closures. These all work great, but we started thinking about the plastic sandwich bags that have a flip-top to secure the sandwich in the bag. We thought how easy it would be to make a bag just like that out of material. So, this tutorial will walk you through creating a reusable sandwich bag.
Types of Material to Use for your Reusable Sandwich Bags
Once we came up with the pattern, we started researching the right type of material to use to make the bag food safe. The cover of the bag was the easy part, so we chose quilters cotton for the body of the bag. Organic Cotton is another option available.
Next was determining what to use for the lining. If you google food-safe fabric, you get lots of results and opinions so you will want to do your own research. The item that we found to be FDA approved for food storage was ProSoft FoodSAFE® Waterproof PUL Fabric. One of the websites, Wazadoodle, that we researched listed these items under the product description:
- 100% Free of PFAS & PFOA.
- Uniquely food safe. The ONLY PUL to be tested for food safety. It is CPSIA certified, meeting stringent standards by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission on lead and phthalates and flammability. It is also certified for repeated-use food storage per 21 CFR 175.300 and compliant with 21 CFR 177.1680 and 175.320.
- Great durability. Our top-selling food safe fabric in the world is very durable & tested to withstand 300+ washings
- 100% eco-friendly
- Super soft, breathable and flexible
- Unique process permanently melt-bonds our specially treated TPU film to the fabric without toxic solvents. The process emits no toxic waste or VOC’s that are harmful to the environment.
- The fabric is manufactured with no harmful chemicals or finishes in controlled conditions in American textile mills.
- Versatile: The number one choice in snack and lunch bags, bakery bags, bibs and play mats, cloth diapers, wet bags, diaper bags and travel bags, shower curtains, outerwear, mattress covers, camping gear, hospital sheets and covers, incontinence products & other waterproof products
Do You Own Research Before You Make a Reusable Sandwich Bag
I encourage you to do your own research for the best fabric that fits your comfort level. We also used nylon for another option for the lining but as you research you will find there are also lots of opinions on nylon. I think the fact is that there is no 100% guarantee here but, trying to find alternatives to plastic sandwich bags is a step in the right direction to help our earth and support a GREEN environment.
So, let’s take a look at the supplies you will want to start with first!
Supplies:
- Pre-Washed Cotton fabric 7″x18.”
- Nylon or Polyurethane laminate (PUL) fabric for the Lining 7″x18.”
- Clips
- Scissors or Rotary Cutter
- Thread
- Sewing Machine or Serger
*Disclaimer: Links above are affiliate links. By clicking on these links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Some products may have been provided to me by vendors, however, all opinions and reviews are strictly my own.
Check out the step by step tutorial below to make your very own Reusable Sandwich Bags!
Step 1: Cut Fabric
Your first step is to cut your fabric. Cut each piece of fabric 7″x18″—the cotton for your cover and either the Nylon or PUL fabric for the lining.
Step 2: Clip Fabric
Your next step is to lay the fabric together, the wrong side of the material to the wrong side of the lining. To keep everything together and in line, I like to clip the material and lining together. Place clips along the long sides.
Step 3: Finish Edges
Now it is time to finish the edges. To finish the edges, I fold over the short edges twice and secure with a couple of clips. If you are using nylon you can use your iron to press the edges. Do not press if you are using PUL for your lining. Then, top stitch both edges.
Step 4: Assemble Bag
Before you sew the sides of the bag, we need to fold it in place. Lay the fabric in front of you with the nylon or PUL fabric facing down. You will then fold the top down to two inches, like shown in the photo below. Now that the top is folded, you fold the bottom up to meet the top and clip on either side.
Step 5: Sewing or Serging
If you are using nylon, the serger works great for this step! However, if you are using a thicker PUL fabric, sometimes the material will stick and not go through the serger smoothly. If this is the case for you, you can topstitch along the sides and then go back over it with a zig-zag stitch to finish your seam.
Step 6: Turning Your Bag
Now you get to turn your bag right side out! Make sure to poke out all of your corners. If you are using nylon, I like to give the corners a nice press. If you are using PUL fabric for your lining, I do not recommend using the iron. The dimensions of your bag should now be 6″ x 6 1/2″.
How to Care for your New Reusable Sandwich Bag
When it comes to washing your new reusable bags, just throw them in the washing machine. Here is a link to some more detailed information on care of the PUL fabric. I recommend that you make a few so you always have a clean bag to use. Remember these are great for sandwiches or even for snacks on the next car ride or picnic.
I can’t wait to see your Reusable Sandwich Bags! Make sure to share it with us. You can find us at:
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Don’t forget to checkout last week’s Inspiration Friday Project!
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