What could be more fun to carry and better for the environment than this reusable, eco friendly lunch bag! Fashioned after the standard brown paper bags, this lunch bag will hold all the lunch time goodies you’ll be needing! It’s a snap to make, so make a few!
A NOTE ABOUT MATERIALS: Because a lunch bag will need the occasional washing, make sure to use washable materials. Although I normally use wool felt, for this project you’ll want to use a good grade synthetic felt. Wool felt, even wool blend felts, will bleed and shrink.
Materials:
17” x 14” tan fabric (I used corduroy)
17” x 14” lining
2 – 17” x 14” pieces iron on interfacing
1/2” Tan Velcro Hook and Loop cut as follows: 2 (two) 3/4" pieces and 1 (one) 1 1/2" piece
Synthetic felt and embroidery floss for appliqué (I used Slumbering Owl Applique Block)
Directions:
ALL seams are 1/2" unless otherwise stated.
1] Cut out fabric as described above. Note: The 17” represents the width of the bag and the 14” the height. If you are using corduroy, make sure the nap is running up and down the bag, not around it.
2] Stitch on appliqué to the front of the bag. It should be centered on the front of the bag and positioned 4” from the bottom of the bag. I used the Slumbering Owl Applique Block but use any applique you like!
3] Following manufacturer specifications, iron one piece of interfacing to the wrong side of the corduroy and 1 piece to the wrong side of the lining.
Outside bag:
4] With right sides together, stitch the 14” sides together. Press seam open.
5] Mark the bottom center front with a pin. With right sides together match center mark with back seam. Pin together. Sew seam.
6] Mitering the corners: Lay bag on table with wrong side out and finger press a 4” crease on the outer folds.
7] To shape the corners fold a corner so the bottom seam is directly over a finger pressed crease. Pin flat.
8] Place a mark 1 1/2" inches on the seam from the corner point. At this point draw a line perpendicular to the seam. This line should be 3” long.
9] Sew along this line. Trim seam to 1/4".
10] Do the other corner.
Inside bag:
11] Repeat steps 4 – 10 with the following exception: In step #4, leave a 3” opening in the middle of the seam. This will be used later to turn the sack right side out.
Sewing outside bag and lining together:
12] Place lining inside of outside bag so center backs are matched and right sides are together. Pin in place matching upper edges. Sew in place.
13] Turn back right side out through the opening in the lining.
14] Press upper edge.
15] Using a blind stitch, sew closed opening in the lining.
Closures:
16] Mark the center front of the bag at the top edge.
17] Sew a piece of the 1 1/2" Velcro to the inside of the bag 1/4" below top edge making sure to center it over the mark. Sew around all 4 sides of the Velcro.
18] Sew the corresponding 1 1/2" Velcro piece to the side of the bag 1/4” below top edge making sure to center over the back seam. Sew around all 4 sides of the Velcro.
19] Close bag making sure the center front is matched to the center back. Mark the 2 side edges at the folds.
20] Measuring 1 1/4" to the right and the left of a side fold, pin cooresponding pieces of Velcro in place 1/4" below top edge. Sew around all 4 sides of each piece of Velcro. Do the same to the other side.
21] To close bag: Press together inside Velcro, then, at each side, press together the Velcro pieces creating a fold that runs down to bag.
Good to Go!
This is great! I’m going to make one for my hubby to take to work! Thanks for the pattern and instructions!