For a while now, I have been looking for some alternatives for packing my kid’s lunches. I am tired of packing them food in ziploc bags and then the bags getting thrown away. That’s why I came up with this Easy To Make DIY Reusable Snack Bag tutorial! This fun sewing tutorial will have you making your own bags in no time. You can even let the kids pick out their own fabric for their bags for added customization. These snack bags are great for school lunches, trips to the park, or even in the car.
This is one of two tutorials, we also have a tutorial for sandwich size bags that will be completed soon! Honestly, it’s not super difficult to create any size bag. So try a few in each of these sizes and if you find yourself needing different sizes give it a try! Plus these are easy to clean then reuse instead of throwing them away like those disposable plastic bags.
Supplies for Reusable Snack Bag
- Waterproof Fabric (Food Safe)
- Sew-on Velcro
- Ribbon
- Thread
- Chopstick or turning tool
- Scissors
- Sewing Pins or clips
- Sewing machine
- Optional: Rotary cutter and mat
A couple of things to note: I used waterproof laminated cotton, but double-sided it so that both sides were waterproof. You can also use oilcloth or sew vinyl on top of cotton if you prefer. Pins can leave holes in laminated cotton. It is recommended to use clips for this project. I chose alligator hair clips, as they would allow the fabric to lay flatter. Sew-on Velcro is best for these bags. The stick-on kind will not hold up through many uses.
How to Make a Reusable Snack Bag
There is no need to wash/dry your fabric beforehand. If you wish, you can wipe your bag down or hand-wash it after creating it. It is machine washable, but line drying is strongly recommended. Also, no ironing otherwise you may create a sealed bag.
Before you begin, measure and cut out your fabric. You will need, one 12.5” x 14” rectangle per bag. I found this is the perfect size for snacks.
First, we will need to make the double-sided fabric for the bag. Fold the fabric in half so that the 12.5” edges touch lengthwise (the 14” sides will be folded in half) with the right sides of the fabric touching. Clip along the edges around the rectangle.
Next, using ½” seam allowance, sew all the way around the rectangle, but leave a 3-inch opening on the long side of the bag to allow for turning.
Now, snip off the corners for less bulk.
Turn the fabric right side out, through the opening you left. Push out the corners of your fabric with a turning tool.
Now that your reuseable snack bag is taking shape, finger press all of the edges, then clip around the perimeter. The opening should fold in pretty easily – just ensure it folds in line with the sewn edges alongside it.
Next, cut a 4.5” piece of sew-on Velcro. This will be the closure for your reusable snack bag.
Separate the hook and loop pieces of the Velcro. On one end of your rectangle, lay the Velcro across the end about ¼” away from the edge. Re-clip the end to include the Velcro piece.
You are about halfway done with your reusable snack bag! If you wish to add a ribbon pull tab, follow the next two steps. If not, skip to step 11. Cut a 3” piece of ribbon. You may heat seal the edges if you wish.
For this part, fold the ribbon in half, then sandwich the ends underneath the Velcro piece. Re-clip to include the ribbon – your clip will likely need to be diagonal! (see photo)
On the opposite end, place the other piece of Velcro ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE of the fabric about 1/4” away from the edge. Re-clip to include this Velcro piece as well.
Topstitch around each piece of Velcro very close to the edge. Your seam allowance will likely be less than ¼”. Be sure you catch the ribbon with your stitches. *TIP: When you turn to come back down lengthwise along with the Velcro, you’ll need to fold your bag fabric up carefully on top of itself.
Next, fold the non-ribbon side of the bag up on top of the other side. This will make the flap about 5” (where the actual bag part will be), and the open/close flap about 1.5”. Clip along each side.
Finally, using a very close seam allowance (1/8” – ¼”), stitch along each side of the bag. Be sure you catch the edges on the top and bottom of the bag. Your seam will be on the outside of the bag, which will cut down on the number of crumbs and “hiding spaces” for germs and such inside the bag. Also, be sure to backstitch at the start and stop of your stitching for reinforcement – especially on the end where the bag will be opened.
You have made a reusable snack bag! Use and enjoy. Repeat for the desired number of bags! Pop in a sandwich (or other treats), close with the Velcro, and go on a picnic!
Now that you have made a reusable snack bag, you can complete a few more and then head out on your picnic! Get your kiddos involved by helping to pick the fabric and even your older kids could help with the process. These are fun to use and will make a difference in the environment! Wipe off or wash them and reuse them again and again!
If you liked how to make diy reusable snack bag, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How to Make a Reusable Snack Bag
Would you like to not have to buy boxes and boxes of zipper bags? With this tutorial, you can make your own reusable snack bags to use over and over!
Tools
Instructions
- Measure and cut out your fabric. You will need: One 12.5” x 14” rectangle per bag
- Fold the fabric in half so that the 12.5” edges touch lengthwise (the 14” sides will be folded in half) with the right sides of the fabric touching.
- Clip along the edges around the rectangle.
- Using ½” seam allowance, sew all the way around the rectangle, but leave a 3-inch opening on the long side of the bag to allow for turning.
- Snip off the corners for less bulk.
- Through the opening you left, turn the fabric right side out. Push out the corners of your fabric with a turning tool.
- Finger press all of the edges, then clip around perimeter.
- Cut a 4.5” piece of sew-on Velcro.
- Separate the hook and eye pieces of the Velcro.
- On one end of your rectangle, lay the Velcro across the end about ¼” away from the edge. Re-clip the end to include the Velcro piece.
- *If you wish to add a ribbon pull tab, follow the next two steps. If not, skip to step 13.* Cut a 3” piece of ribbon. You may heat seal the edges if you wish.
- Fold the ribbon in half, then sandwich the ends underneath the Velcro piece. Re-clip to include the ribbon – your clip will likely need to be diagonal! (see photo)
- On the opposite end, place the other piece of Velcro ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE of the fabric about 1/4” away from the edge. Re-clip to include this Velcro piece as well.
- Topstitch around each piece of Velcro very close to the edge.
- Fold the non-ribbon side of the bag up on top of the other side. This will make the flap about 5” (where the actual bag part will be), and the open/close flap about 1.5”. Clip along each side.
- Using a very close seam allowance (1/8” – ¼”), stitch along each side of the bag. Be sure you catch the edges on the top and bottom of the bag.
- Enjoy your new snack bag!
Notes
· I used waterproof laminated cotton, but double-sided it so that both sides were waterproof. You can also use oilcloth or sew vinyl on top of the cotton.
· I recommended using clips for this project. I chose alligator hair clips, as they would allow the fabric to lay flatter.
· Sew-on Velcro is best for these bags. The stick-on kind will not hold up through many uses.
Recommended Products
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Fiskars Crafts 95237097J Rotary Sewing Cutting Set (3 Piece), Grey -
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