How to Make Reusable Sandwich Bags
Making lunch for you and your family is one way to save money and ensure everyone has healthy and delicious options. Packing sandwiches for a family of four people five days each week annually could require more than 1,000 disposable sandwich bags -- add bags for daily snacks and the number can double. Creating reusable sandwich bags from fabric is a simple project that will save you money and keep plastic bags out of the waste stream.
Things You'll Need
- 1/4 yard of cotton or cotton blend fabric
- 1/4 yard of lining fabric -- nylon, vinyl or polyethylene laminate
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Pins
- Sewing needle
- Cotton or cotton-covered polyester thread
- Hook and loop tape
Instructions
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1
Choose the lining material for your sandwich bag. Nylon fabric is washable and wipes clean easily with a damp cloth. Other lining options include vinyl fabrics and polyethylene laminate, fabric treated with a type of plastic to make it waterproof.
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2
Cut a piece of cotton or cotton blend fabric 8 inches wide by 18 inches long. Cut a piece of lining the same size.
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3
Pin together two pieces of fabric with the backsides facing out. Pin vinyl fabric along the line where you will sew because holes made by pins will be permanent.
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4
Sew around the outside of the rectangle, 1/4 inch from the edge. Leave an opening of about 2 inches on one long side.
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5
Turn the rectangle right side out by gently pushing the fabric through the opening.
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Hold the rectangle so that the short sides are at the top and bottom. Fold up the bottom 7 inches and pin on the sides, tucking in the 2-inch opening's raw edges. Sew the sides closed to form an envelope shape with a 3.5-inch flap at the top.
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7
Sew a 2-inch strip of hook and loop fastener vertically to the front of the pocket. Sew the matching 2-inch strip vertically to the inside of the flap. Your sandwich bag is now ready to carry tomorrow's lunch.
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Tips & Warnings
Bags made with nylon can be wiped clean or laundered.
Adjust the measurements to make bags for snacks or to fit your favorite sandwich size.
Let each family member choose his or her favorite fabric to personalize the bags.
Use a laundry marker to put names or initials on the bags so they can be easily returned if they are lost at school or work.
Do not expose vinyl fabric bags to heat, such as from an iron, clothes dryer or microwave oven.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
