How to Make Insulated Sandwich Bags

Make an insulated sandwhich bag to hold your child's homemade lunch.

Insulated sandwich bags are an ideal lunch box accessory or replacement. These bags are washable with an added hook and loop closure to hold your child's lunch safely until the mid-day meal. If your child has a favorite superhero or cartoon character, you can give these bags a personal touch with themed fabric. Make several bags so your child can carry a new one to school each day.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Scissors
• Fleece
• Quilt batting (optional)
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Hook and loop tape

Instructions

1. Cut three pieces of fabric 7 inches wide and 17 inches long. You will need one piece each of a lining, insulator and outer fabric. Fleece remnants or quilt batting will work as an insulated barrier for sandwich bags.

2. Align your lining and outer bag fabric right sides together. Lay your insulated barrier atop the fabric and pin all the layers together.

3. Sew a straight stitch with a 1/4-inch seam allowance around three sides of the bag. Leave the fourth side open for turning.

4. Grasp the insulated fabric and the lining between your fingers and begin rolling it down. Turn the layers right-side out. Poke out the corners with a pencil if you have trouble getting them straight.

5. Fold the lining and outer fabric inside the top of the bag 1/2 inch. Sew a straight stitch across the top to close the fabric. Lay the bag on a flat surface and iron it.

6. Fold the fabric in half to form a pocket. Pull the fabric up on the back of the bag until it's 3 inches higher than the front. The extra 3 inches will turn into a flap closure. Sew along the two edges of the pocket to form the bag.

7. Turn the sandwich bag so that the seams are on the inside. Cut a piece each of hook and loop tape. Sew the hook and loop on the outside of the bag front and the inside of the flap.

Tips & Warnings

• Make extra bags to give as gifts or to use as spares when one gets lost.

• These insulated bags can be washed and dried normally with other laundry.

• Fabric smaller than 7 inches wide will not produce a bag that a sandwich will fit in.

References

• Savvy Practicality: Insulated Theme Lunch Bags