Tutorial Tuesday: Reusable Snack Bags

With a brand new kindergartener this year, its hard to believe how many plastic snack bags we go through in a month. Between school lunches, morning and after school snack, we go through two boxes a month.  Using fabric scraps and about 45 minutes, you can whip a cute reusable snack bag for a fraction of the price.

Ideally, you would use PUL for the inside of your snack bag so if you had leaky items they wouldn't leak into your child's backpack or lunchbox.  PUL, which stands for polyurethane laminated fabric, is a coated fabric primarily used for cloth diapers because it allows the skin to breathe while being very water resistant.  Thanks to the new cloth diapering craze, PUL is avaliable in many adorable colors and patterns and stocked nationwide at large fabric chain stores such as JoAnns.  PUL is a pricey fabric so make sure to have your JoANN's 40% off coupons ready.  For our purposes, PUL is an ideal choice because not only is it water resistant but it also easy to maintain. 


REUSABLE SNACK BAG
Supplies:
2 fabric rectangles cut to 13" x 6" (both can cotton or flannel or one can be cotton and other PUL)
4 inches of sew on velcro
Thread
Scissors
Sewing Machine
A lit bit of tissue paper (only if you use the PUL)

Step 1
Cut out your fabric rectangles.  We used a flannel polka dotted fabric and some bright pink PUL.  (HINT:  when using PUL, you can only iron on the non-shiny side.  If you apply heat the shiny side you have ruined both the PUL and possibly your iron)  Iron flat.

Step 2
With right sides together attach fabric rectangles to each other leaving a small area for turning. 






                                      Step 3

Turn and iron.  Make sure to turn excess seam allowance.  Iron flat (remember don't iron on the shiny side of the PUL) and top stitch all the way around.  When you have finished this step you should a completely finished rectangles. 

Step 4
Cut 4 inches of velcro.  We used a tan colored velcro but you can use whatever you have around.  I have seen people reuse the snaps from an outgrown onesies to be even more environmentally friendly.  The loop side is applied to the end of the long side of rectangle on the polka dotted (outside) fabric.  Apply using a straight stitch.

Step 4
Measure 4" from the bottom of the long side where you applied the loop from the velcro.  Mark with chalk or washable fabric pen.  With right sides together, fold to mark line. Straight stitch sides and turn.  The one disadvantage of the PUL is that it is difficult to feed through sewing machines.  In our example, we used a piece of tissue paper as a barrier between the PUL and the machine.  This made the
seams go a lot easier.

Step 5
After you have turned your snack bag you should see the bag and opening flap.  Apply the loop tape to the PUL side of the bag using a straight stitch.   You are finished!  Fill with goldfish, grapes, animal crackers or sandwiches.  

Did you know we make tshirt quilts?

Did you know that we make custom quilts?  Here is a sample of scrapbook style t-shirt that we recently delivered to a little boy!   

These quilts take about 40-50 shirts and/or clothing pieces that are special.  Allow 4-6 weeks for processing.   Oversized twin quilts start at $450.  

Sewing School 301....Connect the dots!

Tuesday's tutorial (which is actually getting posted on a Friday due to some destructive rain and hail we have been experiencing here in Denver, Colorado) focuses on learning how to switch between stitches and the free form quilting technique.

In our first .pdf, you will learn how to free form quilt by completing this connect the dot cupcake with your sewing machine.  The trick is to keep your needle in the down position when you turn your paper.  This will create a smooth, not jagged, seam.  You will primarily use this skill when quilting wall hangings, table runners, eventually full sized quilts. 



Free form quilting primer .pdf

In our second .pdf, you will practice switching from straight stitches to zig zag stitiches as well as proper turns while sewing.  As with the free form quilting, make sure to raise your presser foot but keep your needle in the fabric at all times.

Straight and zig zag primer .pdf

 

Finally, our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors in Boulder, Fort Collins, Lyons, Evergreen, Estes Park, Aurora, and Firestone/Frederick as many of these cities have been damaged severely from flooding this week.

Sewing School 201: Meet your sewing machine

No matter what machine you have whether it is one from Grandma or a new dream machine.  Using a sewing machine for the first time can be intimating.  One of the most important parts of your machine is the manual.  This is the map to what your machine can achieve and how to achieve it.  If this is an older machine you can check to see if you can download the manual from the internet.

If you have Singer sewing machine, here is the link to your manual.
If you have Brother sewing machine, here is the link to your manual. 
If you have Viking sewing machine, here is the link to your manual.  

Let’s start to get to know the machine.  Here is where we could say a silly joke like saying “hello machine, how are you doing?”  But seriously, let’s talk about the basics of most sewing machines.

Find your power cord and the on/off switch.  In most machines, this is located on the lower right side of the machine.  Some machines have a separate place for your foot petal and your power cord.  Go ahead and plug in the power cord and turn on your machine.  If you have a home embroidery machine, you might have inputs here for 3.5" disks (like our 2003 Brother machine), USB drives, or embroidery pattern cartridges. 

Threading the machine Although machines may vary, there are some basics that will help you tackle this job.  On the top of the machine, place a spool of thread onto the spool holder.  Take your time with this step so that the tensions are accurate.

Winding the bobbin  Some machines can use pre-wound bobbins but even newer machines cannot use these.  Usually on the top of the machine is a place for the bobbins to be wound.  Thread the bobbin according to instructions in the manual or the arrows on the machine.  So that you don't constantly have to be referring to your manual, some machines have numbers to follow for threading pre-printed on your machine such as on our Brother Pacesetter ULT2003D.   A good bobbin is one that is tightly wound.  Always use the bobbins that go with your machine.  Bobbins are not interchangeable.  It is always a good idea to have extra bobbins so that you don’t find yourself wasting thread by taking off the wrong color.

Sewing a straight seam is the most common stitch you will use in your everyday sewing.  Practicing on a scrap of fabric is a good idea while you get used to your machine and your confidence builds.  Some people draw lines on a paper and follow the outlines on a paper and follow the outline so you get control.  Pinning a seam makes it easy to control the fabric so you can concentrate on your sewing.  Be careful to sew over pins because this can either dull or break the needle. 

Back stitching is the next stitch to master because this stitch is used to secure the beginning of your seam.  It also is used at the end of the row to hold this end as well. 

Join us next week on Tutorial Tuesday for zigzag stitching, applique and finishing seams.