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.