Banish Single-Use Plastic – Make Your Own Reusable Sandwich Bags!

This year, people have been motivated to think about plastics in a way they never have before. Environmental issues are creeping up the agenda, and everyone is making an effort to change their recycling habits for the better. Cutting down on our use of single-use plastic is one of the most important changes we can make to our daily lives, and clingfilm use is no exception. These attractive little bags can be used for sandwiches in a packed lunch at school or work and, because they are fully washable, you can reuse them time and time again! Make your lunchbox more attractive, save money, and reduce landfill all in one go!

Please note because of the use of plastic fabric in this project, this is a no-iron project. All seam allowances are 1cm unless otherwise stated.

Time to Make: Under 1 hour

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

You Will Need:

Template [DOWNLOAD HERE]
Cotton fabric, prewashed
Plastic waterproof fabric (Not too heavyweight)
Sewing scissors
Complementary sewing thread
Straight pins
Tape measure
Sewing machine
Pattern Master or Quilting Ruler (something that can be used to mark right angled lines)
Dressmaking pen or chalk
Snap poppers with tool (optional)
Velcro (if not using snap poppers)

Reusable Sandwich Bags Step-by-Step Project Copy:

Step 1:

Draw the template out to scale, following the measurements provided. These measurements will produce bags that fit 2 half sandwiches using a standard sized loaf. If you require a different size, please adjust the measurements accordingly. Cut out the template shape in your cotton fabric and plastic fabric.

Step 2:

Fold up the bottoms of the widest part of the rectangles, right sides together, so that the bottom edge meets the line where the shape narrows.

Seam up the sides using a straight stitch, securing the beginning and ends with a reverse stitch.

Step 3:

Fold one seam that you have just sewn down along the folded edge of the bag to create a point in the corner.

Using your Pattern Master or Quilting Ruler, draw a line at right angles to the stitch line, 2.5cm up from the point.

Mark this line with dressmaker’s pen or chalk, and place a pin in to hold it. Repeat this process on the other seam of the cotton piece and both corners of the plastic piece.

Step 4:

Sew a straight stitch along the lines you have drawn, and remove the pins. Trim off the excess to leave a 1cm seam allowance up to the line of stitching.

Step 5:

Turn the plastic piece inside out so that the seams are on the inside, and place inside the cotton piece.

Line up the side seams and pin in place.

Starting along the top straight edge, stitch a seam along the whole edge of the bag, pivoting in the corners, and leaving a small gap along the top edge.

Step 6:

Trim off the corners along the top edge of the bag and snip into the corners where the flap meets the bag base.

Pull the whole bag through the gap you have left along the top edge, and pull out the corners with a pin. Tuck the plastic lining back inside the cotton piece, this time with all the seams hidden inside.

Using your fingers, push the bottom corners of the plastic lining into place so that they line up with the same points on the cotton bag.

Step 7:

Fold in the raw edges along the open gap at the top, and pin together. As seams cannot be ironed, use your fingers to roll the seamed edge flat; pin in place if this makes it easier. Top stitch along the whole edge of the bag a few millimeters in, enclosing the gap along the top edge as you go.

Step 8:

If you are using snap poppers to fix your bag, follow the instructions that come with your tool on how to attach them. You want to put the female poppers along the top edge of the base of the bag and the male parts at corresponding points on the flap.

If you don’t want to use snap poppers, stitch Velcro to the same points on the bag. Your bag is now complete!

You could make one for each member of the family, each in a different fabric so it’s easy to tell whose lunch is whose every morning! Check out our range of sewing supplies and gorgeous fabrics, and stock up on everything you need to create this pretty, and environmentally friendly project today!

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Lisa at Create & Craft

As our content marketing executive in charge of the Create and Craft blog, Lisa loves nothing more than writing about all things craft. 'When I'm not at work, you'll find me attempting a wonky crochet project, playing with watercolours or trying my hand at the latest awesome craft tutorial to cross my desk!'