DIY Reusable Snack Bags

These are not really needed around here right now as I am not packing my lunch for work and Nora doesn't need snacks on the go yet, but it was a project I had been meaning to try for a while now. Everyone who I worked with had these cute little patterned bags for their snacks and I was always jealous of them! I also hate having to wash out plastic ziplocs because I feel like they never really get clean and throwing them out is such a waste. This was a SUPER easy project that any beginning sewer could do in less than an hour (each bag took me about 10 minutes!).

You need 2 types of fabric in coordinating colours. The cotton is the outside and the shiny stuff is for the inside (so you can wipe it out!) The shiny fabric is the stuff tablecloths are made of and it is called oilcloth. You can get it at any fabric store and it often comes in really fun patterns. 

Get your little helper to do the cutting. Just kidding! She can just sit there and sing you songs while you cut! 

You need 2 pieces- one of each fabric in the same size. Mine were 6x20 inches. The smaller one I did was 6x16 in.  Do whatever size you think your family will need. 

Sew them right sides together, leaving an opening to turn it back to ride side out. 

Before you turn it back out, clip the corners as shown to eliminate bulk inside your corners. 

Iron it on the cotton side to make sure it it nice and flat. This step seems unnecessary, but it really is. It will help you in the long run when you sew the bag together later. Make sure to iron the opening where you turned the pieces right side out inwards so that the edges look the same as the sewn part. Later, you won't even be able to tell where the opening was. 

You will need velcro, which can also be found at any fabric or craft store. As you can see it's cheap too- $2.99! 

Lay out your velcro. I did the soft side (loops) at the bottom and the hooks on top, but I don't think it matters how you do it. Sew the top piece on first by stitching a straight line along each long edge. 

Once the top piece is on, mark where it will meet the bottom piece with a pin. 

Attach the bottom piece.  

Now all you have to do is topstitch around the entire bag (with the flap open) in order to attach the 2 sides of the bag. 

TA DA!

All ready for any kind of snacks!

The nice part about it being wipeable on the inside is that you could put cut up fruit or veggies in there and it's waterproof! When the lid is closed it is pretty much air tight as well. These are fully machine washable, just don't put them in the dryer- the vinyl will melt.

Happy Sewing!

Tweedle Tip: If you live in the Invermere area, I got both fabrics at Essentials. They are having a 30% off sale right now! Get down there!