Homemade Sandwich & Snack Bags
On my journey to a zero waste household, and let’s face it…lifestyle, I became anxious when I realized how much waste my family was contributing with serving-size Ziploc bags of snacks, and treats. Especially after having twins (the diapers and wipes alone!). So this year I decided to make my own reusable sandwich and snack bags that my children can use for the simpler lunches that they make themselves.
They’re darling little reusable sandwich and snack bags made in a few easy steps and with minimal materials. I’ve made lots of these and my original ones are still going strong. Let me know how they work for you.
These reusable sandwich bags are made out of cotton fabric, I added a vinyl coating to them to make them durable and easy to clean. Continue reading and check out how simple they are to make. Below is a tutorial for making your own. Or just watch this short video. You can download the pattern used in this tutorial in this free PDF file.
I no longer buy anything pre-portioned, but have instead invested in reusable grocery shopping totes, bulk food bags, and produce bags. Reusable wax food wraps, reusable travel utensil rolls, as well as reusable glass storage containers for the pantry.
My daughter especially loves taking these to school. I made these in a variety of her favorite colors and fun patterns. The twins are able to easily open and close the bags, which was not the case with some snap-lid containers and reusable Ziploc bags we’ve tried in the past.
This was such a fun project. I had already used vinyl-coated cotton to make a makeup brush roll. A couple of years ago I set out to find a very simple reusable snack bag for things like sandwiches and crackers, found many tutorials online, and finally settled on this one. This easy design should take only 15 minutes to sew. These little DIY reusable snack bags are cute and they’re so functional for zero waste and plastic-free back-to-school snacks and lunches.
I realize that some people may prefer to use organic cottons or other fabrics near their food, so please choose a fabric that you’re comfortable with. Keep in mind that if your fabric does not have a “plastic” coating, your food won’t stay as soft or crisp. I’ve researched laminated cotton and I’m comfortable with using it next to my food. It is phthalate free and BPA free.
How-To Video
How to Make
If you are looking for easy ways to reduce your waste as well as harmful chemicals, this is a pretty basic tutorial you can try. Just follow the steps in this tutorial and you’ll learn how to make a sandwich bag and a snack bag in minutes. Watch the DIY snack bag video above first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
For a Zero Waste Approach
If you’re crafty and have leftover fabric scraps from other projects (like my reusable makeup remover pads), you can cut up those scraps into different shapes and sizes to fit your needs. Then follow the instructions.
Reusable Snack & Sandwich Bags
Yield: 1 Snack and 1 Sandwich Bag
Difficulty: Intermediate
Estimated cost: $15
Materials & Tools
- 1/4 yard waterproof cotton (laminated cotton, or another material you choose) OR
- Cotton fabric that has been washed, ironed, and cut into pieces (two 5″ x 12″ pieces for snack bags, two 7″ x 16.5″ pieces for sandwich bags)
- Vinyl iron-on interfacing
- Matching thread
- Hook & Loop strips (1” wide Velcro)
- Scissors (or rotary cutter and a cutting mat)
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing clips or pins
- Sewing machine
Notes: You can use a variety of materials– satin, silk and even chiffon.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pattern for Use
Download our reusable snack bags pattern and print it out in full size—you’ll get three sheets of paper. Trim every other page, tape together, cut any excess paper and get ready to use the pattern.
This is a two-in-one pattern and you can use it to either make a larger sandwich bag or a smaller snack bag. I suggest you make one of each because they are both useful and fun to make.
Step 2: Cut Out the Fabric
Before you use the fabric remember to wash it thoroughly and iron it well. This will prevent the fabric from shrinking or deforming later on.
Use your DIY sandwich bag pattern as a guide and cut the fabric. Cut out two such pieces, regardless if you’re making larger reusable sandwich bags or the smaller snack-sized variants.
Step 3: Finish the Raw Edges
I opted to use medium zig zag stitch, but you can serge them using a serger sewing machine or use the mock serger stitches on your sewing machine.
Step 4: Arrange Fabrics
Put the two fabric pieces on top of each other, right sides together.
Align the edges and use pins or clips to secure everything in place. If you decide to use pins, put them close to the edge, where the stitch will go. That way the poke holes from pins won’t be visible.
Step 5: Sew Around
Sew along the entire sandwich bag, about a quarter-inch away from the edge, leaving a two inch opening for turning.
Step 6: Clip and Turn
Clip the corners of the sandwich bag. Then turn the whole thing inside-out.
Tip: If using vinyl or nylon fabric: If the vinyl gets wrinkled as you do this, just press it with your iron for a few seconds. Don’t forget to use the ironing paper so that you don’t ruin the interfacing.
Step 7: Mark the Flap and Pin Velcro
Fold the fabric so to leave a 3 inch flap for the sandwich bag. Mark where the top edge of the bottom is.
Pin the Velcro strips on the flap and on the front of the bag.
Step 8: Topstitch the Sandwich Bag
Topstitch around the entire thing using a 1/8 inch seam allowance.
Step 9: Sew In the Velcro
Sew as close to the edges of the Velcro as possible. Go slow.
Step 10: Sew the Sides
Fold the front of the bag to meet the marks you made earlier. Pin and stitch both sides in place.
How to Care for Your Snack & Sandwich Bags
When you need to wash this sandwich bag, stick to the basics. Use cold water and gently scrub with a soft sponge. Avoid rough sponges entirely. You can also use a washcloth. Try to avoid using detergents, because of the beeswax and the Velcro. And be careful around the Velcro as not to damage it.
Make a few of these snack bags for your loved ones, they’re not just for kids. Let me know how they ended up, I love getting feedback. If you have some ideas for improvement, share them in the comments section.
FAQs, Tips and Troubleshooting
You can laminate your own cotton fabric. Just follow these steps: Cut the vinyl to be about a quarter-inch smaller on all sides when compared to the two cotton fabric pieces.
Set one interfacing piece on top of one cotton fabric piece. Make sure to place it on the right side of the cotton piece.
Put the ironing paper between the vinyl and your iron and press without steam for a few seconds, until it sticks. Flip the fabric over and press on the wrong side as well.
Repeat the same process with the other cotton piece and interfacing vinyl.
Sources, video and photo credits:
Christina Dennis of The DIY Mommy on July 9, 2019
Sew a 15 Minute Reusable Snack Bag
https://thediymommy.com/sew-a-diy-reusable-snack-bag/
Hello Sewing
DIY Reusable Snack Bags and Sandwich Bags
https://hellosewing.com/diy-reusable-snack-bags-sandwich-bags/
Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman of A Beautiful Mess
How to Make Reusable Sandwich Bags and Snack Bags
https://abeautifulmess.com/how-to-make-reusable-sandwich-bags-and-snack-bags/
by Mandi Johnson on August 14, 2020