Make Your Own Reusable Sandwich Bags

I first discovered these reusable sandwich bags when my roommate pulled a handful of them out her lunch box one day. Now for those of you who don't know my roommate, she went to college in Boulder and prides herself on being "green". I like to call her a hippie but not because she is dirty, grungy, or tree-hugging...mainly because I like to play into the stereotype that people that don't really know Boulder, think of Boulder. Anyway, her mom made these bags for her to pack in her lunch and I have been trying to figure out how I could get a few of my own ever since. Her mom kindly offered to let us use one of her sewing machines for a little bit so I've been learning how to sew and I have to say, it is quite the adventure! These reusable bags were the first thing I started with and I'm passing the pattern, along with step-by-step instructions along to you.
What you're going to need to start:

• Cotton fabric
• PUL (polyurethane laminated knit) fabric, which will be the liner of the bag
• Scissors or a rotary cutter and mat, ruler
• Sewing machine, thread

Start by washing, drying, and pressing (ironing) the cotton fabric of your choice. If you're needing a place to start when it comes to finding great fabric, check out Amy Butler's fabrics...they are bright, cheery, and all around wonderful! You do not need to wash the PUL fabric although it is washable. Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.


1. Cut two squares out of your cotton fabric and PUL fabric (7 x 7 inches makes a bag large enough for a sandwich)
2. Pin the right sides together (the right sides of the PUL fabric are the shiny sides) on three sides of each square
3. Sew the three sides together of each square
4. Trim the corners of the bag and liner
5. Turn the PUL fabric so the right sides are out
6. Place the PUL liner inside the cotton bag (which is still "inside out")
7. Pin the top edges together and sew around the bag, leaving a 2-3 inch space open so you can pull the bag back through (this will make sense when you see the picture)
8. Pull the bag through and drop the PUL liner down in the fabric bag
9. Sew along the top edge to close the bag up (you can use an 1/8 in allowance for this seam)
10. Sew Velcro as a closure, on the inside of the bag, and you're done!
*Always pin before you sew because the PUL fabric can be a bit difficult to work with at first, so pinning helps

Let me know if you have any questions. If you don't have much experience sewing, it seems intimidating at first but believe me, if I can do this, anybody can do this! Next up I'm gonna attempt to make a hoodie towel for my sweet nephew Bear. I'll let you know how that goes!