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How to Make a Reusable Lunch Bag

This handy make is perfect for school lunches and is a great way of reducing waste as it can be reused every day, additionally it can be made to suit your individual style.

Follow this step-by-step guide for this easy make which can be used for school lunches and is also a great way of taking your lunch to the office. Personalise this make as you wish by using fabric to suit your taste. We have chosen two fabrics, the PVC Full Stop Larkspur and PVC Full Stop Bon Bon fabric, PVC fabric is a great idea for this make as it it’s hardwearing and can be easily wiped down.

What You Will Need

What You Will Need

  • Fabric
  • Scissors
  • Pinking Shears
  • Ruler
  • Poppers
  • Thread
  • Pen
  • Chalk
  • Sewing Machine
  • Pegs
Step One

Step One

Firstly, cut out the front pieces from your chosen fabric, you need 2 x 7in by 12in pieces.

Step Two

Step Two

Now you have the front pieces, using the contrasting fabric, cut out the 2 x pieces for the sides, these need to be 4.5in x 12in.

Step Three

Step Three

You will also need a bottom piece; you can choose whether you do this in the same fabric as the sides or the same as the front. We have chosen to use the same fabric as the side, this needs to measure 4.5 in x 7 in.

Step Four

Step Four

Next, trim the top of the bag pieces with a pair of pinking shears to give a nice top edge to the fabric when the bag is open.

Step Five

Step Five

Next, attach the poppers to the top of the bag, separate each popper. Attach two poppers to the front piece, 1 3/4in from the sides and 3.5in down from the top. Once you have measured this out, make a small pen mark to help you know where to sew these on.

Step Six

Step Six

Now you have measured out where they are going, using a needle and thread stitch the poppers on. It can be quite thick so you may want to use a thimble to help you.

Step Seven

Step Seven

For the back panel you will need to add poppers at the same width as the front piece which is 1¾in from side and ¾ of an inch down from the top.

Step Eight

Step Eight

Next, attach the bottom piece to the front fabric, do this by putting the right sides together, use pegs to attach the fabric together as pins will make holes in the fabric.

Step Nine

Step Nine

Next, sew along this line on the sewing machine, starting at 1/4in from the end and using ¼ of and inch seam allowance and leaving a ¼ of an inch at the end also. Increase the stitch length on the machine so to reduce the perforation on the fabric.

Step Ten

Step Ten

Now, attach the side pieces to the bottom, place them right sides together, making sure the edges you have cut with the pinking shears are at the top, on both sides and stitch.

Step Eleven

Step Eleven

Now we have all the pieces attached to the bottom, take each corner and peg them all together, again right sides together and stitch on the sewing machine.

Step Twelve

Step Twelve

When all the sides are stitched together, cut away any loose threads and turn right side around, be careful of the seams when doing this.

Now you have your reusable finished lunch bag!

Just Fabrics
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