Is it really time to head back to school? After a cooler-than-usual summer, Labor Day seems like it arrived mighty quick this year. While the kids may not be crazy about class, adding a bit of fun to those busy schedules and routines can lighten the load. Like packing lunches. Add some style to theirs – and yours! – by sewing a set of reusable snack bags that'll make getting ready in the morning easier.
If you're looking for a place to find colorful canvas and laminated fabrics, try a specialty store, like Haberman Fabrics in Royal Oak, for unique patterns.
Materials
- Canvas fabric
- Laminated cotton fabric
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Painter's tape
- Adhesive Velcro dots
- Pinking shears
- Pins
Directions
- Cut both the canvas and laminated fabric pieces to 8-by-14 inches. Place the two fabrics together and pin, making sure the laminated side fabric is facing out.
- The laminated fabric tends to stick to sewing machine feet. To combat this, place painter's tape on the bottom of your sewing machine foot. This helps guide the fabric along and not make it stick as much.
- Creating a half-inch seam, sew each end of the fabrics. Once you've done that, "pink" one end with your pinking shears.
- Fold up one end of the sewn fabric so the length now measures 8.5 inches – and the laminated side is facing up. Pin the sides in place.
- Once again using a half-inch seam, sew each side to create the pouch.
- To make it closeable, add adhesive Velcro dots to the flap, about a quarter-inch down from the seam. Fold it over so the Velcro dot is about a quarter inch down from the pocket and press into place. For a more secure hold, hand sew into place.
