Reusable Cloth Snack Bags

Forget the disposable plastic bags and make a greener and prettier alternative. Make cloth snack or sandwich bags with this tutorial from Amy Thompson.

Materials:

• Plastic tablecloth or oilcloth
• Fabric
• Rotary Cutter
• Sewing machine and thread
• Velcro (non-sticky back kind)

Instructions:

I've had the idea and the supplies for this project for several weeks and I finally had the time last weekend to sit down and put the two together! The lovely Betz White of this week's MamaView posted about green lunch kits and linked to these two tutorials.

I glanced over the tutorials and then just winged it! One of those plastic table cloths and some cloth napkins found at the thrift store made the perfect material. The fuzzy side of the table cloth made it stick to the napkin nicelyso they didn't slide around while sewing them. I cut squares of the tablecloth to the same size as the napkins and then sewed them together; one side cloth, the other side waterproof for the inside of the bag.

Then I stitched velcro to two opposite sides on the tablecloth side. DO NOT use that sticky-backed kind! It is such a pain to use and you don't need it to be sticky if you're going to be sewing it on anyway.

Then stick those velcro pieces together and sew up the sides. You're going to have raw hems on the outside because you don't want them folded in or they'll get all in the food on the inside of the bag. You want the inside nice and clean.

Then to solve the raw edge problem, pin on some pretty binding and sew it up!

These are really addicting to make so you might find yourself with a whole set before you know it! They sew up so quickly, it's a satisfying project.

For other fantastic picnic essentials, be sure to check out our collection of 7 Picnic Accessories and Essentials!