Reusable Snack/Sandwich Bags

I've been really busy since summer has started and haven't been blogging much but I've got lots that I want to tell you about!  So one of the projects that I was working on a month or so ago, was making my own reusable snack/sandwich bags.  This is something that I have been wanting to do for awhile.  Typically we would reuse our plastic sandwich bags multiple times before disposing, so I figured that reusable cloth bags were the way to go.  I didn't want to buy them since they seemed so easy to make.  And guess what - they were easy to make (even for a novice sewer like me)!

I wasn't sure what the best size would be, so I made a variety of sizes.  I was also exploring my options so some have pull tabs and/or strap.  I think I have come to the conclusion that 2 pull tabs are best and straps are best for snack sized bags.

I'm sure that there are plenty of better tutorials on the web, but if my learning curve can help anyone else out - here ya go!

Materials:
Fabric of your choice
Ripstop nylon
Coordinating ribbon if adding pull tabs and/or strap
Thread
Rotary cutting mat, ruler and cutter (or scissors and a measuring tape)
Serger (I used a Singer mini serger)
Pins
Velcro

Fabric pieces for larger bag

Fabric pieces for smaller snack bag

1.  Cut out 2 squares/rectangles of fabric (I used 6.5" x 6.5" for a large snack/sandwich bag and 6.5" x 4"for a snack bag).  Cut 2 squares/rectangles of the same dimensions our of your ripstop nylon.  If you would like a strap, either cut a length of coordinating fabric or ribbon to twice the desired length (I will be adding a strap to the smaller bag).

Ripstop nylon serged to the fabric of the large bag

Ripstop nylon serged to the fabric of the small bag

2.  Line up the wrong side of the fabric with the ripstop nylon and serge the edge.  If you are adding a strap, fold the fabric in half lengthwise and serge the edge.

I attached two tabs to each bag.

3.  If you are adding tabs, cut your ribbon into segments of ~2".  I added two tabs to each bag, therefore I needed 4 sections of ribbon.  Fold the ribbon in half width wise and center on the ripstop side of your fabric.  Sew the tab onto the fabric.

Velcro is now attached to the top of both bags.  (Ignore the handle on the small snack bag - I had a little oppsey  since I was in a hurry to finish before Little Bear woke up.  Needless to say, hurrying is never worth it since I had to go back and fix and finish the bag later anyway!)

4.  Cut your velcro into a segment that is the same length as the top of your bag.  Pin and sew.

The strap has been attached on the small bag, the right way this time!

5.  If you are adding a strap, fold it in half width wise and pin to the outer (right) side of one fabric swatch.  Pin it at an angle that is a mirror image to the angle that you would like it to attach.  Sew.

Completed bags.

6.  Pin bags with right sides together.  Sew along side and bottom edges.  Turn bag right side out and you're done!

After trying the bags out, I decided that I loved this style for snacks but not so much for sandwiches.  I went back and found another design that I like even better for sandwiches.  I'll share that one later!

Becoming Crafty

I've mentioned before that I am not very crafty.  Previously the closest that I came to crafty was creating a lab or lesson plan that would keep my high school science students interested.  Now that I am home with Little Bear he is inspiring me to do all sorts of crafty things.  And I am getting most of my ideas from all of the great bloggers out there.  I've completed a few things so far but I am accumulating quite a list of things that I would like to do!  Check it out:

1.  Diaper inserts - In progress!  I already made quite a few but now that I have the little serger I want to try a few more.
2.  Fabric Easter basket - In progress!  It would be finished if I hadn't decided to make it bigger.  Now let's hope that I get it finished in time for Easter!
3.  Sandwich wraps/reusable snack bags
4.  I spy bag
5.  Cloth napkins/unpaper towels
6.  Wool dryer balls
7.  Handprint frame
8.  Soap crayons
9.  Activity book
10.  Car organizer
11.  Brag board
12.  Book wreath

Whew!  That's probably enough to keep me busy for years.  But I'll be sure to keep you posted on my progress and anything else that I add to the list!

My First Sewing Project

Technically, I guess that this is not my first sewing project - I already made a set of cloth wipes and a set of diaper inserts.  However, this is the first item I have made that will actually be seen by anyone other than Little Bear.  Now, I know that it isn't anything fancy and that a monkey with a sewing machine could probably make it, but still - I'm proud of myself!  :o)  Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

I thought that the panel was just adorable and it matched Little Bear's bedroom perfectly - so how could I pass it up?  And I was thrilled that Little Bear loved it as much as I did!  He wanted it even before I was finished and as I now type, he is sleeping with it.  It makes me happy to see him enjoy something that I made and inspires me to make more!

I love Bamboo!

When I first started cloth diapering, I thought that microfiber was the most amazing insert material.  Since then I've realized that microfiber has its benefits but also its drawbacks and I have started trying out some other fabrics.  I've tried hemp, cotton, bamboo and zorb.  And my new favorite - Bamboo!  I love it!  

After buying and trying a variety of inserts I have come to the conclusion that bamboo is now the most amazing insert material (in my humble opinion).  It is very absorbent, naturally antimicrobial, doesn't get the stinkies and it is soooo soft!

I actually decided that for my first sewing project, I would make a set of new diaper inserts for Little Bear out of bamboo fabrics.  I ordered bamboo fleece, bamboo terry and bamboo velour so that I could try a variety of combinations.  When the order arrived I literally just sat and held the fabrics.  They were so soft that I didn't even want to cut them up to sew!  Crazy, I know.

Eventually I did cut them up and sew the inserts.  And although they aren't the prettiest looking inserts (based on my sewing abilities that is) they are now the first ones that I grab to stuff my pockets.

Fortunately I ordered extra fabric, so now I get to use it for other projects.  I am thinking of making some prefolds with it next.  And then... who knows?  But I want to move outside of the diaper realm - maybe I'll make a nice cozy blanket for little bear... or one for me!

Sew Lacie, Sew!

About 5 years ago my mom got a new sewing machine and gifted me her old one.  What exactly am I supposed to do with this? I wondered.  I didn't know how to sew, so I packed it away and carried it with me through two moves.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I was shopping online for new diaper inserts for Little Bear.  They seemed so easy to make and so expensive to buy.  Suddenly that old sewing machine had some new appeal and I had the brilliant idea to sew my own diaper inserts!  Now keep in mind that the last time I used a sewing machine was 9th grade home ec. (yeah, it was still called home ec. back then and we "learned" how to cook and sew).  But no fear - if my mom and my grandma could do it, so could I!

Haha!  Figuring out that old sewing machine was not quite as easy as it looked...  I should point that I am using a Singer Scholastic 717 - it is older than I am and has no manual.  After many botched attempts at threading it, I finally found a diagram online.  But then every time I had to wind the bobbin, I couldn't get it threaded right again...  I was about ready to give up and by a new machine when my mom swooped in and helped me out.  Apparently the tension on the thread tends to come loose as you are sewing and needs to be continually re-adjusted - how was I supposed to know that?!?!?

After a week or so, I finally got the hang of it.  I can't say that I am really any good but its a start.  And practice makes perfect, right?  Or at least better!  I made a few wipes to get myself started and then I just dove right into my inserts.  They may not look the best, but they work and the important part was that I saved the money and I've discovered that I really do enjoy sewing.

So guess what!  In the near future you just might hear about my NEW sewing machine!  Every domestic goddess needs one, right?  ;o)