Back to school is just around the corner, and with only two and a half weeks left here in The South, it’s time to gear up. Roo’s been on a sewing spree lately, so we figured why not whip up some lunch bags?
With no pattern on hand, I had to improvise. Luckily, this design is straightforward and spacious enough to fit those handy lunch cubes and a water bottle.
You’ll need:
- 1/2 yard of exterior fabric
- 1/2 yard of lining
- About a 10″ square scrap of canvas
- 1/2 yard of Insulbright
- 1 yard of medium-weight fusible interfacing
- 6″ sew-on Velcro
Plus the usual suspects:
- Sewing Machine
- Thread
- Scissors
- Rotary Cutter/Cutting Mat/Acrylic Ruler
- Liquid Stitch Glue
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Pins
- Fabric Pen
Here’s the breakdown:
From the Exterior Fabric:
- 2 Front/Back pieces: 10.5″x13″
- 2 Handles: 4″x18″
- 1 Pocket: 7″x14″
- 1 Bottom: 7″x9″
From the Lining:
- 2 Front/Back pieces: 10.5″x13″
- 1 Bottom: 7″x9″
From the Insulbright:
- 2 Front/Back pieces: 10.5″x13″
- 1 Bottom: 9″x7″
From the Interfacing:
- 2 Front/Back pieces: 10.5″x13″
- 2 Handles: 4″x18″
- 1 Pocket: 7″x14″
- 1 Bottom: 7″x9″
From the Canvas:
- 1 Bottom: 7″x9″
Now onto the instructions:
- Cut and fuse the interfacing to the coordinating exterior pieces following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- For the handles, fold each lengthwise in half, wrong sides together, and press. Then, unfold and fold each long edge into the center fold line and press again. Fold again along the center line, ensuring edges are neatly tucked, and press once more. Edge stitch the long edges of both handles, starting with the edge with two folds.
- For the pocket, fold it in half wrong sides together to create a 7″ square. Pin along the bottom and sides, leaving a 3″-4″ space for turning, and stitch, ensuring to backstitch at the opening and top edge. Do not sew the top (folded) edge. Clip corners, turn, and press. Topstitch 1/2″ from the folded edge.
- Fold the pocket in half from side to side and finger press. Fold the front piece in half from side to side and finger press or mark center lines with a pin. Place the pocket 2″ down from the top edge of the bag front, aligning the finished edge along the ruler and matching centers. Pin in place and edge stitch 1/8″ from the edge of the pocket.
- Match up the edges of the Insulbright to the wrong side of the front/back pieces and baste inside the seam line to secure. Repeat for the bottom, sandwiching the canvas between the Insulbright layers.
- Place the right side of the bag back to the front and stitch. Finger press seams open and stitch the seam down from the right side of the bag using a 1/4″ seam allowance on both sides of the seam.
- Find the center of the front and back by matching up side seams and making small snips inside the seam line. Fold the bag bottom in half both ways and snip each time.
- With right sides together, pin the side seam of the bag to the center mark of the 7″ side of the bag bottom. Pin the remaining center marks of the bag bottom to the front/back. Carefully pin the pieces together, ensuring even distribution around the corner, and trim. Repeat for all three remaining corners and stitch. Trim seam allowance with pinking shears or snip notches into the corners.
- Repeat the process for the lining.
- Attach the handles on either side of the pocket with basting. Match the front/back together for handle placement and pin them in place.
- Turn the exterior right side out and leave the interior wrong side out. Insert the bag into the lining, right sides together, matching side seams, and pin around the edge, leaving a 4″-5″ gap for turning. Stitch, making sure to backstitch on both sides of the opening.
- Carefully pull the bag out through the opening of the lining, press, and edgestitch around the bag, keeping the handles out of the stitching line.
- Place the wrong side of the Velcro on the lining, about 1/2″ down from the top and centered between the straps, and use Liquid Stitch glue to hold it in place. After 15-20 minutes, stitch it in place.
That’s it! Feel free to customize with coordinating fabrics or go wild with patchwork. Share your creations on Instagram and tag me if you decide to make one. Happy sewing!