Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
LUNCH ON THE GO!
Whether you’re packing sandwiches for the kids or food for a picnic, these sustainable and easy-sew lunch bags are the way to go
Hands up if you use old containers or a plastic bag to tote your lunch around in. Well, now’s the time to think about smartening up work and school lunches by making these roomy roll-top bags. Sew the smaller size for packed lunches and the scaled-up version for picnics and outdoor adventures. It’s all about making the most of sunny days and socially distanced catch-ups.
EASY STEPS TO SEW A LUNCH BAG
Finished sizes Lunch bag: 25 x 20cm Picnic bag: 35 x 30cm
Gather your supplies
• 1.5m x 150cm wide paerned oilcloth (Fabric A)
• 1.5m x 150cm wide plain oilcloth (Fabric B)
• Sew-on Velcro, 35cm
• Nylon webbing, 50cm
You’ll also need General sewing supplies; washi tape; clips or clothes pegs
Here’s how at either side of the halfway point, creating two 12cm long rectangles. Cut these out to create a notch along each long edge.
STEP 3 Repeat Step 2 with Fabric B – these notches will help form the base of the bag.
STEP 4 Cut a 15cm strip of Velcro and separate the two halves. With Fabric A right side up, position the rough-sided Velcro strip centrally along one short edge, roughly 1.5cm in. Sew in place.
STEP 5 Cut a 25cm length of webbing. Use this to create a handle for the bag by turning the ends under by 2cm as shown. Centre it under the Velcro strip, 11cm in from the edge. Secure the cut edges of the webbing in place by sewing a rectangle across each end, then sewing a cross diagonally through the centre of each rectangle. You can use washi tape to stick the webbing in place while you sew it.