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DIY Lunch Bag – Free Sewing Pattern and VIDEO Tutorial

Back in the day when I was a kid, we all used to carry those tin lunch boxes with us wherever we went because our moms would go berserk if we skipped out on a meal. Those kinds of boxes can be found nowadays too, but there’s a much better alternative to them.

A DIY lunch bag will do the job just as well, but it’s lighter, easier to carry around and to clean, and it’s environmentally friendly! Not to mention the money you’ll save up when you switch over to a reusable lunch bag. And these bags are perfect for both your kids and you!

diy lunch bag standing on its own

If you like the idea, spend the next few minutes on this tutorial and you’ll learn how to make a lunch bag fast and easy!

diy lunch bag pattern

Below you will find my step by step homemade lunch bag written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to make a lunch bag

DIY lunch bag Supplies and tools

supplies you'll need to make a homemade lunch bag

  • cotton canvas or any other waterproof home decor fabric
  • matching thread
  • hook and loop strip / velcro – 5″ long
  • 1/2″ wide double fold bias tape – 1 yd
  • scissors (or rotary cutter and a cutting mat)
  • ruler or measuring tape
  • iron and ironing board
  • sewing clips or pins
  • sewing machine

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How To Sew a reusable lunch bag

Watch the diy lunch bag video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

Reusable Lunch bag VIDEO TUTORIAL

DIY LUNCH BAG INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Prepare the fabric

making the lunch bag - cut fabrics

Before you start your work on this lunch bag pattern, make sure to thoroughly wash and iron the fabrics you’ll use. This is to prevent the lunch bag from deforming or shrinking in the future.

After you’ve done that, cut out a rectangle measuring 12 x 30 inches (75 x 30cm) in size, from the main fabric.

You will also need to cut out a 5-inch (12.5cm) long strip of velcro, both from the hook and the loop side.

The last thing you’ll need will be a piece of 1/2 wide double fold bias tape, about 24 inches long.

STEP 2: Sew on the velcro

Place the main fabric onto your workspace with its right side facing up. Make sure to position the fabric so that the short sides are on the left and right, while the longer sides are on the up and down.

Place the hook velcro strip horizontally at the center of the fabric, about one and a half inches away from the left edge of the fabric piece. Pin the velcro in place.

Set the loop velcro strip onto the fabric in the same manner, but next to the right side instead of the left side. Keep it about an inch and a half away from the side edge as well. Pin it in place.

Sew around all four sides of each velcro strip.

STEP 3: Sew the reusable lunch bag

Now that the velcro strips are sewn onto the fabric, you can form the bag shape.

You will be sewing this reusable bag with French seams because it is stronger and more durable.

1. Fold the bag in half so that the short edges meet and the wrong side of the fabric is on the inside. Align the edges and pin the sides. Stitch along both sides using a 1/4inch (6mm) seam allowance.

stitching the french seams of the lunch bag

2. Trim the seam allowance down to 1/8 of an inch and turn the bag inside out.

diy lunch bag with french seams

3. Pin the seam allowance and sew 1/4″ from the edge one more time making sure that the previous seam is completely enclosed. This completes the French seam.

stitching the french seams of the diy lunch bag

STEP 4: Box the corners

Keep the wrong side facing out and fold the side of the bag along the seam, to form a triangle corner at the bottom of the bag. The side seam should be in the center.

Measure 2 inches in from the corner and mark with an erasable pen or sewist chalk and pin to keep it in place. Repeat for the opposite corner.

boxing corners of the diy lunch bag

Stitch along the mark, making sure that the seam is perpendicular to the bottom corner. Repeat on the other bottom corner as well.

stitching the corners of the diy lunch bag

STEP 5: Attach the bias binding

The final touch you’ll be adding to your new lunch bag will be the finished edge on the bag opening.

You can either use ready made double fold bias tape that is 1/2 inch wide, make your own bias tape or just fold and hem the raw edge.

attaching bias tape to the diy lunch bag

Turn the bag inside out. Set the bias tape along the raw edge of the opening. Make sure that the tape’s fold crease matches the raw edge along the entire length. Pin the tape to the bag and check if its length on each side is about half of an inch. Trim it down a bit if necessary. Sew around the opening. Pay attention not to sew the opening shut.

If you don’t have bias tape but you like this method, you can go ahead and make your own bias tape. Cut a strip of fabric 1 3/4″ (4.5cm) wide and fold it in half along its length. Unfold and then fold each side to the crease. Press with your iron. There’s your DIY bias tape.

The second method is to finish the edge in an old-fashioned way. Fold the raw edge around the opening twice and pin it. Topstitch all around and you’re done!

STEP 6: (OPTIONAL) Topstitch the side edges

Add some flair to your new bag and topstitch the sides to give it some structure and allow it to stand on its own.

To do so place the lunch bag on the worktop and fold the sides in so that the bottom side corners touch each other. Press with an iron.

Folding the sides of the diy lunch bag Starting from the top topstitch along the side 1/8 from the edge, continue with the bottom side, pivot and stitch along the other side all the way to the top. Backstitch at the beginning and the end of the seam. Repeat for the opposite side and your lunch bag is done!

getting food out of a diy lunch bag

That’s it! Your new DIY reusable lunch bag is ready! Go ahead and pack your lunch. To use fill it up with some yummy goodies. Fold the top and roll it down so that the velcro strips join.

What do you think of this DIY lunch bag tutorial? Were you able to make the reusable lunch bag with ease? Tell us how it turned out in the comment section below, your feedback is valuable to us! Remember to sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with our new projects. Enjoy your new reusable lunch bags!

 

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 16 comments
Lisa | Handmade in Israel - May 31, 2021

This looks great! I really like the fabric you have chosen. #MMBC

Reply
    Helen - May 31, 2021

    Thank you so much for these kind words!

    Reply
Michele Morin - May 31, 2021

Your projects are always so practical and yet pretty!

Reply
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs - June 5, 2021

What a fab DIY lunch bag and I just love the material too, so pretty.
Thanks so much for sharing with #MMBC. 🙂

Reply
Shelbee on the Edge - June 6, 2021

Helen, this is such a fun lunch bag. The pattern on the the fabric is so beautiful. When I had a need for a lunch bag, I always liked to have pretty statement making ones! Thanks for sharing and linking.

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
Lalka Crochetka - June 7, 2021

I like the idea! very clever and practical! thank you for sharing the pattern – it looks like soon I will have few of them as well 🙂

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Rhondda Mol - June 9, 2021

Another fantastic sewing project. I love practical projects! Thank you for linking up at our weekly Link Party! You are being featured at our Wednesday Party #402 this week. Here’s the direct link to the post in case you’d like to share your feature:
https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/2021/06/diy-lunch-bag-comfort-blanket-pattern-granny-jumper.html

Hope to see you again next week! Rhondda

Reply
LydiaF - June 10, 2021

Awesome bag, from the fabric to the details like French seams and boxed corners and topped stitched details. The end result is fabulous! And if you don’t take lunch anymore, it’s perfect for a project bag.

Reply
Chickenruby - June 11, 2021

I’m going to be making one of these for sure for my granddaughter.

Thank you for sharing with #PoCoLo

Reply
Alexandra - June 11, 2021

This is a great tutorial! Looks really simple to put together. I think even my beginner skills could work up one of these. Thanks!

Reply
Esmé Slabbert - May 16, 2023

If I still have a machine I would have tried this.Thank you from your Vroom Vroom Team for sharing your links with us at SSPS. Please check back on Monday to see if your content has been featured.

Reply
pat - May 17, 2023

Thanks for sharing your tutorial! This would make a great gift bag for those small Christmas items!

Reply
Rhondda Mol - May 23, 2023

I love these DIY Lunch Bags! Thank you for linking up at our weekly Link Party! You are being featured at our Wednesday
Party #504 this week. Here’s the direct link to the post in case you’d like to share your feature:
https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/crochet-bows-raffie-crossbody-bag-diy-lunch-bag-link-party-504/

Hope to see you again next week! Rhondda

Reply
Sim's Life - May 26, 2023

This is super cute, I love the design! It’s very easy to spot too, if ever misplaced! #PoCoLo

Reply
chickenruby - May 26, 2023

That’s such a lovely lunch box and easy to male. Thanks for joining in with #pocolo

Reply
Kerryanne - June 1, 2023

This really is very sweet Helen.
Thank you for sharing your lunch bag sewing pattern at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring it at this weeks party and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne

Reply

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