In the interest of reducing our Ziploc bag consumption around here, especially with a kindergartener who takes a snack to school every day, reusable (read: washable) snack bags are fantastic ways to help the environment. They're super-easy to make, and they can be popped into the top rack of the dishwasher (or the washing machine) and air dried. The materials you'll need: template (either Ziploc bags or cardboard) cotton material ripstop nylon (I buy mine at JoAnns off the bolt) Velcro strips thread A few notes before we begin. PUL (or shower curtain liner) is not food safe. Ripstop nylon, generally speaking, is food safe, but to be extra careful, you can flip the nylon to the shiny side facing your fabric, so it's not facing your food. My cardboard templates measure as follows: Snack bags: 5 inches tall by 7 inches long Sandwich bags: 7.25 inches tall by 8 inches long My finished bags measure as follows: Snack bags: 4.25 inches tall by 6 inches long Sandwich bags: 6.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches long (Obviously, these measurements can be adjusted for your personal use. These sizes happen to work well for our family's needs.) First, cut your fabric and waterproof lining double the length of the template . . . This is so you don't have to sew any more than necessary . . . Once you've cut out the materials, serge (or sew with a regular or zig zag stitch) the fabric and the nylon together on all 4 edges . . . These are serged together, but again, a regular stitch would work fine . . . Then, press 1/4 inch of the two edges with an iron . . . Then hem . . . Measure out and cut two lengths of the Velcro, and place one side along the edge of your fabric . . . Before sewing, make sure each side of the Velcro matches up perfectly . . . Then sew around the edges of each strip of Velcro . . . Then, once the Velcro has been attached to each side, bring the rectangle of fabric together, right sides together, and sew along each edge, with a 1/4 inch seam . . . Then, turn right side out, and press with an iron . . . You're done! These are very quick (mine took about 30 minutes for 3, start to finish), and they are super-sturdy. Plus, the possibilities are endless with all of the adorable fabrics out there. Enjoy! Lora- Butternut Boutique
