Reusable Snack Bag Tutorial

I'm trying to clear out a cabinet to make room for the new little one's clothes - and that means finally getting rid of some excess fabric.  I decided to make these simple little snack bags, which make a nice alternative to disposable bags.  (Updated 7/24/2011:   This pattern is for a lined bag. If you want a bag with no lining, just hem the short edges, then follow the instructions from step 4 on.)

I thought it would be super easy, just like a zipper pouch or something. But it took me an afternoon of reassembling the pieces to figure out an easy way to put them together than didn't require any complicated turning or handstitching. I finally figured out what I thought must be the simplest method of putting them together, and put together a little tutorial for you. It really is easy, it's just easier when someone else maps it out for you! Instructions are below.

Materials
scrap sizes of fabric
equal size piece liner fabric
hook and loop tape
scissors, thread, pins
sewing machine


Instructions





These instructions are for a lined snack bag. If you want to make a bag without a liner, just hem the short edges, then follow the instructions from step 4 on.
Instructions
1. Cut your two different fabric scraps into two equally sized rectangles. You may use a ziplock bag as a reference, or just whatever size your scrap will allow. Make sure the rectangle is twice as long as the bag because you will be folding it in half.
2. Right sides facing, sew a short end of the rectangles together. Repeat this with the opposite end.
3. Now turn the rectangles right side out. Iron the seams flat.
4. Cut a length of hook and loop tape about 1/2” shorter than the seam. Then, position the hook tape centered just below the seam on the inside of your bag and topstitch in place around the edges of your tape. Repeat this with the loop tape on the opposite end.
5. Fold the rectangle in half, with the inside (the side with the hook and loop tape) out. Line up your top seams and pin in place.
6. Stitch down both sides of the rectangle with a 1/4” seam allowance, and neatly trim any threads or rough edges.
7. Turn the bag right side out, closing the hook and loop tape. If you don’t care about raw edges, you could stop here. Or take it one step farther and top stitch down both sides, encasing the raw edges inside this new seam.
 
Ta da! Easy peasy!
 
Feel free to sell items made from this pattern, but please share a link back to me!




Made some? I'd love to see! Add it to the wewilsons pattern pool.