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An easy tutorial for DIY eco-friendly Reusable Snack Bags. Learn how to make these washable and sustainable snack and sandwich bags.

reusable snack bags

Sick of throwing out plastic baggies just because you needed a quick snack to throw in your purse (diaper bag, backpack, etc.)? Well, friends, I have a simple solution for you. And it’s easy too. And cheap. And fast. It’s taking all my strength not to make a pervy joke right here…

Anyhoo, once you’ve made one of these, you’ll be able to duplicate them in about 15 minutes. I promise! The hardest part is figuring out the first one.

Resusable Snack Bags Supplies
-Fabric
-Sew on velcro
-Ripstop nylon
Sewing machine
-Scissors
-Straight pins
-Thread

Just a note before we get started.  Any time you start or stop a new stitch, you need to backstitch to secure it.  If you don’t know what backstitching is, check the manual that came with your sewing machine to find the button on yours that does this.

1) Figure out how long and wide you want your bag to be. Then double it. Cut your fabric and nylon so that they’re the same size.

reusable snack bags 2) Fold your fabric in half so that the pretty side is facing itself.  Fold your nylon in half as well.  Press a seam with a cool iron.

reusable snack bags

3) Unfold your nylon, and put a piece of velcro cut to size on each end of the nylon.  Hold in place with one straight pin per piece of velcro.

reusable snack bags

4) With the fabric folded in half, sew the two equal edges of your fabric together. You’re essentially making a little pocket.
reusable snack bags
 
reusable snack bags
 
5) Sew the velcro onto the nylon.
reusable snack bags

6) With the velcro on the outside, sew the two equal edges of your nylon together.  Now you’re making a nylon pocket.

reusable snack bags

mikrual@yahoo.com7) Put the nylon pocket inside of the fabric pocket with the velcro facing out.

resusable snack bags

 8) Pin the two pieces together in a few places.

resusable snack bags

9) Sew (together) around the top edges of the fabric and nylon. Leave about three inches open where you don’t sew the fabric and nylon together. Make sure you backstitch where you stop. You want to reinforce this area.

10) Turn the fabric inside out. Then push the nylon back into the pouch.

resusable snack bags

 11) Find the open edges and fold them in together.  Pinch them together with your hands.  Then sew those closed.

resusable snack bags

resusable snack bags

You’re all set.  You’re now the proud owner of reusable snack bags.  All the kids want to be you, and all the moms want to kill you for sending the coolest lunches to school.

resusable snack bags

resusable snack bags

 A quick note about reusable snack bags; they’re not “airtight”, so food will get a bit stale if stored in them too long.
 
Love to sew? You’ll also love making these Aromatherapy Rice Bags.

About Sarah

Helping you serve up budget-friendly sustainable recipes with a side of balanced living.
Come for the food. Stay for the snark.

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21 Comments

  1. Have you considered selling these on your website? (For those of us who don’t manage our time wisely enough to make these)

  2. I have wanted to make these for so long, but have been put off my cost. I’m biting the bullet and doing it hopefully this weekend!
    Just a note: the Pinterest version with plastic bags usually requires them to be heat pressed or ironed together. These bags, when heated, can release toxins that aren’t food friendly, so ripstop nylon, though more expensive than free bags, is much safer!

    1. I was also wondering whether ripstop is food safe?

      I don’t really have occasion to take my lunch out much (I work from home), but we are starting obedience classes for our dog, and these would be perfect for training treats. I’m going to try this out next week. I’ll tag you on IG if I get decent results. šŸ™‚

      1. It is safer than the PUL waterproof material that many snack bags use. There is a 100% foodsafe product available on Amazon, but the cost is prohibitive for most people. But since I don’t put anything hot or greasy in there, I am comfortable using them for food.

        Please do let me know how you like them!

  3. I saw something similar somewhere on Pintrest. However, instead of nylon, they recycled plastic grocery bags. I don’t remember the exact details, but I know they stacked a bunch of bags together, then pressed them with an iron until they melded together. Then, they cut that out to use as a liner. I’m sure if you’re really interested, you could find it on Pintrest. That might take care of the “airtight” issue?

  4. YES! Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have seen these for sale and they are £££ don’t know why i didn’t think of making one. You are a star for reminding me, I’m so sick of throwing plastic lunch bags away.