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Lunch Box Bag

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lunch box bag

After skipping for a week from the tutorial update, I am back with a bag sewing pattern and tutorial. Here it is, lunch box bag with drawstring cover. The drawstring cover acts as the bag closure and will prevent the contents from falling out. The drawstring makes the lunch bag easy to open and close too. In addition, pay attention to the base of the bag, it is not the normal rectangle base, read on to see it. You may add an insulated lining to make a thermal lunch box bag. The bag lays flat when not in use so it won’t take up much space for storage.

Even though I categorized it as a lunch box bag but I think you can basically use it for anything you want to carry around. I would say it is nice to carry a small craft project when you are on the go, for example, crochet, knitting, tatting, small hand-sew patchwork, etc….

pink lunch box bag pattern

There are another 2 needle felting pattern and tutorial in the queue waiting to be written and published but I have to put them aside to author this lunch box bag tutorial in priority. This is due to loads of feedback (I love the requested feedback, please pour again!!!) I received from emails and messages requesting to share the lunch box bag when I previewed the work in progress in Craft Passion’s Facebook Page, so I happily cutting in line especially for you.

bag with drawstring cover

By the way, the reason for missing action for a week was because of my son’s birthday preparation. He wanted to celebrate his birthday with his classmates so dearly that he keeps on reminding me of the date and what he would like me to do. It is his last year in kindergarten, he wanted to make a great memory with his classmates before being parted and leaping to formal education. He wanted me to make a goodie bag for each of his classmates that were stuffed with beautiful cookies inside. When the date is getting closer, the reminder gets intensified, and thus my stress… phew!!! For the first time, I have ever sewed that many bags at once and got them completed in 2 days. I sewed a total of 16 lunch box bags as the goodie gift bags for my son’s birthday, 14 for his classmates, 1 for him, and 1 for my daughter. The lunch box bag has a name tag made of washable craft paper, so the kid can write down their name on it. The bag can be washed and reused for years to come. I baked and decorated some pretty cookies (recipe to follow soon), packed and add some treats and stationery items into the bag (peep them here).

sew lunch bag

To complete his birthday, I baked 20 cupcakes and decorated them with fondant icing (you can see it here) a day before his birthday. I also made a fondant mouse as the cupcake topper just for him and it was all set until the day. I am so happy that his classmates’ loved all the things I created for the party. Upon arrival at the kindergarten, the kids surrounded the table and keep on wowing repeatedly as I set up the birthday counter, they are so adorable!!! Even the moms wrote in the Kindergarten Facebook to express their amazement. Thank you all for leaving such a great memory to my son and it has made a great moment for us!!!

lunch bag sew pattern
lunch box bag

LUNCH BOX BAG SEWING PATTERN

Yield: 6″ (W) x 12 1/2″ (H) x 4″ (D) LUNCH BOX BAG
Active Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Avid Beginner
Estimated Cost: $6 - $10

After skipping for a week from the tutorial update, I am back with a bag sewing pattern and tutorial. Here it is, lunch box bag with drawstring cover. The drawstring cover acts as the bag closure and will prevent the contents from falling out. The drawstring makes the lunch bag easy to open and close too. In addition, pay attention to the base of the bag, it is not the normal rectangle base, read on to see it. You may add an insulated lining to make a thermal lunch box bag. The bag lays flat when not in use so it won’t take up much space for storage.

Enjoy sewing them!

Download and print separately SEWING PATTERN for drawing the fabric.

Materials

  • Fabric, for bag – 10 1/2″ x 19″
  • Interfacing (medium weight) – 10 1/2″ x 19″
  • Fabric, for lining – 10 1/2″ x 19″
  • Fabric, for drawstring cover – 2 pcs. of 10 1/2″ x 6″
  • Fabric, for handles – 2 pcs of 3″ x 14″, or use webbing tape 3/4″ width 2 pcs of 14″
  • Drawstring cord, 2 pcs of 24″
  • Drawstring beads or stopper, 2 pcs. optional

Tools

  • Sewing machine
  • Sewing kits
  • Pencil or Erasable fabric marker
  • Ruler
  • Scissors or roller cutter
  • Cord threader
  • Iron

Instructions

    lunch box bagGather all the materials and tools needed as listed above. Download the sewing pattern sheet for the dimension and cut the fabrics according to the pattern sheet.

    lunch box bagFuse interfacing webbing to the wrong side of the bag fabric with a warm iron. Make sure it is properly fused and no trapped air bubbles between the fabrics.

    lunch box bagThe bag fabric with interfacing attached. Set aside.

    lunch box bagFold the lining fabric into halve with right side facing each other.
    Sew both side edges with 5/16″ seam allowance.

    lunch box bagPinch the vertical centerlines of both front and back piece, open up the lining, bring center to side and seam lines to center. Align the front and back seam lines, the bottom reverse triangle must be perpendicular to the seam lines. Measure 4″ horizontally across the bottom of the triangle of the front corner and sew. Repeat the same at the other corner of the bag. [Update: it is not 4″ from the tip of the triangle, it is 4″ perpendicular to the sewn line, which is also the length that you are going to sew.] Cut away the extra with 5/16″ seam allowance.

    lunch box bagThe lining should look like this after the seams return to its side position. Set aside.

    lunch box bagFold the long edges of the handle toward the center, leaving about a 1/4″ in between them. Press with the iron to set the crease lines. Fold it into half and press with an iron. Sew a line near the edge on both sides. Repeat the same to the second handle. Set aside.

    lunch box bagPlace 2 pieces of drawstring fabric with right side facing each other. Sew the short side of the edges till the 1 1/2″ marking. Press seam open.

    lunch box bagTopstitch about 1/8″ from the seam line at both sides.

    lunch box bagDouble fold the top edge to the wrong side to make a 5/8″ pocket for the drawstring. Topstitch 2 lines. Set aside.

    lunch box bagFold the bag fabric into halve, fold the bottom 2″ up. Sew the side with 5/16″ seam allowance.

    lunch box bagTurn the bag right side out, expand the base of the bag to have 4″ on the sides and roughly 6″ on the front & back.

    lunch box bagYou may press it flat like this by simply push the bottom into the bag.

    lunch box bagAttach the handle 4 1/2″ apart (inner space), stitch it on about 3/8″ from the top edge. Repeat the same to the other handle.

    lunch box bagTurn the drawstring fabric to the wrong side and slip it onto the bag, with drawstring pocket facing down.

    lunch box bagInsert the bag and drawstring pieces into the lining piece. Align side seams. Change the facing of the seam allowance if needed to avoid thick fabrics on the same spot.

    lunch box bagSew around with 1/2″ seam allowance, leaving a 3″ to 3 1/2″ opening for turning right side out.

    lunch box bagTurn the bag right side out from the opening.

    lunch box bagPress the top seam neatly and sew 4 lines within 1 inch from the top edge.

    lunch box bagThread drawstring cord and install stoppers (optional) to complete the lunch box bag. Install name tag to bag if you wish. I used faux nubuck leather aka washable craft paper or kraft paper fabric, you may use felt as an alternative. I stamped the grass and dragonfly by using StazOn Multi-Surface Inkpad, Stone Graystazon. You may lay the bag flat when not in use.

    sew lunch bag

    bag with drawstring cover

    Notes

    Seam Allowance: 5/16″ (included in the pattern), otherwise as indicated.

    If you are using canvas or upholstery fabric for the bag, you may omit the interfacing.

    Get the full article at https://www.craftpassion.com/lunch-box-bag/

    Did you make this project?

    Please leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram. Don't forget to tag @craftpassion so that we can see it.

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    Sadie

    Monday 1st of May 2023

    My bag turned out beautifully. Thank you so much for this tutorial. It was written so well and the pictures are perfect. The bottom had me puzzled at first the 2" fold but it is amazing.

    Sue

    Saturday 15th of April 2023

    I don’t understand the step after the top is turned and stitched for the drawstring… The step where the bag is folded in half and turned up 2”.. Can someone please explain this step more precisely.

    Craft Passion

    Saturday 22nd of April 2023

    Hi Sue, that is the bottom of the main bag, and the folded part is to create a rectangle base for the beg. Hope this clarified your question.

    Lani

    Friday 21st of October 2022

    I made 2 of these little cuties today (posted on Instagram). My daughter chose the pattern for a lunch bag. I'm not sure the small size will work for that, but we'll try it out and if not, I guess I'll adjust the dimensions and make another! :)

    Note: I used a thermal interfacing and a waterproof lining since my intention was a lunchbag in case anyone else wanted to know that!

    Craft Passion

    Friday 21st of October 2022

    That will be great to have your review on the size, do share your IG link so that we get to know more about your revision pattern.

    Susan Ruch

    Saturday 6th of March 2021

    Thank you for such a user friendly tutorial. I liked this design so well that I thought it would make a cute purse, so I changed the dimensions and it came out beautifully, in my opinion, of course. In fact I made two, once with patchwork and once with stripes I had sewn together and quilted. Thanks again.

    Becky

    Tuesday 23rd of February 2021

    Thank you so much for sharing this project. As a beginner it’s nice to see these tutorials before deciding to dive in. I love my little bag and plan to use it for small knitting projects.

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