June 17, 2014

Fun Lunch Bag






The time had come to make something else that had been on my to do list.  Ever since I made my sister a lunch bag from a purse pattern some time ago, I wanted to make a different pattern that would be quicker and more fun to make.  I have been putting it off because so many other things had to be made first.

When I got on Bloglovin' last week and looked at the new post from Sew Mama Sew, I saw the lunch bag I had been meaning to make.  It was from Sherri of Thread Riding Hood.  Find it here.  It was cute, looked fast and easy, was insulated, had a zipper top and folded flat for storage.  Just what I was looking for!



I decided to use the fabric that was left over from the Butterfly Bag I made back in February.  I wanted it to be fun and bright.  There are also directions to piece and quilt the front, for a completely different look.





This lunch bag has a zipper top which goes in easily...don't let it scare you.  The pattern called for a separating zipper.  I used a regular zipper.  I just used a larger zipper than what was used in the pattern and trimmed the excess when adding the zipper tab on one end and when sewing the zipper into the side seam on the other side.  It worked great. If you don't want to add the zipper, there are directions for adding a magnetic snap instead.





Look at how big the bottom of this bag is.  But the best thing about it is that it folds back in half onto itself to allow the bag to lay flat for storage. 





How great is that?





The inside is large.  The tutorial called for using rip stop nylon for the lining but I chose to use a heavier laminate fabric for extra body and I love how that turned out.  The bag has a layer of Insul-Bright to make it insulated.  It holds everything you can need  for lunch.  I love it and will definitely make more.


 

14 comments:

  1. It's great Marilyn. I had purchased a similar style lunch bag that was a bit smaller several years ago. It wasn't nearly as pretty as your bag is though, lol!!!

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    1. Thanks, Daryl. I loved making this one. I'm sure you'll see more. I might even try my hand at piecing the front..I've never done that before.

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  2. The laminate really makes the inside better.
    I looked at this bag but it looked too short to stash a water bottle inside - 22oz. Which is usually what i am carrying when i pack a lunch.
    Which means i am carrying bottle separately and then the lunch bag looks too big for my lunch.... How tall is the bag when you place stuff inside up to the zipper?
    My w. bottle stands 9.5" tall.

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    1. It measures 7 1/2" up to the zipper when sitting on a hard surface. It does have about another 1' give if carrying. Plenty of room to put things at an angle, though, if your water bottle doesn't leak. If you don't care about the zipper, there are directions for a magnetic snap instead that would probably let your water bottle stand up in the bag because the height of the entire bag is about 10 1/2".

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    2. Thanks Marilyn,
      I put this back on my back burner as I ponder whether to add a bottle pocket to the side or make the outside more of a design moment. I really do like the structure the laminate gives this bag.

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  3. I love the possibilities with this lunch bag! It would be great for back to school lunches this fall!

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    1. Thanks, Holly. I think it is really a cute design. And you are right, tons of possibilities with all of the fabric choices.

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  4. I saw this on sew mama sew and loved it straight away. Yours is delightful. I wondered about the handle though. Is it stiff enough to carry it without crumpling or folding over.

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    1. Mine are. I think that the laminate I used as the inside lining makes the bag hold its shape really well. I am sure the pieced and quilted one would definitely have no problem.

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  5. Love your lunch bag! So cute, I really need a new one :)

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  6. your lunchbag looks great! I like the zippered top

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    1. Thanks, Allison. The pattern was just the combination I was looking for.

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  7. I like your post. It is good to see you verbalize from the heart and clarity on this important subject can be easily observed... thermal lunch box

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