DIY Lunch Bag – How To Instructions With Images!
Are you ready to make a fabric lunch bag? Today I am sharing how to DIY a lunch bag. This reusable lunch bag made with oilcloth fabric. This is part of our back to school DIY and sewing series. This is a quick and easy sewing project.
You don’t even need a sewing pattern. We give you all the dimensions and instructions with step by step images to make this easy sewing project. Just use the instructions to cut your fabric and make this lunch bag on the sewing machine.
Looking for something else? See all our Back to School Ideas
Lunch bags are a great beginner sewing project! Since having my granddaughter over to visit we have been sewing. It feels good to get out a machine and do a few DIY sewing projects. Yay! We are kicking off summer with some new sewing tutorials. These tutorials can be made anytime and this one is great for anyone who wants to make reusable lunch bags.
We hope you make some. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and tag us @DearCreatives #dearcreatives so we can see your finished sewing project. Or post it on our Facebook page.
DIY Lunch Bag
Let’s get started making this cloth lunch bag.
Supplies
Supplies Sourced mostly from Amazon
*1/2 yard of your main oilcloth fabric 
(we used cherry print oilcloth)
1/2 yard of your complimentary oilcloth (we used green gingham print oilcloth fabric )
Sewing Scissors
or Pinking Shears
All-purpose thread
Wonder sewing clips
1 package of Velcro circles
, squares or ovals. You can use the sticky back or sew it on.
Sewing machine (roller foot or water-soluble stabilizer
(skip to 3:18 to see tips for sewing oilcloth as shown in this video) or add scotch tape to the bottom of your sewing foot to make it stick less when sewing (skip to 3:10 to see scotch tape sewing tip for working with oilcloth as shown in this video)
If you need a sewing machine you might like this (basic) Brother Machine or this (with embroidery stitches and bundle) Janome Machine.
I purchased this Hello Kitty Janome Sewing Machine (which has speed controls) for my granddaughter and helped her sewing lunch bags on it. I love it for the speed controls to. It’s easy to use and I enjoy sewing on it too. I’ve used it for helping fix things for my daughter. If you are newer to sewing getting speed controls can help you build up confidence and is especially good for kids, tweens, and teens who are learning to sew.
Stay tuned for this tutorial and how to make a reusable snack bag.
Amazon has so many great oilcloth fabric
selections; red and white gingham print oilcloth, orange print oilcloth, cherry print in aqua oilcloth.
How to make oilcloth lunch bags
Step 1
Measure, mark, and cut 2 pieces of your main *fabric 20 inches long by 8 inches wide.
Step 2
Measure, mark, and cut 3 pieces of your complimentary fabric. Two pieces 20 inches long by 8 inches wide, and one-piece 5 inches by 8 inches.
Steps 3-4
With right sides facing each other, clip or pin the base to the sides and sew with a 1/2” seam allowance. At each corner where the sides are joined to the base, cut a 1/2” square. If you want, but not imperative, you can open the seams and tack them down at each end or sew a wider zig-zag stitch all the way along the seams.
Steps 5-6
With right sides facing each other, clip or pin the short width of the base to the front and back pieces of the bag and sew with a 1/2” seam allowance. Again, if you want, but not imperative, you can open the seams and tack them down at each end or sew a wider zig-zag stitch all the way along the seams.
Step 7
With a 1/2” seam allowance, join the front and back pieces to the sides. You can do the same with the seams as in the two steps above.
Steps 8-9
Turn down the top of the bag 1/4-1/2” and clip.
Sew around the opening of the bag. (Because oilcloth doesn’t fray much, you can skip this step if you like. If you are using cotton fabric and a lining, you will need to complete these steps)
Step 10
Turn the back right side out. Topstitch about 1/4” along all the seams. This helps the bag stand up on its own.
Step 11
To attach the Velcro, fold the bag down twice and mark the middle of the front, the main piece of the lunch bag. Directly above this spot, mark where the bag is folded. Attach 1-3 pieces of Velcro. I
suggest adding at least 2, about 1” in from the side, on each side so it is more secure.
If you don’t have oilcloth, you can use cotton fabric and a waterproof lining
. I like this one because it’s iron-on.
. I like this one because it’s iron-on. Tada! You made the DIY Lunch Bag. Now don’t forget to show us! If you need a little more help with the sewing or construction watch these helpful videos!
Do It Yourself Lunch Bags Videos
Want to make a lunch bag from cloth fabric? View this helpful tutorial for a DIY lunch bag
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Looking for more easy sewing projects or DIYs to make?
- How to make a snack bag from Capri Sun Pouches is another easy sewing project.
- Make Your Own Fabric and How to Make Zipper Pouch Tutorial *This is a pencil case. Or you could use it for a cosmetic case. We use our pencil case for our art pens and pencils. It’s easy to make!
- 10 Zipper and Non-Zipper Pouches
- Wide Mouth Zipper Pouch
- Video Tutorial How to Install a Zipper for Pouches
- Sewing Clutches (video tutorial)
- Weekend DIY Inspiration Sewing Clutches / Patterns
Are you looking for a fun back to school craft? Try making a pencil case for your kids. See all these easy to make ideas- 20 Sew and No Sew Pencil Cases DIY
25 Back to School Crafts try any of these crafts for kids, home, and school.
