tutorial: recycled reusable sandwich bag

If you're stopping in from Sew Much Ado, thanks!  And don't forget to see all the Go Green month projects on Abby's blog this month!


You'll need:

  • 1 pair men's khaki pants
  • 1/4 yard for lining, or find some scraps
  • (2) 8.5"w x 4" tall pieces of fabric for exterior accent
  • sew in velcro (3/4" wide)
  • thread

 Cutting the pieces:
Carefully cut the pieces from your khaki pants (you'll want to be sure to include the pocket lining when you cut), the pocket part of the pants will be the front of the bag and the opposite (plain part of khaki pants on the front side of the pant) will be the back.

Cut 2 pieces 8.5" x 8.5" from your pants (each pair of pants will yield two sandwich bags) and why not use the leg pieces for some drawstring backpacks while you're at it?!

Cut 2 pieces 8.5" x 8.5" from rip-stop nylon (if you want a water resistant lining), or just cotton will work too!

Sew on the accent fabric:


Iron down the long side a 1/4" on each piece.  Line up the fabric with the bottom of the bag, topstitch along top part of accent fabric.  Repeat for backside.



Sew the bag:


Place exterior pieces RIGHT sides together and sew along both sides and bottom. 


Repeat for lining fabric.


Turn lining piece right side out and place inside the exterior piece.


Sew around top of sandwich bag leaving a 2-3" opening for turning.  Turn right side out through hole.  Press.


Topstitch around entire opening of bag.

Sewing on the velcro:


Cut a strip of velcro approximately 5.5" long.  Pin in place on lining.  Sew around all four sides of velcro.  Repeat for other side of velcro.


If you want to add a special touch, replace the khaki pants pocket button with a pretty one.  You can even personalize them with a freezer paper stencil.  Another option would be to skip the accent exterior fabric and grab some fabric markers and let your kids decorate their own bags!

Slip in your sandwich, tuck in a little note, add a mint or piece of candy for after lunch and you're set!  Yum!


Terms of use: for personal use only.
on

53 comments:

  1. That is SO cute - would have never thought to use the pants pockets. Great idea!! Love your blog!

    Lindsay

    ReplyDelete

  2. How creative! A pants pocket??? You're good.

    ReplyDelete

  3. these are great. i am headed to look a the others right now. i love a green solution

    ReplyDelete

  4. Very cute. I love that you recycled the pants and used the pockets! Clever!
    - Suzanne
    justanotherhangup.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

  5. fabulous idea ! thanks for sharing !

    ReplyDelete

  6. my sister and i were just discussing re-usable sandwich bags yesterday... such a timely post :]

    ReplyDelete

  7. super cute and great tutorial thanks for sharing!

    CMonster
    www.bythemonsterandme.com

    ReplyDelete

  8. Great use for an otherwise useless pocket! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

  9. I have been wanting to try reusable sandwich bags. These are too cute! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

  10. I love it!!! I've been saving the pocket pieces of pants that's I've cut up for other purposes, and now I've got a project for the pockets.

    I linked to your project here:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-reusable-sandwich-bag-from-an-old-pair-of-pants/2010/03/25/

    --Anne

    ReplyDelete

  11. These are so cute! I love the creative ways you recycle pants! :-)

    ReplyDelete

  12. Where do you come up with these ideas?? Very cool.

    ReplyDelete

  13. Anna -
    These are simply adorable! I just love them. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete

  14. I really need to make some of these! What a great idea!

    ReplyDelete

  16. Awesome, really cute. They'd be a perfect fit on my blog. Come see, maybe we can do a giveaway feature or something. Great blog. Keri (a.k.a. Sam)

    ReplyDelete

  17. Great Anna!! I would love to give this a try sometime, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

  18. UMMMM...anna, Brilliant! You are such a clever lady. (sorry for sounding like a broken record on that :) )
    Hey, where do you buy "rip-stop nylon"?

    ReplyDelete

  19. OH MY GOSH HOW CUTE IS THAT!!!! You are amazing! I love this.heeh..ee.

    ReplyDelete

  20. CUTE!! Thanks for the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete

  21. I will be making some of these. thanks so much! Karen

    ReplyDelete

  22. Great idea! I think that reusing pants for this is so clever! I love reusable sandwich bags!

    ReplyDelete

  23. You always have such super ideas and it's so much fun to see them! Thank you very much. I will be sewing one for sure. Greetings from Germany

    ReplyDelete

  25. I love this!!! so totally going to make one (or two) this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete

  26. this is so great, anna! smartypants!!!

    ReplyDelete

  27. Great idea to use the pockets...

    ReplyDelete

  28. How do you come up with all the ideas? I'm new here and looking forward to be inspired.

    ReplyDelete

  29. such a nice idea! thank you for sharing!
    best wishes from Austria!

    ReplyDelete

  30. love this! yet another project that I want to make over easter break. where will i find the time!

    ReplyDelete

  32. I love your color combinations-what a great idea!
    Jana

    ReplyDelete

  33. Seriously, is there anything you can't make with a pair of men's cargo pants?? Love them!

    ReplyDelete

  35. Love this on so many levels! Makes me wish we could wear out our khakis faster! Thanks for sharing and I'll be linking on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete

  36. FUN tastic!!!
    :D
    I love it! Can i post in my blog??
    plese visit us!
    www.espacionualan.com

    Regards!
    nu

    ReplyDelete

  37. Very neat! Do you have any trouble with the bread drying out or does the velcro close securely enough?

    ReplyDelete

  38. I don't think a sandwich would last fresh more than a day, but crackers and snacks would probably be okay for a couple days.

    ReplyDelete

  39. This was a great tutorial. I had been looking for one for snack bags and couldn't decide which to use. I'm glad I went with yours, I am so happy with how they turned out...

    http://babyvalone.blogspot.com/2010/05/khakis-turned.html

    ReplyDelete

  40. Well done! Thanks for sharing ... I've posted a link.

    ReplyDelete

  41. I loved this idea of yours. I am featuring it today at my Back 2 School Bash at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

  42. This is so cute! I've mentioned your project here http://crossxmyxhooks.blogspot.com/2010/08/fan-fridays-eco-crafts.html and I hope you'll pop by :)

    ReplyDelete

  43. Such a great idea! A question for those who've already tried and used them -- do you just wash them in the washing machine?

    ReplyDelete

  44. hey stephanie~ I just wash them in the washing machine turned inside out, you could also stash them in a lingere bag so the velcro doesn't get caught on other things you're washing. oh and it probably wouldn't hurt to be using an all natural type laundry detergent.

    ReplyDelete

  45. loved this...featured it on my blog today

    kimboscrafts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

  46. That is too cute! I have a ton of fabric for sandwich baggies (to sew) and I think I need to try these too. I'll have to stop at the Goodwill and pick up some $1 pants - maybe in the kids section. This would be a cute idea for a purse too.

    Thanks! Tina "The Book Lady"
    http://familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

  48. Wooow... less than 100 comments!!... I have to take advantage of this and write my comment on your blog... ok... what should I write??... mmm, I don't think my criminal history would help me gain your sympathy, uh?? haha... anyway, I just want you to know that I think you're a terrific blogger and writer... so, thanks for that.. now I know I'm not a robot. well, this comment is getting too long to be read, so i'll stop now...

    ReplyDelete

  49. Using pants pockets is a genius idea! Next time I'm throwing out a pair of pants, I am cutting out the pockets. :)

    ReplyDelete

  50. Anna- A few days ago I posted a comment here re: the risk of using these bags for unwrapped food; sandwiches, etc. as you suggest. Bacteria can grow in these, or any, fabric bags if not washed daily. I noticed my comment was removed promptly by you. Do you not want others to see the risk in using these bags as you describe? Why do you take that as a criticism? Are you that arrogant that you would risk food poisoning by those who choose to sew them? No one is questioning your sewing skills and talent. You could simply suggest they wrap the food well before placing them in the bag!

    ReplyDelete

  51. Sounds good to me anonymous. I honestly thought that your first comment was spam (I had turned off my word verification for comments and was getting a ton). I actually have never heard of the bacteria thing, my mom uses the ones I made her almost every day for over two years now.

    And please don't call me arrogant, that's just mean.

    ReplyDelete

  52. http://www.healthytheory.com/reusable-grocery-bags-can-harbor-e-coli

    ReplyDelete

  53. So cute!

    I’d love it if you shared this with the Fun Family Crafts audience.
    FFC is similar to Craftgawker but it only features kid friendly tutorials.

    Looking forward to seeing what fun crafts you submit!
    http://funfamilycrafts.com

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...