How to Make a Snack Bag & Silhouette in Action!



We love our snack bags! It’s awesome not to see all those plastic bags get trashed but most importantly (ha) we get to look at a pretty little scrap of fabric while we nosh. These are really fun to make because it’s an easy scrap-busting project and the embellishment options are endless! I was inspired to try out the new interfacing from Silhouette to create an applique for one bag. I made a sweet ribbon bow for the other.


Learn how to make a snack bag and see the Silhouette in fabric-cutting action…

Before you get started on this project you will need to get some polyurethane coated nylon pack cloth which seems to be the best food-safe liner for these bags according to this informative discussion on ETSY. But holy shipping cost on that site! Does anyone have a good source for this material? PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH ON FOODSAFE FABRICS, WE ARE NOT EXPERTS. I made these with natural canvas and un-coated rip-stop nylon which worked pretty well but doesn’t hold in freshness as well as some other snack bags I have bought from handmade sellers. I also have some snack bags from Munchkin that are nice. You will also need velcro and pretty fabric scraps.

First for the Applique:

1. I selected scraps for my bag and the applique. 2 – 8″ squares of the Ukulele fabric, 2 – 8″ squares of my lining and a 4.5″ scrap of my applique fabric.

2. I made a “C” in the font “Giddy-Up” at about 4″ high using the Silhouette software.

3. I ironed the interfacing to the back of the scrap as directed, trimmed the edges and peeled off the backing.

4. I positioned my scrap on the adhesive cutting mat.

5. Then I cut my applique (or more accurately, watched in amazement as the Silhouette cut it for me.) I should have done a set cut on my fabric first, as the first round didn’t cut through the fabric. I changed the setting for a deeper cut and it worked great! I only had to cut threads with my x-acto blade in 3-4 small spots. I wonder if it would make sense to keep a separate Silhouette blade for cutting fabric? I know how paper can dull a blade.

6. Here’s the applique. Pretty cool, right? I’m no applique expert but it seems like this shape would be difficult and annoying to cut by hand.

7. Peel the applique off of the mat and position on your background fabric.

8. Iron in place.

9. Optional: Iron a scrap of stabilizer to the back of the fabric, behind your applique. It just helps your design lay flat through washing etc. Applique-ers, do you usually do this before or after you sew your applique? I’ve seen it both ways.

10. Use a tight zig-zap all the way around the edge of your applique. Pull any lose threads through the back of your piece.

11. Now take a square of your fabric and a square of your lining and place them right-side-facing. If you are using poly-coated nylon, the coating is the back side of your fabric. Sew along the top edge with 1/4″ seam. Note: all my photos show pins. Best not to poke holes in you poly coated lining (duh.) This project is easy enough to do without pins! Repeat with other square of fabric & lining.

12. Open piece so you see the front of the fabric and sew one side of Velcro to the very edge of the lining. Repeat with other side.

13. Fold so wrong-sides are facing in and iron top seam if needed.

14. Line up 2 pieces so fronts of outer fabric are facing and trim three raw sides square and even.

15. Sew all the way around the three (non-Velcro) sides with a narrow seam. 1/8″-1/4″

It will look like this.

16. Now turn your piece right-side-out and iron if necessary.

17. Sew around the three non-Velcro sides again, encasing your inner seam. Be sure to do a bunch of back and forth stitches at the start and finish as this top edge will get alot of wear and tear. You may even want to go back and re-enforce it with a tight zig-zag. This top-stitching would be a fun place to use a decorative stitch.

And you’re finished! If you love the Ukulele fabric used on this project, you’re in luck because we are giving away a fat-quarter of it for the best comment this week!

Now for the second bag. For this style (the reverse of the above instructions) I would recommend using only thin materials like cotton with nylon lining. I used canvas here and it was a bit bulky, I wish I had sewn this one as described above.

1. This size is nice for a little snack. I cut all pieces 6″x6″

2. For the embellishment, Loop ribbon as shown, cut off tail, and position on top of second length of ribbon.

3. Sew bow to center of 6″ ribbon. back-n-forth to secure.

4. hand stitch button to center of bow. Add a dab of glue to back to secure lose threads.

5. Sew ribbon to front of fabric, approx 1″ from top. top and bottom

Follow steps 11-14 as described above, except in step 14, trim with fabric front facing out.

6. Rather than sewing “inside” first as described in the first tutorial, start with lining facing and sew around 3 sides.

Like this…

7. Turn inside-out, iron if needed, and sew around 3 sides again, encasing the seam. Be sure to front-n-back stitch a few times at start and finish as these edges get lots of “pulling”

8. Turn inside out and you’re done!

Fit for the queen!

by

54 Comments

Lesley

These Are just so cool! I also hate zip lock bags being throw away all all the time but they are just so hard to clean without leaving a film. I will definitely be looking into doing this one

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Sara

I really need to try the fabric interface for the Silhouette….AND I love that you used the tiny guitar fabric. So adorable!

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Scrap'N'Play

Hubby bought me a Silhouette and I just got it the other day!!! I can't wait to try the applique part of things. Just gotta get some of their interfacing. I love the tutorial. I've been looking for one since I'm so tired of buying the bags and having them not last through his lunch! lol

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Shannon

So YES, this is a wonderful tutorial and YES, I love the Ukulele fabric for the snack bag (so I must win this week as I NEED to make snackbags with it), but may I just say that the Little in the blue shirt noshing on the sandwich is absolutely precious? I could eat that Precious up! May I have that in my snack bag? Please?

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Shannon

@ Stacy (who is {kinda} crafty. . . GREAT IDEA!! Wouldn't it be so cute to make snack bags out of Michael Miller's Cupcake Party in Aqua or Pink, or even Kyla May Novelty's Cupcakes in Pink, and then put cake pops or cookie pops in them? I think I have found my favors for my 6 year-old's birthday party in June. Thanks! You are so more than "kinda" crafty! ;o)

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Margarita

I was going to suggest the laminanted cotton cloth as well since "they" are saying it's BPA, PVC and phalate free– but I'm still searching for a manufacturer that states it directly–not the resellers— especially since it comes in such cute patterns! (and people get really riled up when BPA comes up in a conversation!)

I've got some leftover PUL from my diaper making days (totally gave that up with the reality of a newborn and full time work) which isn't bpa free– but shouldn't be a probelem for wetbags– which the snackbag would be great for as well! (I swear those sippies will leak even when empty sometimes!– wish some came with covers!)

Thanks for the tutorial!

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Alisa

I LOVE this idea (and I don't know why I never thought of doing it myself!). Your link to Sunbrella shows a 400D pack cloth, do you know if a 420D pack cloth would work too? There seems to more of that available online but I don't want to order it if it won't work! 🙂

I just found your website a few days ago and I've been pouring over it, there are so many projects I want to do, now I just need more time in the day – thank you!!!

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Kimberly

From what I have read you can't use the PUL! I thought about that as well but will now use my leftover PUL to line a garbage bag for my van. I did see where you can waterproof your own fabric making your own oil or beeswax cloth not sure if it would be cheaper. I want to do this so bad but don't want to have to pay $20 for a yard of fabric after shipping, that's just not uh….Prudent.

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FlybabyInMaine

Ok call me silly but I think I am going to try this… by making the bag and using some fabric glue to adhere a ziploc bag to the inside, sure it means hand washing, but that is better than paying that shipping cost for the other material… I live so far from a fabric store (400 mile round trip) and my chances of finding anything like that at Walmart are… ZERO… so I will just have to get thrifty and make it work for me!

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Jacinda

FlybabyinMaine-I was thinking something similar but was just going to use a heavy weight bag, like a freezer ziplock as the inside fabric. Not glue or anything, just use this tute with the plastic as the inside lining and sew it. Anyone have reasons why that might or might not work?

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Faith Pray

I don't have a Silhouette or a fabric store nearby, but I do have scissors and a cast-off raincoat, which will do fabulously with this pattern. Probably minus the monogram – heck, I'm not nearly that clever with scissors! Thank you for the how-to!

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Stacy @ She's {kinda} Crafty

I just finished making 6 of these for my daughter's party. I am going to put them on the favor table so the kiddos can load up on snacks on the way out 🙂 Thank you so much for the tutorial. I was lazy (as usual) and used my Silhouette to cut the letters out of heat transfer and just ironed those babies on (see above name of my blog, I am only kinda crafty and that craftiness doesn't extended to appliqueing)! Very excited about these!

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DomesticatedMama

After making 20 of these, I think I am done for awhile 🙂 however, I know there has been a lot of back and forth on the lining – to be safe i ended using an unbleached, natural cotton. they are not wipeable but at least they are washable and best for dried snacks (goldfish, pretzels, etc) thanks again!

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Nicole

Love the ribbon snack bag. Adorable!!! I might just add a ribbon like that to everything!!!! Joann's makes a PUL (laminated and waterproof) they carry pastel colors too. Not quite waterproof enough for a cloth diaper cover, but great for juicy snacks!

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LadyGen

As far as appliques go – I only ever do when the fabric needs to be stabilized – like t-shirt fabrics, or something else stretchy. Canvas shouldn't need it – quilting cottons don't even usually need it. I'm definitely looking forward to making some of these, but I just can't find the time with a 2 month old and no extra pair of hands!

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Kristin Kirch

Holy cow. Your website is amazing!!! I am so excited to make these for my little girls Candy Land Birthday party as favors!! They will put the candy in the bags and take them home. 🙂 SO great. I am still trying to decide what to use for the inside…. Hmmmm…

Reply
Mariel

So here's my dilemma… What fabric to use for the lining. You guys should write a post testing different options and why you like them or not. 😉 I made some as party favors for my kids birthday and just used cotton figuring it would be a food safe alternative. Please advice! Thanks! You guys are the best!

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Aleta

I have a thought…. just a thought at this time since I haven't tried it yet. BUT I have a clear (brand new!!) shower curtain that I used part of to make an organizer with see thru pockets(I was too excited to try the project but didn't want to wait long eonough to go to Joann's for the recommended vinyl.) It's water proof….. sturdy…..and easy to clean….(and super cheap!!) I'm going to try that as a liner for these bags. That would save some money and help the planet!!

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Isobel

these bags are such a good idea! Going to try some for preschool and if the girls like them their brother’s luchbags I’ll make msome schoolgirl bags! Regarding keeping a separate Silhouette blade for fabric, I think that is a very good idea 🙂

Reply
Quays creations

What about the lining from cereal and cracker boxes? They work well as freezer bags! You could wash your bags in cold water you would just have to lay flat or hang to dry. I think I’ll try seeing one of them into a fabric bag and try it out 😀 I’ll get back to everyone shortly and let you all know the outcome 🙂

Reply
KaMarlowete

I’m envious of that Silhouette and very much wish I could afford it. Sigh. Someday. These were cute.

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