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How to sew a lunch bag. Get the free lunch box pattern.

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My son needed a lunch tote for school- or rather, I wanted him to have a special one made by mommy- so I decided to show how to do this as part of the 30 Day Grab & Go Gift Series. I’ve made lunch bags for people before- they’re a fun gift and useful if you know the person packs a lunch. And they’re AWESOME for kids. What kid doesn’t love having a unique bag for school?

So I brought G (almost 5 years old) to the store and told him he could pick out his own fabric. What does he choose?

“I want the soda fabric mommy!” (as someone shopping nearby snickers, overhearing this)

Now y’all know… sometimes it’s worth the fight and sometimes it’s not. Normally I’d say whatever. But I figured this was a good time to redirect because I didn’t think this fabric would send the right message at preschool. Haha!

Fortunately he found some cute road signs fabric which I immediately snatched up like YES! WE HAVE CHOSEN! Let’s buy this before he changes his mind.

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Prefer a zippered pattern? Check out my sewing pattern for a square insulated lunch bag.

Supplies for Sewing a Lunch Bag

Supplies listed below may include affiliate links to the products.

• PUL Fabric (lining)
• Hook & Loop (generic term for ‘Velcro’)
• Exterior Fabric (I used a thick fabric for the bottom and cotton print my son picked out for the sides). I don’t see the same fabric I used available still, but ‘Route 66’ on Fabric.com has similar products)

  

• Insul-Brite
• Pattern (Available to subscribers-only)

How to Sew a Lunch Bag

Rough finished dimensions: 10″ tall, 7″ deep, 8″ wide. 

Step 1: Cut your fabric according to the instructions on the sewing pattern. My pattern making is amateur so make sure to check out my instructions on assembling my patterns.

Step 2: Baste or Quilt your Insul Brite to the exterior fabrics

Step 3: Sew all the sides of your exterior fabric right sides together, then sew bottom to the sides (again, right sides together)

Step 4: Do the same with the PUL interior fabric

Step 5: Turn PUL interior right sides out, then stuff inside the exterior fabric- right sides together. Pin.

Step 6: Sew around, leaving an area to turn and top stitch.

Step 7: Turn and top stitch.

Step 8: Add strap. I make sure to back stitch over the straps quite a bit so they won’t come off.

Step 9: Add hook & loop. You may want to add these before you sew everything together, but I find it easier to place it after sewing it altogether.

If you love this, you might also love my tutorial on how to sew a toy car carrier.

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Yield: 1 Lunch Bag

DIY Lunch Bag With Free Pattern

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $10

Make an adorable DIY lunch bag with this included free pattern. They make great gifts too!

Print

Materials

• PUL Fabric
• Hook & Loop
• Exterior Fabric
• Insul-Brite
• Lunch Bag Pattern

Tools

• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Cut your fabric with the instructions on the sewing pattern. 
2. Baste your Insul Brite to the exterior fabrics.
3. Sew all the sides of your exterior fabric right sides together.
4. Sew bottom to the sides.
5. Repeat with the PUL interior fabric.
6. Turn PUL interior right sides out.
7. Stuff inside the exterior fabric, right sides together. Pin.
8. Sew around, leaving an area to turn and top stitch.
9. Turn and top stitch.
10. Add strap. 
11. Add hook & loop.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Insul-Bright Insulated Lining - 36x45 inches

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Danielle Pientka

Danielle Pientka is the sewing and DIY blogger behind DIYDanielle.com. She taught herself to sew in 2011 when she wanted to make cloth diapers for her first son. She’s been sewing everything from ecofriendly items to kids products to clothing since, as it has become a passion. She loves learning how to do new things and teaching others in the process. She hopes to inspire other moms to take time for themselves to find their own creative passion.

Danielle lives in Maryland with her three young sons and her husband, Brandon. In her spare time, she gardens, reads, horseback rides, and has a small homestead with goats and ducks. Visit her shop to buy patterns or her sewing eBooks. Subscribe to her newsletter to get blog updates, free patterns and other printables by clicking here.