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DIY Lunch Bag with Free Pattern!

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How to Sew an Easy Lunch Tote

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

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Please read the whole post so you don’t miss any important information!

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?

A 4 year old's idea of fun soda fabric for his lunch bag.


“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.

If you sew a lot, make sure to check out our new app, Sew Organized, available FREE on the Android Play Store and the Apple App Store. Download it on the Android Play Store | Apple App Store

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.

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

Insul-brite quilted to exterior fabric.

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

Sew sides together.
Sew bottom onto bag exterior.

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.

Sew interior to exterior lunch bag.

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.

Sewing strap on.

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. You can also check out these other great lunch bag DIYs!

Love it? Pin it!

Children's lunch bag with road signs on it. Get the free pattern on diydanielle.com

Thanks for taking the time to read this post! I really appreciate the time you’ve taken. Please share, like, and pin my post if you enjoyed it. Follow me on social media and subscribe to my email list to keep up to date on all of my latest projects!

lunch bag sewing
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!

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.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

DIY Gift Ideas

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Sarah

Sunday 14th of July 2019

I too have subscribed and everything and still cant find the pattern...please help

Danielle

Sunday 14th of July 2019

Hi! It should pop up when you sign up through the link or in one of the first emails. If you don't see it, go ahead and shoot me an email and I'll send you the link directly. :)

[email protected]

Julie

Wednesday 20th of March 2019

I take it you are no longer giving this pattern to your subscribers so... What is the name of your book and where can I find it?

Danielle

Saturday 23rd of March 2019

It's still available to subscribers! If you're having trouble accessing it, send me an email and I'll give you the direct link! [email protected] :)

Kristiana

Wednesday 6th of March 2019

Hi I just bought your book as I could not find measurements for the lunch bag on your website and the book doesn't have them either. Where do I get measurements from?

Danielle

Wednesday 6th of March 2019

There's a link in the book to my Google Drive with the pattern. I'll send you an email with the link though to the email listed above! :)

Alison Chamberlin

Sunday 10th of February 2019

Hi there! I love this tutorial so much, and just subscribed so I’d be able to download the pattern and try it out myself. However neither on this page or the Patterns page can I find the link for the PDF download. Have I missed it somewhere, or does it come in your emails? Please let me know! I’d love to post the finished product after trying this out!

Debbie

Sunday 13th of January 2019

Love the lunch bag

Danielle

Tuesday 29th of January 2019

Thanks for the kind words! :)

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