Here's a little DIY project that doesn't take a huge investment of time or money and will be a hit with almost anyone you give it to: A Snack Sack!
If you ask me, snack sacks are one of the best inventions ever! We use them constantly - for waste-free lunches, roadtrips and any time we need food on the go. I've given many of them as gifts over the years, but I finally got around to making some myself. They are super easy to sew and once you've made one, you might as well make a bunch! Here's a quickie tutorial to get you on your way:
What You Need:
Fabric: Choose either PVC-free oil cloth (mine was from Mimi the Sardine although it's not clear if they still sell fabric by the yard. You can also try Etsy.) or organic cotton (check out the pretty prints from Daisy Janie, Betz White and others on Etsy.)
Coordinating thread
Velcro: 5-inch strip of 5/8 inch velcro
How to Make It:
For a finished bag of about 6" wide by 5" tall, start with a piece of fabric 7" wide x 12" long. (Make whatever size you want by adding 1" to the width and 2" to length of your fabric for seam allowances.)
On both top and bottom edges, turn fabric under 1/4 inch. Press (if using oil cloth, place a towel between iron and fabric and iron at a low setting) and sew in place.
Fold the same edges over another 3/4 inch. Press and pin in a couple places. Place velcro strip on each edge (the fuzzy side on one edge and the hook side on the other edge) and sew in place (see photo).
Fold material in half with right sides together. Stitch side seams at 1/2 inch. Turn bag inside out and push corners out with the end of a pencil if you need to. The velcro seams should match together at the top.
Voila - a simple snack sack!
Are snack sacks as indispensable in your life as they are in mine? Have you ever made your own?
Looking for more DIY gift ideas? Check out my Make It Green page for a listing of all my DIY posts all in one spot!
My Mom and I made some a few years ago. I love them! Use we them daily - my 3 kids and my husband all use them for their lunches and snacks. My daughter named them "snack-e bags."
Posted by: Kristina Greene | December 02, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Snack-e bags - that's so cute Kristina! Thanks for your comment!
Micaela Preston
Author of Practically Green: Your Guide to EcoFriendly Decision Making
Blog: Mindful Momma http://www.mindfulmomma.com
Twitter: @MindfulMomma
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mindful-Momma/124855990842?ref=ts
Posted by: Micaela | December 04, 2011 at 01:26 PM
Love this idea! Zip lock bags are so wasteful and its also a great activity to do with your kids!It is also a great lesson for them to learn early on. I also recommend making a lunch back out of the same material, especially as the kids get a bit older and don't want that clunky lunch box anymore and start carrying their lunches in plastic grocery bags or paper bags. They can make a fabric one out of material they think is cool. Another tip is to put the kids name on these bags. I know when I was a kid I was constantly leaving my lunch bag at school!
Posted by: Montreal Guitar Lessons | December 05, 2011 at 08:20 AM
What a nice idea and it's eco-friendly too. I always feel so bad for throwing away the baggies when I'm done. Thank you!
Posted by: Zoe | December 06, 2011 at 08:12 AM
Hi Zoe - Once you start using snack sacks, you'll probably never go back to using plastic baggies for snacks again! At least that's what happened to me!
Posted by: Micaela | December 06, 2011 at 10:33 AM
I made a few of these when my daughter started kinder this year. I love them! Some of the other moms have asked me where I got them and when I told them I made them, they offered to pay me to do some for them! Great way to cut back on waste!
Posted by: Stephanie | December 08, 2011 at 01:48 PM
Have really been wanting to make some of these. Nice work, looks great!
Posted by: Elisabeth@SimpleGreenishLiving | December 08, 2011 at 03:08 PM
Stephanie - how great that people want to hire you to make snack sacks! Have fun with it!
Thursday, December 8, 2011 3:48 PM
Subject: [Mindful Momma] Stephanie submitted a comment to "DIY Gift Idea: Simple Handmade Snack Sack"
Posted by: Micaela | December 09, 2011 at 09:43 AM
Hi Elizabeth - Glad you like the snack sacks! Are you going to try to make some yourself?
Posted by: Micaela | December 09, 2011 at 09:44 AM
I am not very crafty and well, I mostly definitely do not sew. With that said, I love this idea. My mom is the sewer, so I will have to pass this on to her to make for me. Lugging around my glass jars makes my purse very heavy!!! Cute designs! :)
Posted by: Good Girl Gone Green | December 09, 2011 at 09:55 AM
Hi Good Girl Stephanie - yeah, sewing is not for everyone. My Mom taught me when I was young, so I am hooked! Drop the hint to your Mom and maybe she'll make you a few!
Posted by: Micaela | December 09, 2011 at 10:16 AM
I love reusable bags. How do you wash the oil cloth ones?
Posted by: Emily @ Random Recycling | December 13, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Emily - I wash the oil cloth bags by hand.
Posted by: Micaela | December 14, 2011 at 08:15 AM