Reusable Sandwich Bags

I don't know about you but I end up spending what seems like a small fortune on sandwich bags for lunches...snacks...etc. I swear every time I turn around I hear "mom we're out of bags!" Ugh not to mention all the trash they create so I decided to make my own....

Supplies
fabric in your choice of print....
food safe vinyl.....
velcro....
thread....
You can opt for using PUL fabric and skip the food safe vinyl. This is that fabric that cloth diapers are made of!

I just used a sandwich bag to trace out a pattern just add about an extra inch all around for the seam and and extra amount on 1 piece for the foldover flap...then I attached my vinyl...if using PUL fabric there is no extra step here...notice how it is shiny looking....

The next step for this type is to fold down and iron the edges and just sew a straight stitch all around both pieces....

Then you place the pieces shiny sides  together and cut out and then sew on the velcro....

Here are the finished results.....

Instead of cutting out 2 pieces you can cut out 1 long rectangle, sew wrong sides together and fold in and sew the edges together. After you trim your corners turn the bag right side out and voila 1 piece! You can see the difference above the green plaid is 2 pieces and the recycle fabric is one piece.

Use like a regular sandwich bag and wipe clean or throw it in the washer it's up to you!

DIY Dish Mat

So I started working part time at a craft/sewing store and really enjoy it. I have been a little busy as Christmas is a busy holiday for all the crafty people out there. I have been eyeing this fabric for a while now and I was not sure what to make with it but I figured it out...easy...cheap...and quick.
I just bought a 1/2 yard of a print and 1/2 yard of a terry cloth in a coordinating color and laid the print fabric (double thickness) down wrong side to the terry cloth (double thickness) and stitched around the three edges...I then cut the corners before turning it right side out to help with bulk.....I then folded in the terry cloth and print pieces...gave them a good press with my iron and sewed a seam around and did a decorative zig zag around two edges and voila.....DIY washable dish mat....

See really cute print on one side and terry cloth on the bottom.....