this week’s resolution is definitely one i have every year: “cook more and dine out less.” i spend quite a bit of money on lunch at work, mainly because i can’t get my act together to prepare something (the closest i got was bringing an entire loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter-forgot the knife though). so i thought maybe if i prettied up my lunch accessories it would help inspire me. this tote is just a canvas bag slightly doctored so that it opens to become a place setting, complete with snuggled utensils! i added button closures on the sides so it’s easy to open and close, and like all canvas bags it is machine washable. for all you lucky freelancers out there, maybe your kids or office-bound friends could use a present. happy crafting! – kate
click here for the step-by-step instructions or just click “read more” below.
Kate’s Handy Lunch Bag
What You’ll Need:
1. canvas bag
2. extra fabric for lining
3. elastic
4. needle and thread
5. sewing machine
6. scissors
7. buttons
Instructions:
1.Evenly cut open the sides of the bag and slice off the bottom so you have two flat pieces of canvas.
2. Pin the bottom back together and resew to create a flat bottom of the bag (like a zip lock bag, rather than a brown paper bag)
3. Fold in the rough sides and pin the lining around the entire edge of the bag. sew the lining with your sewing machine.
4. Measure where you want to place your buttons and buttons holes and mark with pencil. Sew your buttons onto the interior of the bag on both sides. Depending on the size of items you plan to place in the bag, you may want to add more or fewer buttons. I did three chunky buttons down each side.
5. Cut and stitch up your button holes.
6. Cut small loops of elastic for your utensils and use a needle and thread to sew them up.
7.Use your needle and thread to sew the elastic loops on the interior lining of the bag.
8. Stitch your design on the front and double check your buttons fit through and your utensils slide into the elastic.
VOILA!
