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Today we have another post from our ever-crafty web producer Ashley Little:

"I bring my lunch to work in a reusable container, stashed in my bag along with my wallet. Why is this a bad idea? Various things leak into my bag – salad dressings, mayonnaise, lemon juice – and wreak havoc on its contents. After paying for coffee one morning using balsamic vinegar-soaked dollar bills, I realized it was time for a lunch bag.

I decided to make an Oilcloth Lunch Bag because it can easily be wiped clean. Instead of making the entire bag from oilcloth, I created two layers: an oilcloth lining and a gingham exterior.

There are a few things you need to know when working with oilcloth:

• If your sewing machine has a special foot for oilcloth, use it!
• When pinning, work as close to the edges as possible since pins will leave holes in the oilcloth.
• Never iron the oilcloth.
• When storing, roll up your oilcloth instead of folding it to avoid permanent creases. (Some creases will disappear if you lay the oilcloth flat in a sunny spot before rolling it up.)

These lunch bags are totally customizable, so they’re also great for kids’ school lunches. Start the school year with a lunch bag like no other – or just put a stop to leaky purse lunches!"

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1 1. Cut your pieces for the lining and the exterior. Each should have 1 center piece and 2 side panels.

2 2. Lining: Pin the side panels to the center piece, right sides together.

3 3. Make a ¼-inch cut at all 4 corners of the bottom to allow the corner seams to be flexible and smooth.

4 4. Pin the exterior fabric pieces together and clip the corners, just as you did for the lining.

5 5. Sew the side panels to the center pieces for the lining and the exterior.

6 6. Turn the exterior right-side out and place the lining inside it.

7 7. Turn the top edges of the bag under by finger pressing. Pin in place.

8 8. Topstitch around the top edge of the bag.

9 9. Apply Velcro fasteners to the front and back of the bag. I used a Velcro fastener with an adhesive back.

10 10. Pack your lunch, and fold the top over to keep it safe!

Tags: sewing, tutorial
Posted by Stephanie Hung on August 25, 2011 in Make It, Photo Galleries