Snack Bag Sewing Tutorial

Today, I’m excited to share a sewing tutorial for a fast and easy-to-make bag, just the right size to carry your on-the-go afternoon snack. It’s also an ideal option for packing a child’s school snack. You can easily fit an apple, a granola bar, and even slip in a heartfelt note from home to brighten your student’s day. Join me as I guide you through the process of creating this bag, and if you’re new to sewing, rest assured, this project is perfect for beginners.

Supplies Needed

• 3 fat quarters, Canning, Clementine Dream, Mushrooms
• Snap closure (optional)

Step 1: Cut & prepare fabric

• Cut exterior fabric 10″ wide x 18″ long or 10″ wide x 9″ long for one-directional fabric
• cut interior fabric 10″ wide x 18″ long or 10″ wide x 9″ long for one-directional fabric
• cut handle fabric 2 – 3″ wide x 18″ long

For one-directional fabric (the pattern is running in only one direction), like the Canning and Clementines, I cut the exterior and interior fabric in half to measure 10″x 9″ and rotated one of the halves 180 degrees, then sewed them back together using 1/4″ seam allowance (as shown below). I wanted the fabric pattern on my basket to run right side up on the front and back -skip this step if that doesn’t bother you.

Step 2: Sew bag sides

Fold interior fabric in half with right sides together and pin along the sides. Do the same for the exterior fabric. Sew along the sides with 1/4″ seam, leaving the top open.

Step 3: Box corners of bag

Mark a 1 1/2″ square on each of the bag corners, as shown below.

Cut along the marked lines.

Finger press side seams open, and align side and bottom seams, pin in place as shown.

It helps to pin right in the center of the aligned seams, and add a few more pins on the edges. Repeat with the other side of the bag.

Sew along this line, be sure to backstitch.

Step 4: Prepare bag handles

Press 1/2″ on both long sides of the bag handles.

Align edges and press in half.

Sew 1/8″ away from edge of open side, and repeat on the other side.

If you like sew 2 more lines on the handles, I sewed 1/4″ away from the edge stitching along both sides, to create 4 sewn lines on the handle. I like the extra texture this gives to the handles.

Step 5: Attach handles to bag liner

Make a mark 1 1/2″ from side seam on both sides of liner.

Turn bag right side out, and pin handles in place at this mark. Baste handles in place with 1/4″ seam allowance.

Step 6: Assemble the snack bag.

Place the liner inside the exterior of the bag with right sides of the fabric facing each other, making sure the straps are hanging down between the layers. Pin in place, aligning side seams.

Pin all around the edge, leaving a 3″ opening for turning.

Sew around the edge with 3/8″ seam allowance, leaving the 3″ opening.

Carefully pull the bag right side out through the opening

Push the liner inside the bag, and finger press a nice edge, clipping/pinning in place.

Edge stitch 1/8″ away from the edge all the way around the bag, closing up the opening.

Step 7: Add an optional snap closure

I use a plastic snap tool called KAM, just search “plastic snap tool kit for fabric” online. There are different grades of snaps so choose the best for your application. I like these little plastic snaps, they’re colorful and easy to install.

Make a mark 1/2″ from the center top of the bag. Use the hole tool to punch through the layers of fabric.

Insert the plastic snap cover through the hole, and place the female button in place. Use the Snap tool press the snap cover and button together. Then repeat on the other side of the bag, with the opposite button.

You’re finished! Enjoy your bag.

Check out more free sewing projects here.