On one of my many visits to Pinterest I found this great lunch bag tutorial at the Pink Penguin. I cannot begin to tell you how great this tutorial is to follow.  Each step was very clearly stated and had a picture to go along with the instructions.  I couldn’t believe how easy it was for me to cruise through this pattern.  I didn’t really see what time it was when I started this project but the project seemed to take me between 2-3 hours to complete from start to finish.

I was really excited about trying to sew this bag because I thought that it was so cute!  I used Duck fabric for the bottom portion of the bag which I found on the clearance rack at Hobby Lobby.  I only needed 1/2 yd so it ended up only costing me $2.00 for the fabric.  I still have enough left over of the Duck fabric to make another one.  I was able to use fabric from my stash for the rest of the bag, I used ribbon that I had in my stash for the cording and I even had some Decor Bond on hand too.

It was sort of late when I started this project but I originally was just going to cut out the fabric.  I really liked how the fabric pieces looked toether so I decided to start the bag.  Then I got so far into it that I just stayed up and finished it.  I was tired by then, and it was late, but it was sure worth it.

The tutorial calls for fabric in the following sizes:

Outer Bag: Two 9″ x 12 1/2″

Lining:  Two 9″ x 12 1/2″

Cover:  Two 8″ x 12 1/2″

Outer Handle: Two 2″x12″

Inner Handle:  Two 2″x12″

Rim:  Four 2 1/4″ x 12 1/2″

If you use Duck fabric you do not need to use a fusible interfacing but if you use a quilting weight cotton you will need the interfacing.  She suggests Pellon 809 Decor Bond.  I had Decor Bond so I just used that.  You will need it for the Outer Bag and two of the Rim pieces.  I used Duck fabric for the outer bag but I used cotton for the rim so I used the Decor Bond on the rim.

In the picture above are the fabrics that I used to make my lunch bag except for the outer handles because I forgot to cut those out.  I did realize it though when I got to that step!  The pink and black fabric is the Duck fabric.  The rest is cotton.

I was doing well on the first few steps but I became concerned when I reached the step to box the corners.  At first it seemed like I was cutting off too much of the bag but it ended up being correct.  I actually liked the way these boxed corners came out.

Then came the handles.

The handles and the rim are next.

I have to admit that I was definately intimidated by doing this step but the instructions were so clear and simple that I just took my time and breezed right through it.

The bottom pieces go together in the next.

Then the rim piece is attached along with the cover and you now have yourself a new lunch bag!

Side view.

I will probably use my lunch bag as my new yarn bag.

I hope that you enjoy making this project as much as I did!

Please stop by and visit the lunch tote and other great projects at these parties: