This is a fantastic idea! Combining a beautiful floral fabric with the practicality of a zipper lunch box bag makes for a unique and personal item. The key to a great lunch bag is insulation, so we'll incorporate that into this design.
This detailed tutorial will guide you through making a floral zippered lunch box bag that's insulated, boxy, and easy to clean. We'll aim for a finished size of approximately 9 inches wide x 7 inches tall x 5 inches deep (23 cm W x 18 cm H x 12.7 cm D), a good size for a lunch container, a drink, and some snacks.
.jpg)
How to Sew a DIY Floral Zipper Lunch Box Bag
I. Planning Your Floral Lunch Box Bag
Careful planning ensures a successful and functional lunch bag.
Fabric Choices:
Exterior Fabric: Choose a beautiful floral print medium-weight cotton (quilting cotton, duck canvas, or home decor fabric). The floral print will make your bag stand out!
Interior Fabric: A plain, lighter-colored cotton is good for the lining, as it's often easier to see spills. A solid color that matches a detail in your floral print would be lovely.
Insulation: This is crucial for a lunch bag!
Insul-Bright: This is a metallic-faced insulated lining that reflects heat or cold. It's excellent for lunch bags. You'll need about 1 yard.
Quilting Batting (Optional): If you want extra cushioning and thermal protection, you can layer a thin cotton or polyester batting with the Insul-Bright.
Zipper: A plastic coil zipper is generally recommended for bags. Choose one that complements your floral fabric.
Handles: Sturdy webbing or fabric handles for easy carrying.
Waterproof Lining (Optional, but highly recommended for spills): To make the interior truly spill-proof and easy to wipe clean, consider a layer of PUL fabric (polyurethane laminate) or vinyl-coated fabric as an additional lining layer, or use a fabric with a water-resistant coating specifically.
II. Gather Your Materials
Having all your supplies ready before you start sewing makes the process much smoother.
Exterior Floral Fabric: 1 rectangle, 17 inches wide x 21 inches long (43 cm W x 53 cm L).
Lining Fabric (Inner Cotton/PUL/Vinyl-Coated): 1 rectangle, 17 inches wide x 21 inches long (43 cm W x 53 cm L).
Insul-Bright (or other insulated batting): 1 rectangle, 17 inches wide x 21 inches long (43 cm W x 53 cm L).
Zipper: One 16-inch (40.6 cm) zipper. A plastic coil zipper is easiest.
Webbing for Handles: 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, approximately 1 yard (0.9 meters) total (two 18-inch pieces). Or use fabric handles (cut two 4" x 18" rectangles from your floral fabric).
Matching Thread: All-purpose polyester thread.
Basic Sewing Tools:
Sewing machine (with a zipper foot and a walking foot if you have one - great for thicker layers!)
Sharp Fabric Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Mat
Measuring Tape or Ruler
Fabric Chalk or Mark-B-Gone Pen
Plenty of Pins or Fabric Clips (clips are better for bulk!)
Iron and Ironing Board (use a pressing cloth if ironing PUL/vinyl!)
Seam Ripper (just in case!)
III. Prepare & Cut Your Fabric Pieces
Accuracy in cutting is important for a neat finish. We'll use a consistent 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance throughout this tutorial, unless otherwise specified.
Exterior Floral Fabric: Cut your 17" x 21" rectangle.
Lining Fabric: Cut your 17" x 21" rectangle.
Insul-Bright: Cut your 17" x 21" rectangle.
Handles: Cut two 18-inch (45.7 cm) pieces of webbing.
If making fabric handles: Cut two 4" x 18" rectangles from your floral fabric. Fold each in half lengthwise (wrong sides together) and press. Open, fold raw edges to the center crease, press. Fold in half again and press. Topstitch both long sides.
IV. Let's Start Sewing Your Floral Lunch Box Bag!
General Sewing Tips:
Press, Press, Press: Pressing your fabric and seams after each step is key to a professional-looking finish. Use a pressing cloth if working with PUL or vinyl to prevent melting.
Backstitch: Always backstitch at the beginning and end of every seam to secure your stitches.
Zipper Foot: Essential for sewing close to zipper teeth.
Walking Foot: Highly recommended for handling the layers of fabric and Insul-Bright evenly.
Clips: Prefer fabric clips over pins when working with Insul-Bright or PUL, as pins can leave permanent holes.
Go Slow: Take your time, especially when sewing zippers and thick layers. Precision is more important than speed.
.jpg)
Step 1: Layer and Quilt the Exterior Panels (Optional, but Recommended for Stability)
This step combines the exterior fabric with the Insul-Bright for stability and insulation.
Lay your Insul-Bright rectangle flat.
Place your Exterior Floral Fabric rectangle right side up on top of the Insul-Bright.
You can baste these two layers together around the edges within the seam allowance, or simply proceed to the next step and let the zipper attachment hold them.
Optional Quilting: For extra stability and to prevent the layers from shifting, you can quilt these two layers together. Stitch parallel lines, a grid pattern, or even free-motion quilt across the entire surface. This is particularly useful if your Insul-Bright is thick or if you added an extra layer of batting.
Step 2: Attach the Zipper
This is a key step, attaching the zipper to the main bag body.
Take your layered Exterior/Insul-Bright piece. Lay it right side up on your work surface.
Place your zipper right side down along one of the 17-inch top edges of the layered fabric. The zipper tape should align with the fabric edge. The zipper teeth will be facing down onto the floral fabric. Center the zipper horizontally.
(Tip: If your zipper is longer than 17 inches, let the excess extend beyond the fabric on both sides; you'll trim it later.)
Clip or pin the zipper in place along that edge.
Using your zipper foot, stitch along this edge, sewing as close to the zipper teeth as possible. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
Now, take your Lining Fabric rectangle. Lay it right side down on top of the zipper/exterior fabric sandwich, aligning its 17-inch edge with the zipper tape. The floral fabric and lining fabric are now right sides together, with the zipper in between.
Using your zipper foot, stitch along this edge, sewing in the same seam line you just created. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
Open up your fabric layers so the floral exterior and lining fabric are extended away from the zipper. Press the seam allowances away from the zipper teeth.
Topstitch: On the right side of the floral exterior fabric, sew a line of stitches about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) away from the zipper teeth. This helps the fabric lay flat and prevents it from getting caught in the zipper. Repeat this for the lining fabric if desired (optional).
Step 3: Attach the Second Side of the Zipper
Now, lay the remaining long, unsewn edge of the Exterior/Insul-Bright piece up to the unsewn side of the zipper tape, so they are right sides together. The exterior fabric should now form a loop, with its right side facing the zipper's right side.
Align the remaining long, unsewn edge of the Lining fabric up to the same unsewn side of the zipper tape, so they are right sides together. This completes the fabric loop, with the lining now right side to the zipper and the exterior fabric.
Clip or pin this second side of the zipper in place.
Using your zipper foot, stitch along this edge, again sewing as close to the zipper teeth as possible. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
Open up your fabric layers again, and press the exterior and lining fabric away from the zipper.
Topstitch: Topstitch on the right side of the floral exterior fabric along this second side of the zipper, 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) away from the teeth.
Step 4: Prepare for Side Seams & Boxed Corners
Open the Zipper Halfway! This is crucial! If you don't open the zipper, you won't be able to turn the bag right side out later.
Lay your entire fabric piece flat. You should have the floral exterior/Insul-Bright on one side and the lining fabric on the other, connected by the zipper in the middle.
Now, bring the exterior fabric pieces right sides together, matching up the edges. The zipper will be folded in the middle.
Bring the lining fabric pieces right sides together, matching up the edges.
Align the side seams perfectly, and ensure the zipper is folded neatly in the middle. Pin or clip all the way around the raw edges of both the exterior fabric and the lining.
Attach Handles: Position the raw ends of your handles onto the exterior floral fabric side seam allowances. Place them about 3 inches (7.6 cm) down from the zippered edge, centered horizontally. The handle loops should be pointing inwards, into the bag. Securely stitch them in place within the 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance, using a small square or X-box stitch for reinforcement.
Crucial Turning Opening: Along the bottom edge of the lining fabric, you need to leave a gap for turning. Stitch about 3 inches (7.6 cm) from one corner, then leave a 4-5 inch (10-12.7 cm) unstitched gap, then finish stitching to the other corner. Backstitch well at the beginning and end of your stitching around this gap.
.jpg)
Step 5: Sew the Side Seams
Starting at the top edge of the exterior fabric (where it meets the zipper), stitch down the side seam using a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance. Continue stitching along the bottom edge (avoiding the turning gap in the lining), and then up the other side seam until you reach the other side of the zipper.
Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitches.
Carefully trim any excess zipper length that extends beyond the fabric edges. Leave about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) beyond your seam.
Trim the corners (all four corners of the exterior fabric and lining) at a diagonal, close to the stitching line but without cutting the stitches. This reduces bulk in the corners.
Step 6: Create the Boxed Corners
This step gives your bag a flat, defined bottom and more capacity, essential for a lunch box bag.
At one of the bottom corners of the exterior floral fabric, carefully bring the side seam and the bottom seam together, aligning them perfectly. This action will naturally form a triangular shape at the corner.
Measure from the point of this triangle inward along the seam line a distance equal to half of your desired box depth (e.g., for a 5-inch deep box, you'll measure 2.5 inches / 6.35 cm).
Draw a straight line perpendicular to the seam at this measured point. This line should be 5 inches long (the total depth of your box).
Clip firmly along this drawn line.
Stitch precisely along the drawn line, backstitching securely at both ends.
Trim the excess fabric from the corner, leaving about a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance beyond your new stitching line.
Repeat this exact process for all three remaining corners: the other exterior floral corner and both lining corners.
Step 7: Turn Your Bag Right Side Out & Finish!
Remember that opening you left in the bottom seam of the lining in Step 4? Reach through it.
Slowly and carefully pull the entire bag (exterior, lining, handles – everything!) through this opening until it is completely right side out.
Gently push out all the corners of the main bag, using a point turner or a blunt object (like a chopstick) to get them crisp and well-defined.
Close the Lining Opening: Go to your ironing board. Press the raw edges of the opening in the bottom of the lining under by 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) so they meet neatly. Align these pressed edges and pin or clip them together. Stitch this opening closed by machine (sewing very close to the folded edge for a neat finish) or by hand using an invisible ladder stitch for a truly seamless look.
Finally, push the lining down into the main bag, ensuring it sits smoothly inside and the corners align.
Give your finished bag a good final press to remove any wrinkles and make it look crisp.
Congratulations! You've successfully sewn a beautiful and practical DIY Floral Zipper Lunch Box Bag! It's insulated, easy to clean, and perfectly suited for keeping your meals fresh on the go.
What specific floral print did you choose for your bag, and what kind of delicious lunch will it carry first?
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment