This week in crafting

[wrenb]

I've been working on a new project: reusable sandwich and snack bags. The first couple were very basic for home use. Once I realized how easy they were to make I decided to improve them to get them to a point where I could potentially gift them or even put them on Etsy. My goal is a simple snack bag that can hold damp foods like a cut up orange without resorting to plastics.

My first design is a single layer of Osnaburg, based on the old fold-over baggies I grew up with.


After chatting with my mum I included tie to hold it closed, and made it with a double layer of muslin.


In order to make this water resistant I'm taking a hint from cloth diapers. I'm going to make a felted wool cover that will go over the double layer of cotton. This way the wool will not get too dirty and won't need washing as often as the cotton liner. I went to St Vinnie's Dig & Save (all clothing and linens $1/pound) and found a felted wool blend sweater and an old kilt. I also got a wool blend sweater to make a diaper cover for Danny.



Now I just need to wash these and then I can try it out!
I also found a great J Jill sundress for myself. It has a grease stain on the skirt, but I can either wash it out (I hope), applique over it, or shorten the skirt over it.

Comments

[nidea.livejournal.com]

That is a lovely dress! I found a beautiful ice blue silk dress (by Talbot's) at Dig n Save a few weeks ago, but I had to pass it on to a clothing swap. Size 14 my foot! I think it might have gotten washed & shrunk -- about 3 sizes.

I try to wash out our ziplocs, but they end up icky. Luckily they can still be used as cat-litter bags. I did find an awesome stainless-steel box that is good for lunch (similar to this one, and I have a nylon semi-insulating lunch box that I like.

I am feeling some good project-starting energy lately! I am covering the printed writing on a library book bag with a felt picture; making a cloth pouch to hold the aforementioned cat litter bags; and spinning up some more yarn! Woo.

[gloriap.livejournal.com]

This may not fit your concept of "green", but I think I would find s reusable, semi rigid plastic sandwich container to fit inside the bag. It would solve the problem of leakage, "squashage", and sanitation, be washable and reusable.

The bag is quite pretty and would also make nice storage for nylons, tights, jewelry, and other delicates.

[wrenb.livejournal.com]

I've been using rigid plastic containers, but they take up more space in my bag than is really necessary. Since my work bag currently has 2-3 diapers, a sippy cup, a container of dry cereal, a big, a burp cloth, diaper wipe stuff, and then my lunch, wallet, phone & keys, I'm trying to make my lunch pack down as small as I can manage. :)