So as I am totally approaching "hippie" status and have tried to make our kids lunchboxes montessori approved so to speak, I have been wanting to eliminate ziplock for quite a while. I found some cute tutorials via pinterest and tweaked the method and what not to make it fit my
Fabric Requirements:
outer fabric 14 X 7 3/4
PUL 14 X 7 3/4
trim fabric 14 X 3
ribbon 2 pieces 5 inches long
velcro 7 inches
Step 1:
Iron trim piece in half.
Step 2:
Fold ribbon in half and pin to the right side of the outer fabric 3 1/2 inches from outer edge.
Step 3:
Carefully align the trim piece over the folded ribbons and use the same pins to hold everything in place.
Step 4:
Place PUL piece on top of fabric stack vinyl side down and pin.
Step 5:
Sew down the pinned edge with a 1/4 inch seam
Step 6:
Open everything flat making sure seam allowance is on the PUL side of the seam.
Switch to a zig zag stitch. Align one side of velcro with the seam, on the PUL side. Zig Zag down the velcro, when you come to the end of the first piece of velcro butt the matching piece up after it and continue stitching. Repeat with the other velcro edge.
Step 7:
Switch back to straight stitch. Edgestitch (fancy way of saying stitch right along the edge) the trim "flap" down.
Step 8:
Take a minute to admire your work... yep.. you are awesome.
Fold your project in half so the velcro attaches and everything lines up straight.
Trim a 1 3/4 inch square from each corner.
Place two pins in the PUL side approximately 2 inches apart. This is where you will "leave open for turning"
Step 10:
Sew around the perimeter of the bag, not on the little cut out areas you just made, and DON'T SEW BETWEEN THE PINS!
Step 11: Make those corners!
There is nothing like a flat bottom hmmm?
Remember those little square areas you notched out? Match up the seams of the bag bottom and bag side and squish it flat together like a little mouth. Stitch with a 1/4 inch seam. repeat for all corners.
Step 12: Turn IT!
Reach in through the little opening and turn the insides inside and the outside outside... here's a hint, you will have to separate the velcro with your finger to get all the parts where they belong.
Step 13: Close it..
Turn the bag so the PUL side is out. Find the area you left open for turning, carefully fold the raw edges in and match it up nicely. Zig Zag this opening closed and trim any threads.. Technically your can blind stitch this by hand, but hand stitching makes me want to poke my eyeballs out.
Step 14: enhance it
In order to make sure your hard work isn't worn out by an impatient toddler take the time to reinforce the stitching holding the ribbon in place at the bottom of the trim. you will have to switch to "free arm" sewing for this. That means take the storage pocket off the machine and put the bag over the "arm" like a little jacket.
Step 15: Stuff and enjoy!
