Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Quick Zip Lunch Bags


Last year, I used Erin's at Dog Under My Desk's Quick Zip Lunch Bag pattern to make Samantha's lunch bag.  She loved her lunch bag and it is still going strong one year later! I have even washed and dried it several times, and it really is showing no wear. With Ben and Ellie going to school this year, I needed to make two more, and when Erin asked for folks to participate in her blog hop, I said I would be happy to! 

Lunchboxes

I followed many of the mods I had made for Samantha's lunch box - I used PUL for the outer and lining fabrics, used nylon for the handles, and lined it with insulbrite again. 

Lunchboxes

I did make some additional mods this time - I eliminated the pocket, as it wasn't big enough for the new ice packs I had purchased this year. I could have made it bigger, but since I was making the lunchbox bigger (my other mod), I wanted the ice pack on the bottom. 

Making the lunch bag bigger was my major mod. I could barely fit Samantha's sippy cup in her lunch box last year, and I had purchased 'bento' boxes for them to use this year, so they needed to be bigger to accomodate the boxes. 

To make them bigger I simply cut a piece of paper 2" wide and as long as the pattern pieces, and taped it in between the pattern pieces when I assembled the pattern - I made it two inches taller and longer. This is a very easy mod to do, and it still made the pattern ‘work’ if that makes sense! :) 

Lunchboxes

I really love their bags - they are a great size now, and so very usable. Erin’s patterns are wonderful - her tips for interfacing and zipper installation can’t be beat. Lots of pictures for those of us who are visual learners and easy to assemble patterns. I highly recommend this one! 

To celebrate Erin's blog hop I am giving away a PDF copy of this pattern! Leave a comment telling me your favorite kind of bag to make! Make sure that you include your email address if you are a non-reply blogger. I'll draw a winner Friday night! And hop on over to Erin's post to win some other bag necessities!

Edited to add: The Random number generator chose #13!

So cute! Nice pattern! I would love to try it!

43 comments:

  1. Suzanne T6:27 AM

    I would love to make this lunch bag for my husband. When I make bags they always end up as knitting project bags....not a bad thing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have made a lot of tote bags to give as gifts -- fun to make and always appreciated by the recipient. I would love to try this pattern, thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've been thinking of making one of these bags. You've inspired me to give it a try. : ) Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think this may be the only pattern I haven't yet bought from Dog Under my Desk - you are right, her patterns are awesomely written and explained - not to mention fabulous!! I have a tote bag pattern I love to make and carry with me daily, it is my current favorite pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love to make tote bags and reuseable shopping bags (which are a tote bag too). Thanks for a chance to win this great pattern! :)
    bcgeates at netbistro dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love making any of Erin's patterns! Well, really I love making any kind of bag with a zipper. It always makes me happy to finish one for some reason. This lunch bag looks terrific (and I love your instructions for size modification since we have some bento action going on in our house too!). I'm crossing my fingers!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've not seen this pattern before but it looks great and I have an almost 9yr old asking for a new lunch bag! My favourite type of bag to make is one for me! Last one I made was a Sidekick Tote, thanks for the chance to win

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've not seen this bag before! It's sooo cute!! I love that Erin's patterns are so easy to modify, and you're right... the instructions are the best I've seen!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The last bag I made was the Zip and Go, love pretty much any bag that comes together so quickly. Love the modifications you made to the lunch bags. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. My favorite bag pattern is Erin's Two Zip Hipster. I have made so many of those that I have lost count! Lover her Daytripper too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love all Erin's patterns, and I don't have this one. I think they would make great teacher gifts. And I love your robot fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like making drawstring bags and putting gifts into them. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  13. So cute! Nice pattern! I would love to try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You won! Please email me at knitnlit AT gmail DOT com so I can send you your prize!

      Delete
  14. I love making handbags. I prefer ones that zip or close in some other secure manner. I really like these lunch bags! Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My favorite bag to make is a wristlet. It's a quick project, and I love having lots of colors to choose from. Of course, my favorite pattern is from Dog Under My Desk.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looks like you have some great ideas for larger bag and how to individualize them.... I've yet to make a lunch bag but yours are inspiring

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great modifications! I really like making Japanese Knot Bags because they are quick. But I love making any of Erin's things as gifts - they are always adored!

    ReplyDelete
  18. So cute! and so handy! What great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Freda1:10 PM

    I love making zippered pouches. Also, knapsack type purses are fun to make.
    Love this lunch bag, though!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Linda Sorensen1:33 PM

    Love the re-usable lunch sack concept and these are cute. I use ProCare food-safe waterproof lining for sacks like these. It is available from http://www.candleonthehill.net/store/catalog.php?item=157
    and I am sure other sources as well. PUL, although readily available, is not certified as food safe.

    That said - thank you for another great lunch sack option.

    I do hope I win! lmsorensen@true802.ca

    ReplyDelete
  21. I LOVE to make Tote Bags - large ones are practical - small ones are cute! I think the lunch bags are adorable! Thank you for the design! Faith.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've only ever made one bag before - a cross between a messenger bag and a tote bag.
    My sister has been looking to buy a lunch bag but hasn't found one that she likes yet. I think this would be perfect especially with in a large size.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love to make pouch and wristlets - very practical- like the essencial wristlet from Erin.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Susan T3:22 PM

    The only bag I've ever made is Erin's two-zip hipster and it came out great. So I guess that is my favorite.

    suzthorn@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I've been looking for a new go-to lunch bag for the kids and myself and LOVE the mods you made. =) AND I love that it zips instead of velcros...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Cute pattern better than the plastic shopping bags I usually use ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love Erin's patterns. Your lunch bags are super cute!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nice work on the lunch bags! What about making an ice pouch cover to slip it into on the bottom of the bag? My fave bag things to make are pouches right now, but I'm about to get on a bag kick.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Really like your fabric choices on the lunchbags you made! I'm pretty non-discriminatory when it comes to bags. LOVE making purses and I've gotten on a backpack kick recently. Would really enjoy trying a lunchbag pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love making any kind of bag. This one looks like a great gift! Thanks...

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great lunch bag! I like making small zipper pouches but want to give this a try as well. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I've just started making bags. I would love a new pattern to try.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love to make bags of all shapes and sizes. I would love to try these lunch boxes - my girls could use some new ones

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love to make cross body/hipster bags. I have never made a lunch box but would LOVE to try this pattern! :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love making bags that the kids can keep toys in. I'd love a lunch box bag :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am currently addicted to purses, but mostly since I'm trying to get a head start on holiday craft making....

    ReplyDelete
  37. I like to make tote bags. I would love to make some of these lunch bags for my family. My husbands is starting to look pretty rough.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Tote bags are great, but who couldn't use an assortment of lunch bags, i sure could, thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Favorite bag type? Is there such a thing? I just love making ALL bags! Nice mod of this bag! Erins patterns are great!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Anonymous5:13 PM

    My family likes cloth bags for lunch and dinner bags! I'd love to make one from this pattern.

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  41. I have made totes and diaper bags, never tried a lunch bag. This looks like it would be fun. Love to win it and give it a try.

    ReplyDelete