Friday, June 11, 2010

Frugal Friday: Saving The World...and a Buck or Two


Let me begin by saying, "The Lord did not bless me with skills for sewing."

One day, while channeling through blogland, I happened across a site that mentioned making Homemade Fabric Sandwich Wraps. I thought, "hmmm...what a great idea! And - how convenient...I'm out of waxed bags AND baggies right now! These look easy enough. Gosh, I'll even be able to make...like...5 or 6 of them. Cool!"

I made one...and it took me all evening.

Don't let that discourage you. I just...well...I don't know. I guess I just don't sew enough to know how to do things quickly. My thread kept breaking, I couldn't get the pattern quite straight, the thread was bunching up, I don't know how to "close" something properly after turning right side out. *sigh*



Regardless of all that - I'm very pleased with the way it finished and couldn't help but smile while turning it right-side-out. Not too shabby for my first go at it.


I followed the directions on the site mentioned above, but here are a few tips from me:
  • Make your pattern on the white side of Christmas wrapping paper; it's big enough and easy to pin through.
  • Make sure you measure and cut rather precisely. I should have cut both pieces at the same time - as you can see, one is larger than the other. Be sure to line the corners up nice and straight. Mine is 15 x 15".
  • I used Ripstop for the food surface on the inside and a vintage fabric on the outside. The Ripstop can be wiped down easily as it is water repellent and easy to sew. It was $6.99 a yard at Joanne Fabrics - but be sure to print your 40% Q from the internet first - made it cheaper.
  • When you iron your pieces after cutting, remember: when the ripstop says cool iron...it means cool iron. Lesson learned.
  • When you insert the velcro, make sure the fastening part is "up" (away from the fabric print). You'll see when you get that far.
I'm not sure how my husband is going to feel when he opens his lunch to a sandwich wrapped in rooster cloth, but I'm anxious for the reaction. I think he'll appreciate helping to save the world, but would rather be doing it with Yankees White Sox fabric.

More Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.

3 comments:

A Woman that Fears the Lord said...

What a great idea. I've seen the idea before but loved your tutorial. Do you think it's possible to get them very clean if you had meat in the baggie?

Toni said...

Yes! If you wash your material before sewing (so it doesn't shrink) you can throw them right in the washer :) If mine is just holding "dry" items, I'll wipe it out or wash it in the sink and hang it on the towel rack to dry. :) I'm thinking of making some more "baggie" like ones for crackers and the like.

Terra Heck said...

I stopped by your blog because I noticed you were attending the upcoming BABW in St. Louis. I'm going to be there as well and look forward to meeting you. This is my first official event so I'm super excited and super nervous.

I think you did a pretty good job with the sandwich wrap. Much better than I ever could. I just posted a giveaway on my blog for a reusable sandwich wrap and snack pouch.