How to Sew Reusable Snack Bags

Sewing reusable snack bags is fun, practical and very easy. This quick, simple tutorial shows how to make cute, waterproof, reusable and food-safe snack bags—perfect for snacks, breakfast, or lunch on the go.

DIY reusable Snack Bags

Do you ever skip breakfast because you’re rushing out the door? These reusable snack bags are a great solution. They’re quick to sew, durable, and roomy enough to carry biscuits, fruit, or a small sandwich. Made from laminated cotton, they’re waterproof and wipe-clean, so they’re ideal for everyday use and travel.

How to sew Reusable snack bags

Materials:

2 strips of laminated cotton, each 8″ x 17″ (you can laminate cotton fabric at home)
1 magnetic snap
Matching thread
Bias tape (store-bought or homemade)
Leather needle for the sewing machine
Teflon (non-stick) presser foot
Quilting clips (recommended) or paper clips
Cutting mat
Rotary cutter
Scissors
Sewing machine

Directions:

Preparing the fabrics

If you’re laminating your own fabric, follow a reliable laminating method so the cotton becomes waterproof and easy to wipe clean.
Prepare your machine for laminated fabric, which behaves similarly to vinyl. Reduce presser foot pressure and lengthen the stitch slightly to avoid excessive perforation. A Teflon foot helps the fabric glide; if you don’t have one, a piece of paper on top while sewing or tape on the back of the presser foot can help the layers move smoothly.
Place the two 8″ x 17″ laminated strips wrong sides together on the cutting mat.
Decide which end will be the flap (top). Use a round template (a small plate or lid works well) to round the corners of the flap for a polished finish, trimming with a rotary cutter.

Adding closures

Attach the magnetic snap so the two halves align when the bag is closed. Place one half of the snap on the outside of one fabric strip and the matching half on the opposite strip so they meet when folded.
Check alignment before securing the snap fully to ensure the flap closes neatly and the magnet sits flat.

Sewing the bag

With the strips wrong sides together, clip the edges and sew around all sides with a 1/4″ seam allowance to form a single double-sided piece. Trim the seam allowance to about 1/8″ to reduce bulk, especially at the curved flap.

Sew a strip of bias tape along the bottom edge to cover raw seams and strengthen the pouch. Quilting clips make this step much easier than pins; if you use pins, keep them within the seam allowance or close to the edge so they’re hidden when sewn.

Finishing with bias tape

Lay the fabric right side up. Fold the rounded flap inward to determine the depth of the closure.
Fold the bottom up toward the top so the magnetic snap halves meet comfortably. Clip the sides and sew along the edges, stitching over the previous seam to secure the bag’s shape.
Attach bias tape around the sides and top, folding the ends in neatly before stitching. This conceals raw edges and gives a clean, durable finish.

Finish by pressing any bias tape seams gently with a warm (not hot) iron on the fabric side, if your laminated fabric tolerates it. Otherwise, smooth by hand and inspect seams for secure stitching.

These reusable snack bags make practical, eco-friendly gifts and are a quick sew for beginners who want a functional project. They’re waterproof, easy to clean, and compact enough to fit in a bag or lunchbox. If you try this tutorial, share your results in the comments and leave a rating—feedback helps improve future tutorials.