20 June 2006
So, I had this idea the other day for a drawstring lunch bag. I've been longing for a bento box for ages now, but I just haven't seen quite the right one. I usually bring an apple or an orange or something just too big to squeeze into a flat-ish container, so I need something more versatile. And I thought, hey, I know, I'm sewing things the whole time, and lots of those things are bags -- I can make a lunch bag!
My original plan was to get a couple of round, stackable plastic containers with lids, which would sit at the bottom of the bag. There would be an internal drawsting section, and above that I could put in my orange, etc. This plan required waiting until I had said containers, the measurements of which would determine the size of my bag. But who can wait when there's a Project a-brewin'? I'm going to look for suitable containers when I'm in America, and I can always hand sew the internal drawstring section into place.
I'm really pleased with the details of this:
The ties (which can double as a handle) were inspired by the ends of Heather's headband -- I hope she doesn't mind! The front of the ties is green-turquoise dupion silk (in my dream world, I'd have an endless supply of this in every colour), and the back is a sort of light grey-purple cotton which I dyed with a cabbage (I do all sorts of strange things when you're not looking). Untie the ties and see the drawstring:
I used get really annoyed that all my drawstring tops wouldn't close all the way, and then I discovered the 'trick' of using a casing a centimetre/inch/etc from the top. Has everybody been doing this the whole time and I never noticed? I always feel silly for saying, 'Hey, look at this clever new thing I've discovered!' only to have people reply, 'Um, we've always done it that way.'
What's inside?
My lunch! Everything's tucked away and ready to go. I got a little carried away with the idea of crafty lunch items and had to make this:
A sandwich wrapper. The first two corners velcro together, and the others tie. If it were slightly smaller and had a layer of batting inside, it'd be perfect for protecting those apples and oranges from getting battered. I wrapped my sandwich in tin foil before wrapping it again in this, but I like the idea of lining the fabric case with some sort of water-proof, wipe-off synthetic.
And that's my new lunch bag. Other info: the print is Kaffe Fassett for Rowan, the bottom is crocheted with Rowan Calmer (held double), and it's lined with a stretch Jersey (totally not awesome to work with, but I love the finished product). I'm off to America tomorrow, so expect pictures of dogs and cats (well, one dog and one cat)!
This is so fabulous and OH! that sandwich bag! Delightful! Have a wonderful wonderful trip!
posted by vegasandvenice at June 20, 2006 05:35 PM
i am going to HAVE to learn to crochet one of these days soon.... that is the finest lunch bag out there.
posted by stephanie s at June 20, 2006 06:34 PM
Very, very cool!
posted by Heather at June 20, 2006 06:54 PM
For someone's whose drawstring tops never close all the way - can you explain to me how you did that?!
Thanks!
posted by Tammy at June 20, 2006 07:12 PM
does every bag have a magical pre-made lunch(due to the minature sandwhich genies I would guess)? I really need to get me one of those!
posted by mo at June 20, 2006 08:23 PM
Oh, this is gorgeous. Such style!
Thankyou for sharing it.
posted by herhimnbryn at June 22, 2006 12:07 AM
I think I'd be afraid to put food into that gorgeous lunch bag!
posted by Mariko at June 22, 2006 04:48 AM
Wow, what a wonderful lunch bag that is! Must make your lunch just that much better knowing you made your fabulous bag.
posted by Hildy at June 22, 2006 07:04 AM
Your nifty new lunch bag is fabulous, and the red ribbon is the very best bit!
posted by Leisl at June 22, 2006 09:34 PM
Lunch problems solved! I've been wanting something like that for years. Therein lie the fundamental difference between smart cookies that think and smart cookies that do...
posted by emmms at June 25, 2006 10:42 AM
That is awesome!
posted by Nichola at July 1, 2006 11:00 AM
this is an absolutely PERFECT lunch tote! truly inspired. =)
posted by Ky at July 3, 2006 05:23 AM
Lunch? It's art! i love it so much, the red ribbon, the little green handle. wow!
posted by colleen at July 6, 2006 12:06 PM
This is gorgeous! Another case of turning lunch into art.
posted by Debra at July 6, 2006 10:23 PM
I like the lunch bag, its really cute. But I really really love the sandwich wrapper. What an awesome stylish way to carry around a sandwich, and a napkin together!
posted by Laura at July 6, 2006 11:07 PM
I Love this. Especially the furoshiki-style sandwich wrapper. Delightful.
posted by djbebe at July 6, 2006 11:34 PM
Brilliant!
posted by Regina at July 7, 2006 01:25 AM
Very cool bag! I need to make several of them. I just purchased some lunch containers that need carry bags. You might want to check out this site, www.fit-fresh.com, I have the round Fruit & Veggie bowl, the salad shaker, and the lunch on the go box. I love them and they're great for sending lunch to work with the hubby or the kids for school, they come with a built in icepack too.
posted by Ginger at July 7, 2006 02:09 AM
Very cool bag! I need to make several of them. I just purchased some lunch containers that need carry bags. You might want to check out this site, www.fit-fresh.com, I have the round Fruit & Veggie bowl, the salad shaker, and the lunch on the go box. I love them and they're great for sending lunch to work with the hubby or the kids for school, they come with a built in icepack too.
posted by Ginger at July 7, 2006 03:03 AM
This is wonderfull...what great ideas!
posted by Angie at July 7, 2006 05:22 AM
Any chance at getting a tutorial on how to make the lunch bag and the sandwich box.
posted by Lee Scott at July 19, 2006 04:54 AM
My newest blogging friend was so inspired she made her own, and I thought you'd love to see how she made it hers! (If I had a job, I'd SO want one of these! LOL)
http://warmfuzzies.typepad.com/warmfuzzies/2006/07/drawstring_lunc.html
I wish I knew how to add a link, instead of text.
posted by Kari at July 30, 2006 04:53 PM
Perhaps you have already found the perfect round containers for your lunch bag? If not, these are really stylish!
posted by Jan at September 26, 2007 03:44 AM