NEW! Insulated Lunch Tote Sewing Tutorial
NEW! Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 108: Insulated Lunch Tote
New! Watch the NEW! Stitch it! Sisters Program 108: Cooler Insulated Lunch Tote with hosts Deanna Springer and Dana Casey. In this video, the Stitch it! Sisters share step-by-step fabric cutting and sewing techniques for making NZP’s NEW! Insulated Lunch Tote from our NZP’s NEW! Cooler Grocery Tote and Insulated Lunch Tote Pattern.
Watch the NEW! Stitch it! Sisters Program 108: Cooler Insulated Lunch Tote 18-min video and learn step-by-step how to sew our NEW! Insulated Lunch Tote. Make lunch time enjoyable with this stylish insulted lunch tote.
Then, head over to the shopnzp.com and purchase the exclusive NEW! Insulated Lunch Tote Bundle Box designed by the Stitch it! Sisters! The NEW! Insulated Lunch Tote Bundle Box includes all fabrics and supplies, Insul-Fleece, Insul-Film, Decovil, zipper, and the Cooler Grocery Tote & Insulated Lunch Tote Pattern – with Classic Timesaving Zipper Sewing Techniques by Nancy Zieman. The NEW! Insulated Lunch Tote Bundle Box includes everything you’ll need to make one Insulated Lunch Tote — you’ll supply the thread and Schmetz Size 90 Denim Needle.
SHOP our NEW! Patterns and Bundle Boxes at shopnzp.com
Watch the NEW! Stitch it! Sisters Program 108: Insulated Lunch Tote video and learn how easy it is to sew our Insulated Lunch Tote.
Insulated Lunch Tote Sewing Tutorial
Sew our NEW! Insulated Lunch Tote with our easiest ever sewing techniques, and Classic Timesaving Zipper Sewing Tips by Nancy Zieman, and see how using the right tools makes the sewing process enjoyable, even for beginners!
To make our NEW! Insulated Lunch Tote, start by making the NEW! Insulated Lunch Tote Pattern with our easy instructions – included with our NEW! Cooler Grocery Tote and Insulated Lunch Tote Pattern.
1. Make the outer tote pattern:
• Cut a 15″ x 30″ rectangle from Pattern Making Paper.
• Fold rectangle in half, meeting short edges.
• On the lower edge fold, using a 6-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ rotary cutting ruler, mark and cut out a rectangle measuring 2-1/2″ wide and 2-1/4″ tall.
• Repeat on both lower corners. The cutouts will later form gussets at tote bottom.
• Open pattern flat and cut away 2″ across one short edge—this will be the tote front. Mark “Front” on paper pattern at upper center front.
2. Prepare Fabrics:
• Preshrink fabrics by steaming and pressing and steaming and pressing a second time.
• Stabilize fabrics for sewing by pressing and starching fabrics with June Tailor’s® Quilter’s Starch Savvy—press and starch, press and starch.
Cutting easy rectangles is faster and more efficient than laying the pattern tissue on each of the individual fabrics and inner layers.
3. Cut fabric, interfacing, and batting:
• Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle from outer tote fabric.
• Cut two 3-3/4″ crosswise fabric strips from outer tote fabric for straps.
• Cut one 13″ x 15″ rectangle from contrasting pocket fabric.
• Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle and one 13″ x 15″ rectangle from Pellon Sof-Shape Interfacing.
• Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle from Pellon Insul-Fleece Batting.
• Cut one 15″ x 28″ rectangle from Pellon Silver Lining Insul-Film.
• Cut one 4″ x 9″ rectangle from Pellon Decovil One-Sided Fusible Stabilizer.
4. Assemble:
• Following manufacturer’s instructions, press 15″ x 28″ interfacing rectangle and 13″ x 15″ interfacing rectangle to back of 15″ x 28″ outer tote fabric rectangle and 13″ x 15″ contrasting pocket fabric rectangle.
• Using paper pattern, cut one each from: outer tote fabric, Pellon Sof-Shape Interfacing, Pellon Insul-Fleece Batting, and Pellon Silver Lining Insul-Film.
• Layer outer tote fabric, right side up, onto Pellon Insul-Fleece Batting, and set other layer to the side. Use Wonder Clips t0 clip layers together around all outside edges.
• At the sewing machine insert a Schmetz Size 90 Jeans/Denim Needle, and attach a roller presser foot or Teflon presser foot. Baste around all outer tote edges with a scant 1/4″ seam allowance. Set aside.
A scant 1/4″ seam is slightly smaller than a 1/4″ seam. Use scant 1/4″ seams for basting the layers together. When the Insulated Lunch Tote is later seamed together, use actual 1/4″ seams—and basting stitches will be hidden within seam allowances.
• Fold pocket, meeting 15″ long edges, right sides together. Pin or Wonder Clip.
• Stitch, joining 15″ long edges and leaving short ends open.
• Press seam open on a Seam Stick … because of its smaller radius, using a Seam Stick avoids seam imprints when pressing seams open or to one side.
• Turn pocket right side out. Parallel to tote top, place and align pocket on tote front, with folded edge of pocket 2-1/2″ down from top edge. Pin or Wonder Clip.
• Stitch pocket to tote at sides, and across lower pocket edge using a 2.5mm stitch length.
• Using a 6″ x 24″ rotary cutting ruler, and Chaco Liner, mark vertical center of the tote.
• Mark handle placement lines 3″ on each side of marked center.
• Position Double-Sided Basting Tape, 1/8″ inside marked lines, at 3-1/2″ below back tote top – to pocket top edge.
Finger press Double-Sided Basting Tape in place. Set aside.
• Create 1″ straps:
• Stitch short ends of the two 3-3/4″ crosswise fabric strips, right sides together.
• Press seam open.
• Use a 2″ Bias Tape Maker, Straight Tailor’s Awl, and iron to create tote straps:
• Insert seamed fabric strip into the 2″ Bias Tape Maker using Straight Tailor’s Awl to advance strip.
• Pin fabric strip end to ironing board, and press the folded fabric strip as you pull the bias tape maker.
• Trim strap to approximately 80″.
• Seam short ends to form a continuous loop. Press seam open. Repress folded edges.
• Fold strap, wrong sides together, meeting long edges to form 1″ strap. Press.
• Edgestitch along both long strap edges.
• Fold strap in half and place pins at half markings.
• Remove paper backing from Double-Sided Basting Tape.
• Align pins on strap to tote bottom center and finger-press straps in place on Double-Sided Basting Tape.
Place pins on straps — at 3-1/2″ down from top edge of tote back, and at top pocket edge — as a reminder not to stitch past this point!
• Stitch strap to tote along previously stitched lines, pivoting at pocket top and 3-1/2″ below upper back tote (where you placed the pins as a reminder).
• Place and center 4″ x 9″ Pellon Decovil One-Sided Fusible Stabilizer rectangle to wrong side of tote bottom. Using an EZ View Press Cloth, press and fuse 4″ x 9″ Pellon Decovil One-Sided Fusible Stabilizer rectangle into place following manufacturer’s instructions.
• Carefully layer Pellon Silver Lining Insul-Film to back of tote layers. Use Wonder Clips to clip layers together around all outside edges. Baste stitch around all outside edges using a scant 1/4″ seam.
Be sure to NOT catch tote handles within the basting stitches, when attaching the Pellon Silver Lining Insul-Film to the back of the tote layers!
The secret to the Easiest-ever Zipper Technique is to start with a zipper length longer than needed! The longer zipper length provides “handles” to hold while stitching. Plus, the zipper is stitched to the tote using flat construction methods.
• Start with a 22″ or longer handbag, tote, or jacket zipper.
• On wrong side of zipper, mark a 15″ section in center of zipper.
• With right sides together, place zipper tape edge to top tote front. Clip with Wonder Clips.
• Straight-stitch zipper in place, using a zipper foot.
• With right sides together, place remaining zipper tape to top tote back. Clip with Wonder Clips. Stitch.
• With right sides together, meet tote sides, aligning bottom edges. Note: In step one, above, 2″ was trimmed away from the tote front, now zipper will naturally fall into position on the upper tote front.
Open zipper before stitching side seams!
• Stitch side seams, using caution when stitching over zipper teeth.
• Bar tack zipper ends, 1/4″ inside tote edges.
A bar tack is a wide zigzag stitch, with little or no stitch length. Set sewing machine for a wide zigzag stitch, set length at zero (or the minimum number) and zigzag over zipper teeth, joining the two zipper tapes into one closed-end zipper.
• Trim away excess zipper tape with a craft scissors.
• Meet lower tote gusset seams. Stitch.
• Repeat for opposite gusset seam.
• Turn Insulated Lunch Tote right side out and enjoy!
Sew our No-Hassle Napkin to coordinate with the Insulated Lunch Tote. Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 103: No-Hassle Napkins!
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The Nancy Zieman Productions Team is pleased to announce our NEW! video series, Stitch it! Sisters
Watch Stitch it! Sisters right here on the NZP Blog, with hosts Deanna Springer and Dana Casey – real life sisters from Team NZP. This NEW! Video Series features our latest sewing projects and fun sewing adventures! Join Deanna and Dana as they share sewing and quilting project tutorials – featuring their easiest-ever sewing techniques, timesaving tools, and Classic Timesaving Tips by Nancy Zieman.
Stitch it! Sisters is a production of NZ Productions LLC. We’ll be releasing a new video – every few weeks – right here on the NZP Blog. Make sure you are subscribed to Nancy Zieman Productions E-news mailing list so you won’t miss a thing. Sign up and receive email updates from Nancy Zieman Productions.
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NEW! Patterns and Bundle Boxes at shopnzp.com
FREE! Fun Fabric Caddy Sewing Tutorial
FREE! Insulated Lunch Tote Sewing Tutorial
FREE! Insulated Lunch Tote Sewing Tutorial
FREE! No-Hassle Kitchen Towel Topper Sewing Tutorial
For a chance to be the random winner of a Stitch it! Sisters 5″ Fabric Short Stack with S!S button & sticker, please leave a comment below sharing how you’ll use your Insulated Lunch Tote.
Nancy Zieman Productions will give away one Stitch it! Sisters 5″ Fabric Short Stack to one US resident in the 48 contiguous states. Winner must reply within 30 days to the official giveaway announcement email message – sent from Nancy Zieman Productions.
The randomly selected winner of a Kick It Up a Stitch DVD, from the January 28 Blog Post, Watch Kick it Up A Stitch! with Nancy Zieman and Mary Mulari, is Noreen.
Her comment is: I’ve watched so many of Nancy’s shows. What I love about them is that she had such creative ideas for making sewing easier and presented these ideas in a way that is so easy to understand. She certainly changed the world of sewing.
Happy Sewing!
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions. LLC.
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beth d.
I would love to win some of the fabric. I could make a cute quilt out of it.
Nora
The first way I would like to use it is to make my daughter a “ready for to road with my dog” bag. Se can keep a prepacked go bag with his folding water bowl, food dish, extra leash, etc. A bit of stylish organization to make her life easier while allowing her to reduce, reuse and recycle for the planet.
Ann West
My daughter is a nurse and works many hard shifts. I would make her an insulated lunch tote for her meals so that whenever she gets a break, her food will be there for her. Thanks!
Charlotte Solorio
My insulated lunch tote will be used to transport groceries home, which require chilling. In addition, when my husband and I take a day trip, the insulated lunch tote will transport our picnic lunch!
Thank you for the tutorial!
Bonnye
I love going to a free demo at my sewing center. However, I need to take my lunch. Guess where I would put my lunch—that’s right. I would use the lunch tote. Great idea.
Clovis
You can never have too many lunch totes. You can make totes to give as gifts.
Pat
I will use my insulated lunch tote to take my lunch to sewing or quilting classes where we are asked to bring a sack lunch. This will eliminate the problem of finding room in a refrigerator during the class. Great looking tote!
Linda VonMohr
I would use the tote to take my lunch in when I go to my weekly sewing group!
Sharon
When I take lunch along on an outing
Rosie
I’d take lunch in it any time one is required. I would make some for my daughters to use also.
Barb K
Besides being a lunch tote, the bag could carry a small amount of frozen food if you shop from a distance.
Janet
This pretty bag would be perfect for a quick picnic for two after a short hike to a place with a view. Thanks for such detailed instructions.
Susan
The insulated lunch tote is quite versatile. I can imagine using it to bring home freezer foods from the market, storing some cold water bottles for a long walk and the obvious, carry a lunch or other cool snacks like fruit.
Carolyn T
Hi! My first lunch tote will become a birthday gift for a creative and prolific friend. I may add length to the handles of my second tote for a cross body bag to keep my lunches cool on bike rides.
Lorraine Alves
The size of this lunch tote makes it perfect for multiple containers. I’d use it to pack a lunch for long bus trips I take with other seniors from our Senior Center
Barbara
The lunch tote will be great for taking to my new job!
Rita Skraba
I will make the lunch kit to give to my secret pal.
Eileen Hulsman
I am very frustrated,all I want to do is order the pateron and I can’t do it.