How to Make a Duct Tape Lunch Sack

Holey smokes! I can’t believe that school is about to start! I guess it’s no wonder it snuck up on me, considering the summer I’ve had.

I figured I might as well start getting ready by making a lunch bag for my kids.

I made this one for my middle schooler. She picked the colors, including the snaps. I would have just done them in silver or black, but hey, it ain’t my bag, so whatever.

The bag isn’t insulated, but it is waterproof, so you could totally throw in an ice pack. Even better–make your own out of duct tape! Check out the post on "how to make a squishy bag" to learn how to make one…then just throw the thing in the freezer. Or, to make one completely out of tape and gel, try the post on *how to make a duct tape ice pack*

You could insulate the bag by adding a layer of thin foam, a 1/8″ batting, or even a scrap of fleece between the layer of tape. Just cut it to an inch smaller all the way around your panels and stick it in. I don’t bother, though, because I’m not really sure it makes any difference whatsoever. I could be wrong. *shrug*

I started by making a *half strip checkerboard* (click the link to get to the post on how to make that checkerboard pattern!) that was twelve 15″ strips wide by seven 12″ long. Then I backed it with black and cut it in half the long way so I had two 6″ strips. Next I joined them into a long continuous strip by taping the back seam with black and the front seam with clear. You should now have a very long strip the width of your lunch bag.

If you go with a solid color or stripe, you could always just make a 6″x26″ piece and not bother to tape 2 sections together. In a later post, I’ll demo how to make bags with a front and back panel, with the sides and bottoms in one strip.

Moving on. For the side panels, cut tw0 5″x6″ pieces of tape. I covered the back in white, leaving 1/2″ exposed on the long sides an about 3/4″ on one of the short edges. Trim the top, then notch out corners from side panel like so.

Now tape the side panels to the inside of the bag around 8″ from one end. This is *not* centered– remember you will have the top flap that has to go up and over the top of the bag. The panels need to line up with each other exactly, though, so it stays nice and square. (this picture is the back side of the bag and side panels.)

This step is easier done than said! Wishing I could show this in a video, but alas. All I’m doing is taping the side panel into place, starting from the bottom and working my way up, keeping it straight, lined up, square and neat.

This is what it should look like once both panels are in, and it should stand on it’s own if you manage to keep it square.

Another ‘where’s YouTube when you need it?’ moment! To finish of your seams, just take a half strip and tape it on the checker board, leaving half of it to fold over onto the side panel. Repeat for all the ‘unfinished’ seams.

All that's left is to make a handle and install a closure! I chose to use my snap press from *kamsnaps.com* because I love the the thing! Of course, you could use Velcro or a magnent to close the bag, but I like the snap. It keeps it really secure, plus this way you can make your handle ‘snap’ onto your backpack!

I’ll get more into snaps in a future post, including why I chose to invest in a press vs. pliers from the craft store.

Add your scraps to your duck-o ball; Pack your favorite lunch, and trot off to schrool! Happy pulling, and wishing you wondermous grades, duck-os.

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