Freezer Paper Stencilled Camera Lunchbag

Happy Tuesday! And a very happy Tuesday it is because my lovely Mum is coming to visit this afternoon! So whilst I am off shopping and having hot chocolate with my Mum, I will share with you the birthday present I made for my dad!

Two things you should know about my Dad that explain this gift

1. He is really into photography

2. He takes his lunch to work in an old shopper bag

Well, I just had to fix that so I decide to make him is very own personalised lunch-bag big enough to hold his lunchbox and fork.

It is another freezer paper project, and an example of a trickier stencil that worked out just as well - I was really pleased with it although it took me a couple of tries to get it just right!

For my full freezer paper tutorial see here

I downloaded this gorgeous camera graphic from Stephanie Corfee and adapted it slightly to make a freezer paper stencil - I basically simplified it to make it a bit easier to cut out with an exacto knife!

I then made the piece of fabric below. I had to make a new stencil for each camera because it was so fiddly but that's ok! It only took me one evening to practise, print and let it dry ready to sew up the next day.

So once you have you painted fabric, onto the bag!

Materials

Calico, printed and plain

(That's it!)

1. Cut four squares of calico 9 x 9 1/2 ". One should have your design on it (I chose to have mine at an angle) and the other three should be plain.

2. Pin 2 plain pieces of calico right sides together and sew three sides, leaving one of the shorter sides open. You should also leave a 2-3" gap in the short side that you do sew.

Pin right sides together your two remaining calico pieces (1 plain, 1 printed) and sew as above.

3. Fold so that the side seam and the bottom seam line up and you have created a point (as in picture below). Draw a line across where it measures 2 1/2 ". Pin. Repeat on the other side and both corners of the lining piece. Sew across the lines and turn right side out to ensure that it matches up on the right side. 

Snip the excess fabric from the corners.

4. Next job is to make the straps. First, cut two pieces of calico 18" x 4". Press in half and then fold the raw long edges into the mid-point fold. Press over so that your piece is now 1" wide and all raw edges are hidden. Sew down each long side.

5. Turn outer bag piece right side out and place inside the lining so right sides are together. Pin the straps in between the lining and outer bag piece about 2" from the seams. Sew all the way round the top of the bag, making sure to catch the straps as well. Turn right side out through the hole you left in the lining and whip stitch it shut. Press the bag.

And there you have a finished printed lunchbag. Make sure you heat-set your fabric so it will be washable too!

What would you print on yours?

Love Rebecca