craftgrrl | Lunch bag for my Valentine...

Every year my husband and I make each other gifts for Valentine's Day with a small spending limit. This year I decided to make him an insulated lunch bag. I figured it is time for him to stop carrying a plastic grocery bag to work. I was very pleased with the way it turned out. I ended up making two bags. I originally picked the brown plaid fabric for his lunch bag, but once I got it home, it seemed too girly. So I made one bag in plaid and another bag with the back side of the plaid (it's a pretty chocolate brown). I am going to let him choose which one he wants and I am going to keep the other one for myself. LOL! But I am a stay-at-home mom now and I don't really need a lunch bag to take to work anymore. But I am sure I'll use it.

Here's what I came up with:

Here is the other bag. I actually like both of them.

Here is an inside view of the bags:

I used vinyl on the inside. I've never worked with vinyl before and I am happy with the way things turned out. I made two pouches to hold freezer gel packs and one pouch to hold his utensils. He probably doesn't need the freezer pouches since he stores his lunch in a refrigerator, but I thought it would be a nice feature on those days he is out of the building (though that is rare). But the entire inside should be easy to wipe down. I also put a piece of canvas on the bottom to keep it sturdy and so the bag won't lose its shape when things are placed in it. I also put an insulating layer between the outside fabric and the vinyl. I'm not sure how well it will keep things cool. We shall see. I didn't put a closure on it. I'll know once we start using them what it needs. I was going to put a flap between the handles but that made the bag look too girly to me. I might just add some Velcro. I'll see what he thinks.

I am so pleased with the way it turned out. I can't wait to give it to him. I know it isn't the most romantic gift, but he'll be able to use it and I am certain he'll like it.

Thanks for looking.

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