CraftShare: Insulating Fabric & Chic Lunch Bag Tutorial

Hey CraftSharers!  Last week we spent some time on Laminated Cotton.  Loads of uses & fun ideas  for all kinds of projects.  If you missed anything or want to refer back, just click on the CraftShare tab at the top of the blog.  I'll keep all past CraftShare posts there so it's easy to find info anytime.  This week we'll be checking out another cool fabric: Thermal Batting!

What is Thermal Batting (aka insulated lining)?  This polyester looks like batting, but is needlepricked with a metallic film to make it insulate, so just like a thermos, it helps keep the hot thing hot & the cool things cool.  There are loads of great uses for it & I can think of some great winter projects like mittens, a cozy coat, toasty snowpants & the list goes on.  However, since it's 70+ degrees and the start of summer, those aren't exactly the kinds of projects most of us want to work on right now. Soooooo,

For today's project, Chic Lunch Sac, I'm combining laminated cotton & thermal batting to make a lunchbag we can take out & about in the heat and still keep things tasting cool.  

What you'll need:
1/4 yd Laminated Cotton or PUL
1/4 yd Thermal Batting/Insulated Lining
Double fold bias tape
2 snaps (or velcro) for closure
Sewing notions (thread, rotary cutter/scissors, bobby pins) 


Super easy to make, just cut one rectangle 11"x 26" of Thermal Batting and two rectangles from the laminated cotton (I used laminated cotton for outer & PUL for the lining).

Lay the thermal batting piece on the wrong side of one of the fabric pieces.  Right sides facing, fold lengthwise.  Do the same for the lining piece.

Stitch up the sides.   Mark 2" squares out of the bottom corners of each piece:

Pull the marking lines together at the corners to square them off & then stitch down the line of each corner like this (stitch twice for reinforcement):

Trim the excess fabric triangles off:

Turn the outer bag right side out and insert the lining bag inside.  Line up the side seams using bobby pins (so you don't leave holes in your fabric):

Attach bias tape to the open edges using your bobby pins again:

Stitch on your bias tape to attach the outer & lining together:

I added two snaps for the closure.  Toss in an icepack and the goodies you want to keep cool and you're good to go!  I made mine match the Laminated Beach Bag I made earlier, so we'd keep all our on-the-go stuff clean & fresh!

What projects do you think thermal batting would be ideal for?  Have you used it yourself?  Don't be shy - share your ideas & tips in the comments and your pics in the CraftShare Flickr pool so everyone can be inspired!



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