I tried making these last summer, of my own made up pattern, by copying a store bought one. Two flaws in mine: 1. I used oilcloth for both sides, thinking at the time that it would make the easiest clean up. 2. The cottony inside of the oilcloth soaked up moisture and wouldn’t try out, causing it to mold and get funky. I think I should try this one because I am totally sold on the concept and tried, unsuccessfully, banning ziploc bags from our house.
I lucked out b/c there was a huge chunk (3 metres) of vinyl in the remnants bin for $2.50! My daughter has 2 birthday parties to attend this month and this is what they are getting. She loved choosing out fabric for her friend’s
I was thinking the same thing about the liner needing to be food safe. Anyone have any leads on getting that kind of material by the yard? The stuff in the Wrap-N-Mats is a clear plastic layer…
I have made reusable lunch wraps from Calico squares, which I wash in the daily laundry. They are cheap and easy to clean. Even though they have no plastic layer, they are still quite good at keeping sandwiches seperated from the other food in the lunchbox, and keeping some moisture in. Here is my post about it http://www.matchingpegs.com/2008/02/23/the-love-of-pegs/
Can anyone clarify why vinyl is not food-safe? I have oilcloth I purchased that I thought would be lovely- is that also unsafe? Where can I find out more? Thanks!
Here’s a link to an article that also references the now defunct link to The Small Object blog…it also mentions the vinyl thing too…but in the end it’s up to you and how ‘green’ you want to be…
I am a living anique I remember reusable lunch raps that were disposable too. A paper bag for your lunch provided on Monday, carefully returned every day through the week, then binned on Friday. Though now you would recycle it. And look I’m alive and fit and the nasty germs didnt get me, nor all my friends who did the same thing.
To remedy the problem of food-safe oilcloth, I have purchased a ziploc supply (or any other sandwich bag, but ziploc is easier to craft with and later wipe clean), and cut them into 2 separate ‘sheets’ (so it’s no longer lockable) that I wrap my sandwiches in. That way, you can clean the sandwich ‘sheet’ and the oilcloth pocket only gets a quick wipe when required; it’s also much safer than have food touch the oilcloth all the time (and if the sandwich ‘leaks’ as is sometimes the case with jelly or peanut butter, you don’t get such a big mess to clean).
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
oh my god I absolutely love this – what a fantastic idea
I just have to make these! What a great idea… perfect for my kids lunch boxes – our school has a ‘rubbish-free’ lunch policy. I am very impressed!!!
Be sure that the material you line your sandwich wrapper in is food-safe. Vinyl/PVC is not. But it’s a super cute idea, and a great way to cut waste.
I tried making these last summer, of my own made up pattern, by copying a store bought one. Two flaws in mine: 1. I used oilcloth for both sides, thinking at the time that it would make the easiest clean up. 2. The cottony inside of the oilcloth soaked up moisture and wouldn’t try out, causing it to mold and get funky. I think I should try this one because I am totally sold on the concept and tried, unsuccessfully, banning ziploc bags from our house.
I just made my first one!
I lucked out b/c there was a huge chunk (3 metres) of vinyl in the remnants bin for $2.50! My daughter has 2 birthday parties to attend this month and this is what they are getting. She loved choosing out fabric for her friend’s
I was thinking the same thing about the liner needing to be food safe. Anyone have any leads on getting that kind of material by the yard? The stuff in the Wrap-N-Mats is a clear plastic layer…
I have made reusable lunch wraps from Calico squares, which I wash in the daily laundry. They are cheap and easy to clean.
Even though they have no plastic layer, they are still quite good at keeping sandwiches seperated from the other food in the lunchbox, and keeping some moisture in.
Here is my post about it
http://www.matchingpegs.com/2008/02/23/the-love-of-pegs/
Can anyone clarify why vinyl is not food-safe? I have oilcloth I purchased that I thought would be lovely- is that also unsafe? Where can I find out more? Thanks!
Here’s a link to an article that also references the now defunct link to The Small Object blog…it also mentions the vinyl thing too…but in the end it’s up to you and how ‘green’ you want to be…
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-sandwich-wrap-dilemma.html
I’ve found the website to be an excellent source of information so far…hope this helps those of you querying the use of vinyl….
I am a living anique I remember reusable lunch raps that were disposable too. A paper bag for your lunch provided on Monday, carefully returned every day through the week, then binned on Friday. Though now you would recycle it. And look I’m alive and fit and the nasty germs didnt get me, nor all my friends who did the same thing.
To remedy the problem of food-safe oilcloth, I have purchased a ziploc supply (or any other sandwich bag, but ziploc is easier to craft with and later wipe clean), and cut them into 2 separate ‘sheets’ (so it’s no longer lockable) that I wrap my sandwiches in.
That way, you can clean the sandwich ‘sheet’ and the oilcloth pocket only gets a quick wipe when required; it’s also much safer than have food touch the oilcloth all the time (and if the sandwich ‘leaks’ as is sometimes the case with jelly or peanut butter, you don’t get such a big mess to clean).