Back to School Tutorial Series --- Oilcloth Lunch Bag

So it is back to school time and everyone wants some fun new way to carry lunch to school, co-op or work. I have the answer for you, Oilcloth Lunch Bags. I just had to share with you three of the cool lunch bags. I thought for 30 seconds about doing my own tutorial but quickly realized how silly that would be. Why reinvent the wheel, right? Now if you don't have time to make you own a good friend of mine makes some killer lunch bags, check out Rick Rack Queen today!

Martha Stewart's Craft Department loves oilcloth about as much as I do! Here is a sweet and simple lunch bag tutorial! You can go solid or mix it up with fun oilcloths.

You can get a single colored lunch bag out of a single 1/2 yard

or grab a 1/2 yard and a fat quarter for the two tone look.

Skip to my Lou has a nice little lunch bag tutorial too!

It only takes two OCA fat quarters for this pattern!

And let's not forget this cool Birch Faux Bois lunch bag found at

one of my favorite design sites, Design Sponge.

All you need for this woodland cutie just needs a 1/2 yard of oilcloth!

Back to School Tutorial Series --- Desk Dots

All over the country kids big and small are back to school! So I thougth I would bring back Silver Tree Art's Chalk Dot tutorial and make them Desk Dots. I know my homeschooling posse will love using these. Have fun!

Materials List:

Fat quarter, 1/2 yard or 1 yard chalk cloth

4-6 fat quarters, depending on your color variety

black thread

scissors

circular shapes and/or compass for tracing

First, gather your materials. To assemble using your sewing machine, you'll need thread, pre-cut chalk circles in the same or varying sizes, larger pieces of oilcloth for the chalk cloth to be sewn onto, and a compass or slide ruler if you need precision.

I cut my chalk dots first and sewed them onto my oilcloth before cutting the oilcloth. However, if you are using a compass or circles of varying sizes, go ahead and cut out all your pieces. I like cutting my circles (like my silvertreeart circles brooches) free form by hand. You may need symmetry - do what's best for you and yours.

On the machine, I used the right edge of my quilting presser foot as a guide around the chalk cloth, sewing 1/4 inch inside the circle, sewing clockwise around the entire circle. Backstitch and trim as you overlap your thread.

I like using the black thread on the chalk cloth. It looks good and hides any imperfections. You may like a contrasting color.

I hope you all enjoy this little home work helper!

Great idea, Oilcloth Grocery Bags

Now you can get these over at Modern June or if you are crafty and good with a sewing machine you can whip up some for your self using this great tutorial I found at Examiner.com (via the Minneapolis Homemade Living Examiner). We might have to get that fun oilcloth with the oranges on it, it reminds me summer vacations in San Diego.