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How to make a reusable sandwich wrap

Learn how easy it is to make your own wax sandwich wraps. These reusable cloth sandwich wraps are perfect for picnics and packed lunches, ditch the plastic!

 

As a child, I remember hating the fact we couldn’t go anywhere without a picnic being made first – as an adult I now see my parents reasoning! We were fussy eaters (as are my children), but mainly for financial reasons – buying a family lunch out soon adds up. As a parent myself, I am always packing picnics. Up until now, my preference has to been to wrap sandwiches in Tupperware, my husband would much rather the food is wrapped in single-use plastic bags for sandwiches which can be thrown away rather than carried around for the rest of the day.

Reusable sandwich wrappers are the perfect solution. Not only are reusable wraps reducing our waste, but are super light and small to carry once the food is eaten! Beeswax wraps are super easy to make, double up as a plate for your sandwich and are easily wiped clean once used. A reusable fabric sandwich wraps is great too for school lunches.

How to care for your beeswax reusable sandwich wrap

You can easily wipe them clean or wash your reusable lunch wrap in cool water with a mild dish soap.

Learn how easy it is to make your own wax sandwich wraps. These reusable cloth sandwich wraps are perfect for picnics and packed lunches, ditch the plastic! Make your own reusable Sandwich wraps reuseable #waxwrapsDIY #reuseablesandwichwraps #reduceplastic

The sandwich adjustable wrap is perfectly teamed with a small insulated lunch bag made from fabric scraps and old jeans, click for the lunch bag tutorial.



If you are looking for more eco sewing projects check my round up of great sewing projects, reusable items for everyday living.

Reusable sandwich wrap tutorial

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:

 

  • Beeswax Pellets
  • 2 Cotton fabric squares 14″ per sandwich wrap
  • Velcro
  • Baking paper
  • Iron

Beeswax wraps - How to make your own beeswax pellet reusable sandwich wrap, how to make a reusable food wrap, Make your own reusable snack bag

How to wax the fabric with beeswax pellets

Prepare your area for waxing, you could layer up several old t towels on the table if your 14″ squares are wider than the ironing board.

Place a piece of baking paper (baking sheets) on top of the t towels followed by your 14″ fabric right side up – this is the fabric for inside the wrap.

Scatter wax pellets across the fabric. The volume required is a bit of trial and error.

Scatter beeswax to make your own reusable sandwich bags

Place a second sheet of baking paper on top. Iron – you can see the wax melt and become absorbed into the fabric.

how to make reusable food wraps

If you place too much wax pellets on you can always place a second sheet of fabric in the baking paper sandwich to absorb the excess wax.

make your own food wraps

If you have too few you can always add more in areas of the fabric not yet waxed.

beeswax food wraps

You can use this method to make reusable food wraps and food covers to replace cling wrap in your fridge.

How to make the sandwich beeswax wraps

Measure 2 1/2” down both sides from a corner, mark then cut across (removing the corner of the fabric). Repeat on the opposite side of the square. Do this for your external pretty fabric (you may wish to think about the direction of any print on the fabric, these trimmed corners are the top and bottom of the wrap) and for the waxed lining.

how to fold a square wrap sandwich

Fold the side over to the other side so you can finger crease the middle line of your wrap, this is to act as a guide for the velcro closure.

handmade sandwich wraps

On the bottom corner of the external fabric place a strip of sew on velcro so it runs up the centre of the fabric starting an inch from your corner edge. Sew in place (please excuse poor tension).

handmade sandwich bags

Place your fabrics right side together. Starting at the edge of the top stitch all round to the opposite edge of the top, the seam allowance is 5/8″.

I suggest placing the non-waxed iron on the base of the sewing machine with the waxed layer at the top. If your machine fails to gain traction and move through the wax (the thinner the wax the easier it finds it) try a walking foot, or a little tape on the base of your sewing machine foot.

cloth sandwich wrap

Trim the excess fabric from the corners and turn right sides out.

Fold the fabric in on your open edge. Place the opposite piece of velcro right side facing the lining so the edge is held in place by the fold.

environmentally friendly sandwich wrap

Top stitch across this opening, closing the gap and securing the velcro at the same time.

best reusable sandwich wraps

Giveaway

I am excited today to giveaway the reusable beeswax wraps package below, to enter the giveaway simply sign up to my newsletter and comment below letting me know. For a second entry pin and comment in a second comment. This competition is open internationally.

CLOSED – the winner is Kay, my son chose a random number, he picked two.

Reusable sandwich wraps reduce our waste, they are super easy to make, double up as a plate for your sandwich and are easily wiped clean once used. Check out my accompanying reusable snack bags tutorial.

waxed fabric food wraps

Sign up to my newsletter for access to my free resource library, the resource library includes various bag patterns as PDF’s plus a number of cheat sheets.

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I was gifted this fabric in return for taking part in a Tildas Lemon Tree Blog Hop – find lots of other lovely inspiration with this fabric here:-

Tuesday 20th February – Little Black Duck

Wednesday 21st February – Vicky Myers Creations

Thursday 22nd February – Tea and a Sewing Machine

Monday 26th February – Helen Philipps

Tuesday 27th February – Strawberry Patch Ramblings

Wednesday 28th February – Dinki Dots

Friday 2nd March – Just Jude Designs


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erica

Monday 1st of June 2020

Hello, I love this idea! Just a few questions (I am new on this). Why do you need the wax? Can I put it in the washing machine ? Can I put it in the fridge or the microwave? I know this can be silly questions, but I'd appreciate if someone could tell me

Vicky

Monday 8th of June 2020

The wax gives a water-resistant barrier which may be useful if you add chutney, mayonnaise etc to your sandwiches. I would not recommend heating in the microwave as the wax could melt onto your sandwich but it is totally fine in the fridge. I hope this helps, Vicky

Candle Wrap Packaging

Thursday 11th of July 2019

What an impressive idea! I love the idea of a traditional box. Thanks so much for the good post and keep continue writing these kind of amazing ideas and also share on this blog because i am going to start following your blog.

Vicky

Friday 12th of July 2019

I am glad you found the post inspirational and thanks for following, Vicky

Ruth

Friday 5th of July 2019

Thank you for this tutorial. I like the idea of soaking the inner fabric with beeswax. You say it can be wiped clean. But can the whole thing be tossed in the washing machine? I am making these for my kids and anticipate needing to wash them on a regular basis.

Vicky

Saturday 6th of July 2019

I mainly hand wipe mine down but they occasionally they go in a very low-temperature wash.

Vanessa

Wednesday 3rd of April 2019

Thanks for sharing! How long does it take to make one?

Vicky

Thursday 4th of April 2019

Waxing takes about 10-15mins then sewing up about the same

Suzanne

Wednesday 3rd of April 2019

This looks so good! I love to make this kind of thing as a gift!

Vicky

Thursday 4th of April 2019

I agree - they make great gifts - I made a big batch last Christmas as gifts :)

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