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How do you make reusable sandwich wraps?

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By Liz Hill

Try as we might, Good can't answer every question that comes our way. Can you lovely people help another reader out?

I have a question. I make all my own bread and keep it in plastic bags recycled from the supermarket. But I am now using cotton produce bags when purchasing fruit and veg, so I no longer have a supply of bags for sandwiches and loaves of bread.

I would like to make some washable, reusable bags or cloths for the purpose of storing loaves and wrapping sandwiches for lunch, but need to know the best material for this. Something that will keep the bread fresh, be able to go in the wash, and easy enough to stitch on my sewing machine.

I've made a trial one out of a green supermarket bag, I think its Pams, but the plasticised fabric is a bit stiff and may not be the best for a bread bag.

Any ideas for a better material would be appreciated.

Comments

Annabel McAleer

Thu February 25, 2010 @ 12:56 PM

I think the problem is that vinyl and PVC aren't food-safe, right? So it needs to be something safe and eco-friendly, but that will stop the bread from drying out (which cotton or linen wouldn't be able do).

I don't have too much time for sewing at the moment, so I'd be inclined to just buy some! 4 My Earth sandwich wrappers fit the bill -- but if you want to sew your own that's not much help sorry!

Annabel McAleer

Thu February 25, 2010 @ 02:21 PM

Some responses from Twitter (@goodmag):
rgoodchild unbleached calico
LindisCS I use organic calico for sandwich wrapping. You can use slightly damp calico then into a ziplock bag to keep bread fresh.
charlottefrank linen would probably be a good bet. wrapped up and in a lunch box. marthas fabrics do good natural linen for $20 a metre.
charlottefrank if they really want to splash out get the linen from http://www.lin-net.com – amazingly beautiful japanese linen shop.

Last Edit: February 25, 2010 @ 02:22PM by Annabel McAleer

Annabel McAleer

Thu February 25, 2010 @ 03:19 PM

And some responses from Facebook:

Sue Tyler

I don;t know how carmen makes them, or what they are made of but i brought this lovely wrapper at a Craft2.0 http://felt.co.nz/browse/user/anopenbook

Sarah Walker

PUL? Like they make MCN Nappies with?

Katarina Sörstedt

Organic cotton, or bamboo fabric. There is a company in the US selling them.

Good

PUL is made from polyurethane, and I think some people have worries about using it next to food. Polyethylene is the stuff that's used for food plastic, but I don't know if you can get fabric that uses that. It's a pretty confusing area!

Monica Walker

I just use paper bags....

Katarina Sörstedt

A
slightly damp organic cotton napkin is the most sustainable way of
wrapping a sandwich, can be reused, no need to wash in a machine just
rinse if needed, that is what they always used in the old days. http://www.litterfreelunch.com/

Last Edit: March 02, 2010 @ 12:54PM by Annabel McAleer

pioverten

Sun March 07, 2010 @ 09:58 PM

I put my sammies i take to work in those clamshell tupperware box things you can buy specifically for the purpose. they cost about $10each from memory, but i got mine about 4years ago and they're still going strong.

doubles as mechanical protection for the sandwhich as well as oxygen protection.

Missy McGee

Wed March 10, 2010 @ 11:12 AM

i've made some from rip-stop nylon. its the stuff that cheap parkas and kites are made from! i think its polyethylene which is ok for food. you can use it as a lining inside some prettier fabric scraps. and best of all it can go in the washing machine!

Lynne

Fri May 28, 2010 @ 09:18 PM

Have you thought about recycling table napkins, especially the bigger ones. They can be picked up for a 'song ' at an op shop. Also you could make them out of old sheeting, again the size of a napkin would be enough. They would wash and so long as the sandwiches as not loose in the parcel, I believe they will stay fresh for the day at least and maybe longer .

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