I’ve been wanting to make waxed storage bags for ages but it wasn’t until this last Christmas when I decided to make some as gifts that I got serious about actually making them. When I got online to see if anyone had any patterns or instructions for making them I came up with mixed and not so great information—so I decided to come up with my own pattern!
Now, you too can make Waxed Storage Bags with my pattern! From 1 yard of fabric you can make (2) extra large 14" W x 21" L x 3" D Bread Bags and (3) 6-½" W x 6-½" L Snack Bags. And, as part of the pattern—it’s not available separately—there’s also a QR code link right in the pattern to a video tutorial I made on how to apply the beeswax coating.
I made the cover sample bags from the Sweet Dreams print from my Heirloom collection for Art Gallery Fabrics. I’m in the mood for spring and love the cheery yellow and orange flowers! Waxing fabric will darken the material a bit so I also wanted to see what it would look like on a light background fabric—I love how they turned out!
Besides fabric and beeswax, you’ll need a few other things, like a serger and regular sewing machine. I serged the inside seams on my bags but if you don’t have a serger you can use a tight zigzag stitch on your sewing machine. Additionally you’ll need some parchment paper sheets and an iron for applying the beeswax pellets (see below for a link to the beeswax I used). Most of the time it takes to make these bags is spent on waxing the fabric but it’s pretty much about a 1 hour project from start to finish.
There are so many benefits to making your own waxed storage bags. I’ve made 12 bread bags and 3 snack bags so far from my 2 pound beeswax purchase and I’m about halfway through the bag of pellets. A little goes a long way with my application process. It’s economical to make your own and great for gift-giving. Once you get started you may not stop waxing fabric!
Here’s an Amazon affiliate link to the natural, triple purified beeswax I used in white wax:
Beeswax has antibacterial properties so it creates a great environment for storing food like bread. The coating allows the bread to breath but not so much as to dry it out right away. Your fresh baked bread can sit out on the counter a couple extra days when stored in one of these waxed bags—just roll the top down to close the bag opening and wipe clean with a damp cloth after each use.
The snack bags are great for dry foods like crackers, cookies, nuts, trail mix, raw veggies, etc. and save the landfill from plastic wrap and plastic zip bags. Fold down the opening and or fold and clip to close and wipe clean with a damp cloth to reuse over and over again.
My testers were super excited to try this project because many of them also had this kind of project on their list of things to make or know of someone who bakes or bakes bread themselves. Each used Art Gallery Fabrics quilting cotton for their bags and they all came out beautifully!
Samples made by Sandy Saengsuk @thaicharmllc
Samples made by Joyce Ulm @evamaescustomquilts
Sample made by Victoria Newmyer @midlife_quilter
Samples made by Tracey Taber-Perry @ttabes80
Samples made by Melissa David @quiltingabovetheclouds
Sample made by Marija Vujcic @maraquiltdesigns
Sample by Tamara Darragh @remivailstudio
I hope you’ll give this project a try and not only will you make a very useful project from fabrics that match your style but you’ll be putting less plastic waste into the landfill and reusing instead of discarding!
Happy sewing,
