How to Sew A Reusable Popcorn Bag

Sewing a reusable popcorn bag is such a fun project to make. You can be as creative as you like with it, and it also makes a super fun gift to give for the holidays. I decided to make one for my teacher and every student in my class as a Christmas gift. It was a big hit and everyone loved them. It makes the perfect stocking stuffer.

Reusable Popcorn Bag

Materials to Sew a Reusable Popcorn Bag

  • 100 % Cotton Fabric
  • 100 % Cotton Thread
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Cutting Mat
  • Ruler
  • Sewing machine (I used my bernette 77)

Tip: It is very important that you use only 100% cotton thread and fabric for this project because any other type of thread or fabric can potentially catch fire when you are microwaving your popcorn.

Steps to Sew a Popcorn Bag

Step 1: Choose your Fabric

When choosing your fabric for this project you must make sure that the fabric that you’re using is 100% cotton. Because this is the only fabric that will be able to withstand the heat from the microwave. You’ll have several fun options to choose from in the quilting cotton section of your local fabric store.

DIY Reusable Popcorn Bag

Step 2: Prepping the Sewing Machine

Use a new universal needle size 12 for this project, and find a coordinating thread for your fabric that is 100% cotton. Fill your bobbin with this thread and then thread your machine per your manufactures directions.

Reusable Popcorn Bag

Step 3: Prepping the Fabric

Pre-shrink your fabric by running it through a wash cycle and then placing it in the dryer to dry as you normally would. Because this will make sure that you remove all of the shrinkage out of your fabric so that once you wash your bag after you use it won’t shrink and be smaller the next time you use it.

Step 4: Cutting and Pinning the Fabric

Cut two (2) pieces of fabric that are both 12″ x 22″.

Reusable Popcorn Bag - Cutting fabric

Place the two (2) pieces right sides together and pin. But when you pin the fabric around all of the edges leave an opening on one of the long sides so that we can flip the bag right side out. I like to use double pins to show that this is my starting and stopping point so that I don’t accidentally sew my opening closed.

Step 5: Sewing the Two Pieces

Starting at the bottom set of double pins sew all around the bag using a 1/2″ seam allowance and stop when you reach the top set of double pins. Don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and the end.

Reusable Popcorn Bag - Sewing fabric

Step 6: Flip the Bag Right Sides Out

Turn the popcorn bag right side out through the opening that you left on one of the long sides in between the double pins. And once you’ve done that press the entire bag.

Reusable Popcorn Bag - Turning fabric

Step 6: Close the Opening

After you have pressed the bag you close the opening by turning the raw edges of the opening inward towards the wrong side so that it will lay evenly and flush with the edge of the bag and you can press it in place just like the picture below.

Reusable Popcorn Bag - Closing Bag

Step 7: Creating the Bag Shape

Take one of the short sides of the bag ( it doesn’t matter which one) and fold it down two and a half  (2 1/2″) inches.

Bring the bottom of the bag up towards the top folded edge and pin in place.

Step 8: Sewing the Popcorn Bag

Using a half-inch seam allowance sew up both sides of the bag.

Reusable Popcorn Bag

Step 9: Boxing the Bag’s Corners

In order to make the bottom of your bag look square and flat, you need to box the corners. To do this, you simply use a technique that is called boxing the corner. It seems hard to do but it really isn’t. All you have to do is make the side seam and the bottom seam touch each other as shown in the picture below. For this specific project, we don’t have a seam on the bottom just a fold of fabric so we will make the side seam touch the bottom fold of the fabric.

Reusable Popcorn Bag - Boxing corners

Measure three (2) inches from side to side and draw a stitching line. Stitch directly on that stitching line, and backstitch at the beginning and at the end. This will make the bag have a square bottom when we turn it right side out.

Step 10: Turn Your Bag Right Side Out

Your reusable popcorn bag is ready to start popping a delicious snack for you! All you need to do is turn the bag right side out, and flip the folded top over the opening as shown in the pictures below.

How to Make Popcorn in Your Reusable Popcorn Bag

Pour 1/2 cup of popcorn kernels into your bag.

Next, place your bag in the microwave and heat for 2 1/2 minutes or until the popcorns popping sound slows down.

Now carefully remove the bag from the microwave because IT WILL BE HOT and enjoy your snack! At this time you could add your favorite popcorn seasonings and toppings.

Tip: If you want to pop more than one bag immediately you must place your bag in the freezer for 5 minutes to make sure that the bag is cool enough to use again. Cotton retains heat and if you use the bag immediately after your initial use the bag will scorch quickly and possibly catch fire because the bag is too hot so make sure to cool it completely before the next use. 

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