Where I work, we only are allotted 30 minutes for lunch. That, and the fact that I am a super picky eater combine to make me totally #teambringmylunch.
I really don’t mind. It saves me a ton of money, I always know what’s in my lunch, and I have a pretty solid routine of meal prep on Sunday plus planning dinners to include leftovers that make this really easy.
Two other things make a big difference – a good lunch container and real silverware. On the first subject, I’ve tried just about every plastic and glass system out there, and I’m still on the hunt for the perfect version. I’m also on the hunt for a better storage system for all the bowls and lids.
If anyone has any advice on that, I’m all ears!
On the silverware front, I’m set. My sister gifted me two sets of a lunch kit system that came with these neat, slightly smaller than standard size silverware.
To keep them together and clean, I’ve sewn up a very simple lunchbox utensil keeper that doubles as a napkin or spill blotter for my work desk.
This lunchbox utensil keeper is, of course, a super easy sewing craft because I don’t have really extensive sewing skills. Straight (or straight-ish) seams are all you need, plus a washcloth, oversize napkin or microfiber cleaning towel. Matching thread is a plus, but not required – whatever you left in the sewing machine from last time will work just fine. You’ll also need a bit of cord or ribbon to create the tie closure.
To begin the lunchbox utensil keeper, lay out your “material” and your silverware. I’m using a microfiber towel. It’s clean, but it does have a small stain from it’s previous use as an actual cleaning item, but I’m OK with that.
If your material has an outside and an inside, lay it down good side down for this first part – you want to be working here on the inside part. Fold up a pocket from the bottom, making sure you have enough room to cover the bottom part of the silverware. I like to also make sure I have a little fold over room at the top because this keeps things a little neater in my lunch bag.
Pin the sides.
Sew them with a straight stitch on your sewing machine, being sure to secure the beginning and end.
Turn the big pocket you just made right side out, and then using the silverware as a guide, mark lines with an air soluable marker for the pockets. I’ve learned that for a neater lunchbox utensil keeper you want to put each piece in a separate pocket so the keeper rolls up more evenly. I also like the pockets kind of small. The way mine ends up I have an extra smaller pocket on either side, which I sometimes use for those long skinny sugar packets or instant drink mixes.
Sew on the lines with straight stitches again, being sure to secure the stitching and the start and stop points. The top is where I experience the most wear on mine.
Clip all the threads, and then hand sew a small length of cord, yarn, ribbon or whatever you have in your scrap drawer one side. I sew mine so that it is parallel to the long side of the holder.
I can then hide that hand stitching by tying a knot. That turns the cord perpendicular to the holder which makes it work when closing.
To use the lunchbox utensil keeper, just put each utensil in the correct pocket.
Fold over the top.
Begin rolling from the side away from the knotted cord.
Once it’s completely rolled, wrap the cording around and tie it up.
This keeps the utensils neat and clean in my lunch box, and when unwrapped makes a handy placemat or spill catcher while I eat at my desk. When it gets a little stained I run it through the wash with my regular laundry.
Pin this so you can make your own lunch utensil keeper to take your desk lunch up a notch!
Such a simple but clever idea. I love this!