How To Make A Reusable Straw Case – For Bamboo or Stainless Steel Straws

Today I am going to share with you this great way to be a little bit more sustainable and ecofriendly. In today’s tutorial I am going to share with you how to make a reusable straw case – a pouch or holder for your bamboo, stainless steel or other reusable straws.

How To Make A Reusable Straw Case – For Bamboo or Stainless Steel Straws

 

 

Plastic pollution is a real problem. And one of the worst offenders in recent years has been plastic straws. A lot of places have totally banned single use plastic straws.

However, the paper replacements are far from ideal. And they actually may not in themselves be a sustainable solution. The most sustainable measures we can take is to carry around our own reusable straws. There are plenty of eco solutions such as bamboo, stainless steel or glass. Or you could just keep on reusing one of your old plastic straws.

Here is my pouch with a bamboo straw from The Other Straw.

But what do you carry them in?

And where do you put them when you’ve used them and they are damp and dirty?

Well here is a solution – a pouch with a waterproof lining. You can carry a dry straw in this holder. And once you’ve used the straw just slip it back in. The waterproof lining will stop the contents of your bag getting soggy and sticking to your wet straw!

Furthermore, the whole thing is washable and food friendly.

So How Do I Make A Case For My Reusable Straws?

You will need

 

 

• Some outer fabric. Mine is 100% cotton. In fact, I often have long thin remnants left from dressmaking.
• Some waterproof inner fabric – I like to use ProCare as it is 100% food safe (a lot of the plasticised cottons aren’t really suitable for food use)
• Coordinating thread
• Scissors, a quilting ruler, rotary cutter and mat.
• Pins
• Some Kam-swap fasteners (alternatively you could use sew in velcro)
• A sewing machine

Let’s Get Started!

I measured my reusable straw, and it was 9 inches long. So I cut my pieces of fabric to ensure the finished case would be long enough to hold it.

I cut a piece of outer fabric and a piece of waterproof lining ProCare fabric 2.5 inches by 21 inches (53cm by 6.5cm)

Then, placing the two pieces right sides together, I pinned and sewed a 1 cm seam allowance all the way around – leaving a small gap (indicated by the arrows). Making sure to backtrack at the start and end of my stitching.

I then trimmed my seam allowance and clipped the corners, except where the gap was.

Here you can see how I kept the seam allowance where I had left the gap in the stitching.

And here you can see how I clipped the corners – but not through the stitching. This helps the corners to be crisp when it is turned the right way out.

Next, turn the whole thing the right way out. Press the outer material side with a warm iron. Not too hot or the plastic will melt!

Top Tip

– use a pencil to help push it the right way. Use the blunt end to do the majority of the work, then use the point to push out the corners.

There will still be a gap in the side, the next stage will close this gap up.

But first we need to place one or both of the Kamsnaps or velcro pieces.

Place one with the smooth side to the inner side fabric. I like to make this one the female half of the snap.

Then take the long strip of fabric ProCare side down, and fold up so that the other fabric is right sides together. Fold the whole strip almost in half, but leave an inch or so at the top. This will act as a closing flap at the end.

Next, sew a very scant seam allowance down both sides.

 

Again, turn this all inside out (get your pencil back out again!) and add the second part of the Kamsnap, if you haven’t already done it.

And you have a finished straw case!

These make great gifts, or are perfect to sell. Why not make one for clean straws, and one for the dirty straws?

And even better…

It Doubles As A Toothbrush Case!

 

 

Got some ProCare fabric left over? Why not make some reusable sandwich wraps?

And are you a fan of sustainable sewing? Then you will love my post about using up all my fabric scraps.

Think you might make this? I would love to see your makes. Comment below, or find me on social media.

And why not pin this post for later?