Free Sewing Tutorial--Mesh Produce Bag

You can now sew your own reusable produce bags using my free tutorial! With my recent change in direction with the business, focusing now on knitting and crochet accessories, I decided to pull my sewing patterns that I had listed for sale in my Etsy and Craftsy shops and turn them into free tutorials here on the blog. Here's a better explanation.

​Ready to make your own reusable bags? These are great for the grocery store, farmer's market, or even for collecting shells at the beach. Let's get started!
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Materials

• ​¼ yard Mesh Fabric (often labeled “Utility Fabric, Mesh
• White, 100% polyester”)
• ½ yard Quilting Cotton (1 yard if fabric has a directional/sideways print)
• 1 yard Cotton cording, 1/4” diameter (Nylon Cord would also work)
• Coordinating Thread
• Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies

 
Cutting Out the Pieces                       

Cut two—6” x 26” rectangles of quilting cotton (cut 13” on the fold, paying close attention to layout if using directional prints)

Cut one—6” x 26” of the mesh  (cut 13” on the fold)

                                                                                 Cut 1 yard of the drawstring cording

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Assembling the Bag

You will construct the bag with French Seams (much easier than they sound!). 

With wrong sides together, attach the top cotton panel to the mesh panel with a ¼” seam allowance.

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Trim the seam to 1/8”, being careful not to snip through the seam you just sewed.

Turn the fabric so that right sides are facing. Sew a ½” seam allowance, completely enclosing the first seam within this second one, making a French Seam.

Open up the two pieces and press the seam towards the cotton panel. Topstitch ¼” seam allowance.


​Repeat Steps 1-4 to attach the bottom panel to the mesh, paying close attention to any direction of the print in the fabric.

Drawstring casing
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On the top cotton panel, turn in the short edge ¼”, then ¼” again; Sew a 1/8” seam allowance from the top of the bag towards the mesh panel, but only as indicated in the photo (a 3” long seam). Repeat for the other side.

With an iron, press a ½” hem along the top edge of the bag, then fold and press an additional 1” hem.

Sew the casing with a ¼” seam allowance. This will give you a tube at the top of the bag with an opening on either end wide enough for your drawstring.

With wrong sides together, pin around the exterior of the bag, matching at existing seams. Sew ¼” seam allowance.

Pay close attention as you approach the casing. You will need to angle your seam for a clean finish.

Trim seams to 1/8” seam allowance, being very careful not to snip through existing seams. 

​Turn the bag inside out, with right sides facing each other. Sew a ½” seam around the perimeter, enclosing the seam you just created, making a French Seam. Again, you will have to angle the end of the seam (as shown with the blue line in the photo) to ensure a clean finish near the drawstring casing. 

Turn the bag right side out. Press with steam iron. 

Insert the drawstring by threading the cord through the casing with a safety pin. 

Seal the ends of the cord to prevent fraying. Use a dab of glue from a hot glue gun for cotton cording, use a lighter to burn the end of a nylon cord (using extreme caution!) ​

​Optional: add a cord stop to keep the drawstring cinched closed.

Fill your bag with produce and enjoy!