https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/cut-mesh-bag • Posted by C&T Publishing
Experiment with cutting kraft-tex in a way that makes it expand into a totally new material: cut mesh! This lightweight bag looks three- dimensional, but it’s made from a flat piece of kraft-tex. Inside is a fabric drawstring sack for small items—perfect for shopping or going out for coffee with friends! Finished size: 15 ̋ wide × 131/2 ̋ tall × 7 ̋ deep
Experiment with cutting kraft-tex in a way that makes it expand into a totally new material: cut mesh! This lightweight bag looks three- dimensional, but it’s made from a flat piece of kraft-tex. Inside is a fabric drawstring sack for small items—perfect for shopping or going out for coffee with friends! Finished size: 15 ̋ wide × 131/2 ̋ tall × 7 ̋ deep
Cutting From the Cut Mesh Bag patterns, prepare the base, handle, and drawcord tab templates. kraft-tex • Cut 1 piece 18 ̋ × 18 ̋ for bag. • From the remaining 18 ̋ × 7 ̋ piece, cut: 2 from Base template 4 from Handle template 2 from Drawcord Tab template Fabric • Cut 1 from Base template with the seam allowance (dashed line) added in. • Cut 1 piece 14 ̋ × 251/2 ̋ for main bag piece. • Cut 1 piece 11/2 ̋ × 251/2 ̋ for drawstring casing.
Make the Cut Mesh Bag Create a Cutting Template Using a non smudge pen, trace the solid lines of the cutting pattern onto tracing or parchment paper to make a cutting template. To help align the tracing, also trace the horizontal and vertical center lines.
Cut the kraft-tex 1. Using a pencil softly, draw 1 line bisecting the square horizontally and 1 bisecting vertically. The lines will cross at the center point of the square.
Position the cutting template tracing in the top right quadrant of the kraft-tex square. Ensure that the outer edge lines meet the edge of the kraft-tex and the traced center lines are aligned with the center lines drawn on the kraft-tex. Use removable adhesive tape to hold the traced template in place.
Using the tracing wheel (or other pointed object), trace over all the template lines, pushing firmly to mark the kraft-tex. You don’t need to go over the center lines.
Flip the traced template facedown and posi- tion it in the top left quadrant. Align the center lines and outer edge lines, and continue to trace and mark as before. Repeat this process to trans- fer the template markings to all 4 corners.
Cut over the traced lines with a sharp knife.
Apply glue to a base piece and glue it over the center of the main square. The base piece should fit just inside the first ring of mesh cuts. Glue the second base to the other side in the same way, aligning them with each other as precisely as possible.
Glue the handle pieces to the handle sections of the main square. Use the penciled center line to help position the handle in the middle. In the same manner as the base, glue another handle on the reverse side, aligning them precisely. Repeat for the other handle with the remaining 2 handle pieces.
Stitch through all 3 layers of kraft-tex about 1∕8 ̋ from the edge to secure the bag base and handle pieces. The upper, more visible, sides of the handles will be on the same side as the outer, more visible, side of the base.
Shaping the Bag Immerse the completed bag in warm water. Shake off the excess water.
Pull the sides and corners away from the base to open up the mesh.
Bring the short sides together, then the front and back with the handles together. Stretch and pull the mesh inward and upward until you like the shape.
Find a heavy object about the same size as the bag’s base, like a heavy book or a baking dish. With the weight on the base, hang the bag to dry.
Make the Fabric Sack Mark the center points (notches) on the long and short sides of the base fabric piece.
With the wrong side up, press each long edge of the drawstring casing to the center. At each short end, open out the pressed folds and turn the ends in by 5∕8 ̋. Refold the original creases and press well.
On the main bag piece, mark a horizontal line 4 ̋ from the top of the rectangle. Pin the casing, right side up, to the right side of the main bag piece, positioning the casing over this marked line. The casing should be 5 ∕8 ̋ shorter than the bag at each end.
Edgestitch each long side of the casing, leaving the short sides open.
Pin the short ends of the main bag piece right sides together. Stitch with a 1/2 ̋ seam, making sure not to catch the open ends of the casing in your seam. Finish the seam allowances and press to one side.
Mark the lower edge of the bag opposite the stitched seam, dividing the bag in half. Bring this marked line up to the stitched seam, and fold the bag again to find and mark the quarter points.
Pin the bag to the base, right sides together: Align the bag seam with one of the halfway marks on a long side of the base. Pin the 3 other quarter point marks. Pin toward each corner. Use plenty of pins to fit the bag to the corners of the base.
Stitch the bag to the base with a 1/2 ̋ seam. Finish the seam allowances together with a zigzag stitch.
Hem the top of the bag: Fold the raw edge 1/4 ̋ to the wrong side. Press again to the wrong side by 1 ̋. Edgestitch the first fold to finish the hem.
Using a bodkin or safety pin, thread the draw- string through the casing.
Fold each kraft-tex drawstring tab along the central fold line. With the drawstring cord enter- ing the tab at the open, short end, stitch around the tab to secure it.