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Cut Mesh Bag

Extract from Kraft-tex Creations • By Conner, Lindsay • Published by C&T Publishing

About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
4h00

Kraft-tex Creations
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

Posted by C&T Publishing Published See C&T Publishing's 5 projects » © 2024 Lindsay Conner / C&T Publishing · Reproduced with permission.
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  • Step 1

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 2
    Step 2

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 3
    Step 3

    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.

  • Step 4

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 5
    Step 5

    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.

  • Step 6

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 7
    Step 7

    Cut over the traced lines with a sharp knife.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 8
    Step 8

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 9
    Step 9

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 10
    Step 10

    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.

  • Step 11

    Shaping the Bag

    Immerse the completed bag in warm water. Shake off the excess water.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 12
    Step 12

    Pull the sides and corners away from the base to open up the mesh.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 13
    Step 13

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 14
    Step 14

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 15
    Step 15

    Make the Fabric Sack

    Mark the center points (notches) on the long and short sides of the base fabric piece.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 16
    Step 16

    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.

  • Step 17

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 18
    Step 18

    Edgestitch each long side of the casing, leaving the short sides open.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 19
    Step 19

    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.

  • Step 20

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 21
    Step 21

    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.

  • Step 22

    Stitch the bag to the base with a 1/2 ̋ seam. Finish the seam allowances together with a zigzag stitch.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 23
    Step 23

    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.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 24
    Step 24

    Using a bodkin or safety pin, thread the draw- string through the casing.

  • How to make a tote bag. Cut Mesh Bag - Step 25
    Step 25

    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.

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