How to Sew a Drawstring Mesh Bag
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Inside: How to Sew a Drawstring Mesh Bag
With summer in full swing, our family can’t wait to head out on summer adventures. Most adventures in our home consist of a body of water such as an ocean, lake, or nearby muddy ditch.
Where there is water there is rock collecting, shells, and of course….SAND.
Let me just say, I am not a huge fan of sand. I’d go so far as to say I hate sand. Truth.
I don’t mind playing in it but cleaning out of my car and sweeping it up for the next month is not my idea of fun. That is why I’m so excited to share with you how to sew a mesh drawstring bag.
This mesh bag might just change your life.
Okay, maybe not, but it will make preventing that sandy mess a little easier.
Simply add your sand toys or rock and seashell collection to the bag after playing. Shake lightly and BAM. No more sand.
Tips for Sewing with Mesh Fabric
If you’ve never sewn with mesh fabric, don’t worry. Sewing with mesh is much easier than you might think. Let me start with a few tips that will make it easier to sew mesh.
- Decrease the stitch length on your sewing machine. Every machine is different, but typically a 2 or 2.5 is a good length.
- Since mesh is see-through, make sure to keep all your seams small. This way they won’t be seen. I recommend 1/4″ or 3/8″.
- Be careful when using an iron. You don’t want to melt your mesh fabric. Use a cooler temperature and a pressing cloth.
- Use Ballpoint Needles. Treat sewing on mesh like you are sewing with knits.
Materials & Supplies
- (1) 18″ x 13.5″ piece of mesh fabric
- (1) 18″ x 4.5″ piece of cotton fabric
- (1) 26″ piece of cording or twill tape
- Schmetz Ballpoint Needles (size 75/11)
- Sewing Machine
- Rotary Cutter with sharp blade
- Acrylic Ruler for cutting fabric
- Rotary Cutting Mat
- Scissors – These help cut slippery fabrics like mesh
- Thread (I recommend a polyester thread like Gutermann)
How to Sew a Drawstring Bag
Step 1:
Place the mesh fabric on a flat surface.
Match the right side of the cotton fabric to the mesh fabric along the longest edge.
Stitch the two layers together with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Step 2:
Fold the bag in half lengthwise with right sides together.
Step 3:
Mark a 1″ opening that is 1″ from the top edge of the bag.
Stitch down the length of the bag and across the bottom edge. Be sure to match the fabric where it meets.
Making sure to leave open the 1″ marking.
Step 4:
Create a casing by folding the cotton top of the bag down 1/4″ and then another 2″.
Stitch around the casing to close it off.
Step 5:
Cut a 26″ piece of cording or twill tape. Thread through the hole in the casing. Match the ends and tie them in a knot.
See how simple it is to sew a drawstring bag. Now collecting those seashells will be much easier and cleaner.
Now that you know how to make a drawstring bag, you can use this tutorial to make larger bags like a laundry bag for holding all those towels on the way home or a wet bag for holding wet bathing suits.
