I’ve been sewing produce bags this summer, and today I’m going to give you the pattern and tutorial. If you do not sew, the ones I have made are available for purchase, just skip to the bottom of this post. These bags are great for taking to farmer’s markets and produce stands to hold my purchases. One big benefit of the mesh is it allows those pesky little gnats to escape so I don’t bring them home with the vegetables. You can hang the bags in your pantry to keep onions and potatoes as the mesh allows for some air circulation. I found some cabbage fabric at my last trip to Foust, along with a tomato print fabric.

Cut the following pieces from fabric, mesh and webbing. The mesh fabric is polyester, and can be ironed. I used THIS ONE from Amazon, and it is also available in BLACK MESH. I am using a thinner COTTON WEBBING, as it works for both the handle and the drawstring. But a polyester would do fine and if it is too heavy for a drawstring, just substitute cording.

Fabric – (top) 7 x 15 inches, cut 2 pieces; (bottom) 10 x 15 inches, cut 2 pieces
Mesh Fabric – 10 x 15 inches, cut 2 pieces
Handle webbing – 1-inch wide x 55 inches long, cut 2 pieces
Drawstring – cut one 40-inches long

Begin with the top pieces. Fold over the short ends 1/4-inch and press. Fold over 1/4-inch again enclosing the raw edge.

Stitch the fold.

Then, just like you do for a pillowcase, meet the raw edges of the right side of the fabric with one end of the 15-inch side of the mesh. Roll up the mesh, then bring the bottom of the fabric over the roll and meet raw edges together. Note that the mesh will be longer than the top piece now, this is correct. Make sure the overhang is 1/2-inch on each side.

Pin the roll so that the layers don’t shift.

Sew with a quarter inch seam along the raw edge.

Pull out the mesh and press. Repeat for the other top and mesh.

We’ll do the same thing for the bottom fabric section. Lay out the bottom fabric, meet the remaining raw edge of the mesh with it, then roll up the mesh/top and pull the bottom raw edge over meeting raw edges. Take care with directional prints that the right side up is on the same side as the upper section.

Pin along the raw edge to be sure the layers don’t shift.

Stitch. Note the mesh is equal with the sides this time.

On the top fabric section, stitch a channel for the draw string. Stitch one line very close to the top edge, about 1/4-inch from the edge. Then stitch a second line about 2 inches away to form the channel. Repeat for the other unit.

Next, pin the handles in place on both sections. Place the raw edge of the handle webbing on the bottom of the bag unit, three and a half inches from the side.

Using your grid on your cutting mat, pin the handle straight up to the top. Pin back down the other side ending at the bottom again, 3-1/2 inches from the edge. Be sure the handle isn’t twisted.

Stitch from the bottom.

Pivot at bottom of channel, stitch across, then back down to the bottom. Repeat for the other end of the webbing. Do not stitch across the channel.

Repeat for the other unit. Note that the unfinished edge of the webbing is even with the finished edge of the bag unit. This is correct. Go back to the top edge, and stitch the handle to the top along the previous top edge seam to anchor it.

Next, enclose the side seams with a French seam. Begin with the two bag units wrong sides together, stitch the mesh and bottom unit with a 1/4-inch seam. Stitch ONLY the mesh and bottom fabric panel. Do not stitch the top unit.

Turn the bag wrong side out, and stitch the side seams again 1/4-inch from the edge, enclosing the raw edges. Stitch only the mesh and down to the bottom. This will bring the sides even with the top section.

As you get to the to the bottom, pivot and sew across the bottom, enclosing the raw edges of the handle webbing. Pivot again when you get to the other side and stitch up to the top section on the mesh only.

Turn bag right side out. Topstitch from the channel seam down to the mesh along the topstitching you did in the first step.

Using a bodkin or a large safety pin, thread the drawstring through the channel on one side, then loop around to the other side and thread through that channel.

Tie a knot in the drawstring.

There you are! All done.

I’ve been making these to sell at the fiber fair, and was excited to see a set of them get a first place ribbon at the Mountain State Fair under Household Accessories.

The first one I made for myself and reworked a couple of steps to get the tutorial right for you. I’ve been using it and many people have asked about it, so I hope they sell well at the Fiber Fair.

If you would like one of these produce bags, they are for sale at $15 plus shipping. Just comment or send me an email with which print you want – cabbages, tomatoes, apple farm or honey bees.

Yes, I have done a pdf pattern for you! Download by clicking on Produce Bag Pattern.

Fall Fortnight begins on Sunday, tell your friends to subscribe. I have a bunch of new tutorials for you, free patterns and giveaways coming! Welcome Autumn!!