Welcome to the May Arts Blog.  I’ve got a super easy project today that you can accomplish in under an hour.  May Arts Ribbon makes it not only useful but beautiful as well.

Here’s your supply list:

• 36 inch by 18 inch piece fiberglass mesh (also called Pet Screen)
• Approx. 5 yards May Arts 1 ½ inch Cotton (385-15-10) Grosgrain would work well too.
• Sewing machine

Instructions:

1. Make sure the ends of your fiberglass are even, trimming if necessary. 
2. Cut ribbon as follows:

2 pieces – 60 inches

2 pieces -  20 inches

2 pieces – 18 inches

3. Fold one of the 18 inch ribbons in half.  Iron or hand- press, then  enclose the 18 inch side of the mesh (top of bag) in the ribbon.  Pin and  sew each end close to the edge. Repeat on the other side

4. Sew the ends of the 60 inch ribbons together with a ½ inch seam to make a large racetrack loop.  Press or hand press the seams open. 
5. Fold the mesh in half.  Press along the middle to crease.  Unfold then beginning at the fiberglass crease, pin the  ribbon to the mesh 5 ½” from the ends.  Sew close to the  ribbon ends making sure to backstitch your ends.  Clip threads. Repeat on the other side.

6.  Fold mesh in half.  Fold down and press the ends of the 20 inch pieces of ribbon.  Trim the ends.

Enclose the sides of the bag evenly in the ribbon, sew.  Repeat on the other side making sure to backstitch the ends.

Done!  A super lightweight, durable bag for shopping or the beach!   You can find a printable/downloadable tutorial here.

Blog post by: Charlene Driggs

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