Guide to Sewing Reusable Pollination Bags
Table of Contents
- Intro
- Fabric
- Fabric Measurements
- Sewing Step 1: Measure and Cut Fabric
- Sewing Step 2: Fold Fabric in Half on the Vertical
- Sewing Step 3: Sew Left and Right Sides
- Sewing Step 4: Pin the “Tailcoats”
- Sewing Step 5: Sew the Lip
- Conclusion
Instructional guide of how to sew reusable pollination bags for your summer garden.
Intro
Cross pollination is a common place event in the garden, especially with summer and winter squashes. Organza bags or a similar product works to prevent cross pollination by covering the plants flower. If you are crafty and like to grow multiple pure varieties a year, then sewing your own bags is a worthwhile undertaking!
Fabric
The best fabric to choose for sewing a pollination bag is a lightweight, breathable and light coloured material. Keep in mind, light colours repel heat and dark colours attract it. Choosing a fabric with these specifics in mind will help prevent from creating a manmade “heat sink” that can adversely effect your plant flowers.
Fabric does not have to be new. We recommend using old bedsheets, old clothes or fabric remnants.
Fabric Measurements
| Crop Type | Raw Fabric Length | Raw Fabric Width | Finished Bag Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter and Summer Squash | 16.5in (0.5in seam allowance) | 4.5in (0.5in seam allowance) | 8inx4in |
Sewing Step 1: Measure and Cut Fabric
This tutorial demonstrates the sewing of a ‘winter and summer squash’ sized pollination bag with the fabric dimensions 16.5in x 4.5in.
First, I have measured and marked the dimensions 16.5in x 4.5in for my fabric strips.
Then cut them out.
Sewing Step 2: Fold Fabric in Half on the Vertical
In order to form the shape we will be sewing the bag into, fold the strip of fabric in half on the vertical.
Sewing Step 3: Sew Left and Right Sides
Sew the left and right sides of the pollination bag. Make sure to leave about 0.5 inches unsewn at the top of the bag on both sides where the opening is.
Sewing Step 4: Pin the “Tailcoats”
Fold a rim about 0.5 inches at the top of your bag.
Fold your bag to place the side seam in the middle.
Find the “tailcoats” on the bag rim. They are the two triangular pieces traced in green in the picture below. These “tailcoats” are the unsewn edges that where left when sewing the left and right sides.
Fold them according to this diagram.
Pin the second seam the same as the first was done.
Sewing Step 5: Sew the Rim
Sew the pollination bag rim.
Conclusion
The resulting bag should be approximately 4in x 8in. A twist tie is used to secure it under the flower.
