How to make a bread bag

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one bag, loaf size)

• Fabric (linen or heavy cotton) — about 55 × 40 cm
• Cord, 4 mm round — about 55 cm × 2
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Bread bag” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the width, the height, the gusset and the casing width. Presets cover a loaf, a baguette and large.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Lay the pattern on the wrong side and trace both lines.
2. Cut the pieces
   Two body pieces and two cords.
3. Transfer the notches
   Mark where the casing opening stops. You sew below that point.
4. Finish the edges
   Zigzag the seam allowances.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew the sides and base

1. Place the two pieces right sides together and sew both sides and the base.
2. Leave the sides unsewn from the top down to the casing notch — that is where the cords come out.
3. Backstitch at the notch.

4-2. Box the corners

1. Pinch each bottom corner so the side seam meets the base seam.
2. Sew straight across at the gusset width.
3. Trim, leaving 1 cm.

4-3. Make the casing

1. Above the notch, press the allowances open and topstitch them down in a rectangle.
2. Turn the top edge under by 1 cm, then by the casing width.
3. Stitch close to the fold, all the way round.

4-4. Thread the cords

1. Thread two cords in opposite directions from either side.
2. Knot each one so pulling both sides closes the bag.

✏️ Linen lets moisture out at a measured rate, so bread does not sweat as it would in plastic. It does not stop it drying either — this suits bread eaten the same day or the next. Beyond that, freezing is the reliable answer.

5. Tips & variations

• Wash and reuse: it goes in the machine, which is one fewer plastic bag.
• Long and narrow for baguettes: the 16 × 44 cm preset is cut for them.
• For giving bread away: it makes the loaf a present rather than a handover.