Marble Bags: How to Make Them

Hi, Deneen,
I lost your msg, but found your address. Here are a couple of hints
for marble bags. BTW, Thanks for the forwards.

***Materials***

<Old bathrobe material> (the "men's" robe kind, sorta nylon-y, not too thick
I can mail you a sample if you are not sure).
This stuff is the best. It is easy to sew and does not unravel,
therefore you do not have to hem it. The brown looks like ultrasuede from a
distance (well, maybe a "long' distance). I used one of my husband's old
robes and got enough material to do 10 bags. Ask for old robes from your
pack after Xmas. A commercial " Marble Guy" games vendor at a local craft
faire had these bags and they were *great*.

<Felt>
Okay, but expensive and easily changes shape. Tears easily unless
you get the expensive thick stuff

<Leather>
Very expensive, but Tandy Leather has a very nice marble pouch kit
with everthing you need (pre-cut) for $5-6.00.

<Gathering strings>
*1/4 inch Grossgrain ribbon (buy it by the bolt after Xmas at any
craft store for pennies) Grossgrain is tough and will hold up well, comes
in pretty colors.
* Shoelaces (patterned or plain, round or flat, fabric or leather)
*Scrap leather ; cut in a spiral around and around until you have a
strip the length you want. Old purses and leather (suede) vests will
supply you with plenty of scrap leather for this.

***Patterns****

<Circle Bag> (no seams to sew).
Cut a circle of material about 10-12 inches (~30 cm) across (dinner
plate sized). Using chalk, draw a line about 3/4 inch (~2cm) in from the
edge of the circle and another line about 1 inch (~2.5-3 cm) from the
outside of the circle. You now have a border around the edge of your
circle. Cut slits between the two lines:

outer edge ---> --------------------------------------------------------------
outer edge of chalk line--> ________________________________
Slits --------> l l l
l
Inner edge of Chalk line--> ---------------------------------------------

Experiment with a scrap piece as to how long to make your slits. They
should be *just* wide enough to have your gathering string go through , no
bigger (your marbles will escape! I have that problem all of the time!)

How many slits? 8 is good, but you can use any even number. Fold your
circle in half, then in half again (now in quarters), mark or cut your slits
in the folds, then place slit between each of the slits. (Isn't geometry
wonderful!)

Cut your gathering string about 20 - 25 inches long (~50- 60 cm) and thread
through the slits. Overhand knot your string. To close the bag, pull the
string. To lock the bag closed, loop the opposite exposed loop over your
knotted end (this is hard to describe but is very simple) and pull.

If you want your circle bag to lay flat, cut longer gathering strings.

<Flat bag (with seams)>
Cut a rectangle 6 inches x 10 inches (15 cm x 25 cm). Fold in half
to make a 6" x 5" (7.5 cm x 12.5 cm) rectangle. Sew 1/4 inch seams (.5 cm)
starting at the fold on two sides. Cut 4 slits on each side about 1 inch
(2.5 cm) from the top edge. Space them about 3/4 - 1 inch apart.
Cut your gathering strings about 20 inches (50 cm) long, thread
through and overhand knot.

e-mail me if you have any questions.

Hope this helps,
YIS
Lorie McGraw
Wolf Den 4 Pack 410
Etowah Dist.
Indian Waters Council
Columbia, SC

"If a man loses anything and goes back and looks carefully for it he will
find it ..." --Sitting Bull

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