Beach Bag Tutorial

Since its Thursday, I'm supposed to write a post about parties...but since I'm all partied out from the 4th, I've got a special beach bag tutorial for you.

I came across a bunch of fabric samples from Sumbrella fabric. The fabric is thicker (indoor outdoor) fabric and I had a number of squares that I wasn't quite sure how to use. Some of them coordinated well so I decided to use a few to make a beach bag. Just in case YOU didn't come across a number of fabric squares, here's what you need:

Materials:

• 1 yard of whatever material you'd like to use to make the exterior of the bag
• 1 yard for your lining (I just used cheap broad cloth which is something like $2.99 a yard)
• A strap-whatever you choose for this (1 yard in length)
• Something to close the bag in the middle (I used ribbon but would have rather used a magnetic clip)
• A piece of cardboard

Pattern:

• Piece #1: Your first piece is the front and back side of your back. It is going to be 11 1/2 inches by 12 3/4 inches. You'll need to cut out two of these pieces
• Piece #2: Your second piece is going to be the bottom of your bag. It is 12 3/4 inches by 4 inches. 
• Piece #3: Your third piece is for the sides of your bag. It is going to be 11 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. You will need to cut out two of these pieces.
• Piece #4: Your fourth piece is going to be your lining. It is going to be 17 inches by 31 inches

Tutorial:

1. Pin and sew Piece #1 and Piece #2 together with the fronts facing each other
2. Pin the other #1 piece to the other side of your #2 piece and sew (front to front). Now you'll have the bottom, front and back of the bag completed.
3. Sew one of your #3 pieces to the edge of your front and back pieces. Do this again with your other #3 piece. (Remember front to front) Now you have something that resembles a bag!
4. Cut your cardboard piece to fit the bottom of your bag and keep it there with a piece of double sided tape. This way your bag will be more sturdy on the bottom
5. Now for the lining. This is the most difficult step (for me anyways). You are going to sew the side of the lining (Piece #4)  up together so that it looks like a pillow case. Flip it inside out so you don't see the seams and then pin the edge of the lining to the edge of the bag. Refer to the pictures below to see how this is going to look. The idea is that when you're done you'll be able to push the lining inside so that your cardboard piece is covered and you're bag is lined. You won't be able to sew around the entire bag with your machine. Do as much as you can and then hand-stitch the rest.

I hope this wasn't too confusing and enjoy your bag!