Summertime Beach Bag Tutorial

Summer is in the air and this bag is perfect for summer! Get ready for picnics, the beach, or cruising the town with this Summertime Beach Bag Tutorial!

It’s Amber from Crazy Little Projects back at The Ribbon Retreat and so excited to be showing off my latest bag! I’ve had lots of fun with several other bag tutorials already-messsenger bag, ruffled tote, and sling tote-but there’s something that just always makes me want to make more bags!

Now, I am calling this bag the Summertime Beach Bag Tote, but it’s not summer yet and I live no where near a beach. I just needed a pop of bright color and summertime cheer in my life. But really this could be a going to the park or the pool or just around town bag.

Sunglasses, book, towel. Who’s ready for summer?

Summertime Beach Bag Tote Tutorial:

Supplies Needed

1 yard each of 2 coordinating fabrics

About 1 yard (a little less) of fusible fleece interfacing

Pattern Pieces

Instructions

Start out by printing your pattern pieces and cutting them out. Then cut 2 pieces for the bag of the main fabric (for the outside) and 2 for the inside. Also cut a strap that is 37 inches by 3.5 inches. Cut this from both fabrics.

With your interfacing cut 2 of the bag pieces and 1 of the strap pieces.

Iron your interfacing to the main fabric pieces following the instructions on the interfacing:

If you want a pocket on the inside, make that now. I cut my fabric 12″ x 12″ then folded it in half with right sides together and sewed most of the way around leaving a small opening to turn it. Then, I turned it right side out and pressed it flat:

Then center the pocket where you want it on your bag (don’t do it near the top of the bag or things will fall out) and sew around the side, bottom and other side. If you want to make some compartments, just sew a straight vertical line down the pocket:

Now, take your two bag pieces and place them with right sides together. Stitch up the two outer edges. Do this with your inner fabric as well:

Grab your bottom piece and pin it in place:

Sew that in place.

Now let’s make the strap. Take your pieces (you should have your interfacing fused already) and place them right sides together. Sew up the long part of both sides and turn right side out. Then top stitch the strap several times to make it nice and sturdy and cute:

Now turn your inner pieces of your bag right side out, but leave the other pieces inside out. Stick the inner bag down into the outer bag. Take your strap and stick it down in so that it is between the two layers of bag and the ends of the strap stick out like this:

Now you are going to stitch your bag all the way around the top edge across the straps and around the other side just leaving a small opening to turn everything right side out.

Turn it all right side out and tuck the inner fabric down into the outer. Press the corners out:

Iron everything so that it is nice and smooth. Then top stitch around the top. This will close your opening and hold everything in place nicely.

Now, hit the beach! Or the park. Or the pool.
And, don’t forget to come visit me at Crazy Little Projects.

Thank you Amber! Isn’t Amber AMAZING! Her tutorials are always so much fun and easy to follow. Amber is a very talented sewer, crafter, and person! Amber has submitted multiple projects for us, and we love them all. To see how amazing she truly is, go and visit her at her adorable blog Crazy Little Projects.

Want to make this adorable bag perfect for summer? Cruise on over to The Ribbon Retreat and check out all of your options for fabric. We are constantly getting FABulous new fabric in that is perfect for all of your summertime and anytime projects.

As always…
Happy Creating!!!