This was a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
I was really excited to be asked to review a new HGTV HOME line of fabrics from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. They sent me a yard of each of these fun fabrics to try out and make something from. They have a coupon code and sale for you too- check it out at the end of this post.
Here are the fabrics I received:
The one on the left is a nice decor weight cotton and the one on the right is a nice and heavy cotton/linen blend. I had a really really hard time deciding what to make with them- so many possibilities!! Eventually I realized that they were calling out to be made into a bag. I ended up making this awesome beach bag, which I’m sharing the tutorial for, but if I’d had a proper zipper, I would have made an overnight bag. Could you picture that woven fabric as the outer for an overnight bag? I think it would have been very retro looking. That fabric also would make an amazing table cloth or picnic blanket. And the pattern on the decor weight? I love those giant bright flowers!
Anyway… here is the bag I made. It’s huge. You will be able to fit your picnic, blanket, towels, sand toys and more into this bad boy for a day at the beach. For a little extra personality and usage, I added pockets on each side. They have a little elastic to keep stuff in there. You can make the handles long enough to wear over your arm if you like too! Despite being ginormous, this bag is actually pretty quick and easy to sew. Pretty quickly you’ll be on your way to the beach or a park!
This pattern is a just a bunch of rectangles. Next come the dimensions to cut out. These measurements include a 1/4 inch seam allowance. If you’re not using heavy weight fabric, you might want to cut an extra layer of interfacing or even canvas to make it have more shape.
To cut from fabric:
* bottom – 12.5 x 18.5 – cut one of outer and one of lining.
* narrow sides – 15.5 x 12.5 – cut two of outer and two of lining
* front and back – 15.5 x 18.5 – cut two of outer and two of lining
* pockets – 10 x 12.5 – cut two of lining fabric
* handles – 3 x 18 (or 22 inches if you want it to go on your shoulder) – cut 4 of outer fabric, plus 2 of interfacing
Other notions:
* 3/8 inch wide elastic – 9 inches – x2
Cut everything out:
Alrighty, to get started sewing… let’s start with the handles. Put two of those strips with right sides together. Then add a layer of interfacing on top and sew down the long sides with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn right side out and press. Top stitch 1/8 inch away from each of the long sides.
Repeat with the other strap. Line the two straps up and cut a tiny bit as needed to make sure they are the same length. Set straps aside.
Next, let’s take the pockets. On one of the 12.5 inch lengths, fold the raw edge under 1/4 inch. Now fold again 3/4 inch. Sew nearest that first fold, to make a casing.
Thread elastic through the casing and baste into place at each end. Baste the other three edges of the pocket to the bottom section of the RIGHT side of an outer side piece. Repeat with the other pocket.
Now, let’s make the bag.
Take the bottom piece and match up the short end to the pocket end of one of the side pieces. Sew along the bottom edge of the pocket and side with 1/4 inch seam allowance. Start and stop 1/4 inch from each end. Repeat with other side.
Sew the long edge of a front/back piece to the long edge of the bottom. Again, start and stop sewing 1/4 inch from each end.
Now you should have a big cross – like this:
Repeat with the lining fabric and you’ll have a big cross of it too:
Next, at the corners of the bottom piece, line up the two sides that meet there.
Sew up this corner from top to bottom. You don’t have to leave 1/4 inch on each end this time. Do this for all four corners on the outer fabric, then repeat with the lining fabric.
You’ll have two big inside out rectangle-ish bags.
On the outer fabric, find the front and backs. Make sure you aren’t attaching the straps to the sides!
Grab one of those handles you set aside earlier. Take one short end and pin it on the right side of the front of the bag about 3 inches away from the side. You’ll want the raw edges to match up, and then extend the end of the strap past the fabric edge (this will make it more secure later). I have mine hanging off the fabric about 1/4 inch. Pin it in place.
Pin the other end about 3 inches away from the other side. Make sure that the strap isn’t twisted.
Repeat with the other strap, on the RIGHT side of the back piece.
Now turn the lining fabric right side out and insert it into the outer fabric. Carefully line up the raw edges of the sides and the front and back and match the corner seams.
Sew along the raw edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave an opening between the seams on one side or between the handles on one side. You might want to double stitch over the handles.
Alright! Turn that puppy right side out through the hole you left in one side. Press that seam in to make it easier to sew in a second.
Top stitch all the way around the top of the bag 1/8 inch from the edge. Make the raw edges of the opening are inside the bag.
Now, top stitch around the bag one more time, about 1/2 inch away from your first stitching. I just lined up my presser foot and went that width around. Both top stitchings will catch the handles and make them extra secure.
And that’s it! Now just tuck the lining in- you could actually sew the bottom lining and outer together if you wanted another step, but that’s pretty much it!
Fill that baby up and head out for some adventure!
This post was published on Muse of the Morning.com
