beach mat tote bag – an easy sew project

beach mat tote bag – an easy sew project  Get ready for the sand and the waves with this fast and fun sewing project.  Make yourself and your friends a beach mat tote bag with easy to find supplies.  The beach mat tote bag is an easy sew project that you can make in an hour or two depending on your sewing skills.

Supplies for beach mat tote bag:

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• Beach towel, in color or print of choice
• Fabrics, in coordinating colors, 1 yd. each: small print, large floral
• Fairfield Poly-Fil Soft Touch Pillow Insert, 12”x16” (can also find at big box stores)
• Dritz Black frog closure
• Wide cotton twill tape, 1-1/2”-wide, 1 yd.
• Sewing machine and coordinating thread (this links to starter machines)
• fabric scissors (have a pair dedicated to fabric only)
• straight pins
• rotary cutter with mat (a must have if you are going to sew a lot)
• iron and pressing surface (This iron heats up fast)
• needle this is a great package to have- it covers most of your sewing needs.

Instructions for Beach Mat to Tote Bag

1. Cut 3″x width of fabric strips of small print fabric. Cut enough strips to go around outer edge of towel. Press in 1/2″ seam allowance on long edges of strips; press strip in half lengthwise with right sides out. Pin in place around edging of towel on all four sides, mitering corners as needed. Sew in place.

2. For pillow, cut two 13″x17″ panels of floral fabric. Sew right sides together on three sides, leaving 1/2″ seam allowance. Turn pillow cover right side out and stuff with insert. Sew pillow bottom closed with whipstitch by hand or by machine. Machine straight stitch pillow edge to top end of towel “front” as shown.

3. For pockets, cut four 9-1/2″x11″ panels, two each of floral and small print fabrics. Pair panels as desired with right side out. Press 1/4″ seams in all four edges, machine sew, then repeat to hide raw edges. Repeat for second pocket.

4. On towel “back” on opposite end from pillow, pin first pocket in place, centered on short side of towel with pocket facing away from edge. Pin second pocket in place with pocket openings facing each other, 4-6″ away from first. Cut twill tape into two 18″ lengths; pin in place beneath pockets. Machine sew in place.

5. Roll towel to form tote and determine closure position. Hand-sew frog closure in place.

beach mat tote bag – a fun gift to make for your friends or with your friends.