crafts
How to Make a Reversible Beach Tote Using Riley Blake Laminate Fabrics
Happy 4th of July! I'm Natalie from My Sister's Suitcase, here to share a simple summer beach tote with you today! When I was given the opportunity to choose some Riley Blake Fabric for a project, I jumped at the chance to try their gorgeous laminate. Riley Blake has many beautiful patterns in their Laminate line, but I just couldn't resist the Chevron!
How to Make a Reversible Beach Tote
Supplies:
- 2/3 yard of fabric in one pattern (I used navy)
- 3/4 yard of fabric in a different pattern (yellow)
- sewing machine and tools
Directions:
Here's how to get started. I'm new to sewing, so if I can do it, you can do it! (Original Pattern from Skip to My Lou, found here)
I found this information from the Riley Blake website helpful : Helpful Hints for Sewing With Laminate
- Cut your fabric. You will need 4 pieces.
- Each of my pieces were 19 inches wide and 21 inches long.
- Pin right sides together with both patterns. (yellow facing yellow, then navy facing navy)
- Sew around 3 sides of both the pinned sets. (Leave the top open.)
- Pinch the bottom corner of the bag so that the seam goes right down the middle of the "triangle" you create. Mark at 3 inches.
- Sew straight across the corner at the 3-inch mark and trim off the excess.
7. You should now have a nice, boxed edge on the bottom corner when you turn the fabric outside out. Repeat for all 4 corners.
8. Put the lining piece inside the outside piece. (With both still as you sewed, wrong sides out.)
9. To make the straps, cut one piece of fabric 4 x 44 inches.
10. Fold in half and press. Yes, you can iron Riley Blake Laminate! Check these tips for instructions. It gets really hot! And I found that I still needed to pin everything to help keep it in place.
11. Open up the strap piece and fold each side into the middle crease line you just created.
12. Fold in half and sew down both sides of the strap to secure.
13. Cut the long strap in half to make two equal pieces. Pin the straps inside the bag about 4-5 inches from each side. (See this tutorial for help on sewing in the straps.)
14. Sew around the top of the bag to attach the straps, leaving a 3-4 inch gap so you can turn the bag. Turn inside out and then push the lining into the bag.
15. Now topstitch all the way around the top of the bag. This will give it a nice finish and also close the gap you used for turning.
I love how fun the yellow lining is. And it's totally reversible! The Laminate was much easier to work with than I expected. I love that it can be wiped down when it gets dirty. This little tote is perfect for the beach and since it has the nice laminate finish, you can even hold wet towels/swim suits! I can't wait to take it to the lake!
For more project ideas, come see us at My Sister's Suitcase!
Do you have a favorite bag o take to the lake or beach? What makes it your favorite?
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