You still have time to submit a beach bag!

Image from an ad for Ann Taylor Loft.

Are you sewing your beach bag?

Oh my gosh, the internet crashed where I was staying, so I apologize for my absence here.
Now I'm home, and it feels so good to get back on the computer!

I'm getting a bit nervous about this current challenge, as I've had very few entries so far.
Come on guys--there's still time.
Even, um, I haven't started yet.

Still not sure what you're going to create?
How about a fun shape?
Like this cool scarf-like beach bag (design 'b') from 1949


Or maybe for you it's all about the fabric.
This out-of-print Burda pattern calls for terrycloth to make the simple tote--to me that's an invitation to use a vintage beach towel for fabric.


Speaking of sewing with beach towels, Indygo Junction has a current pattern available to make a large tote out of a towel.


Okay, now get sewing!!!

More Vintage inspiration

Teen Summer dress, scarf, and bag pattern, 1966.

The bag can be made with fabric or with vinyl.

Dig the pom-pom trim.

You can always opt for whimsical

Who knew tankinis had been around so long?
Fun pattern that includes a beach bag with an appliqued frog design.
Zippered, and trimmed with piping.
Copyright 1979.

Seriously, how fun is this?!

Have you figured out how you're going to make your beach bag for this challenge?
Photos to me by the end of July please.

More Vinyl Inspiration

Vinyl is such a perfect material for beach bags.
This bag features clear outer pockets.
And what perfect inspiration I've found,
in a Japanese Craft Book called "Vinyl Bag Collection"
ISBN4-418-04131-1

You can buy clear vinyl at any fabric store (it is used to cover tablecloths, to make book covers, etc).
There are different gauges (meaning thickness).
I like the medium weight that is easy to use with a sewing machine, but not so flimsy as the really light one.
Sometimes you can find patterned vinyl, or tinted vinyl.
I like the clear varieties rather than the fabric-backed types used for upholstery that are so much thicker.
Oilcloth is another similar option that would make a cute beach bag.

Remember, when sewing vinyl, use a walking foot or a teflon foot.
Or, you can stitch with tissue paper either atop the feed dogs, or on top of your fabric (I prefer the latter).
A silicone like Sewer's Aid is also helpful.

Also, adjust your machine tension--too tight and the sewing will 'saw' the fabric rather than stitch it.
It takes a bit of practice, but once you master it....it's addicting.


Japanese bags tend to feature a lot of circles.
This is a see-through bag with circular appliques, all in vinyl.
This about makes me squeal with delight.


Clear red with appliqued flowers.


I love the hanging cherries on this one.


I could be wrong, but this appears to be a clear vinyl bag with fabric strips as embellishment.
I like that idea of combining materials.


This one is called the Tank Top Tote, because that's what it looks like.
But it's all vinyl.

Are you inspired yet?

Inspiration and ideas

How cool is this beach bag, made from a recycled shower curtain?! Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!
I found this on the amazing Wardrobe Refashion.
The bag was actually made by Aurora of Touch the Spindle.

Make a bag from a tank top, at Making Friends.

Crocheted beach bag free pattern at Crystal Palace Yarns.

Another crocheted bag pattern at Learn How to Crochet.

They also have a similar crocheted mesh bag pattern.

Turkish string bag, from WPI.


And if you're in the market to BUY a new beach bag, check out:
the Tatami Seagrass bag, from The Rainforest Site.

Pink ribbon beach bag honors breast cancer awareness.

Solar-powered beach bag recharges your gadgets while you bask in the sun, as seen on Geek Sugar.

Okay, back to beach bag ideas

Here's inspiration from the book Making Handbags, by Goldstein-Lynch/Mullins/Malone.

This is terrycloth, with exterior pockets in clear vinyl.
Most of you already know how much I love vinyl.
And it's the perfect medium for a bag that is going to probably get wet.

I have lots more ideas with vinyl--I'll post later in the week.

Paper or Plastic?

Plastic lends itself perfectly to beach bags--for holding wet clothes and towels and sand that can later just be hosed clean.
So one option is to consider knitting or crocheting from 'yarn' cut from plastic grocery bags.

I have lots of links on the sidebar here, including some great ideas from Marlo's Crochet Corner.

Still need inspiration? How about this:

Alexis Berger creates some amazing designs by crocheting plastic bags. You can view her public gallery via her Picassa web album.

Or, if you don't want to work with plastic, you can consider unusual materials.
Make a burlap beach bag from Craftown.

Or how about duct tape?!
Here's how at Making Friends.

New ideas

How about if you make a convertible tote that becomes a beach mat.

(this pattern from Smart Sewing Magazine, 2nd edition, 1950)

Maybe you could figure out a way to turn a cute poncho like this into a bag...


Think outside the box, people.

What do you like to do? Picnic? Swim? Play games?
Make a bag appropriate for your uses.
There's an expression in design--form follows function.
In other words, be creative to serve your own needs.

Perhaps you need a tote for art supplies, or camera equipment.
I personally need supplies for the dogs I take to the beach, so I may journey in that direction.

What new ideas can you come up with?

Beach Bag idea

And don't forget books for ideas and inspiration:

From Crazy Quilting in a Weekend, by Flora Roberts. Copyright 2005.

Vintage beach bag ideas

For your beach bag, you might consider using a vintage pattern.
Here are a couple in my own collection:

This one has a damaged envelope, but you can still see the fun flower-like design


Or this interesting design, where one handle fits into the other.
I have seen new variations of this.
Sometimes one handle is much shorter,
other times the bag is divided vertically in two print colors.


Or a classic drawstring


Or a super-size tote

Inflatable!

Nothing says summer more than blow-up beach balls, so why not blow-up totes?

The inflatable tote bags by Juicy Couture are sold out at Nordstrom, but look to be on sale at Saks (or google to find other places to order, if you're interested) what a great idea!


Bubble Furniture had some inflatable sports bags and backpacks, but they seem to be sold out now. Try here.


Found this one while cruising the internet, but could not find manufacturer info

I figure it still might spark your imagination on crafting with vinyl, or bubblewrap, or something...

How should you make your beach bag?

Okay, beach bag...what are the options?

One idea for your beach bag is to contruct it using a beach towel or bath towel, like I did in this past post.


Here's a version by Martha Stewart.


Make a bag from a hand towel and washcloth, at Family Fun.


Here's a little tiny bag, from a vintage booklet by Canon Towels.


Beach bag/pillow from Girl's Life.
Here's another pillow bag, but made with a beach towel, from About.com.

Tutorial (on Adobe) from Utah State University, for making a bag from a beach towel.

If you don't want to use a towel, you can go the recycled route with your beach bag.
Martha Stewart used an old tablecloth for this tote.


Or how about a large tote lined with vinyl (idea from HGTV)?

As always, try to kick it up a notch.
This is about exploring, learning, challenging oneself, and having fun.
Play with it!