DIY Summer Beach Bag with Leather Straps

 

diy beach bag with leather strapsI made a beach bag a couple years ago and I’ve been itching to try another version, especially since dust has started to settle on my neglected sewing machine! Today I’m sharing a tutorial for this roomy, sturdy beach bag for summer excursions, picnics, and other outings in the warm sun. I’ve been drawn to black and white lately and thought a bright inner lining would be a perfectly summery addition. diy beach bag leather strapsAlso, adding leather straps makes it feel less homemade and I was surprised how easily my sewing machine managed them! Remember the cute freezer stencil heart tote I made with the leather straps last year? I used rivets but sewing them in is even more sturdy! This might seem intimidating but I promise it’s not difficult- it took me about 2 hours. With lots of snack breaks.

Keep reading for the full tutorial on making one yourself this summer!

Photography and styling by Liz Stanley, red floppy hat and turquoise sunglasses from Target

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This summer inspiration is brought to you by Target. Find more fun and surprises all season long on Target’s #SummerUp Pinterest board.

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Supplies:

1/2 yard of an outer fabric
1/2 yard of an inner lining fabric
Sewing machine and basic supplies
2 leather straps
A snap to hand stitch in

I pulled some basic instructions from Tiny Happy for a lined bag.

Step 1: Choose your fabric. I had a heavier weight cotton outside and thinner cotton/poly blend lining. I while back I bought a bunch of leather straps from etsy in bulk right here. They cost about $5 for a pair. diybeachbagstep1

Step 2: Measure and cut out 2 pieces of 20 x 20 in both of the fabrics. Starting with the 2 outer layer pieces, place both of them right sides together and pin down the right and left sides. I wanted my stripes to not match up evenly so I made sure to cut a bit off and pinned accordingly. Sew the right and left sides on your machine (not the top and bottom yet).

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Step 3: After you sew the right and left sides, position your tube so the seam is in the middle, iron it flat and pin along the bottom. Sew along that bottom.

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Step 4: Triangle off the two bottom corners as shown below. Measure about 2 inches from the tip and then pin and sew along that line. Trim off the excess triangle after sewing.

Repeat these first few steps for the lining pieces as well. EXCEPT be sure to leave about a 3-4 inch gap in the bottom seam where we’ll turn it outside in at the end.

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Step 5: Now it’s time to make the inner pocket before we put the outer and inner together. Cut out a piece about 9 x 9 in the outer fabric.

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Step 6: Press the unfinished edges in on all four sides. Sew along that pressed edge just on the top edge. Then hand stitch a snap into place along that seam.

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Step 7: Pin and sew the pocket onto the right side of the inner lining fabric. I placed it about 3-4 inches down and centered it with the middle seam. Hand stitch the other side of the snap onto the inner lining fabric as shown below.

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Step 8: Now place the lining inside the outer fabric right sides together and pin along the top edge as shown below. Just pin each corner for right now. diybeachbagstep9

Step 9: Now take one leather strap and place it in between the two fabrics so it’s sandwiched between both of the right sides. You are going to bend it so it’s the shape of an upside down U hidden between the fabrics. I pinned them about 4 1/2 inches from the middle seam. Do the same with the handle on the other side of the bag.

Continue to add pins all around the top edges of the bag and then sew along that edge. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my machine ran right over those leather straps no problem! Hooray!diybeachbagstep10

Step 10: Now you’ll reach your hand down to the inner fabric and pull everything outside in through that hole you left in the bottom seam. If you have to remove a couple stitches to fit everything through, no worries, you can fix them later.

When it’s all pulled through the bag will magically appear as you see below!

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Step 11: Now iron along that top edge and finish with a top stitch nice and even to hold everything in place. Pull the lining out and sew along that hole to close it off.

And you’re done! Enjoy your brand new beach bag!

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Comments

I love the bag. Could you please tell me which fabrics you used fir the bag? I really like the combination of the black and white stripes with the turquoise. Thank you!

Love the bag. I want to make the bag with the same fabrics. Can you please tell me which fabrics did you use? I love the combination of the black and white stripes with the turquoise color.

Love this! I’ve been wanting to make a bag recently and was pretty intimidated thinking about it. Thanks for the know how!

patternedlove.blogspot.com

thats a great bag. I have fabric in my stash I could work with for a bag! I just need straps. I wonder if joanne’s has leather straps….

What a cute bag! I’d totally buy one as well. Excited for warm summer weather

i know probably have tons on your to-do list, but I really wish you started making and selling these. you always have the best bag ideas and the best fabrics. love the stripes and leather combo!

Oh you’re so sweet! If I had enough hours in the day I’d start all kinds of extra businesses. It’s an easy sewing project though- only took about 2 1/2 hours. Give it a try!

So pretty Liz! I’m impressed- is this something I could do as a beginner do you think? Sounds like a fun summer project

You could totally do it. I consider myself low level intermediate but haven’t sewn in months so probably my skills have decreased down to beginner and it was pretty easy. It looks more intimidating than it is!

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