Oversize Beach Tote

By: Jane Skoch

Sew up an oversize tote for your trip to the beach, the park or storage around your home. This step-by-step tutorial by Jane Skoch shows you how to make a tote that stores 8 towels.

Oversize Beach Tote

Materials:

1 1/2 yard of 44" wide fabric or 3/4 yard of 54" wide fabric
2 yards of webbing for the handle
a cutting mat is shown here, but is not necessary for the project. Simply use rulers or measuring tape.

Materials

Instructions:

In this example, I am using a 44" wide fabric. Because this bag is extra deep, I folded the fabric so that the selvedges lined up. (With a 54" wide fabric, a standard fold is fine.)
Cut the fabric at 27" wide.
Fold fabric right sides together.
Stitch along sides of bag using a 1/2" seam allowance. On the selvedge side, the seam allowance is larger to make sure the white selvedge does not show on the right side. No further finishing is necessary on the selvedge seam. On the other seams, you can serge, stitch and then zig-zag or pink the edges, whichever finishing methods you prefer.
Take a stitched corner and pull apart the sides so that a triangle is formed and the side seam is in the center.
Even out the triangle and use a ruler to find the point where it is 9" across. Draw a line at this point.
Stitch along the line. Cut off the triangle and finish the seam. This creates a boxed bottom for the bag.
Repeat step 6 and 7 for the other corner. Press all seams.
Fold 3" of the top edge of the bag to the inside and press.
Fold the raw edge under 1/2", press and pin.
Stitch the top hem close to the folded edge and go completely around the circle of the bag.
Lay the bag open with seams to side. Mark a line 8" from the seam edge on both sides.
Fold the strap under 1" and place to the left side of the marked line (or to the right of the marked line on the right side).

The fold of the strap should be two inches below the top.

Secure with pins.
This part is the most difficult in the entire process. Below you see the finished stitching from the outside of the bag. I stitch it from the inside. Starting with a backstitch to lock the stitches, I sew around the rectangle. Then I stitch one diagonal line, stitch across the bottom and stitch the second diagonal line. You can stitch it in any manner you wish. The main idea here is to reinforce the handles.
Enjoy your bag for picnics, trips to the beach, stashing sweatshirts in your car, ....

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Marilyn B

Jun 05, 2017

I have made a similar tote like this but I made it out of a vinyl oil cloth type fabric which was stiffer and I used it to carry large instructional games I made to teach kids as I traveled from school to school. This project is perfect for towels and I might add a pocket or two to carry other smaller items like sunglasses, thermos, nooks, etc. great project!

Ann Marie Stewart

Apr 06, 2016

Looks like I have three more to make for my other kids. I hadn't done any sewing since 8th grade home-ec. Now I'm 42.

Ann Marie Stewart

Apr 06, 2016

My daughter is going to Washington DC in June It's her first big trip and she's going by herself with her classmates So mommy and daddy will not be able to help her carry her stuff I made the oversize beach tote for basically I bought some tiger material at a yard sale because my daughter loves tigers I didn't know what I was going to do with it I thought about making clothes with it but it wasn't the right material Then I saw the beach tote I used black ropes off of her Nike backpack that had just broken for the handles I already had the thread The material I bought at the yard sale was the perfect size I didn't have to cut much I had a few scraps left over I think I might make her a headband I almost used the scraps to make handles The…Read More tote turned out to be huge I tried it on me and it hit the floor when it was empty So I had to cut the handles if half for her she's a little shorter She's I thought about making it a backpack or over the shoulder but it's too huge for that My kids have trouble getting their sleeping bags back into the original bag once they've taken them out My daughter said she can fit her sleeping bag pillow plus more in this tote

cscarolyn1944 2838 250

Feb 21, 2014

but i made the neck pillow thinks

honeybea

May 23, 2013

longer straps would make it easy to wear across the body and leave hands free

Designer C

Nov 10, 2012

I love the pattern that was picked. I can not wait to get started on this project.

Hoosirchic

Jun 07, 2012

I am actually in the process of making a couple of these for my friend right now. I decided to do a french seam along the sides to keep it from unraveling. It is working really well. You are right. The handles are horrible to put on. Thanks for the idea. I had gotten 54" material at 1 1/2 yards. I got 2 bags out of it. They really are huge too.

summers1011 688190 3

Mar 12, 2012

i just got back into sewing. i will make the beach bag because it looks like something that i could make. i'm a little bit rusty still. anyway, i always get a new beach bag every summer but to have one that i made would be awesome.

kjmassaro 0646139

May 05, 2012

Hey Summers1011, I just got back into sewing too after about 30 years. You'll be surprised at what you remember, and now there is so much to make it easier! So good luck. I am going to make this beach bag with some great canvas material of beach chairs, umbrellas and palm trees that I got at Joann's. Can't wait.

Member 2840885

Aug 31, 2011

Sounds interesting not a sew but think I could make this with excellent instructions. thanks Liz

Member 2840885

Aug 31, 2011

Sounds interesting not a sew but think I could make this with excellent instructions. thanks Liz

fwdonduck 0802478

Jul 18, 2011

Wow! Fantastic for carrying inflated baloon figures, or a lot of large light weight bulky items. Thanks so much for the dememtions and esp. the pic. of it on an adult. You gave us an instant visual of its actual size. I do hope more crafters do this in their tutorials also.

bowsie42 1010125

Jun 22, 2011

I am so glad about this pattern. I never knew how to do the corners. I can't wait to make such a bag for myself. Thank you! Belinda

Member 8195154

Sep 29, 2010

These would also make great grocery bags! I love this idea!

Crafter 16162

Jun 30, 2010

What a bag for my Jeep when I go shopping. I will be able to fill it and just grab it when I get home and no need to gather all the shopping bags tog. LOVE THE COLORS Pat

Marta F

Jun 29, 2010

I love to sew but don't have much extra time after work. I have shyed away from making totes because I wasn't sure about "boxing" out the bottom--What a great trick. I will definitely make one for my two girls and friends for exchange gifts at Christmas time.

Victoriarose

Jun 08, 2010

Thanks for the great pattern! I will definetely be making this one. I think it would be great for the beach or travel. I'm also going to sew a few small pockets on for sunscreen, cell phone or whatever. Thanks again!

Patches1958

Jun 08, 2010

This bag would also be a nice thing to use for a trip to Grandma's house! You could use a material of a plain bright color and put a childs name on it and saying of "Going to Grandma's House" and make some sort of design to fit the occasion. Put pictures of toys or a house or something on it. You could either paint these on with fabric paint or you could even get iron on's. Wit today's printer's just about anyone can print out a transfer right? I really like this idea and in fact I think I will make my Grandson one.

Patches1958

Jun 08, 2010

Diana L Burris

May 16, 2010

this tote looks great for longer trips. I use the large size for regular weekend trips . Thanks for the pattern.! Diana Burris