So I was thinking why not make the bag out of a towel!! Here's what I came up with…
Hobo Beach Bag made from a towel…it's a bag, a towel to lay on and it has a pillow too!!
You just need 2 towels and 2 lines of stitching on your sewing machine!!
What prompted this idea were these towels I found at Walmart for $3.97 each.
You'll need 2 if you want an extra towel for a pillow and to dry off with.
If you just want the bag with towel to lie on, then 1 towel will do.
These aren't the biggest beach towels, so when you are sewing you're own you may have to adjust the measurements compared to mine.
These towels also have a pattern on one side and plain on the other, so keep that in mind when forming the "bag" portion.
TO MAKE THE BAG…
Place towel, decorative side down.
Fold up enough of the end to form the pocket the size you need, but not so much that there isn't enough towel to lay on.
I folded it up 10 inches.
Measure enough ribbon to make the cross body strap.
The end of the ribbon will be stitched into side seam. If your strap or ribbon has an unfinished edge that may unravel, you'll need to fold it over.
Fold over twice and pin.
Now line up strap end just inside the stitching line and at the top of the pocket edge.
Pin in place.
Pin both straps and down both sides of the pocket.
Use matching thread, because you are top stitching not sewing the seam and turning it.
Depending on your towel, I just sewed in the ditch of the original sewing line.
Make sure the folded part of the ribbon strap is in the center of the sewing line. I sewed over the strap part a few times to secure it better.
The bag is done!!
Now for a pillow.
The second towel is great to dry off with when coming out of the water, but when not using it, just roll it up…
and tuck it into the pocket.
Instant pillow!!
Here it is turned around.
Store your magazine, phone and glasses in there too.
Now to roll it up…because the towel you will be laying on is attached to the bag section, all you need to do is roll it up…
and tuck it into the bag.
Add your beach stuff and you're good to go.
The hobo style folds up to secure all the stuff inside.
I finished the bag and no one was home to model the bag, so I just hung it on the door.
Then Kelsie came home from the beach just in time!! I swear this was not planned, but I couldn't resist!!
Here's the hot pink one…so cute!!
This bag is so quick and easy to make, you can sew these for friends and family in no time. Great for the beach and the pool too!!
Happy sewing,
~Karen~
what a clever idea
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!
ReplyDeleteLove this. I have a chaise cover that is almost exact to this that I got a few years ago at Bed & Bath.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, great idea, now if only I had a beach nearby!!!!!! I think I will make some for the summer holiday. Thanks for the great idea and sharing. Susie x
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!! I've got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this evening that links to your tutorial:
ReplyDeletehttp://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-hobo-beach-bag-that-doubles-as-a-sunbathing-towel/2014/06/09/
--Anne
WOW this is a fantastic idea!!! I'm so going to make one!!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jo
xox
great idea. thanks for sharing,
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever & creative idea! I will sure make one of these for my son's girlfriend. They will be at the beach this weekend for a music festival. Your timing is perfect. Off to get towels! Thanks so much for this idea!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! How simple and clever! You have truly been given a gift! Love this idea!
ReplyDeleteYou are one creative chicky!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! About how long is the ribbon piece you used?
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea. My first thought--the kids can carry their own towels rather than having a giant bag full of towels.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any thoughts on making the pocket area waterproof?
DeleteThat is so nifty! I need to make one to take with me for my next trip up to Lake Tahoe. In my favorite bright pink!
ReplyDelete