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By Carol Duvall
It seemed like a good time to make another tote. For whatever reason, every now and then I think it's time. We've had big totes and little totes and quilted reversible totes, and this time it's a REALLY BIG tote that can carry everything you can possibly need for a day at the beach . . . or anywhere. I call it a beach tote simply because I lined it with vinyl. You don't need to. You don't have to make it this big either. Or of denim. The choices are yours. The measurements and directions listed below are mine.
Of the two bags Carol displayed, the larger one measured 19 inches wide, 14-1/2 inches high and nine inches deep. To make yours another size, use the illustration as a guide. When figuring measurements, the side panel must be the same width as the panel across the bottom.
Materials:
30" x 43-1/2" piece of denim for bag
two 5" x 38" lengths of denim for strap
four 2-1/2" x 5" lengths of denim for tabs
Velcro
optional - 29" x 42" piece of vinyl for lining
Note: The child's beach tote was made the same way but is smaller: 14 inches wide, 11 inches high and six inches deep. The fabric was a brightly colored cotton print.
Steps: - Press iron-on vinyl to the wrong side of the fabric. Fold fabric in half crosswise with WRONG sides facing (figure A), and take a 1/4-inch seam along both side edges forming the bag.
- Turn the bag wrong side out (figure B) and take 1/2-inch seam up both sides, being certain to take it outside of the first seam. This way, when the bag is turned right side out, there will be no raw edges showing.
- Turn top edge over 3/4 inch, then fold over another 1-1/2 inches or so for a hem. Stitch.
- With bag still inside out, fold it so that the two side seams are in the center with one on top of the other (figure C). If you hold the bag by the top edges and give if a good shake, it should fall into place and resemble
Note: This bag is not as liable to fall into position as obviously as the others we have done due to the large size and the thickness of the materials, so you may have to help it along.
- Draw a line across the entire nine inch width of the bottom of the bag and sew along this line, making certain that you sew through the two top layers only. Turn bag over and repeat on other side. Turn bag right side out.
Note: To be certain that these lines are perfectly straight, it is a good idea to measure from the top point down to the line. All measurements should match. The points can be tacked to the bottom if desired.
- For tabs and straps, fold all strips in half lengthwise with right sides facing. Stitch up edges, taking a 1/4-inch seam, and turn pieces right side out. Tuck open ends in.
- Stitch a tab at the center of each end of the bag and another at the center of each side of the bag. Add a length of Velcro to each of the tabs, placing one side of the Velcro strip on the underside of a tab, and the other side of the Velcro on the top side of the opposite tab (figure D).
- Shake to form shape. Stitch straps along the side edges where desired.
Note: If all of our measurements don't add up perfectly, it is due to the thickness of the denim topped with the vinyl. When the fabrics are folded back on themselves, it takes more fabric, so a 1/4-inch seam can take 1/2 inch of material. Fortunately in something like a tote, that makes no difference whatsoever.
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