Need a fresh tote for the summer?  Here is an easy Summer Beach Tote that is the perfect size for taking to the pool or the beach. Use your favorite outdoor fabric print for a sturdy beach bag that will hold up in the sun.

Looking for more Summer sewing ideas..

Make a Wristlet Key fob to wrap around your tote handle
Sew a Soft Sunglasses Case
Make a Travel toiletry bag

Making a bag can be an intimidating project if you've never made one bag before. But don't worry, It's easy! I promise.  I've taken a lot of pictures to help you along the way!  You'll learn to construct this bag all at once using "French" seams instead of making the exterior and lining separately. This Summer Beach Tote is simple and sturdy. Make one this month and be prepared for your Summer adventures!

How to Sew a Summer Beach Tote

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 yard outdoor canvas, or outdoor home decorator fabric.
• 2/3 yard lining. I used 100% cotton solid.
• 1/4 yard fabric for handles, I used small wale corduroy. 
• coordinating thread.

As an option, you can choose to omit the lining fabric, which just makes the bag a little flimsier when finished and saves a little fabric cutting time.

Cutting Dimensions

From the outdoor canvas, or home decorator weight fabric cut:

• 2 squares 16'' x 16'' for the body
• 3 rectangles 6''x 16'' for the sides

From the lining fabric cut:

• 2 rectangles 14 1/2'' x 16''
• 2 rectangles 14 1/2'' x 6'' 
• 1 rectangle 6'' x 16''

From the handle fabric cut:

• 2 strips 4 1/2'' x 28'' 

Make the Summer Beach Tote Body

1. Sew the narrow pieces together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. These will be the sides and bottom of the bag. For the lining make sure the longer piece is in the center.

2. Put the wrong sides together and center the lining between the two short edges, matching the seams. You should have 1 1/2 inch on each side. Pin these pieces together and treat them as one fabric from now on.

3. Pin a main body piece to the lining, wrong sides together with the bottom edges lined up, and treat it as one fabric piece. Do this with the other body pieces as well.

4. Next take your long piece and pin it, right sides together, to 3 sides of your square, matching the seams to the corners.

5. Stitch around the 3 sides with a slightly less than 1/4 in seam allowance.
Pin the other square to the other side of he long piece and stitch in place.

6. Clip the square corners on each side.

7. Check your edges and trim a little off the sides to even them up if necessary. They should measure a little less than 1/4 inch.

Hem the Top Edge of the Summer Tote

8. Finish the top edge by folding and pressing it down 1/4 inch. Press the corner seams to one side as you go, do not press them open.

9. Then fold the top edge down 1 inch and press. The lining should fit nicely inside this fold.

10. Topstitch along each folded edge 1/8" away from the fold.

Topstitch around the Outside of the Summer Beach Tote

11. Turn the bag inside out and work the seam all the way out to the edge and press it flat.

12. Press each edge a little more than 1/4 inch away from the edge. Don't forget to back stitch a few times at the top for added security.

13. When you come to a bottom corner, stop and backstitch 1/4 inch from the edge. Rearrange the fabric and match up the next seam and start sewing.

14. Your corner should look like this.

15. Now all your raw edges will be nicely tucked into these lovely reverse "french seams"

Make the Handles 

16. Almost done!! Make the handles... these go quickly. Make the handles by pressing each edge to the inside 1 inch. Then fold it in half and press again.

17. Topstitch each handle 1/8 inch from each edge.

18. Fold the raw edge of the handle up 1/4 inch and pin about 3 1/2 inch away from the side on the inside of the bag.

19. Flip over and topstitch the handle from the front of the bag. Sew a box then an X.

20. And that's it!! Trim your threads pack up your bag and head for some sun!!

More Summer Sewing ideas..

Make a Wristlet Key fob to wrap around your tote handle
Sew a Soft Sunglasses Case
Protect your phone from sand and water a vinyl sided zipper pouch. (free pattern coming soon)
Make a Travel toiletry bag with this free pattern.