Vinyl Tablecloth Beach Bags
July 23rd, 2007 by Jen LoveIn a previous post I had toyed with using iron-on vinyl lining to make my bags waterproof, but I think I may have found a simpler, less expensive alternative- just using a vinyl tablecloth. I bought this fun fruity print off a large roll of tablecloth material. It came in a 60″ roll and I got 1 & 1/2 yds. I wanted to make a bag that was waterproof and easy to wipe off, something great to throw your wet towel or suit in after a day at the beach.
All you need:
(2) – 24″w x 18″h pieces, cut folded for outer bag and lining (or whatever size you desire)
(1) – 12″w x 10″h piece for outer pocket
1 yard of nylon strap
1 piece of cardboard the size of middle bottom of bag
(1) set of snaps or ribbon for closure
1. Fold over top edge of pocket and sew.
2. Choose a front for the bag and pin pocket into place, folding other 3 sides under and sew into place. Then I sewed a straight seam down the middle of my pocket to divide the pocket into 2.
3. Sew the bottom seam and square the corners of outer bag. Repeat for lining. (w or w/o pocket)
4. Measure piece of cardboard based on the squared bottom you now have looking down into your bag. Place cardboard piece on bottom of outer bag. Turn lining bag inside out and drop down into outer bag, lining up the bottom square over cardboard and top edges.
5. With thread and needle sew in 4 places around the outside edges of the cardboard to hold into place. Do not pull too hard on thread or the vinyl can rip. This will secure that the cardboard does not slip.
6. I hammered a silver snap toward the top middle of the bag but am a little worried this may rip when pulled open. I think I will insert ribbon in the next one to just make a center tie.
7. Your bag now is completely assembled except the the unsewn top seam. Fold bag and lining edges over 1/2″ all around, match and pin together. Cut yard of strap in half and line up your 2 straps along the top edge. Sew final seam around top of bag.
You can see that the bag is a little floppy but I used it at the beach and liked it! The fabric and strap total only cost me about $6, and I bought a few packaged vinyl tablecloths in some cool prints for only $3 that I am eager to try.
July 23rd, 2007 at 9:38 am
Jen, your a genius!! Great idea! And you could also use the vinyl tablecloth as a bag liner – incase you didn’t want the whole bag to be vinyl. Watch out for the discount sales at the end of the summer. You might be able to pick up some pretty tablecloths for 75% or more off.
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Just BRILLIANT! I love this idea! I am going to keep my eyes peeled when I am thrifting.
July 23rd, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Cute, what a great summer tote.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Very, very cute. Love the material
July 26th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Adorable! I don’t have kids, so I don’t know for sure, but would this be a good core idea for a diaper bag?
July 26th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Wow. You’re so creative and SO inspiring! Love this idea…wouldn’t they be cute in smaller versions as lunch bags?
July 29th, 2007 at 3:44 am
Looks great and very easy too!! :0) I’m linking to your post, so others can find out how to do this.
September 11th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I just made one of these…a little late for this season, lol, but oh well! It turned out great. I would just caution people to check the thickness of your tablecloths…mine were cute, but pathetically cheaply made and it tore when I turned the bag…even though I left a HUGE opening. I’ve already checked the other cloths I bought and they appear to be better thankfully.
Anyway, thanks for this great idea!
November 20th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Can you wash the purse made with vinyl tablecloths ?
November 27th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
You can’t wash them in the washing machine because I am afraid it would warp or melt, but my purpose with this material was that you could wipe them clean easily.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:53 am
plasmaison is a portuguese shop.
exclusive patterns in roll 20m….1,40m large
used for table cloth 100% cotton back
we cut by costumers request 9 €/m
send in 24 hrs
you may by to make your pieces or start a new own business selling to your
relatives or clients
thank you ADILIA
April 14th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
this looks adorable!
I want to run out and buy this fabric and make one!
Nicely done
February 10th, 2010 at 2:25 am
Have you guys seen this?…
I saw this great post today and it reminded me of a moment of my life….
March 5th, 2010 at 8:37 am
[...] … February 1st, 2010 | Leave a comment. Just had what could be arguably the best Sunday in …Vinyl Tablecloth Beach Bags | Crafty DaisiesIn a previous post I had toyed with using iron-on vinyl lining to make my bags waterproof, but I [...]
March 5th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I came across this a while back and just the other day found a great table cloth in target for $1.47 a great deal and I thought about this project. The tablecloth is alvo PVC Free which is a great bonus. They now carry a great line of products that are PVC Free including tablecloths and shower curtains. Thanks for the tutorial I am going to make a bag for the endless swim parties my kids attend.
June 15th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Looks like I will be doing this, great bag, but think I will substitute a piece of plastic canvas for the cardboard, so it can get wet or be washable.
March 6th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
The tablecloth is alvo PVC Free which is a great bonus.