Drawstring Beach Bag Tutorial

Rope handles add nautical flair, while the simple utility of cotton ticking keeps this tote sturdy and practical. It comes together quickly with just a yard-or-so of fabric and a few other supplies. Get stitching, then pull the drawstring tight and head to the shoreline!

YOU WILL NEED

CANVAS
You’ll need about 1¼ yards of sturdy duck canvas or cotton ticking.

ROPE
You’ll need about 3 yards of ¾" cotton roping. Look for it with the home décor trims at your local fabric store.

INTERFACING
You’ll need enough heavyweight interfacing to cover the bottom of the    bag — about ¼ yard.

PINS
SEWING MACHINE
THREAD
SCISSORS
IRON

STEP ONE
Cut out fabric and reinforce bottom. Cut a large rectangle and a circle. The longest side of the rectangle should equal the circle’s circumference. The shortest side of the rectangle can be any length, but allow 7 inches for drawstring casing.

Cut a shorter rectangle for the pocket. Fuse interfacing to wrong side of circle. If desired, cut a second circle and baste it to the first, right sides together.

STEP TWO
Sew the pockets. Hem the top edge of the shorter rectangle and baste it to the large rectangle. Then add  vertical stitches to divide the pocket as shown.

STEP THREE
Sew the side seam. Fold the fabric in half, right sides together and sew the side seam. Stop about 7 inches from the top.

STEP FOUR
Top stitch the side seam. Press open the seam sewed in step four and top stitch each side (you can do this all the way down the seam or just the top 7 inches). 

STEP FIVE
Sew the drawstring casing. Fold down the top hem of the bag and stitch where shown. Thread cotton rope through the opening. Finish the casting by adding another stitch above the cotton roping. This should be about 1-2 inches above the bottom stitch depending on the thickness of your roping. 

STEP SIX
Sew the bottom of the bag. With the bag inside out, pin the bag bottom to the side and sew as shown. Be sure to thread the loose ends of the rope through the inside of the bag an out through the seams before sewing.