Do you feel like you have to pack a zillion things when you head out to the pool? I made this bag huge so it holds everything you could possibly need to have on hand . . . towels, sunscreen, water bottles, goggles, snacks, flip flops, sunglasses . . .
The outer body and the outside of the pockets are sewn with Michael Miller’s new PUL (polyurethane laminate) so everything inside the bag stays nice and dry, and, if you happen to throw something damp inside the bag, the seat on your car isn’t going to end up getting wet on the way home either! (Of course, you can substitute cotton woven quilting fabrics for the PUL for a non-waterproof bag, if you’d prefer.)
These criss-cross pockets in the front work great to organize those things that you need to be able grab quickly. They look really cool, too!
Fabric & Notions
1 yard of PUL (polyurethane laminate) for the main outer body
½ yard each of two PUL prints for the pockets
1 ¼ yard of cotton woven (quilting fabric) for the inner body
5/8 yard each of two cotton woven fabrics for the pocket linings
½ yard of cotton woven fabric for straps
1 ½ yard of fusible fleece
Finished size: 19" wide X 16" tall X 6" deep.
½" seam allowance is included.
Notes
When working with multiple layers of fabric, try switching to a denim needle to avoid skipped stitches, especially when topstitching. Choosing a light colored fabric for the inside of your bag makes finding little things that have fallen to the bottom much easier. When working with PUL, always pin inside the seam allowance to prevent damage to the waterproof layer. Use a walking foot or turn the shiny side of the PUL towards the feed dogs on your machine when sewing. Use a 100% polyester thread to prevent wicking.
Sewing Instructions
Begin by cutting out your pattern pieces.
Cut two pieces of PUL for your main outer body, 26" across by 21" tall.
Cut two pieces of cotton woven for your inner body, 26" across by 21" tall.
Cut two pieces of PUL in opposite directions for the outside of your pockets according to the measurements in this diagram:
Cut two pieces of cotton woven for the pocket linings using the same measurements as the pocket outers. (My cotton woven fabrics match my PUL outers.)
Cut two pieces of cotton woven fabric for your bag straps: 33" x 8"
Iron fusible fleece to the two inner body pieces and the two pocket lining pieces.
Cut two additional pieces of fusible fleece 2"x33" to be used later for the straps.
Place one outer pocket piece on top of its lining with right sides facing. Line up the angled edges, pin inside the seam allowance and stitch along just the angled edge. Repeat with remaining pocket pieces.
Flip the linings over so that the pocket pieces are right sides together. Press lightly along the angled edge on the cotton side
Topstitch ¼" from the angled edge on both pockets
Position both pockets on one outer body piece. Bottoms should be lined up with the bottom of the body piece and the pockets should cross over each other as shown. Pin inside the seam allowance.
Baste around the sides and bottom.
Find the center of the pockets and use a washable or disappearing marker to draw a straight line from the top of the pockets to the bottom. Stitch straight down this line to divide the pockets in half.
Place outer body pieces right sides together, pin inside the seam allowance and stitch around both sides and the bottom.
To form the base of the bag, choose one of the bottom corners. At this corner, you’ll need to push the side seam down to meet the bottom seam, creating a triangle. Be sure that your side seam and your bottom seam are lined up well. Pin this in place about 2" from the point of the triangle. Repeat this step, bringing the opposite side seam down to meet the bottom seam, creating a triangle and pin.
Your bag will now look a bit like it has dog ears at the bottom.
Using a ruler and a washable or disappearing marker, draw a straight line across where the measurement from side to side is 6".
Stitch across this line.
Trim away excess fabric, leaving a ½" seam allowance
Turn the bag outer right side out.
To assemble the straps, fold one strap in half the long way with wrong sides together and press.
Unfold and fold the raw edges back to the center, press.
Lift one side and place one of the two remaining fusible fleece pieces inside the strap. Replace the side you lifted.
Fold the strap back along the center crease being careful to keep the fleece in place. Press well to fuse the fleece to the inside.
Topstitch ¼" from each side.
Repeat to create second strap.
Center a strap at the top of one side of the bag outer. Align the outer edge of each strap end 7 ½" from the side seams.
Stitch the ends of strap in place about ¼" from the top edge of bag. Repeat to attach second strap to the other side of the bag, checking to make sure that the strap positions match those on the opposite side of the bag.
Place inner body pieces right sides together. Stitch around the sides and bottom leaving a 5" opening in the bottom for turning.
Form the bottom of the bag following the instructions on page 5.
With bag outer right side out and bag inner inside out, slide the bag outer into the bag inner so that the right sides are facing.
Align the seams and pin in place all the way around. Stitch around the top of both bag layers. After crossing each strap end, backstitch back across the strap, then stitch forward again. This will help keep the straps secure.
Pull bag outer through the opening in the bag inner. Stitch the opening in the bottom of the bag closed
Push the bag inner down inside the outer and topstitch around the top edge at 1/2".
And, you're all done!
Load it up and head to the pool, or the beach, or the lake or wherever the summer sun takes you!
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