Wonderfully Waterproof (Inside & Out) Tote Bag Tutorial

Want to make the ideal bag for summer?  Something big enough to haul loads of stuff, but still fold up small?  Repel water, sand and spills, inside and out, yet still look stylin'?  Then today's tutorial is right up your street: it's my Wonderfully Waterproof Tote Bag.

I originally created this bag design years ago for use as a diaper bag.  This was my first version that I still use every week for swim class, 5 years later.  Thanks to the combination of bag design and laminated materials, this baby has worn like iron.  I'm not exaggerating when I say it hauls stuff like a boss: 

I decided it was time to make a second bag and change the dimensions a little for a fresh look. I'm loving this new one just as much.  It's generous size holds almost anything, but it doesn't look crazy bulky:  

You can fill it up high.  It's finished size is 14 inches wide, 6 inches deep and 14 inches high, yet it can be snapped closed to look smaller when carrying less stuff.  These are two obnoxiously large 6ft+ beach towels - totally contained:

And it still looks cute to carry because you can get all designer-style with your fabric choices:



I used to sell this as part of my previous Around Town Bag PDF pattern, but now I'm offering my how-to here for FREE.  'Cause I'm nice like that;)  Plus, in my new version I've also added a firm, removable base piece to help the bag retain it's shape and give extra support.  And that base is totally waterproofed, just like the bag's interior, so go ahead and toss those soggy towels & swimsuits in there - this bag don't care!

Now let's get to the bag making...

Materials:

- 5/8 yard Laminated Cotton fabric 

- 5/8 yard PUL fabric (I use Eco-PUL™ since it's anti-microbial)

- Double fold 1/2 inch wide bias tape 

- Plastic snaps.  Two sets 

- Lip balm - this makes the laminate move smoothly under the presser foot - no sticking!

- Notions: heavy duty needle, shears/rotary cutter, pins, clips/clothespins, yardstick

- Optional: cardboard & duck tape for bottom insert

Got questions about Laminated Cotton? I've got more info & projects using it here.  Note: Just scroll through to see 'em all since this project will come up first. 

PUL fabric?  More info & ways to use that here.  Just scroll down on that too for more PUL fun.

Start by cutting out the main bag and strap pieces from both the laminate and the PUL. Fold fabric so selvages are together on the right side.   We're cutting parallel to the selvages from each fabric:

- 2 inch wide by 21 1/2 inch long strap halves 

- 17 inch wide by 21 1/2 inch long bag body (so when open it will be 34 inches wide)

Turn the main fabric so the fold is on the bottom. With right sides facing, clip along the sides so that the fold is on the bottom.  Pins are a no-no with laminated fabric, since they leave holes, so the clips are ideal.  Stitch down the sides with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

To create the wide depth of the bag, the corners need to be squared off.  Pull each corner to a point to make a triangle and measure 6 inches across and mark.

Stitch along the marking and then stitch another seam 1/4 inch away from the original for reinforcement.  Trim off the excess.

Time to make the strap.  With right sides facing, stitch together one short end of each of the two strap pieces to make one long strap.  Press the seam open and prepare to stitch down by running a bit of lip balm along the laminated side.  This will prevent it from sticking under the presser foot and is easy to just wipe away when done.  Stitch on 1/4" from either side of the seam to reinforce it:

With right sides facing, match up the middle of the each end of the strap with each side seam and clip.  Stitch with a 1.4 inch seam allowance.

Pull strap upwards and topstitch (remember the lip balm!).  Repeat on other side.  Repeat all previous steps with the PUL using the shiny side as the right side.  Note: If you want to add an interior pocket to the lining, this would be the time.  Just decide on pocket size (mine was 9 inches wide by 7 inches high when cut out), center it on a side and make a hem for the top side of the pocket, fold under the remaining sides and stitch 'em down.

With wrong sides facing, insert PUL lining into the laminate outer bag.  Pin together along straps and top edges.  It's ok to use pins here since that will be covered with bias tape:

Baste 1/8 inch away from the edge all the way around on each side:

Now it's time to add the bias tape.  It's actually easier to insert the fabrics into the bias tape as you sew rather than pin the whole things first.  Start on one of the sides and stitch 

3/8 inch from the tape fold.

For the corners where the straps meet the bag, sew slowly with the bias tape as a curve to get a rounded shape:

To finish, about an inch before reaching the beginning, fold open end of bias tape under and overlap on starting point and stitch into place.

Repeat with other side:

To make the bottom insert, cut a piece of laminated cotton that's 14 1/2 inches wide by 13 inches high. 

Cut a piece of cardboard that's 13 1/2 inches wide by 6 inches high and wrap with duck tape.  This keeps the cardboard extra firm and waterproofed:

Fold fabric in half, with right sides facing, so that it's 7 1/4 inches by 6 1/2 inches and stitch along one short end and one side with a 3/8 inch seam allowance (don't want it too be too snug for the insert to fit inside).  Trim raw edges & clip corners, then turn right side out.  Slip cardboard into the sleeve.

Fold the raw edges on the open side inward and stitch closed:

For closures, use some handy plastic snaps - these babies are super strong and ideally paired with these durable fabrics.  I used some cute flower shaped snaps that fit within my normal size 20 snap press.

Attach snaps 1 1/2 inches below top edge and 4 1/2 inches inward from each side corner, with the decorative caps facing outward, using snap press or pliers:

Now the bag is ready to load up and start hauling stuff in style:

What kinds of stuff would you tote around in this bag?