Inside: How to make a canvas tote bag waterproof with fabric. Perfect for swim lessons or as go-to beach bag.
Do you toss wet towels and suits into your bag only to find they have soaked through and onto whatever the bag was sitting on? Excellent. Now you have a wet car seat or soggy magazines.
Did you know you can make any canvas tote bag water-proof? No need to purchase pricey designer swim or beach bags when adding your own water-resistant liner is beyond easy. It does require you to know how to sew… a straight line. That’s it.
Check out how I made personalized, waterproof swim bags for my kids from a $6 canvas tote…
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How to Make a Swim and Beach Tote Bag Waterproof
This is an easy project. But like any DIY crafty project, it takes a little time. However, you don’t have to personalize the front of the bag like I did.
And if you can’t sew, or simply don’t want to haul your sewing machine out of its dusty confines, you could use fabric glue or adhesive Velcro to adhere the liner to the bag. Lots of options; make it your own.
Supplies:
– Canvas tote
– Fabric paint + brush
– Freezer paper to make stencil
– Oil cloth fabric (so many fun patterns)
– Sewing machine (here’s a basic one to get you started)
How to Make a Tote Bag Waterproof for Swim and Beach
I chose to tie-in the design on the front of the tote bag to the oilcloth fabric on the inside.
You can freehand a design, or use freezer paper to trace and cut your own stencil. This is the route I went. There are great tutorials all over the blogosphere for using freezer paper to stencil so I won’t bore you with the how-to.
Want to see how I created my own swim tank tops using freezer paper?
how to make a Water Proof Swim Bag
Don’t be scared by this part! It’s actually quite easy. You got this one in the bag!
Step #1:
Measure the inside of your canvas tote bag. Cut the oilcloth fabric accordingly.
You should have two sides + one bottom piece.
Step #2:
Pin right sides together. I sewed my two sides first. Place them inside the bag to double-check they fit.
With that all good, pin the bottom piece to the sides. This is probably the “most advanced” part of this project. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. No one will see it; it’s at the bottom of a bag, right?!
The sewn inside liner:
Step #3:
Place the liner inside the tote bag. Once you are happy with how it fits, pin the liner to the very top of the tote bag.
I had the liner come all the way to the top of the bag and stitched it under the zipper. If you don’t want the liner stitching to be visible, use thread the same color as the tote bag.
How’s this for an easy DIY waterproof, personalized swim bag? Add a monogram patch if desired.
Have a happy swimming-beaching summer!!
Other fun summertime ideas you may like:
- DIY swim t-shirts
- Turn a canvas tote bag into a waterproof beach bag
- Use paper goodie bags to make a patriotic USA banner
- Paint chips from the hardware store into DIY beach art
- $5 outdoor movie blanket from bedsheet
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I would ahvenever known this was so easy!! I need to try this!
Those are so cute and simple! Great idea!
Thanks so much!
I need this! What a smart idea to make the bag waterproof. I am always getting mine wet at the pool or beach.
Love this! So simple and easy to make. Thanks for sharing.
What a great idea this summer. Thanks for sharing.
Looks beautiful and it is a must have for beach excursions!
Love and pin!
I’ve never heard of oil cloth. This is such a clever project Victoria! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is a cool idea! Thanks so much for the inspiration and for sharing with us this week at Snickerdoodle Sunday! Pinned.
Very clever and I love how you tied the exterior of the bag to the interior of the bag with the cherries! Well done! Blessings, Janet
Adorable and practical, love it! Thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
What a cute bag!
Thanks so much!
what a great idea thanks for sharing have a great week
Thank you for stopping by!
Absolutely adorable and so practical too. Great tutorial. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.
Such a great DIY post – I’m going to pass this along to my aunt whose a seamstress – she’ll love this. Maybe I can convince her to make me one. Thanks for sharing on Wonderful Wednesday blog hop.
Thanks so much! Hope your aunt will approve of my sewing “skills”!
Isn’t the sweetest bag? I envy your sewing skills, because I have very little. Love the fabric as well. It is perfect for the beach or pool. Thanks for sharing your lovely project at DI&DI.
So cute! What a great idea.
This is a super cute and very practical project! Great job!
You’ve been chosen to be featured on the next Peace, Love, Link Up! Grab a button and I’ll see you Friday at 6 for more sharing fun! : )
I love how you personalized the outside to match the lining! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!
Hi again, I forgot to mention that your bags are one of this week’s features. You can find them here: http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2016/07/the-really-crafty-link-party-28.html
Congratulations, and have a wonderful weekend!
You make it looks so easy! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY Party!
This is a great idea to waterproof beach bags!! I really like the cherry prints and stencils!! Very cool!!
Thank you so much! It’s been one of my favorite projects.
I absolutely love the cherry print bag! Great project! Thanks so much for sharing it with us this week for Maker’s Mix-Up!
Thanks so much! It was the only thing I had to fit your citrus theme! See you next week.
So cute! I’m going to try this one of these days!
Thanks Elizabeth!
Your swim bag looks great… and handy too 🙂
So, sewing a straight line isn’t my strong suit, but I’m getting better! Definitely going to have to give this a try! Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Great idea Victoria. My daughter is in the Senior National Swimming team of South Africa and we live with wet, soggy swimming bags on a daily basis. This will make such a big difference.
These are my favorite things to make. I love this bag. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party.
Great project! I have tons of canvas bags and I think having them waterproof would be a life saver.
I’m visiting from Share It One More Time Link Party ~ it’s nice to meet you.
Thanks Megin!
Those are really cute!
This is a cute idea. I can see using these for many things, not just at the beach. I love the one with the cherries.
Thanks Debra. My kids use these for spring-summer swim team and they have proven super handy.
Such a clever idea to make a shop brought item just a little bit better. Your cherry fabric is super cute too.
Thank you Julie. Two years in, these bags are still super handy and practical!
What a great summer project! You’re one of my features tomorrow at Sew It Cook It Craft It.
This is genius! Great tutorial – I can’t wait to try it!
Very, very cute!
Oh my gosh Victoria, this is brilliant! I have a ton of canvas bags like that, and I never thought to put a liner in them; love it!
I just wanted to let you know that you were featured as a Rockstar at last week’s Creativity Unleashed party! Congrats, and thanks for sharing at our party! http://www.practicallyfunctional.com/creativity-unleashed-183
Such a simple idea and so effective. I love that cherry oil cloth you used. Really cute 🙂
Using oilcloth is such a smart idea! Pinning! Thanks for sharing with Merry Monday – I’m featuring your DIY pool bags at this week’s party. Hope you can stop by and link up again!
Thanks Emily!
Can you tell I have been browsing your blog today? So many great ideas…thank’s for all that Inspiration.