Dazzle While Frazzled

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How to Make a Swim and Beach Tote Bag Waterproof

Summer

Inside: How to make a canvas tote bag waterproof with fabric. Perfect for swim lessons or as go-to beach bag.

DIY Waterproof Swim Beach Bag | DazzleWhileFrazzled.com

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?

DIY Waterproof Swim Beach Bag | DazzleWhileFrazzled.com

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.

DIY Waterproof Swim Beach Bag | DazzleWhileFrazzled.com
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?!

DIY Waterproof Swim Beach Bag | DazzleWhileFrazzled.com

The sewn inside liner:

DIY Waterproof Swim Beach Bag | DazzleWhileFrazzled.com

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.

DIY Waterproof Swim Beach Bag | DazzleWhileFrazzled.com

How’s this for an easy DIY waterproof, personalized swim bag? Add a monogram patch if desired.

DIY Waterproof Swim Beach Bag | DazzleWhileFrazzled.com
Have a happy swimming-beaching summer!!

DIY swim and beach bags using canvas totes and oil cloth fabric for waterproof liners.

Other fun summertime ideas you may like:

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Comments

  8. This is a cool idea! Thanks so much for the inspiration and for sharing with us this week at Snickerdoodle Sunday! Pinned.

    Reply

  14. 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.

    Reply

  15. 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.

    Reply

  17. 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! : )

    Reply

  18. I love how you personalized the outside to match the lining! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!

    Reply

  24. 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!

    Reply

  25. 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.

    Reply

  27. 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.

    Reply

    • Thanks Debra. My kids use these for spring-summer swim team and they have proven super handy.

      Reply

  36. 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!

    Reply

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