Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Best Beach Bag EVER!

Oh the joys of summer! There's really nothing that I don't love about summer...except maybe when we get snakes in the pool! I love the Georgia heat, and yes, even the humidity. I love, love, love the beach. I don't particularly care for the sand I often bring home in my beach bag. But, I have the perfect solution! I started making beach bags years ago using window screen. Just give it a little shake and the sand falls right through the holes in the screen. And, they are easy and inexpensive to make...

Supplies:
A roll of window screen. It comes in silver or black. I bought a 36" x 84" roll in silver for this bag.
1.5" or larger ribbon. I used 2 different ribbons, but you could use 1.
thread to match the ribbon
needle
pins
scissors
I paid $5.89 for this roll of screen at my local hardware store.
I rolled out the screen, measured and cut the screen at 16".
The screen is 36" wide, so when I fold the screen in half, I have a bag that will be 18" high by 16" wide.
Using those measurements, I can make 5 bags from one roll of screen.

Measure enough ribbon to fit just a little longer than the 2 top pieces of your bag.
Fold the ribbon in half along the 2 top pieces of the bag and pin it in place.

With the matching thread, stitch the ribbon in place.

When you have both top pieces finished, cut off the excess ribbon.

Pin the 2 finished top pieces together to hold in place while you stitch up the sides.

Measure the amount of ribbon you'd like for the sides and the handle of your bag. This will be one long piece of ribbon. Make it a little longer than you need...you can always cut it shorter when you get to the end.

Fold the end of the ribbon under so that you have a finished edge.

Fold the ribbon in half on one side of the bag and pin in place.

Using matching thread, stitch the ribbon in place. Repeat on the other side.

Finally, fill with a towel and sunscreen and head to the beach!

Here's a bag I made using black screen...

I have also made sachets using screen. I cut a 6" x 12" piece of screen and stitched the ribbon along 3 sides. I then filled the screen with rose hips and stitched the ribbon along the 4th side to close off the sachet. 


26 comments:

  1. Looks awesome! Totally perfect for the pool or beach!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So cute! You really like the heat? Oh Girl, living in Louisiana, I'll take Spring any day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a great idea. I'm a new follower. Hope to see you at http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

    P.S. I have a link party every Monday. I would love for you to stop by and link up your project.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a smart idea ... and I've never seen anything like it before. Thanks for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I found you on Thrilling Thursday Linky Party. I didn’t join since I haven’t created anything but I had to check out the projects everyone else did. Creative people inspire me and this project is an example of why so I am now following you. This is really a smart idea. I hope you will follow me back http://talesfrommyjournal.blogspot.com I can be found in facebook too http://www.facebook.com/DeniseMartin.LillaRose and twitter @DeniseLillaRose If you like/follow me there I will do the same for you. When you stop by my blog, please check out my kind of fashion (hair jewelry).

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a great idea! Did you machine sew it or hand sew? I have some leftover screen and would like to try this!

    I'm following you now! I'd love if you followed me back at www.illgetyoumypretties.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. So creative! Perfect for the beach - at this point in the year here in Florida I feel like everything I own holds sand!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is the perfect excuse to hit the beach lol. Turned out great! Stopping by from the along for the ride party. I would LOVE for you to come link up to my party too & if you have time check out my giveaway going on until Sunday at midnight. Keep up the creativeness!
    ~Iffy~
    www.StayAtHomeNation.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Really cute and great tutorial!!

    www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. So cute! What a terrific idea! I don't know if I'd be ambitious enough to make one, but I love the idea!

    BTW...I'm from Georgia too...born and raised! It's nice to "meet" a "neighbor!"

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you so much for linking up with my Favorite Things Party!!! I am now following you too-great blog!!
    XOXO
    ~Iffy~
    www.stayathomenation.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very clever solution to our summertime problem!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I featured this today, such a clever idea!

    Carlee
    www.ladybirdln.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. so cute! I must make this!! I put a link on my blog to show my readers:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I already commented above, but was thinking this would be awesome for other moms to know about!

    We are hosting a link party called “Help a Momma Out” every Tuesday! This would be an awesome link up! I would appreciate if you'd add it. Thanks in advance for your consideration :)

    Kristine
    www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Cool idea! I hate when sand from the beach or park comes home with us and ends up all over our floors - thanks for sharing this tutorial :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great tutorial! Using window screen is a great idea for a beach bag. Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great idea - love that you can keep the sand AT the beach and not bring it home!! very clever - Hopping over from Sew Stinkin Cute!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great job on the bag! Thank you for linking to Sew Woodsy last week! Keep on linking great projects!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great idea! This is something I can really use. Perfect for shelling...and just plain beach-going.
    Jane (Artfully graced)

    ReplyDelete
  21. to cute! perfect for the pool. thanks so much for sharing this at my party!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is such a great idea, I am featuring you tomorrow, so stop by and grab a button! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. We loved this so much that we featured it on our blog today! Don't forget to grab a button!
    www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a smart idea!
    Thank you so much for linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week!!
    I hope to see you again tomorrow!
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

    ReplyDelete
  25. Absolute genius! I've never worked with screen before (except to clean mine once every five years or so) but this looks like such a fun project!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...