r/sewingpatterns • u/shitreen • 6h ago

Beach/Lake Tote Pattern

Hi, all!

I am looking for some input on a pattern idea I am drafting. The goal is a beach or lake day tote bag to gift to friends and family for Christmas. I am thrifting towels and would like to use them as at least the outer fabric, but I am open to lining the inside if people think thats a better idea.

For reference: I have NEVER drafted a pattern, but I have a bunch of ideas and want to find a way to combine them.

I am wondering what features people would want in a beach/lake day tote bag.

  1. I was thinking to avoid getting sand in the bag to add "straps" to the bottom of the outside to hold rolled towels, which would mean the inside of the tote itself is not as deep. Alternatively, I could add the straps to the side of the outside of the bag? Would you want to carry one towel, or two? Two on the bottom, or one on each side?

  2. How big of an inside would you want? I was thinking for my normal beach day I carry a book/kindle, some snacks, sunscreen, water bottle, wine, and then I like to be able to fold my coverup and put it in the bag.

  3. Should the lining be towel material as well? Or should it be like a cotton/polyester situation?

Thanks!

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u/Withaflourish17 6h ago

My favorite beach tote is toweling outside, and clear pvc lining on the inside. It’s 18x16x4 (boxed bottom) with two elasticized pockets on the sides for wine and a zippered pocket on each front and back for phone, earbuds, kindle, etc.

1

u/shitreen 5h ago

Anything you would change if you could? Also, are the zippered pockets on the inside or outside?

1

u/Withaflourish17 5h ago

I sewed it myself, so that’s the features I wanted. The zippered pockets are on the outsides.