Free Large Beach Bag Pattern With Pockets

by Vickymcreations

I don’t know about you but a trip to the beach always contains a little anxiety – I dread the thought of my car keys becoming lost in the sand!! A recent trip to the charity shop found me eyeing up beach bags, my daughter stopped me in my tracks by asking “Why aren’t you making your own, it will be better”. Her prompt led to this large tote beach bag pattern.

free large beach bag pattern with pockets

This large beach bag comes together quickly but you will need a little patience re the eyelets. The advantage of making your own large beach bag is that you can make it to your own requirements. This bag is designed around my desire for a zip pocket for car keys and slip pockets for suntan lotion and drink bottles.

Personally I am rather passionate about bag making – if you are new to bag making I have the perfect Beginners Bag Making Course for you which covers so many essential skills for bag making, and includes many free bag tutorials.

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Large Beach Bag Pattern

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Main fabric:-

Side panels 17 by 7″

Front panel 4 by 19″ and 10 by 19″ main fabric – contrasting panel 4 by 19″Back panel 4 by 17 and 12 by 17″ main fabric – contrasting fabric 4″ by 17″,Base 19 by 7″ main fabric

Fusible fleece:- two side panels and base as above plus two pieces 17 by 19″ for front and back

Lining Fabric:-

Two panels 17 by 19″

Two side panels 17 by 7

Bottom 19 by 7 ”

Strong iron-on interfacing as above for lining.

Internal pockets:

zip pocket 17 by 10 ”

slip pockets – one piece 20 by 12″

Zip 8″

2 meters rope

4 Screw together grommets 3/4″

Start by creating the front panel. Lay the right sides together of accent fabric to main fabric. Stitch 1/4″ seam allowance. Press seam open. Repeat for the other long side of the accent fabric. This will create a panel 19 by 17″.

Repeat for the main back panel.

Iron on fusible fleece to all main fabrics.

Iron on interfacing to all lining pieces.

Sew the main bag together. Sew each side seam stopping a quarter of an inch before the bottom of the seam.

Pin in your base fabric, sew each seam stopping a centimeter before the edge.

Lining – let’s start by creating your pockets. Fold your long pocket fabric in half long ways. Press, then top stitch.

Mark the fabric in three places (quarter, middle, three quarters) along the top, mark the lining fabric at the middle and then in quarters. Place the pocket fabric onto the lining long edges matching. Pin in place. The fabric will be not quite flat. Sew down the pocket fabric along each marked place to create four slip pockets.

Add small pleats along the base of the pockets so the pockets lie flat against the lining. Baste in place.

Place your zip pocket fabric 4 1/2″ in from the side and 1″ down from the top, right sides together.

Mark a rectangle 7 by 1/2″ as your stitch guideline.

Stitch round the rectangle. Cut along the middle of the fabric as marked. Turn the lining fabric through to the wrong side. Press the edges of the opening. Place your zip behind the opening and tack in place.

Machine stitch in place. With the wrong side facing turn up the zip pocket fabric so the bottom and top edge align. Pin.

Sew round the three open edges to enclose the pocket.

Sew the lining pieces together as you did for the main bag. Place the outside of the bag and the lining right sides together.

Stitch around the top of the bag leaving a turning gap. Turn the bag right side out. Pin in the opening and top stitch along the of the bag.

Lastly lets install the screw in grommets – arguably the most important step in this bag!

Mark the position of the grommets, 4″ from the side seam and 1″ down from the top of the bag. Mark the size of the grommet hole, drawing round the inside of the grommet. Cut out fractionally wider.

Cut a little wider for the screw holes. Screw the grommets in place.

Cut the rope in two equal lengths, thread through the grommets. Tie a knot on each end, wrap thread around the end of the rope to stop it unravelling.