Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to content
ThatPainter
beach bag

How to Make the Beach Bag from American Patchwork & Quilting’s “Show Me How”

Make a lined fabric beach bag with folded fabric handles, fusible interfacing and boxed corners using the construction sequence shown by American Patchwork & Quilting.

By ThatPainter Team 3 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More

This project makes a lined fabric beach bag with sewn fabric handles and boxed corners. You’ll cut two exterior panels, two handles, a single-piece lining and fusible interfacing; sew the bag; turn it through an opening in the lining; then close the opening and topstitch the top edge. The video calls the project “quick and easy,” but does not provide a measured difficulty rating.

Materials and tools

The American Patchwork & Quilting “Beach Bag: Show Me How” page, updated February 6, 2026, lists these fabric quantities and supplies. View the project page and video transcript.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  • One half yard of exterior print fabric.
  • One half yard of lining print fabric.
  • One yard of mid to heavy weight fusible interfacing.
  • A serger for the demonstrated construction seams and a regular sewing machine for handle and top-edge topstitching.
  • A ruler with a 45-degree angle for marking the boxed corners, plus pins, thread, an iron and basic cutting tools.

The video is presented by Linda Augsburg, Executive Editor for American Patchwork & Quilting, and credits the bag method to Vanessa Christianson of V & Company. It is brought to viewers by Baby Lock and the Imagine serger. The downloadable instructions are linked from the source page; the steps below follow the video transcript.

Cut the fabric and interfacing

Trim the selvages before cutting. Dimensions are height by width unless otherwise noted.

#1 Best Overall
Simplicity S9308 Tote Bag Sewing Pattern, Unlined Tote Bags with Inside Pockets, Three Sizes, One Size
  • PATTERN S9308 SIZING: Simplicity one-size pattern includes totes, bags, and pouches designed for a comfortable, adjustable fit. Check the finished measurements on the envelope before cutting so your make turns out just right.
  • IN THE ENVELOPE: Printed tissue pattern pieces and clear step-by-step illustrated sewing instructions guide you from start to finish. The envelope also lists the suggested fabrics and the notions you need, so you can shop for materials with confidence.
  • AMERICAN SEWING HERITAGE: An American sewing icon since 1927 and proudly made in the USA, Simplicity has been trusted by home sewists for nearly a century for accurate, easy-to-follow sewing patterns.
  • MAKE IT UNIQUELY YOURS: Create custom pieces using your favorite fabrics, prints, trims, and embellishments. Personalize your bag to reflect your style, or use the cover photos as inspiration for handmade makes that are truly your own.
  • EASY AND REWARDING TO SEW: A satisfying sewing project for beginner and intermediate sewists, perfect for everyday carry, travel, organizing, gifting, and craft fairs.
Piece Cut size Quantity
Exterior body 16.5 × 17.5 inches 2
Handles 5.5 × 17.5 inches 2
Lining 17.5 × 32.5 inches 1
Fusible interfacing 17.5 × 32.5 inches 1

For the example ombre fabric, the presenter orients the darker color toward the bottom and lighter color toward the top. If you are short on fabric after cutting the body pieces, the presenter says 5.25-inch-wide handle strips can be used instead of 5.5-inch strips. The tutorial specifies mid to heavy weight fusible interfacing but does not name a brand.

Prepare the handles and panels

Make the handles

  1. Fold each handle strip in half lengthwise and press to form a crease.
  2. Open the strip, fold both long edges in to meet the center crease and press.
  3. Fold along the original center crease again so the strip is four layers thick. Press.
  4. Topstitch along the folds on a regular sewing machine to secure the folded edges.

Join the exterior and fuse the lining

  1. Place the two exterior panels right sides together. Sew or serge them along one 17.5-inch bottom edge, then press the seam open.
  2. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the 17.5-by-32.5-inch lining piece, following the interfacing’s directions.

Position the handles and join the top edges

  1. At each end of the joined exterior piece, measure five inches inward from each corner and mark the handle positions. Place a handle end at each mark, keeping the handle on the exterior side and checking that it is not twisted. Baste the handles in place.
  2. Keep pins clear of the serger blade and needles. Align an edge of the exterior with an edge of the interfaced lining at the handle ends, then serge the two top edges together. The presenter notes the interfacing may drag; adjust the layers as needed to keep their edges aligned.
  3. Repeat for the opposite top edge, joining the other exterior and lining edges. The handles are now captured in the top seams.

Sew the side seams and leave a turning opening

  1. Bring the two top seams together at the center, matching the exterior bottom seam with the fold at the center of the lining. The bag layers should lie flat with right sides together.
  2. Sew or serge down each side, joining exterior to exterior and lining to lining. Leave an opening in one lining side seam large enough to pull the bag through; do not sew that section closed.

Box all four lower corners

Make a boxed corner at each lower corner of the exterior and lining. The video demonstrates marking with a 45-degree ruler aligned at 1.5 inches.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #2
McCall's Patterns M6338 Carriers, Hot Pad and Picnic Totes, One Size Only
  • One Size Only
  • Includes pattern pieces and sewing instructions
  • Made by McCall's Patterns
  • Copyright 2011
  • Printed in the USA
  1. At a lower corner, open the fabric layers so the side seam lies directly over the bottom seam, flattening the corner into a triangular point.
  2. Use the 45-degree ruler to mark the corner at the demonstrated 1.5-inch alignment, then sew across the marked line.
  3. Repeat for the other exterior corner and both lining corners. Trim the excess corner fabric if desired, taking care not to cut the seam.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Turn the bag and finish the top

  1. Pull the exterior and handles through the opening in the lining side seam until the bag is right side out.
  2. Tuck the lining into the exterior and smooth the top edge.
  3. Close the lining opening by hand or machine sewing.
  4. Press the upper edge, then topstitch around the top of the bag on a regular sewing machine.

The source page provides a downloadable instruction link in addition to its transcript: American Patchwork & Quilting: Beach Bag: Show Me How. The steps here reflect the transcript; the separate download file was not reviewed.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
McCall's Patterns M6338 Carriers, Hot Pad and Picnic Totes, One Size Only
McCall's Patterns M6338 Carriers, Hot Pad and Picnic Totes, One Size Only
One Size Only; Includes pattern pieces and sewing instructions; Made by McCall's Patterns; Copyright 2011
$12.19
Bestseller No. 3
Simplicity SS9533OS Shoulder Tote Bag Sewing Pattern Kit, Code S9533, Three Sizes
Simplicity SS9533OS Shoulder Tote Bag Sewing Pattern Kit, Code S9533, Three Sizes
Tote bag sewing pattern templates comes in sizes 23" x 16.25", 11" x 13", and 15" x 13"; Simplicity pattern sewing templates are proudly designed and printed in the USA
$6.65
Bestseller No. 5
Simplicity Quilted Shoulder Bag Sewing Patterns, One Size Only
Simplicity Quilted Shoulder Bag Sewing Patterns, One Size Only
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. A rewarding make for sewists with a little experience.
$12.00
Best Value
Simplicity Quilted Shoulder Bag Sewing Patterns, One Size Only
  • PATTERN S8310 SIZING: Simplicity one-size pattern includes quilted bags. Check the finished measurements on the envelope before cutting so your make turns out just right.
  • IN THE ENVELOPE: Printed tissue pattern pieces and clear step-by-step illustrated sewing instructions guide you from start to finish. The envelope also lists the suggested fabrics and the notions you need, so you can shop for materials with confidence.
  • AMERICAN SEWING HERITAGE: An American sewing icon since 1927 and proudly made in the USA, Simplicity has been trusted by home sewists for nearly a century for accurate, easy-to-follow sewing patterns.
  • MAKE IT UNIQUELY YOURS: Create custom pieces using your favorite fabrics, prints, trims, and embellishments. Personalize your quilted bags to reflect your style, or use the cover photos as inspiration for handmade makes that are truly your own.
  • SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate. A rewarding make for sewists with a little experience.
Rank #4
Simplicity S9304 Bags Sewing Pattern, Hobo Bag, Handbag & Tote Bags, One Size
  • PATTERN S9304 SIZING: Simplicity one-size pattern includes totes, bags, and pouches designed for a comfortable, adjustable fit. Check the finished measurements on the envelope before cutting so your make turns out just right.
  • IN THE ENVELOPE: Printed tissue pattern pieces and clear step-by-step illustrated sewing instructions guide you from start to finish. The envelope also lists the suggested fabrics and the notions you need, so you can shop for materials with confidence.
  • AMERICAN SEWING HERITAGE: An American sewing icon since 1927 and proudly made in the USA, Simplicity has been trusted by home sewists for nearly a century for accurate, easy-to-follow sewing patterns.
  • MAKE IT UNIQUELY YOURS: Create custom pieces using your favorite fabrics, prints, trims, and embellishments. Personalize your bag to reflect your style, or use the cover photos as inspiration for handmade makes that are truly your own.
  • EASY AND REWARDING TO SEW: A satisfying sewing project for beginner and intermediate sewists, perfect for everyday carry, travel, organizing, gifting, and craft fairs.
Rank #3
Simplicity SS9533OS Shoulder Tote Bag Sewing Pattern Kit, Code S9533, Three Sizes
  • Sewing pattern packet comes with sewing templates, fabric recommendations, pattern pieces, sizing guides, and instructions for (4) tote bag variations
  • Tote bag sewing pattern templates comes in sizes 23" x 16.25", 11" x 13", and 15" x 13"
  • Eco-friendly, reusable tote bag features options for shallow and deep pockets as well as size variations; works great as a grocery bag, beach bag, and more
  • Not just clothing pieces, there's a Simplicity sewing pattern for just about anything, from home décor and home organization solutions to tote bags, plush animals and pet supplies!
  • Simplicity pattern sewing templates are proudly designed and printed in the USA

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

More from the Paint Desk

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.