This Batik Beach Bag with it's FREE Seashell Design
is ideal for trimming the pocket on a summer beach bag. Make this featured project using a roomy bucket bag pattern that makes packing for the beach easy! With a few pattern hacks this summery batik bag goes from simple to spectacular!

Supply List

• Brother Sewing and Embroidery Machine(Opens in a new tab)
  
• Brother Embroidery Thread(Opens in a new tab)
  and Bobbin Thread(Opens in a new tab)
  
• SA5810 Brother Tear-Away Stabilizer(Opens in a new tab)
  
• Download the Brother FREE Seashell Design
  , fitting a 5” X 7” hoop
• Paper for making the pocket pattern
• Fabric and notions as per pattern, including seam sealant to treat ends of fabric drawstring. Please read step one to decide on pattern changes before you begin.
• Commercial pattern for bag – Burda Style 6961(Opens in a new tab)
  view D is featured in this project, shown at the right.

Steps to Create Batik Beach Bag

This project includes several “pattern hacks.” What’s the definition of a pattern hack? Simply put it means re-styling a pattern with your own special touch and creative variations. 1. Below are the creative changes made for the finished bag featured here:

• Make a paper pocket pattern measuring 6½" wide by 8½" long. This includes a ¼" seam allowance.
• Use cotton batik for lower front and back bag and bag bottom, adding fusible craft batting to each piece for a bag that is stable without being stiff.
• Use cotton batik to make a drawstring with a finished measurement of 3/8" wide X 54" long to substitute for purchased cording. Substitute buttonholes in place of metal eyelets. See instructions for more details.
• Purchase a coordinating solid cotton fabric for upper bag pieces. Add yardage if necessary for a pocket piece to fit your 5” X 7” hoop size. Purchase the same amount of craft fleece to create padded pocket.

Preparing the Fabric

2. Prepare fabric pieces as follows:

• Cut pattern pieces from batik fabric for lower outer bag pieces and bag bottom. Cut matching pieces from fusible craft fleece, trimming away all of the seam allowance on batting. Fuse batting to wrong side of the two lower bag pieces and bag bottom.
• Cut batik fabric strip measuring 1¼" wide x 54" long for drawstring substitute.

TIP: Piece several strips on the diagonal to create this long strip.

• Cut contrast solid fabric using upper bag pattern.
• Cut lining pieces from batik.

Making the Pocket

3. Fuse craft fleece to wrong side of pocket piece. Hoop using 5" x 7" hoop. Add a rectangular built–in frame pattern of your choice to surround the design. [caption id="attachment_1855" align="aligncenter" width="489"]
Figure 1a Choose a rectangular built-in frame.[/caption] Embroider design in center of piece. [caption id="attachment_1858" align="aligncenter" width="250"]
Figure 1b - Embroidery Design with Frame[/caption] Change thread colors to coordinate with your fabric selections. [caption id="attachment_1857" align="aligncenter" width="227"]
Figure 1c - Recolored Design[/caption] 4. Press and then use paper pattern to cut pocket piece with the design in the center. Cut a matching piece of lining for pocket. Set up machine for sewing. Place fabrics right sides together. Sew using a ¼-inch seam allowance, leaving a small opening at the bottom for turning. 5. Turn right side out and press flat, pressing bottom opening toward inside in the process. Select the lower front piece. Center pocket on the piece and sew in place, closing pocket bottom in the process. See Figure 2. [caption id="attachment_1865" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Figure 2 - Finished Pocket[/caption]

Adding Decorative Stitching

6. Interface upper bag pieces according to pattern instructions. Lightly press the facing fold line indicated on pattern tissue. Add rows of decorative stitches along the bottom raw edge, beginning just above the seam line. Stitch through a single layer of fabric with tear away stabilizer underneath. See Figure 3. [caption id="attachment_1866" align="aligncenter" width="443"]
Figure 3 - Decorative Stitch Placement[/caption] Note: Dashed line indicates fold line, colored lines indicate rows of decorative stitching in the area where the upper bag piece joins the lower bag piece. Be sure to leave ample space for the eyelets or buttonholes. In this example the rows of decorative stitches end approximately 3-inches above the raw edge. Use a variety of thread colors to coordinate with your batik print. See Figure 4. [caption id="attachment_1867" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Figure 4 - Examples of Decorative Stitching[/caption]

Creating the Drawstring

7. To make the optional batik fabric drawstring press under ¼-inch to the wrong side of each long edge. Next, fold strip in half with wrong sides together and sew a narrow zig zag along each side. See Figure 5. [caption id="attachment_1869" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Figure 5 - Fabric Drawstring[/caption]

The Final Touches

8. Complete bag construction according to pattern instructions. Tip: Quilt the layers of fleece and fabric for the outer bag bottom to accent the piece and add strength to the bag bottom. See stitching lines on figure 6 shown below as an example of how you can quilt it. [caption id="attachment_1871" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Figure 6 - Stitching placement suggestion, bag bottom.[/caption] 9. Stitch 5/8-inch buttonholes to upper bag edge as a substitute for eyelets. See Figure 7. [caption id="attachment_1872" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Figure 7 - Make 5/8" buttonholes rather than eyelets to thread your fabric drawstring through.[/caption] 10. Sew and attach bag straps as directed in instructions. Insert fabric drawstring in place of cording. You are finished. Enjoy!