Patchwork beach bag using 5 inch charm squares

Thanks to ReannaLily Designs for the free beach bag pattern.

I decided to use Fandango by Kate Spain charm square pack to make this bag. Therefore I had to adapt some of the measurements.

The final dimensions of my bag are: 23 in L x 11 3/4 in H x 14 1/4 W, big enough for 2 king size towels and all the swimming gear.

I also had to redraw the sides of the bag because when I printed the pattern on an A4 piece of paper the pattern was too small. I’m not sure what I did wrong.

You will need 40 charm squares to make this bag.

Sew the charms as per picture with 5 charms across x 8 charms long.

I made the rest of the bag following ReannaLily’s free beach bag pattern (pdf) tutorial.

For the sides of the bag I took advantage of the lovely fabric pattern and I stitched along the lines in a free motion manner.

Gathered handles

Fabric

• 2 strips 2 1/2 x 27 inches (I used different fabric for front and back of handles)
• 2 strips 2 3/4 x 34 inches

Fusible interfacing

• 2 strips 2 1/4 x 26 1/2 inches

Draw a line along the 2 3/4 in strips of fabric. This is where you will be gathering the fabric using a baste stitch. Check my Kid’s draughtman’s pouch tutorial for details on how to make this type of handle.

Apply interfacing to the other strip of fabric.

Stitch both strips of fabric right sides together.

Turn inside out and apply ribbon through the middle of the strip.

Attach the handles following the free beach bag pattern (pdf) instructions.

The bag is family size.

The charm squares are arranged in a way that the bag is a different colour each side: reddish and bluish.