Summer and beach days are right around the corner (Memorial Day is at the end of the month), so here’s a budget-friendly DIY: a roomy, sturdy market tote / beach bag you can sew for under $20.
This bag holds everything you need for a beach outing or a quick trip to the farmers market. I often keep one in my trunk to use for groceries too. It also makes a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift.
The starting point for this project is rag-style woven placemats. I picked mine up at World Market on sale for $5 each, but similar placemats are widely available online. I later found a natural-colored set on Amazon that matched what I used, which would be ideal if you plan to dye the finished bag because a neutral base gives you more color options.
Below is the materials list and straightforward step-by-step sewing method so you can make your own tote.
Materials Needed for Sewn Beach Bag / Market Tote
- 3–4 rag-style woven placemats* (the number depends on how you arrange the sides and bottom)
- Seam ripper
- Sewing machine and matching thread
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Sharp scissors or rotary cutter
*Use extra placemats or leftover material if you want thicker handles or a reinforced bottom.
How to Make a Sewn Beach Bag / Market Tote
1. Open any stitched edges on the placemats with a seam ripper so each mat lays flat as a sheet of fabric. If the placemat has a different woven edging or color on the border, you can reserve those sections for the bag’s side panels and bottom for contrast and structure.
Sew two placemats together along their short ends (right sides together) to form a long tube. Backstitch at the start and end for strength.
2. Decide how wide you want the side gussets (the depth) of the bag to be. In my example the side panels measured 4 inches and were easy to identify because the placemats had varied textures and materials across their width. If your placemats are uniform, choose a side width you like—4 inches is a practical, roomy option.
3. Make the bottom panel by opening the seams on another placemat (or using two pieces if you need more width). Cut a rectangle for the bottom that equals the finished length of the tube you created in step 1, and the finished width should match the combined width of the side panels. Add 1/2 inch seam allowance to both length and width when cutting. For my bag the finished bottom length was 16 inches and the finished width matched the 4-inch sides.
4. After sewing the bottom into the tube, turn the bag right side out and push out the corners. Use a blunt tool or point turner to make the corners neat and create a structured shape for the bag.
5. For handles, cut long strips from extra placemat material, then braid or twist them to form straps thick enough to carry what you intend to load in the bag. The braided strap I made measured 11 inches when finished for each handle. Position the handles at the bag opening and stitch the ends securely to the bag—about two inches apart from each other—backstitching at the beginning and end. Sew over the attachment several times so the handles remain secure and won’t unravel.
Take your time reinforcing the handle seams; a few extra passes with the machine make the bag far more durable.
Optional: Dye the Bag
If you want a different color, dye the finished bag. Because the finished tote is large and the woven material is thick, it can take longer to absorb and rinse dye. Follow the dye product instructions for best results—fully rinse until water runs clear and dry in the sun or on a delicate cycle in your washer and dryer if you prefer. I dyed my bag after sewing because I wasn’t satisfied with the original color; dyeing gave it a richer, custom finish.
After photography by Amelia Lawrence • Sewing by Emma Spear
P.S. I asked followers on Instagram Stories to help choose a dye color for this project. The color I used here was the community favorite—thanks to everyone who voted.
Will you try this DIY tote for summer?