How I Made Beach Bags From Old Towels and Thrifted Dresses

Sometimes projects happen completely by accident.

I was donated a pile of towels that were too good to throw away, but not really something I needed around the house. Around the same time, I had been buying a few girls floral dresses from Vinted for sewing projects and started looking at the colours and patterns together.

That’s when the idea for the beach bags appeared in my head.

The towels were perfect for the inside because they already had that soft beach feel, and the dresses added this floral feeling I love to incorporate in everything I do. What can I say, I love florals.

I love the idea of turning things that already existed into something useful again instead of buying new fabric.

I first drafted the bag inside the Making Cottage sewing room section, where I wrote down all the measurements, ideas and sewing steps before moving on to actually making it. 

While sewing the bags, I kept going back to my notes to add little changes and details as the project came together. 

One bag ended up brighter and more playful, while the other had softer colours and a calmer look. They are both slightly different, which I actually prefer. Handmade things should look handmade.

The towel fabric makes them practical for summer because you can throw in wet swimwear, sunscreen, books, snacks, whatever else ends up coming to the beach. They feel relaxed and casual, not too precious to actually use.

I also really love the braided handles on these bags because they give them a more relaxed beach feel and make them look a little different from ordinary tote bags.

Braided handles have actually become a bit of a signature detail on many of my shoulder bags and sewing projects because I love the texture and handmade look they add. They are soft, strong, comfortable to carry and honestly one of my favourite parts of the whole project.

I also love that projects like this give old textiles another life. Towels, dresses, bedsheets, curtains... there is so much fabric already out there waiting to become something else.

I was so excited with the final result, I had to share the Sewing Tutorial with all of you who would love to make one this summer. These bags make great gifts for all kind of girls, all you have to do is to match the fabric to your loved one's taste and personality.

The bags are available for sale in my Etsy Shop... and I have plenty of towels to upcycle and make some more!

This project reminded me again that you do not always need perfect supplies or expensive fabric to make something beautiful. Sometimes the best ideas come from using what you already have.

And honestly, that is probably my favourite kind of sewing.

XXX

Tatiana ❤️