How to Make Bags Out of Plastic Shower Curtains
A waterproof bag is a hand accessory to bring to the pool or the beach. Buying these bags can be expensive, and sometimes the styles and patterns available don't suit your taste. You can make your own waterproof bags out of an inexpensive shower curtain. You can select your own color, print and pattern and make the waterproof bag that meets your specific needs. This is a quick sewing project that takes a few hours, and is appropriate for children and beginning sewers.
Things You'll Need
- Shower curtain
- Scissors
- Paper clips
- Thread
- Size 10 sewing needle.
- Teflon-coated presser foot
- Ruler
- Pencil
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut out two rectangles, 16 inches by 18 inches, from your shower curtain for the main panels of your bag. Cut out one long rectangle measuring 52 inches by 5 inches for the side and bottom panel of your bag. Cut out two rectangles measuring 32 inches by 4 inches for the straps of your bag. Set all of these pieces aside.
-
2
Lay one of the main panels of the bag on a flat surface with the right side up. The short edges of this piece should be at the top and bottom edges. Arrange the long, thin rectangle piece on top of the main panel piece and line up the long right-side edges of both pieces. Use the paper clips to clip the pieces together.
-
-
3
Continue clipping on the bottom short side of the main panel and the other long side. Leave the top short side unclipped.
-
4
Thread your sewing machine and insert your size 10 sewing needle. Install your Teflon-coated presser foot, which will allow you to sew very easily over the plastic of the shower curtain. Place one of your long sides underneath the presser foot and set your sewing machine for a straight, medium-long stitch.
-
5
Sew down one of the long, side edges of your bag with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Remove the paper clips before they move under the presser foot as you sew. Sew around all three edges. Pin on the other main panel in the same way you pinned on the first, and sew in the same manner.
-
6
Fold your two 32-inch by 4-inch rectangles in half, lengthwise, with the right sides out. Paper clip down the unfolded sides to keep them in place. Sew down these sides with 1/4-inch seam allowance, removing the paper clips before they slip under the presser foot. Set your handles aside.
-
7
Turn your bag right-side-out. Fold down the top edge 1/2 inch toward the inside of the bag. Hold this fold in place with paper clips around the entire upper edge.
-
8
Measure 4 inches on the top edge from each of the side seams and make a mark with a pencil on the front side of your bag. Repeat on the back side of your bag. You will have two small pencil marks. Fold the short edges one of your straps and place if over one of the marks. Clip into place with a paper clip. Place the other end on the other mark and clip into place. Repeat on the other side of your bag.
-
9
Sew the upper edge fold and the straps into place using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, removing the paper clips before they slip under the presser foot. Backstitch a few stitches at the end of this seam.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
