How to Make a Beach Tote From a Tablecloth
With just a few steps and less than an hour at the sewing machine, you can turn a square tablecloth into a handy tote that opens back into a base for your picnic, games or other beach activities. The sturdy cotton cloths made in the 1940s and '50s for entertaining at luncheons and bridge parties are a better size than most modern cloths and add a retro kick with their colorful prints and embroidery.
Things You'll Need
- Vintage card-table or square luncheon cloth
- 2 yards 1-inch-wide double-fold bias tape
- Scissors
- Dressmaker pins
- Threaded sewing machine
- 6 yards drapery cord
Instructions
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Open the cloth out flat and wrong side up. Lay a piece of bias tape with the folds down across each of the four corners, making a triangle. Adjust until the tapes are about even and pin them in place. Stitch close to each edge of each tape, stopping just inside the finished edges of the tablecloth. Trim the ends of the tapes close to the ends of the stitching.
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2
Cut the drapery cord into four equal pieces. Fold each piece of cord in half and draw it through one of the bias-tape casings until the ends are all even.
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3
Cut the middle of each cord. Tie the two pieces of cord in a square knot where each pair emerges from the bias tape. Tie small knots in the ends of the cords.
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You might even find a tablecloth already printed with an appropriate scene. Draw up the cords across the four corners to form a bag. Knot the cords together or wrap them around the gathered neck of the bag for easy carrying.
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Open the bag out flat again when you get to the beach.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the same technique with a round tablecloth, leaving arcs outside the tapes instead of triangles.
Give your tote even more uses and strength by lining the central square with terrycloth, vinyl or a game board.
A vintage cloth can handle only a few heavier burdens on the way to the beach, but coming home it will be perfect for bundling up the damp towels.
Some modern cloths, especially vinyl ones, can be used to make larger totes that don't open flat, but they'll need to have edges hemmed or seamed.
References
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
