How to make a summer beach bag with doormats from the dollar store.

Do you enjoy making things out of unusual materials? If so, this will be right up your alley. If not, no biggie, these simple steps should help you figure it out. 

Materials:

• 2 Doormats - Mine were 18in x 30 in Recycled Cotton
• Sewing Machine - I love my new Pfaff because it really allows you to sew together almost anything. (Multiple layers, leather, denim etc..) Pfaff Smarter 160 s Sewing Machine
• Scissors- Favorite Gingher Scissors from Joann Fabric

First step is determining the size you want the front & back piece. These will make up the overall shape. Below you can follow the measurements I used. 

*If you don't want the square look, make the bottom of the front & back pieces smaller. 

To get the straps, I cut along the side to save the look from the original doormat. I went back and sewed a zig zag stitch to make sure it wouldn't unravel.

Start by attaching a side piece to a corner on the front piece. When attaching, match the right sides (the sides you want on the outside of the bag) of the fabrics together. Now with the other corner of the same side piece, attach it to the back piece. Again, right or "good" sides together and finish by connecting the last side piece. 

You should now have a piece that looks like the above image- if it was flipped back inside out. With sides inside-out pin them to the base of the pieces sewn. It's very important to match up the sides as closely as you can, to keep the square shape look. Don't forget to re-enforce the corners. 

You can use different materials for the straps, or take the same fabric and braid them. Since this material was super thick, I didn't need to use lining. I measured the straps to fit my arms, you can also cut them short for handles. When attaching the straps, I sewed one stitch along the top inside of the bag and another ~ 2 inches down for re-enforcement. 

XOX, mimi