Duck® Brand Shelf Liner Tote Bag

 

Summer is here and swim lessons are starting next week! The kids are so excited! I made a new tote to store towels and sunscreen for the pool.

And here's the kicker...the entire bag is made out of shelf liner! I bet you didn't realize that shelf liner was so versatile. It's water proof, durable, flexible and MACHINE WASHABLE. Perfect for so many projects.

Would you like to make a new tote to take to the pool, to the lake or on a picnic? Let's get started!

 

Shelf Liner Tote

(1"h x14"w x5d")

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1 roll Shelf Liner, white (Smooth Top)

1 roll Shelf Liner, contrasting color (Smooth Top)

thread

 

 Cut your liner pieces. You will need 2 large (11x15") rectangles, 2 small (5x15" rectangles) and 2 strap pieces (3x40").

Sewing with Shelf Liner

Sewing with shelf liner is different than sewing with fabric because...well, it isn't fabric! It has a grip bottom, perfect for keeping it in place, but not perfect for a sewing machine. I covered my feed dogs with tape to create a smooth surface. You can also lower your feed dogs. I also added tape to the bottom of my pressure foot.

Also, DO NOT iron the shelf liner. Just fold it or press down firmly to flatten seams, etc.

 

 

Even after adding the tape, you will still have to pull that fabric through the machine, especially when you are sewing sections that have grip surfaces on top and bottom.  Just pin your work surface and give it a tug and you'll be fine!

Now let's make the straps!

Fold your strap in thirds (1") each. Just fold over the left side, then the right side. Stitch close to the edge. Repeate for the next strap.

Now let's work on adding those straps and creating the front and back to your bag!

Lay one small rectangle on top of one large rectangle (right sides facing eachother). Pin one side of a strap 3" from the outer edge and through the two rectangles. Pin the other side of that same strap 3" from the other edge and through the two rectangles. The strap will be sandwiched inside the rectangles. (photo 1 above)

Stitch across, catching both strap edges in the seam. Open. fold seam towards the top and top stitch across top of the seam and the straps as well. (photo 2 above)

Now sew your straps flat against the bag front. Start at the bottom and top stitch to the top of the bag and down the other side of the strap. (photo 3 above)

Repeat with the other 2 rectangles and other strap to create the back piece of the tote. (photo 4 above)

Sew front piece of tote to back piece by lining them up, edges matching, and right sides together. Stitch sides and bottom.

You can stop here and flip your tote right side out and be done, or you can box the bottom corners so that your tote has a flat bottom.

Here is how to box your bottom corners!

Fold one bottom corner flat into a triangle, with the seam running along the bottom. (photo 1 above)

Measure 2" from the tip of the triangle and pin. Stitch along the pin line. (photo 2 above)

Trim close to seam. (photo 3 above)

Repeat for other side.

Flip right side out. (photo 4 above is showing the bag upside down so that you can see the boxed corners)

If that didn't make any sense at all, here is a video that I found for ya!

Flip that bag right side out and you are done!

 
I just love how this tote turned out and it is so durable! I loaded it up with 3 small towels, sunscreen and snacks and it held up perfectly!