Pool Bag Sewing Tutorial

In this Pool Bag Sewing Tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a waterproof pool bag to keep all your items organized. The bag is lined and includes interior mesh pockets.

To make the bag waterproof, I used waterproof canvas, but the same tutorial can be used with other fabrics such as: jean, regular canvas, or home décor fabric.

A similar bag is available at Amazon – but yours will be stronger and lined… and the best part, you get to choose your fabrics 🙂

The finished measurements for this bag are :

21″ Wide X 12″ tall X 9″ Deep

I didn’t use any insert for this bag, the mesh pockets are sewn to the bag lining.

You’ll Need:

1 yd exterior fabric (I used waterproof c anvas)

Optional – 1 yd interlining fabric (I also used waterproof canvas, but you can use anything, you won’t see this fabric after the bag is sewn)

1 yd interior fabric (I use the turquoise waterproof canvas)

1 yd foam stabilizer (I like to use floor underlay, but you can use other products such as Flex Foam, Soft & Stable, or Bosal)

½ yd mesh fabric

1 ½ yd binding

2 3/4 yd 1” – 1 1/2″ webbing (cotton or polyester)

(8) 9 mm rivets (optional)

Cutting

Exterior Fabric (Waterproof Canvas)

(2) main panels 22”x 13”

(2) side panels 10” x 13”

(1) base 10” x 22”

Interlining (I use canvas fabric, but you can use anything. You won’t see this fabric after the bag is done.

(2) main panels 22”x 13”

(2) side panels 10” x 13”

(1) base 10” x 22”

Lining Fabric (I would also premier slub fabric that doesn’t need interfacing, but if you use cotton, interface it with Pellon SF101)

(2) main panels 22”x 13”

(2) side panels 10” x 13”

(1) base 10” x 22”

Mesh Fabric:

(2) 5” x 22”

Stabilizer

(2) Main panels 21”x 12”

(2) Side panels 9” x 12”

(1) Base 21” x 9”

Sewing Instructions:

Use 1/2″ Seam Allowances

Bag Exterior

Place the stabilizer between the exterior and interlining fabrics and baste 1/8” from the edge on the main panels, side panels, and base. The stabilizer is smaller than the other pieces to avoid bulk in the seam allowances.

Draw lines on the Main Panel a 7″ and 14″
Cut the Webbing in half. Pin or glue baste one of the Webbing pieces, raw edges down, to the right side of a Main Panel along the lines. Repeat to pin or glue baste the other side of the Webbing along the other side of the same Main Panel.
Starting at the bottom, sew up one long edge of a Webbing (about 1/8” from the edge), pivot to sew across the top 1″ down from the bag top. Then, pivot to sew down the other long edge of the Webbing. Repeat to sew the other side of the Webbing to the Main Panel.

Repeat on the opposite side.
Optional: Reinforce the webbing with rivets to make it more secure.
Mark the center and 1/2″ from corner of the exterior Main Panels and Base.
Take your Exterior Base piece & place the long side RST along the bottom edges of your exterior Main Panel, matching center marks & the dots.
Sew the long side with a 1/2” SA. Start and end at the marks.
Repeat on the opposite side.

Take one of the exterior Side Panels and clip or pin it to the bag body matching the seams. To minimize bulk nest the seams (when Place seams in opposite directions). Sew the short side ends to the Side Panel to the Base with a 1/2” SA starting & stopping at the marks.
Sew the long side ends of the Side Panel to the Main Panel with a 1/2” SA starting & stopping at the marks.
Repeat on the opposite side.
Turn the bag right side out. Push the bag corners out so they sit nice & square (trim corners if necessary)

Bag Lining

Sew the binding on the top border of the Mesh fabric. Use double side tape to hold the mesh in place. Repeat on the other mesh piece.
Draw a line in the center of the lining piece.
Place the mesh over the lining Main Panel matching the sides and the bottom edge. Secure with pins and sew the Mesh to the lining Main Panels. Sew over the center line up and down to divide the mesh pocket in two.

Repeat steps 4-10 from the Bag Exterior Section to sew the Lining Base and Side Panels.

Completing the Bag

Place the exterior bag inside the Lining RST. Make sure the webbing is inside the bag.
Stitch around the top of the bag matching the seam allowances using 1/2″ SA. Leave an opening on the side panel to turn the bag out.