blue tarp beach tote

We live around the corner from the beach which means we do lots of walking back and forth to play which also means we are ALWAY hauling all kinds of stuff (especially kids stuff) to the beach! Recently, I had the bright idea to make a huge tote bag from a blue tarp (hello waterproof and heavy duty!) that we already had in our garden shed.

1. I used a blue tarp- typically the most common color found in home improvement and hardware stores but you can find tarps in all kinds of colors. 2. I decided to alter my tarp but I didn't have lots of time so I chose to spray paint stripes. I started by taping off the tarp. 3. I sprayed with a LIGHT layer of spray paint. 4. I peeled off the layers of tape and was left with stripes!

There are all kinds of ways you could alter a tarp- combine with fabric, use colorful stitching, paint or stencil a pattern or use a paint pen and doodle!

You could use your favorite tote bag pattern or wing it- like I do!

I cut my tarp to size and folded in half.

I hemmed the top.

Sewed the handles on.

Sewed up both sides.

Sewed across each corner (on the inside).

Turned right side out 

Voilà- a great big tote perfect for the beach!