Beach Ball Bag

Being a long time beach lover, I'm always on the hunt for great accessories that make packing everything to the beach easy and fun. So I set out to make an inexpensive, no-sew, waterproof bag that I, a) wouldn't have to worry about getting dirty, and 2) would be super simple to make.

The iconic & colorful inflatable beach ball, with it's volumetric shape, turned out to be the perfect bag body choice and the duct tape worked smartly as both a strap and connectors. I love how this one turned out and am excited to share it with you.

Let's go!

Materials:

• 24" inflatable beach ball (I got mine online)*
• colored duct tape that matches ball

Tools:

• ruler
• exacto knife
• cutting mat
• two circular objects to use as cutting templates (one approx. 3" diameter, one 1 7/8" diameter)

*I suggest buying a few balls, just in case you make any mistakes when cutting the top off. (I may know about this first hand...)

Leave your beach ball un-inflated, lay it flat on a cutting mat. Cut 5 1/2" off of the inflating end. Discard the cut off piece.

Helpful Hints:

• Try and make the cut as perpendicular to the length of the ball as possible. Using the cutting mat grid to line up the ball ends on the same line will help with this.
• Using a sharp blade will help keep the cut edge from being jagged.

Open up the bag and turn it inside out, so that the duller side is now on the outside.

*This is just a personal preference. If you'd prefer to leave it shiny side out, please do so!

Cut two 37" lengths of duct tape.

Carefully stick the two lengths of tape together, back to back.

TIP: Follow the techniques shown in the photos above, and go slowly.

Using the larger of the two circular objects (approx. 3" diameter) and an exacto knife, cut out 4 duct tape half circles. You'll use these to secure the strap to the bag.

Now using the smaller object (approx. 1 7/8" diameter), cut out 6 whole circles and two half circles. The half circles are also to secure the strap to the bag. The whole circles will be used to reinforce the cut edge where the different sections are connected (welded), to keep the material from tearing apart.

On the inside cut edge of the bag, stick a duct tape circle at each of the places where two color sections meet, six in total. (like pictured above)

Using an exacto knife, trim off the excess tape.

Decide which color combo you want as the front facing side of your bag.

Lay the ball out flat with your chosen color combo facing up. (like pictured)

Place one end of the strap in the left corner of the bag with a 1 - 1 1/4" overlap.

Angle the strap end so that its upper top left corner is away from the bag edge about 3/16".

Secure the strap in place using one of the large half circles.

Turn the bag over and place one of the small half circles so that the round side is on the strap and the flat edge overlaps the bag about 1/4".

Then place one of the large half circles so that it mirrors the one on the other side.

Before attaching the other side, make sure the orientation of the whole strap is the same as in the first image above. This will ensure that it sits properly against your torso when in use.

For the second end, attach it using the same techniques as you did the first. The only difference is that you will place the end slightly to the left, on the seam.

How simple was that?! No pattern making, no sewing = easy peasy.

Your new bag is now ready for toting a couple of towels, a frisbee, a tasty drink + snacks to the beach!

Caring for your new bag:

• Don't overload it - you might bust a seam!
• spot clean with a damp sponge
• avoid packing sharp objects that could cut or puncture the bag

Now go have some sun filled fun!