Help required suggestions please

[Eileen83flowers]

I have just made my first tote bag as Jenny showed me (love her tutorials) ! Photo later
What I would like to know is how can I make the bag waterproof inside as I would like to make one for my
Grand daughter to take when she goes swimming.
What material could I use? would I have to use a different needle.
If anyone has made such an item and has any suggestions or a link I could follow I really would be grateful.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Re: Help required suggestions please

There is laminated fabric that you can find in fabric stores. I know that Hancock fabrics has a line that matches regular fabric. I wanted to do this for totes to be used for farmer's market trips, so it could be wiped out if it got dirty. You could also use waterproof fabrics used for tents or picnic shelters. Some of that is heavy, but they do make waterproof ripstop nylon. Unless you did some seam sealing, I doubt if it would be totally waterproof. You can seam seal by painting on contact cememt to the seams and let it dry before using the bag. If it is fabric, you probably can use a needle made for jeans or some other heavy duty fabric..

Or you could use plastic, or cut up a vinyl fabric backed tablecloth.

[SiobhanF]

Re: Help required suggestions please

You could use laminated fabric. They're becoming more popular, and so there are lots of choices to be had. You don't need a different needle, but it will be easier to sew if you have a Teflon foot for your machine (but really only if/when top stitching).

[Lisapc]

Re: Help required suggestions please

There is vinyl coated fabric, you could either use that as the lining fabric or use it to make a removable liner so the bag could be washed. I would use a jeans/heavy duty needle and a poly thread.

Great idea!

[Hulamoon]

Re: Help required suggestions please

Etsy has some really cute laminated fabric. There was one with mermaids I was checking out.

laminated fabric on Etsy, a global handmade and vintage marketplace.

[bubba]

Re: Help required suggestions please

I bought a bag (I know, I can't believe it either!) just last weekend made by a gal who was at an art show we go to every year. The lining is waterproof nylon.

[New York Sue]

Re: Help required suggestions please

How about this?

Laminated Quilting Fabric -

[Marebear]

Re: Help required suggestions please

I made a whole tote bag out of a laminated cotton last year for a beach bag. I used a regular needle. Don't use pins, use clips, as the pins will leave holes in the laminate. I found it rather cumbersome at times to sew.

I like the idea of a removable liner.

Good luck

[jcrow54]

Re: Help required suggestions please

Hi, I sent you a private message.

[Lilly]

Re: Help required suggestions please

I use "HeatnBond vinyl" usually the matte not the shiny with great results. It is an iron on layer that makes fabrics water resistant just like the vinyl coated fabrics you buy only this way you use whatever fabric you like in your project. You can buy it at Fabric.com or Amazon or many other places. I've played around with it extensively and my fav way to use it is on the back side of the fabric so the "shiny" doesn't show nor is it prone to wrinkling or snagging when something catches the top of the fabric - does this make sense? I especially like to use a midwt pellon on the back of the fabric and then add the the heatnbond to the back of the pellon. It gives a lovely soft finish with some body from the pellon. I use it in pockets and in the lining of bags to make them waterproof. It is a very nice product which is why I spent some time testing various ways to use it. (The product looks like a sheet of contact paper with grids on it) I personally do not like it with craft bond pellon because the card boardy wrinkles of the craftbond is just exaggerated by the vinyl. Of course if you like that shiny waterproof look then use the shiny heatnbond on top of your fabric. It comes both ways.

[Learner quilter]

Re: Help required suggestions please

Why not try a shower curtain. Lots of nice patterns.

[Eileen83flowers]

Re: Help required suggestions please

Hi, I sent you a private message.

Yes thank you I have replied to you

[Eileen83flowers]

Re: Help required suggestions please

Wow thank you lots of brilliant ideas and suggestions.
I will have to have a think and a look around.
you are all so very helpful