Wet/Dry Pool Bag

Wet/Dry Pool Bag
By Bernadette Noll and Kathie Sever
Future Craft Collective

We spent last week at the pool, trying out our super fun pool toss game. And since it’s been hovering in the low 100s for about a week straight now, you can pretty much rest assured that anytime we are outside, we will pretty much be near water, be it pool, cold springs, or in the river. And when so much time is spent lugging stuff to and from the water’s edge, you definitely need a way to keep your dry stuff dry and separated from the wet stuff.
This week while I packed up a family of six for a summer vacation, Kathie worked her magic in the studio. After a trip to the thrift store and a couple of hours in the studio, she emerged with this sweet bag, the perfect combination of form and function — upcycled and super styling too.

Materials:

2 mesh athletic jerseys, one of them sleeveless Think shiny, polyester, basketball uniform.
Sewing machine
Scissors
Thread
Really, that’s all you need. And you’ve most likely got 3 of the 4 just sitting there waiting for some action so what are you waiting for?

Directions:

Step 1: On the sleeveless shirt, cut off the top of the shirt going straight across. The cut should be a couple of inches above the bottom of the armhole. You now have a sort of rectangle looking piece, with a slight indent at the top of each side.

Step 2: From the other jersey, cut off 6 narrow 2″×16″ strips and 4 wide 2½”×22″ ones. The length of these will be cut vertically from the neck of the shirt to the tail.
Step 3: Next, make the 4 wide strips into 2 long strips by sewing them together at the short end (they’ll be 2½”×44″ when joined). These will be the straps for your bag.
Step 4: Fold these long straps in half, good sides facing, and sew them up the long side, leaving one end open.
Step 5: Match each of the shorter strips together, good sides facing. Sew them together on one short end and down the long side.
Step 6: Turn the strips right side out and press with a low iron. You now have 3 short straps and 2 long straps.
Step 7: Cut a large rectangle (your pocket) out from the other jersey. Ours measured 10″×12″.

Step 8: Press under the sides of the rectangle (as shown above), about ¼” on each side.

Step 9: Pin the pocket onto the middle of the other jersey. As you are pinning the bottom of the pocket, fold one of the smaller straps in half lengthwise and pin it in place sticking out of the bottom of the pocket.
Step 10: Fold over the top of your jersey about 1″ and sew it shut, creating a loop through which to feed the straps.

Step 11: Feed one of the longer straps through one side of the top loops and out the other. Feed the other strap through and out the opposite way.
Step 12: Insert and pin the remaining 2 shorter straps into the bottom of the bag and have the straps stick out of the jersey. Pin the bottom shut.
Step 13: Turn the jersey inside out so that all your straps are now inside the bag.
Step 14: The straps that are fed through the top of your bag will serve as both closure at the top of your bag and as backpack-style straps to carry your bag. Stick about ½” of these straps into the bottom of your bag and pin into place.

Step 15: Sew the bottom of your bag shut going over it a couple times to give it strength.

Turn your bag right side out. Tie your towel and wet suit up with the straps. Put your pool toys and other gear inside. You are ready to go in high summertime style!
Come back next week for more Future Craft Collective fun. And in the meantime, have a good time at the pool.
About the Authors:

Future Craft Collective is brought to you by Kathie Sever and Bernadette Noll. Kathie is an accomplished seamstress, creator of Ramonsterwear Custom Western Wear, artist, and mother of two. Bernadette is a writer, co-founder of Slow Family Living, and mother of four. They have found renewed energy in their collaboration and are continuously amazed by the ideas, inspiration, and a-ha moments that have come from this shared effort.