Summer is almost here and that means it's time to get the family together for a fun day full of sun and swimming!
Depending on the size of your family, that could also mean a lot of prep time to make sure you have everything you need.
Sunglasses, towels, sunblock, flip flops — you need them all, but they're easy items to forget. We found a super cute and very useful DIY project that can help reduce the craziness and get you organized before walking out of the door.
With a few towels and a sewing machine, you can create the perfect beach blanket and beach bag hybrid to tote around all your necessities to the nearest pool.
These DIY convertible beach bag-blankets will ensure that you spend much more time kicking back and enjoying your day by the water and less time worrying about the things you forgot at the house!
Do you have any easy organizational tips for your family outings by the pool? Let us know in the comments!
[H/T: Snapguide]
Instead of lugging several bags around on the beach, Lulu, the clever DIY-er that came up with this creation, decided to turn her beach towel into a blanket-beach bag hybrid!
With a few materials and a sewing machine, she got to work.
She purchased two full-sized towels from Target and one wash cloth for the pocket that will attach to the beach bag.
She folded the first towel around the width of a travel pillow, pinned the towel, and cut.
Next, she cut the straps for her bag and pinned where she sewed down the length.
Lulu suggests holding onto the larger scraps if you'd prefer to use those for the outside pocket of the bag instead of a small wash cloth.
She then pinned the sides of the towel for her pillow insert and left an opening wide enough for the pillow to eventually get stuffed in.
After that, small Velcro circles were placed on the towel to allow an easy opening for the pillow to be removed.
After removing the pins of the pillow towel, she pinned the edges of the second towel to the first.
She made sure not to overlap the thick edges so the sewing machine wouldn't have to get through too much material.
Lulu then sewed the towels together on both sides of the pins.
At this point, the top piece that holds the pillow, was now attached to the full-length towel.
Now, on to the straps she cut out in the second step.
After sewing the straps together, she flipped them inside out.
Then, she carefully sewed the Velcro to the towel so it wouldn't fall off.
Next she shoved the pillow into its place.
You can also use stuffing if you prefer. Pillows are just easier to pull out and clean, especially if you're going somewhere sandy!
The project is nearly finished!
Lulu folded the sides of the towel and rolled the towel around the pillow.
The last step was fitting the straps and the side pockets made out of a small washcloth.
She pinned the straps to the towel.
The first one was attached to the large towel; the second strap was attached to the pocket.
Next, she unfolded the towel and prepared to sew the last pieces into place.
In order to ensure a little extra support, Lulu sewed a few extra lines over the straps.
She also sewed the outer pocket into place!
The project is complete! These towel/bag hybrids are light, easy to carry, and perfect for family vacations.
Would you try a project like this to keep you organized on your next family vacation?
Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to SHARE with anyone that's going on a beach vacation soon!
