Nylon Screen Tote Bag

Make a tote bag that's waterproof and easy to clean with nylon screen. Perfect for beaches and bathrooms, the nylon screen allows water and sand to flow right through. Whip up a bag in a breeze with these helpful project instructions.

Nylon screen looks like the type of screen seen in windows and doors, but it's soft and pliable. It's made out of nylon, not metal, and often called "pet screen." Nylon screen can generally be found in the utility fabrics section of fabric stores (JoAnn's) or sourced online (like Metro Screenworks).

Cut a piece of nylon screen that is 18" x 36".

A template is a printout of a design, and it's an excellent tool to plan where to stitch. Print a template of the design from your embroidery software. If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom's TrueSizer is a free program to use. Place the template where you want to stitch the design, allowing for seam allowances at the top. In this example, the top of the design is 5" down from the top edge, centered between the sides. After the template is where you want to stitch the design, mark the center point as well as the horizontal and vertical axis lines.

White bobbin thread looks very bright on dark screen. Instead of using white bobbin thread, wind a bobbin with 60 weight thread that matches the screen.

Hoop the nylon screen with a piece of heavy-weight watersoluble stabilizer on top, lining up the marks on the screen with the marks on the hoop. Nylon screen has a mesh texture, so placing the stabilizer on top gives the embroidery foot a smooth surface to glide over. In this example, Sulky Ultra Solvy is used.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the embroidery design. Move the hoop so the needle is right over the center point. Embroider the design. A size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle is a good choice when embroidering on nylon screen.

After embroidering, trim the excess water-soluble stabilizer away.

Soak in water to remove the rest. Repeat the steps to embroider the design on the other end of the screen (which will become the other side of the bag).

Cut two pieces of 7/8" double-fold bias tape to 18 inches long.

Insert one of the ends of the bag into the bias tape. Pin in place.

Sew a seam all along the edge. Repeat for the other end of the bag.

Next, cut two pieces of bias tape to 20 inches long.

Fold the bag in half, wrong sides together.

Insert the right sides of the bag into the bias tape. One inch of the bias tape will extend at the top, and one inch will extend at the bottom.

Pin in place, and sew a seam. Repeat for the left side.

Fold back the edges at each end, and stitch in place.

Finally, make handles for the bag out of twill. Cut two pieces of twill to 22" long and 3" wide. You may make them longer to serve as shoulder straps. Fold the long sides in 1/2" to the wrong side and press.

Fold the fabric in half, wrong sides together, and press.

Sew 1/8 seams along both side edges.

Pin the handles so they're 3" in from the sides, extending 1" into the bag.

Sew in place. To reinforce the end, sew a square with an X through it. 

The nylon screen bags are perfect to hold towels, flip-flops, sunscreen and more, as sand and water flow right through! A stack of dolphins adds a beachy look to the tote.

Nylon screen is also fabulous for bathroom bags, as the fabric allows water to flow right through, making them both easy-to-clean and safe for any splashes. This peacock design blends with the blue of the bag nicely.

Or, adorn your bag with a fruit wreath and use as a reusable grocery and farmers market tote!