Mystic Sail Bags

I've been spending a lot of time at Joann Fabrics these days. I decided to make custom bags out of an old battered sail that came with our 1966 Alberg 35, Mystic. These bags are hot right now; selling for big bucks in specialty stores. I'm enjoying the experience, especially the design phase of my projects. By far, the most rewarding part is the finished product!

Designing Sail Bags

The first bag I made was a purse. The pattern came from a custom sail bag that I received as a gift from my sister Joyce. It has two pockets, one on the outside and one on the inside. It is lined with anchor fabric in blue and red. I embellished the outside pocket with an anchor "finding" to dress it up a bit. It turned out really cute and inspired me to take on another project.

Sail bag front with anchor detail

Sail bag back

Anchor patterned lining

Next, I made a beach bag, big enough to carry multiple towels and beach accessories. It is lined with shell fabric in sand tones. The front has a zippered pocket; a perfect spot to tuck a cell phone out of the way. I added a metal turtle "finding" to the pocket for pizzazz! This bag is sturdy!

Beach Bag with zipper pocket and turtle finding

Shell patterned lining

Roomy Beach Bag

Retro zipper on outside pocket

I moved on to making a really cool backpack, the pattern design coming from one I own.  It has expandable straps and lobster claw closures. The lining is a Paris pattern. It was the most complex design that I made so far, but it was a lot of fun to create! It turned out fabulous!

Back of Backpack

Inside lining with contrasting white pocket

Paris Fabric

Backpack front

My next design was a simple drawstring bag that evolved easily. I lined it with a cheerful daisy patterned fabric. The outside was plain with just white sail fabric, so I added a strip of the daisy fabric then edged it with beautiful beads that hang below the daisy strip. I really like this bag; it's simple but attractive!

Simple drawstring bag

Drawstring bag detail

Drawstring bag lining

I created a book bag next. It is similar to the reusable bags folks bring to the grocery store, only sturdier due to the trim edge that accents the inside. A beautiful lilac satin fabric lines this bag. The satin has a diamond pattern sewn into it. I used a triple thick patch of sail for the bottom panel. This helps the bag sit upright and adds strength to it.

Book bag

Purple diamond lining

Reinforced bottom

Bag sits square due to bottom

I made so many bags that I was on a roll! My options for design were unlimited and examples were all around me. I used an old Vera Bradley shoulder clutch as a pattern for a sail bag version of my own. The bag turned out really cute but I found a tiny slit in the sail cloth on the back after it was completed. Sails are tough but they do tear. I missed this tiny blemish during construction. Instead of chucking the whole project, I bought cute little applique flowers and sewed them over the slit, using buttons to hold them in place; project saved! I will use this bag often. Everyone needs a shoulder clutch for those days when you don't want to drag a whole purse with you! I ended up making a second clutch lined with the Paris fabric. It turned out even better than my first try!

Clutch front

Clutch back with daisy's covering small defect

Lobster claw closure

Clutch outside open

Clutch inside open, credit card slots and pockets

The final bag that I completed was created after friendly encouragement from my friend Linda Weckman She asked me to make her a duffle bag, 15" long, 12" high and 7" wide. It turned out great but it tested my patience and problem solving skills. Linda will use this bag to take personal items up to their boat, s/v Pemion. Linda referred to her bag as a Mystic Sail Bag. I like the sound of that!

Custom Duffle Bag

Linda with her duffle bag

I've been sewing every day; some days a little, others all day long! I'm not new to this. I've always loved to sew. I made my own wedding gown and many of my children's clothes when they were little. For those projects, I used a pattern that I purchased. The difference in my sail bag sewing is that I make the patterns myself. Before we left Minnesota aboard s/v Mystic I made several bags for boat gear storage. This included a bag for our hatch boards. When we are underway, we place each of the three boards in their own compartment within this bag. It is heavily cushioned which keeps them from getting beat up. I sewed Mystic on the cover. This bag has proven to be very useful during our Great Loop adventure.

Mystic Hatch Cover Bag

We plan to build a dodger for Mystic. All this practice is good experience to prepare me for that mammoth job. I'll have to get a heavy duty sewing machine first. I'm not complaining about that though! I can't wait! I'm already onto my next sail bag project. I'm working on shower bags for both of us. When we use the marina showers we have to schlep all of our bath supplies, towels and clothes. Now, we'll be able to do this in true cruising style!