{DIY} Camera Strap Cover
by Lori
in Create Things! {DIY},Things I've made
As is the case with most of you I assume, I LOVE to take pictures. However, the plain black camera strap that came with my camera really doesn’t suit my personal style.
There are some really great camera strap covers out there, such as Shey B, but while I wish I was since I fully believe in supporting small businesses, and especially believe in supporting handmade, I’m just not in a place where I can spend money on things like that.
So, I decided to make my own.
If you find yourself in a similar boat, or just prefer to do things yourself, follow along!
I made my cover very simple. Thought I should stick with the basics for the first one & perhaps embellish a bit later on.
But one thing I knew I HAD to have was a pocket for my lens cap.
I’m ALWAYS loosing it.
So the first thing I needed to do was find out how wide my largest lens cap is.
Mine measured in at about 2.5″, so that was how wide I needed to make the finished size of my strap cover, even though my camera strap isn’t that wide.
If your lens cap is less wide than your strap, use the strap to get your finished width.
I then cut out my fabric for the outside of the cover & the pocket.
The width of the piece you cut out will be:
(width of camera lens) + (2 seam allowances @ .5″ each [1" total])
For me, that was: 2.5″ + 1″ = 3.5″
The formula for the length is similar:
(length of the strap you want to cover) + (2 seam allowances @ .5″ each [1" total])
For me, that was: 23″ + 1″ = 24″
Which gave me a total of 3.5″ x 24″ (cut 2)
For the pocket, since a camera lens is round, I was able to just use the width measurement and make a square:
3.5″ x 3.5″ (cut 1)
Zig-zag, or serge the top & bottom of your square.
Fold the square for your pocket over .5″ on one of the serged sides, pinning in place.
Sew about 3/8″ from the folded side.
On the wrong side of your pocket fabric, draw a line with a fabric pen . 5″ away from the opposite serged edge.
With the fabric right sides together, place your pocket so that the line you just drew is 2.75″ away from the end of the larger fabric.
Pin in place and sew, using the line as your guide.
Fold the pocket fabric so that the right side of it and the strap fabric are both showing.
Iron.
Pin the pocket to the strap fabric on both sides.
Baste in place by sewing about 1/4″ from the edges on both sides.
With right sides together, place the other piece of outer fabric on top, making sure to match up all the sides.
Pin 1 side in place.
Sew that seam up using a .5″ seam allowance.
For the contrasting inside fabric, the easiest way to know how big to cut it, is to measure what you have to far, opened up.
For me, this was: 6″ x 24″ (cut 1)
If you want the formula, it is: (width of lens cap x 2) + (2 seam allowances @ .5″ each [1" total])
(2.5″ x 2) + 1 = 6″
Length is figured the same way as before.
Place the 2 pieces right-sides-together and pin in place along the top and bottom edges (the short edges).
Sew .5″ away from the unfinished edge on each side.
Flip the fabric so that the wrong sides are now together and iron the folded edges.
Sew a top-stitch about 1/4″ from the folded edge on each end to secure.
To make sure the inside fabric stays in place, top-stitch 1/8″ to 1/4″ away from the long, center seam on your outside fabric.
Fold the strap cover so that your outside fabric is in the middle.
Pin in place & sew using a .5″ seam allowance
Finish the raw edge by either zig-zagging or using a serger.
Turn the cover right-side-out.
Iron flat and your ready to slip your camera strap inside!
And now that you have the basics, feel free to embellish with ruffles, buttons and any manner of fun fabric!
Hope you enjoy!!
xoxo Lori Danelle
Tagged as: fabric
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Funny, I just made one last month from Simply Modern Mom’s tutorial and love it!
I saw you listed it on a What I Wore Wednesday (?) and laughed a little because I’ve been meaning to post this for a few months now! (I know, it takes me awhile. . .)
So funny! I just made one on Saturday as well and was planning a tutorial next Monday.
I am having trouble subscribing to your new blog with google reader!
I tried subscribing to myself (ha!) to make sure everything works and we’re in luck, it does!
I’ll walk you through 2 different options:
First, I have a subscribe button int the top right corner of the page. Click on it, and you will be re-directed to a page with a few options. For Google Reader, Click on the Google button. From there, you’ll again be redirected to a page with 2 options: “Add to Google Homepage” or (the one you want) ” Add to Google Reader”. And then you should be golden.
If you’re trying to add the link directly to Google Reader using the “add subscription” button on your Google Reader page, the link is “loridanelle.com” not “loridanelle.com/blog” Confusing, I know.
Not sure why that is.
Hope that helps!
Lori, who makes that beautiful red fabric!? I love the little pocket for the lens cap… I always manage to loose mine!
The yellow fabric is Amy Butler from her lotus line. The pink fabric inside is designed by Tina Givens.
Glad to have you here! I’ve been eyeing your picket fence pillows for a while now. . . .
(everyone else, go check them out at her etsy shop!! { pillowfactory.etsy.com } TOO CUTE!)
Thank you Lori.. You are one of my faves on etsy with your paper cut art! oh.. one day maybe I’ll have one of your pieces hanging on my wall….
Fantastic tutorial! The directions were very clear and this was super easy, even for a new sewer! Thank you!!
So glad you found it helpful!!
providing a pocket for the lens is great idea! can’t wait to make my own strap cover. God bless.