May 19, 2009

Camera Strap Cover {Tutorial}

As soon as I got my new camera I knew that I wanted one of those cute camera straps I've seen around. It never dawned on me that most of them were just simple covers made to go over your strap.
By making them myself I could have a whole wardrobe for my camera to suit my mood and MY outfits!

Isn't she BEAUTIFUL? LOL
I thought some of you might like to jazz up your camera straps as well, so here's how I did it!

These are really easy to make. My Nikon strap is about 1.5" wide, so I made these to fit that size. You can make these 2 sided with contrasting fabrics (which is what I did) or you could do them in all the same fabric, just cut your initial piece twice as wide and skip step #4.

You will need fabric, paper, pen, scissors, pins, fusible interfacing, thread.

1. Fold your strap in half and trace it on a piece of paper (I used a brown bag)


2. Add a 1/2" all the way around your pattern you drew. This is your seam allowance
(I made mine about 27" long).
Cut out paper pattern.

3. Fold your fabric in half and place your pattern on top, with the straight short edge against the fold of the fabric. Cut two pieces.

4. Sew the strips right sides together, then press seam open.

5. I made mine padded with fusible light fleece interfacing. You need about 5"by 27". This is optional of course, I like the feel of the padding and think they look nicer, but you can skip this step if you don't mind the hard strap. Iron on the fusible interfacing according to directions, and trim excess.


6. Fold one end in about one inch, and then again over one inch to hide the seam and make it have clean finish. I then sewed three lines, 1/4" apart so the ends will be more sturdy and it looks more polished.


Do this this to both ends. ~See how nice they look?



7. Pin the right sides together.


8. Sew right sides together. I think I did about 1/4" seem, but you can judge according to what will fit your strap. Just remember, you want it about 1/2" larger than your strap so it's easy to slide on and off.


9. Trim your seam allowance so it's not in the way when you slide your strap in.


10. This is the hardest part.....turn inside out. I used a plastic spoon to help push it thru.


Then I pulled thru with my fingers.


11. Then iron your cover, feed your strap through and your FINISHED!


Easy right?!

I had so much fun I made four of them!
By the time I made the forth one, I think it only took me 15 mins from start to finish.
(I played around with different sizes to see what worked the best)
I bought 1/4 yds. of all my fabric and I have enough to do a few more - so I'm sure you could get by with 1/8 yd of each fabric.


Now go make your self one.......or four!! LOL
You'll have even MORE fun taking pictures when you look all cute with your stylish strap!!


If you're "afraid" of your sewing machine, you can still make one by hand like my friend Emily did!
Head over to Remodeling This Life and see the strap cover Emily made with out a sewing machine!

This Works for ME!! Head over to We Are THAT Family and see what others are doing for Works for ME Wednesday!



also posted on Blissfully Domestic





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41 comments:

Cathy Cobblestone said...

Cheryl - I love this - you did an awesome job and what a great tutorial. And I of course, love the black and white - especially the polka dots. Thanks for sharing! Cathy

Dominika said...

LOVE them! I may have to try and make one or 4 :o) So which one is your favorite and how many have you made since this was posted? Hee hee.

Jenny said...

I love it! I just got my Nikon last week and have seen these cool straps! I can't wait to make my own!

Nicole said...

Pretty!

Jenny @ Another Jennifer Speaks said...

oh wow that's really nifty. im gonna have to try that for my camera :) maybe even some of my bags.

Michelle said...

oh that's something I'm trying ;) Have a good week.

Robin~ said...

I've seen these online and thought about making one ~ thank you for the beautiful photos, the tutorial was perfect!
I'm just thinking The Husband, who is the father of our Nikon may not like my choice of fabrics!
Robin
All Things Heart and Home

Mrs. Jones said...

You are so awesome! I can't wait to try this!

~Heather

CozyCoops Corner said...

CUTE!!! I love it :-)

Erin @ Closing Time said...

Such a cute idea! I use a small digital camera, so I don't have a camera strap like that...otherwise I would definitely make myself one! You should sell these!

Amanda said...

Very cute idea. I have the same Nikon strap (D60), but I am cannot even sew on a button. LOL

Lori said...

I love this idea! I only wish I had a strap for my camera! It's still only got the wrist strap. Bummer! But, I'm wondering if I could make it "manly" enough for my hubs who hates the regular strap? Hmmmmm.......

jen@odbt said...

This is one reason I wish I could sew. Looks so easy and what a fun way to jazz up your camera. I smell giveaway. LOL :)

Cathe Holden said...

Wow Cheryl, You're hot! I mean that strap is HOT! LOL. Very nice tut. Wish I had a camera that used a strap.

He And Me + 3 said...

Thanks...I am so giving this to my mom to make me one.

TidyMom said...

Thanks everyone!!!

and yes Jen.......I might do a giveaway! LOL

~TidyMom

Robin Lynne said...

Absolutely perfect! I've been wanting to jazz up my camera strap for a while - but all the "custom" ones I've seen were a bit pricy. This is a great alternative! Especially since my mood/"favorite thing ever" changes so frequently :P

Definitely bookmarking this post!

Thanks for sharing :D

-Robin Lynne
www.robinlynne.org

TidyMom said...

Robin - the thing I forgot to mention was how darn hard it was to put my strap BACK on my camera! is it just ME? or does anyone else have a problem feeding their strap onto their camera? THAT took me longer than making the cute cover! LOL

~TidyMom

Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage said...

Great idea! I have never noticed those before, but I love yours.

Yankee Ridge Primitives said...

OMG, you are so awesome for posting this!
I NEVER thought to cover my ugly camera strap.

I could use one to go with every outfit eh!

Now I just gotta find the time to make a bunch!

PeasAndCoos said...

Great idea! Looks easy enough to do too!

Susan said...

I love it! If only I had a sewing machine that worked...ugh! I guess I will be calling my MIL to let her know what she can make me for Christmas this year.

Blue Castle said...

I love tutorials, and this one just rocks! Thank you for sharing it. :)

Saucy said...

Pretty ingenious but I would find it hard to cover up NIKON NIKON LOOK AT MY JUICY NIKON EVERYONE!! You are humble.

mom2four said...

Love it! now if i Can just get motivated to buy a new camera. I have given you an award, come take a look http://vcagney.blogspot.com

Bridget said...

That is so, so adorable! It makes me want to have a fancy camera! :)

Saw your comment on my blog (about the ice cream). There is a link there to the "Jerry's chocolate" ice cream. You'll have to try it!

nottheplan said...

What a great tutorial! If I ever decide to make one, I know where to go for directions.

Vera said...

I have been thinking of either buying those cute camera straps or making a cover myself. This tutorial is definitely useful! Thank you!

La Table De Nana said...

Look at this!!! I will try! What a cute idea!

Laura said...

Thanks for this cute idea and helpful tutorial! I'm going to do this one for sure!!

beachy keen girl said...

I MUST try this! My Nikon is needing a fun strap cover :) Thanks!

rebekah said...

WOW!! These turned out great! i am for sure going to try this!! Thanks for posting!

Brooke said...

Thanks for the tut, I totally made one with my new sewing machine after seeing this great post and remembering another one I'd bookmarked forever ago. I did a black and white damask pattern too, and I LOVE IT! :)

PS: Looking forward to your Valentine project post, thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. :)

Dani said...

Those are so cute! I made my own version and linked to your tutorial.

mommy-made-it.blogspot.com

Emily said...

Wow! This looks so fun! I'm an amateur crafter/sewer but I think I could do this. Can't wait to give it a try!

Katie said...

Great job Cheryl! Question: In the last picture, you show all the straps you made. How did you feed the camera strap through the thinner ones? Does it work?

Robyn Fish said...

oh!! I'm so excited you posted this. My husband doesn't understand my need for a camera strap cover, but I beg him for one!!! :D

Tiffany said...

Thank you so much! I just got my first sewing machine & this HAD to be my first project. Your directions were by far the best that I have seen! I just finished & I love my new strap slipcover! Thanks!

Real Housewife in MN said...

Thanks SO much for such an easy tutorial. Love the step-by-step photos and yours were great! Just attempted my own (http://minnesotahousewife.blogspot.com/2010/05/mn-housewife-attempts-home-sewn-camera.html) and you're right, once you do one you want to make 10 more! Thanks again!

Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com said...

SO much fun!! Would be nice to be able to coordinate my camera strap with my outfit (or more likely, my mood! ha ha!)

Arlene (CO Kid) said...

I made one! Thanks for sharing and making it so clear and easy to read. My first one is very plain (I really have NO sewing skills!), but I am going to get out the ribbons and stuff and make some more for gifts. (No more entering all the cover give-away contests!)

http://ayearofus.blogspot.com/2010/07/diy-camera-strap-cover-chipotle-not.html

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