Tutorial: Camera Strap Cover with Lens Cap Pocket

I know, I know . . . there are a ton of these tutorials out there but I thought I'd share how I made these anyways! I really like making these since they're easy, fairly quick to make, and another great way to use up scraps. Very comfy too! My new camera came with a vinyl strap (yuck) and it just didn't feel good. I made two versions yesterday, a patchwork strap and a solid strap. Here's the how-to:


Note: I made these covers to fit the standard sized strap that comes with Canon/Nikon DSLR/SLRs. Finished length is 24.5 inches (62.2 cm) and 2.75 inches (7 cm) wide.


Supplies:

Fabric (various prints for the patchwork strap or 2 prints for the solid)
Thread
Heavy Weight Fusible Fleece (I used Pellon that I got at Walmart)
Fusible Interfacing (doesn't matter what kind)
Scissors
Rotary cutter/mat (optional but suggested)


For the solid strap you'll need to cut:

Fabric: {2} 26.5 x 3.75 inches (1 piece for front of strap and 1 for back)
Pocket Piece: {1} 5.5 x 3.75 inches (I used a contrasting fabric)
Interfacing: 3.5 x 2.75 inches (layer 2 pieces if your interfacing is lightweight)
Fusible Fleece: 24.5 x 5.5 inches

For the patchwork strap:

I cut different lengths of fabrics {all 3.75 inches wide) and sewed them together (along the width measurement) using 1/4 inch seam allowance to equal 26.5 inches long when completed. Start your patchwork with a piece that is 6 inches long and go from there. The 6 inch piece is where you will attach your pocket.

Construction:

1. Once you have {2} pieces (one for front of strap and one for the back) measuring 26.5 x 3.75 inches, make your pocket piece. Center your piece(s) of interfacing on the back of the pocket piece and fuse. Fold the end over 1/2 inch and then fold again to create a finished edge for the top of the pocket. Stitch this down using two rows of stitching. Line up the unfinished edge of your pocket piece with the end of your strap piece and baste.








2. Lay your two 26.5 inch pieces together right sides facing and sew along one of the long edges using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Press open seam.

3. Center your piece of fusible fleece on the wrong side of the piece you just sewed and fuse. You should have about an inch of space on either short end and 1/2 an inch on either side of the fleece. Next, fold up the short ends 1/2 inch then another 1/2 inch. Press and stitch 2 lines on both ends.

4. Now fold your strap cover in half lengthwise, right sides touching, and sew a 1/2 inch seam. Trim the seam down to about a 1/4 of an inch. Turn right side out and press, press, and press.

5. Topstitch along both long sides about an 1/8 inch from the edge. Don't topstitch across the pocket! Start (or stop) right before you reach the opening of the pocket. Press again and you're all finished. Use a large safety pin or similar item to thread your camera strap through the cover.

All finished!

If you'd like to share photos of your finished strap, I'd love to see them! Add them to the LBG studio Flickr group pool here.

Happy sewing! And if you don't sew or are short on time, check out my shop for camera strap covers :)