New Camera Strap How-To

{photo courtesy of my crappy camera phone :)}

Today I wanted to show you my awesome new camera strap cover. For those of you with a DSLR, give this a whirl! I used a combination of inspiration from Char's ruffled camera strap and from Ashley's gathered pillow. When those ideas marry, you get one awesome strap.

You know your best friend really is a best friend when, for your birthday, she gives you a yard of Amy Butler fabric. I know, right? So I had to use it to make something for myself, of course :)

To cover your naked camera strap, you need the following cuts:

one at 2 3/4"x24" (or, length of strap plus 1" for seam allowances)

one at 2"xWOF (width of fabric)

two at 1 1/4"x24"

Fusible Interfacing: one at 2 1/4"x23 1/2"

Sew a gathering stitch (longest stitch) down each side of your WOF piece.

Gather both edges so the piece measures 24" long.

Sew your 1 1/4" pieces to the sides of your gathered piece. Pin well so it doesn't slide around or stretch.

Iron your seams toward the sides and topstitch.

Iron your interfacing to your remaining piece of fabric, leaving 1/4" on each side.

Sew your gathered piece to the interfaced piece, right sides together, down one side. Iron about 1/4" on each end and stitch in place.

Sew down the other side, right sides together.

Using a bodkin or other turning tool (I sometimes use a chopstick!), turn your strap inside out and give it a final press. Try not to press the gathers too much or they won't look natural.

I love it. Enough to take a picture of it when I didn't do my hair or put on make-up. Now that is LOVE!