Hello lovelies!
A few weeks ago, I shared that I had invested in a Nikon D3300 camera. Since this buy, I have been so happy with the camera. I find myself carrying it everywhere, ready to snap a picture whenever I see the opportunity. From taking pictures at school, to shameless pictures of myself (thanks to my tripod), to even an engagement, I have learned so much about my camera. Now I feel great about the images I upload on my blog! I’m far from being a professional, but I have really improved.
That being said, I have always known that if I ever got a camera, I would like to come up with a camera strap design. So the day after I purchased my Nikon, I hung my crochet hook up for a minute to sit down and sew.
I love my sewing machine. It was one of my first big purchases in college. The Janome 1050 is a slightly older model and is not the most complicated but it works nicely and gets the job done well. I love having it around when I get the sewing bug.
This camera strap pattern is something I originally came up with, and although I’m used to writing out crochet patterns, this is my first sewing pattern I’ve ever shared.
The total cost of this project is only $3-$5 based on the type of fabric you use. I prefer cotton blends because of how steady the material feels around my shoulders.
This pattern is for casual use of the camera…it is not tested to remain durable during adventurous shoots, white river rafting or climbing a mountain. I use these camera straps while at school or taking pictures of things like food and local restaurants. 🙂
Materials Needed:
Exactly 1/4 yard of fabric-
I have found that it is much easier for the person at the counter to cut my fabric out in fourths, instead of me measuring it.
Snaphooks-
These are some snaphooks I found at Hobby Lobby for $2.79. I like these because they come in different colors.
Thread-
Make sure it matches your fabric!
Iron-
Will make your life so much easier.
Scissors-
Duh.
First of all, take your fabric and fold it in half long ways (or hotdog style) wrong side facing up. Press along the fold with your iron so when you are ready to sew the edges won’t be tempted to un-align themselves. Then get to sewing!
At 5/8th’s of an inch, sew down the lines of the edges to make a long tube of the fabric. It is important to note that since this tube will be holding hundreds of dollars worth of a camera, so be sure to back stitch and use tight stitches for this project. You should always check for wears or tears in the fabric over the course of time using this camera strap.
Next turn the tube of material so the correct side is facing up. Time to add the hooks!
Pinch the end of the fabric, making sure the seam line is hiding in the back to make a nice looking pleat.
I originally left the end of the pinched fabric exposed in the end and hated the look. If you have a serger you can serge of the end of the fabric, or you can fold it down a make a small hemline before the next step, but this:
…looks so bad.
A small hemline looks so much better!
After you have made this hemline/serged ends, insert the hook over the pinched fabric and fold it over the hook’s bar, about and 1.5 inches long. Typically I like hiding my seam line in the back, but you can adjust the fabric however you like. Then, making sure the front side of the strap is faced up, make a sturdy box thing-y like this:
Unless there is a tear in the fabric, this strap isn’t going anywhere!
Repeat on the other side, making sure the hooks line up on opposite ends, so you don’t have a twisted camera strap. Tada!
This project is so quick and easy that I’ve made several since the first pattern.
Once again, just be sure check for any weak areas in the fabric, and be sure to double check that the hooks are connected to your camera each time you life it. Enjoy! 🙂
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