Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2

Which would you rather have?

1. An ugly black camera strap with a giant logo on it
2. A comfy stylish camera strap in your favorite color
3. A wild untamed Sarcophilus harrisii
   

If your answer was #1, you can skip today’s newsletter. Sit quietly until recess.

If your answer was #3, that’s probably illegal. Definitely inadvisable. Also bitey.

If your answer was #2, you’re in luck!

Here’s how to make a reversible cover that slips over your generic camera strap, instantly making it unique, comfortable and ever-so-dashing.

It’s super easy to make, so you can rock the strap cover even if you’ve never touched a sewing machine before.

Now get in there, tiger!

How to Make a Reversible Camera Strap Cover

p.s. We’re giving away Magnetic Photo Ropes today and tomorrow! Head to the Photojojo Shop to find out how you can get in on the action.

What You’ll Need

• Ruler
• Pencil
• Kraft paper or brown grocery bag
• Scissors
• 2 complementary fabrics, 1/8 yard each (or enough to cut a 3″x25″ strip)
• Fabric shears, pinking shears or rotary cutter and mat
• Straight pins
• Thread that matches your fabric
• Sewing machine (not pictured)
• Iron (not pictured)

Step 1: Make a Pattern

Use a ruler and pencil to draw a 2.25″ by 12″ on a piece of kraft paper or a brown grocery bag. (This will cover a standard 1.5″ wide camera strap.)

Cut out the paper rectangle using scissors.

Step 2: Cut the Fabric

Fold one piece of fabric on half and lay the paper rectangle on top, with one short end over the fold.

Cut out the rectangle shape so that when you unfold it the piece measures 2.25″ by 24.5″.

Repeat this step with the other piece of fabric.

Step 3: Tuck in the Ends

Fold one of the short ends over 1/2″ and iron it flat.

Fold the edge over another 1/2″ so that the raw edge is tucked inside the fold. Iron that flat too.

Repeat this step with the other short end.

Step 4: Hem The Ends

Use your sewing machine to stitch one folded edge down.

Make your stitches 3/8″ away from the folded edge (use the marks on the sewing machine plate as a guide).

Optional: Make two to three parallel lines of stitches for extra strength and extra style points.

Repeat this step in the other short edge so both ends of the piece are hemmed.

Now repeat Steps 3 and 4 on the other piece of fabric.

Step 5: Stitch the Pieces Together

Put the two pieces of fabric together with the right sides facing. (The right side is the one you want to see on the final strap cover).

Pin the pieces together along the long edges.

Sew the pieces together, making your stitches 1/4″ away from the raw edge.

(1/4″ just happens to be the width of your machine’s presser foot. Coincidence? We think not.)

Step 6: Turn Inside Out

Now the tedious bit: turning the tube inside out.

This will take a little pushing and pulling to accomplish, unless you have an unbelieveably handy thing called a loop turner.

Keep poking and prodding until the tube is right-side out, then iron it flat.

Step 7: Cover the Strap

Wouldja look at that? You’ve got yourself a strap cover, muchacho.

Slip the cover over your camera strap and put the strap back on your camera.

Now get out there and knock ‘em dead with your impeccable sense of style and your ineffable savoir faire.

More Ideas

• Make one side out of warm fuzzy material and the other out of smooth cotton. Flip the strap over to use the warm side in winter and the cool side in summer.
• Make a strap out of a comfy old t-shirt that doesn’t fit but you just can’t give up.
• Use thick sweatshirt-type material to give the strap a little extra padding.
• Make a few covers in different colors for different occasions: sophisticated black, posh pinstripe or schizophrenic chartreuse.

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