Sewing Tutorial /// DIY Yoga Mat Carrying Straps

Sewing Tutiorial: DIY Yoga Mat Carrying Straps
This past summer I started doing yoga again after a long hiatus. And I really got into it. But unlike all the other seasoned yogis around, I didn’t have a way to carry my mat. And because I am, well me, I decided to make something. And this is what I came up with.
These straps are super easy to make, and should take under an hour to complete. If you can sew in a straight line, you’ll be able to make these. And if you’re like me and you have tons of scrap fabric, this is a great way to use them up. Click “Read more” to check out the full sewing tutorial!

1. Here’s what you’ll need for your straps:

  • 2 strips of fabric, 18×6 inches each (mine was similar to this)
  • 100 inches of suede cord
  • 2 pieces of half inch wide velcro, 1.5 inches long each
  • Thread
  • Scissors, pins and a sewing machine

2. Begin by folding one strip in half lengthwise, inside out. Sew down the long edge with a half inch seam allowance.

3. Flip the tube of fabric right side out.

4. Iron it flat so that the seam is positioned in the middle.

5. Fold one end over twice and sew it in place. Do the same on the other end of the tube.

6. Next, sew the prickly (a very technical term) piece of the velcro just below the folded edge, as shown above.

7. It should look like this.

8. Fold the fabric strip in half and pin the soft piece of velcro to the outside of this end. So if you were to lay the whole piece out flat, the prickly side of the velcro should be on one side, and the soft side should be on the other side. Now sew the soft piece of velcro on in the same way that you did the prickly piece.

9. Next, tie the ends of the suede cord in a knot, forming a large circle. Fold the circle in half so the knot is in the middle. Now take one of the ends and place it in the center of the strip you’ve just prepared.

10. Pin it down and then pin on either side so about 6 inches of the cord are pinned to the center of the fabric.

11. Change your sewing machine setting to a wide zig-zag stitch, and sew along the pinned section of the cord.

12. Now repeat everything on the other strip of fabric. It should look like the photo below when everything is all attached and laid out flat. And that’s all! Now you don’t have any excuses to skip yoga class!!

Pretty simple, right? I like to sling mine over my shoulder, but you can also wear it backpack-style by separating the pieces of cord and putting one over each shoulder. The mat will be positioned vertically if you wear it this way.

I hope you enjoyed my yoga mat carrying strap tutorial… feel free to post any questions that you may have in the comments section below. Happy sewing everyone, and namaste!

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