How-To: Sew a Yoga Mat Strap

I was looking for a cute yet simple way to carry my yoga mat to class, but didn’t feel like making (or buying) a new bag. So I used some cute ladybug-printed canvas from Superbuzzy and my sewing machine to whip up an easy-to-make strap that works perfectly for carrying a rolled-up mat without any extra bulk. They’re so quick to make that you could easily sew one for everyone in your class … or at least your instructor.

Materials:

1/4 yard cotton fabric (canvas or denim work great)
1/4 yard fusible interfacing
Thread in the color of your choice
Wooden dowel
Note: All seam allowances are 1/4" unless otherwise specified.

Sew Your Yoga Mat Strap

Step 1. Cut 2 strips each from the fabric and the fusible interfacing, measuring 3 1/2"×29". Iron the fusible interfacing strips to the wrong side of the fabric strips according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 2. Pin 2 short sides together and sew to form one long strip. Press the seam open.
Step 3. Fold the strip in half lengthwise and pin. Starting at one short end, sew along all open edges of the strip, leaving a 10"–12" opening in the middle of the longest open edge. (Be sure not to sew along the folded edge.)
Step 4. Remove the pins and turn the strip right side out. You can do this by using a turning tool or wooden dowel to gently push the ends.

Step 5. Fold the open edge in on itself 1/4" to hide the raw edges and press the entire strap flat. Pin the open edge closed.
Step 6. Topstitch around all edges of the strap, sewing 1/8" in from the edge. (This time you want to sew around the folded edge too.)
Step 7. Fold the center 32"–33" of the strap in half lengthwise and pin. Sew this section together, leaving the ends flat.

Step 8. Sew a buttonhole on each end of the strap, measuring about 2" in length. The buttonholes should start about 1 3/4" in from the end of the strap. (If your machine does not have an automatic or one-step buttonhole feature, you can do it the old-fashioned way, by hand.)

Step 9. Pull one end of the strap through the buttonhole on the opposite end to create a loop, then repeat on the other end of the strap. Insert your yoga mat into the loops and pull the strap to tighten. That’s it!