DIY Tutorial Camera Bag

I don't know about you, but I have searched a long time for a camera bag that I like. I found some that look like a purse, but the price tag was a little steep for me. So I decided to make my own!! I purchased my supplies from a local craft store and I had the purse. I knew I wanted a wide purse with several pockets, so I'd be able to fit a lens or two along with my cell phone, wallet and other essentials. 

Here's what I did:

Supplies:

Purse of your choice

1" thick Foam

1 yd Batting

1 yd material

1) Measure the bottom of your purse ~ you'll need this to make the extra padding 

2) Measure the inside of the purse ~ from the bottom up the sides ~ you'll need this to make the long padding

3) I covered the inserts with the fabric and enclosed them like pillowcases ~ the long one will line the sides and bottom of the purse. The smaller one will act like extra protection for the bottom of the purse

I have a divider in my purse, so I just lined one side and left the other side for all of my essentials. As you can see in this photo the camera is well protected and has twice as much padding on the bottom. 

I even made a camera strap cover, since I had so much material left over! For this measure your strap from end to end. I then placed the material over the strap and allowed for about 1/4" to sew the sides together. Make sure you sew it inside out.  I then turned the material right side out & slid it over my strap!! POOF ~ it was done. This project didn't take me long at all, but I can't really give you a time, since my kiddos were home with me at the time and I worked on it, then left it, and worked on it again. If I'd have to guess, it probably took me about an hour or so.  All for under $45.00. I'm so excited about this project, for a few reasons ~ I now have a totally functional and stylish camera bag and I can take it with me when I go to NYC next week!! I'll let you know how well it worked! 

Do you have a camera bag you just love? Or are you like me ~ saw one you love, but can't swallow the price? Try this easy tutorial out & let us know how it worked for you. This project is really pretty simple, believe me, I have a sewing machine, but I'm a total novice. I don't like patterns, I see something in my head and just try to make it. Most of the time it comes out a lot better than I expected and other times ~ well we won't talk about those! All I can say is YIKES!!!! 

Have a Super Great Day all you FABULOUS people!!!

xoxo,