FREE PROJECT: Vintage-Inspired Camera Strap
Jan 5th 2022
Create a one-of-a-kind accessory for your camera using kraft-tex! This vintage-inspired camera strap is easy to make and gives you the creative freedom to make your own unique design. Find this project and many more in kraft-tex Style, compiled by Roxane Cerda.
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Before you cut or sew, measure the width of the strap acceptor on
your camera. The finished strap will need to fit through the channel
on your camera.
- kraft•tex: 5˝ × 19˝
- Fabric: ¹⁄8 yard
- Featherweight interfacing: ¹⁄8 yard
- Fusible fleece: ¹⁄8 yard
- Fabric-marking pen
- Ruler
- Scoring pen
- Bone folder
- Clips such as Wonder Clips (see Resources, page 119) or binder clips
- Straight pins
- Jeans needle
- Coordinating thread
- Tube turning tool (optional)
- Camera strap hardware with 1/2˝ buckle (I sourced mine from an old camera strap that was no longer functional.)
Note
Most camera stores that sell refurbished cameras have a collection of old camera strap hardware and accessories that they will sell for cheap. For my project, a local store gave me two sets for free! You may want to check one of these stores before buying new camera strap hardware.
CUTTING
kraft•tex
Cut 2 pieces 2˝ × 19˝ for side straps.
Fabric
Cut 2 pieces 21/2˝ × 21˝ for neck strap.
Interfacing
Cut 2 pieces 21/2˝ × 21˝ for neck strap.
Fusible fleece
Cut 1 piece 2˝ × 15˝ for neck strap.
INSTRUCTIONS
Note: Seam allowances are 1/4˝ unless otherwise noted.
Preparation
1. Wash the kraft•tex 2 or 3 times to soften the fibers. I washed mine in the washing machine with other laundry. Dry in the dryer or lay flat to dry.
2. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, fuse the interfacing to the back of the fabric, taking care to use a pressing cloth.
3. Fold the ends of both fabric pieces in 1/4˝ and press.
4. Find the lengthwise center of 1 interfaced strap by folding it in half and finger-pressing. Do the same to the fleece. Place the fleece on the interfaced side of the strap, matching the fold lines to center it and placing it 23/4˝ from both ends. Using a pressing cloth, fuse the fleece to the neck strap. Set aside.
Fleece placement
Tapering the Neck Strap
1. Along the side of the nonfleeced fabric strap, measure 3˝ in from the end, making a tick mark at the top and bottom. Along the end of the strap, measure and mark 3/4˝ from the top and bottom. Repeat on the other end of the strap.
2. With a marking pen, connect a side point to an end point, resulting in a diagonal line. Repeat for the remaining 3 sets of points.
Make diagonal lines
Manhandling the kraft•tex
1. To create a cleaner, sharper crease, score the kraft•tex every 1/2˝ along the length of the piece, creating 3 score lines on each side strap.
2. Fold in the 2 outer sections toward the center and press with a bone folder to flatten. Fold in half and press again. Repeat for the other strap.
3. On both straps, measure 14˝ from an end and make a mark to indicate where you will stop sewing.
Camera Strap Assembly
1. Using 4 or 5 clips for each side strap, clip along the open side to hold it closed.
2. Starting at the end farthest from the 5˝ mark, topstitch ¹⁄8˝ from the open edge of the side strap. Continue sewing to the 5˝ mark and use an aggressive backstitch at this mark. Sew both of the side straps. (Note: Be careful when backstitching—don’t stitch directly over existing stitching; stitch slightly to one side or the other. Refer to Machine and Hand Sewing, page 6, as needed.)
3. Pin the neck strap fabric pieces right sides together.
4. Begin sewing at an end of the strap by sewing along the diagonal line (not 1/4˝ away) and stop with your needle down 1/4˝ from the side of the strap. Pivot; then sew along the length of the strap with a 1/4˝ seam allowance until you reach the diagonal line at the end.Pivot again and follow the diagonal line off the strap. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end. Repeat for the other side of the strap.
Sew neck strap
5. Trim the excess fabric from the diagonal seam.
6. Turn the neck strap right side out using the tube turning tool or a large safety pin; then iron flat. Take care to iron well.
7. Thread the unsewn end of the side strap into the neck strap, opening and flattening the fold inside the neck strap. Clip it into place. Repeat with the other side strap on the opposite side.
Thread side strap into neck strap
Finishing
1. Topstitch along the perimeter of the neck strap, pivoting at each turn, using an ¹⁄8˝ seam. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end and sew as close to the kraft•tex as your presser foot will allow.
Topstitch neck strap
2. Thread the side straps through the hardware and your camera, adjusting the length to suit your preference. Now go out and take great photos!
