I am loving my new camera and wanted to make sure I kept it in excellent condition. The camera bag it came with was hideous (and no pockets!) and the ones I liked online were super pricey. So I made a camera bag for myself:
DIY Camera Bag Purse | Make a Purse Into a Camera Bag
I have a lot of purses but all I ever use is a diaper bag, so I turned one of my favorites into a DIY Camera Bag Purse!
Everything fits perfectly inside and it’s nice and padded. The best thing is I can still use the pockets in the purse lining and if I get tired of this bag I can pull the whole insert out and move it to a new purse. Since I only have 1 lens I just leave it on the camera but if I get another one there’s room to store 2 lenses vertically- I already made the extra divider so I can sew it in at any time.
Ready to make your own?
Materials To Make the Purse Into a Bag for Your Camera
A. Purse – make sure everything you need fits with room to spare so you can add padding
B. Foam – I used 1″ because that was all Joanns had, but 1″ for the bottom and 1/2″ everywhere else would probably be best
C. 1/2 – 1 yard fabric (1/2 was enough for me but it will depend on your bag size)
Camera Bag Purse Instructions | Make the Insert
Camera Bag Purse Step 1: To start with I cut my foam pieces for the bottom, sides and end. I made a few adjustments after seeing how they fit together.
Camera Bag Purse Step 2: The bottom and 2 long sides form the main portion of the insert. Cut a piece of fabric long enough to wrap around all 3 pieces (wow horrible photo- sorry about that. I was using my crummy camera)
Camera Bag Purse Step 3: With right sides together sew up 3 of the sides- the edge you leave open will be where you slide each foam piece in. When you’re finished this edge will meet up with 1 of the end foam pieces. You don’t want it to be on the top of your finished insert since the edge won’t be as pretty
Camera Bag Purse Step 4: Turn right side out and then sew 2 lines down the middle, forming 3 pockets for your bottom and side pieces. Slide the foam into the pockets and sew up the final side- I just folded the fabric edges under and sewed as close to the edge as possible using my machine- this edge won’t show when you’re done
Camera Bag Purse Step 5: Make fabric coverings for you 2 end pieces and any divider pieces.
Camera Bag Purse Step 6: Hand sew the end pieces to the main insert and sew your dividers in place.
Finished! Enjoy your lovely new diy camera bag purse:)
Other Tutorials for Sewing Projects
If you enjoyed this tutorial, you might also enjoy some of these fun tutorials:
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Happy Sewing!
10 Responses
This is so great. I saw the camera purses on esty for like 100 bucks! Granted, I’m not much of a diy person, you make this look pretty simple. I am going to give it a try!
That seems like a really neat idea. If I didn’t already have a camera
bag, I would probably try it. it weould make a really neat gift.
I love the project, but I wish it was in a PDF for downloading.
Hi Amy, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/
I love it! Those fancy purse camera bags are so expensive! Thanks for sharing!
I am DESPERATE for a camera bag! I seriously need to think about making one of these before my camera breaks and before I spend a fortune on one. Thanks for sharing, Amy!
very cute!! Thanks for the great instructions!
aw so cute!!! thanks girl
I love this! The bag is adorable too! Thanks for sharing.
Great tute Amy!!! nice stylish bag to tote your camera around in, I love it!