Let’s make a DIY Water bottle holder. My kids love to hike. The longer and harder the trail, the better. My kids are nuts. The problem is that long hikes require water breaks, especially in the summer. For a while now, I have been tossing 6-10 water bottles in a backpack and away we would go. (We are a family of 6.)
And by the first mile, I was dreaming of each kid having their own water bottle carrier. Today, I am no longer a pack mule!! My kids are lugging their own water from here on out. These carriers are also great for taking water to sports practices and games or dance classes. No more grabbing the wrong water bottle! And a bonus, their water will stay cold.
Some of my prior posts include How to Make Piping and the DIY Flannel Scarf. Today – here’s the DIY Water Bottle Holder.
DIY Water Bottle Holder | How to Make a Water Bottle Holder
Did I mention that they are insulated? Yep! So now, their water stays cool AND I am no longer stopping every ten steps when somebody says “Can I have my water?” Oh, and you don’t have to draft or sew a circle. Win win WIN!
These water bottle carriers fit a standard-size water bottle. They also fit the slim Gatorade bottles. If you want to fit a larger bottle, just measure around your bottle and add 3 inches to allow for seam allowances and the insulation. You may want to add some height also to account for the wider bottom. Strap size is customizable, just measure over one shoulder and across the chest and back and add an inch to allow for the seam allowance.
Water Bottle Holder Supplies Needed:
- 2 – 11″ wide by 8″ tall scraps of fabric (medium weight wovens such as quilters cotton or light weight duck canvas)
- 1 – 11″x8″ piece of Insul-brite
- 1″ wide poly webbing strap (39″ for a young child, 45″ for a tween, 50″ for an adult)
- Basting spray (optional)
- Basic sewing supplies
Seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated.
Water Bottle Holder Step 1: Place the insul-bright on the wrong side of the main fabric aligning the edges. Use basting spray to keep in place, if desired, or baste along the outer edge to secure in place. (ignore the crazy spelling typo in the picture. 😉 )
Water Bottle Holder Step 2: On the right side of the fabric, position the outer edge of the strap 2 1/2″ from each short edge. You will have 4″ between the two strap ends. Make sure your strap isn’t twisted!! Baste the strap into place 1/4″ from the edge.
Fold in half, right sides together, with the short edges lined up. Sew in place with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Open the seam and finger press it in place. Do not iron, the insul-bright can melt!
Water Bottle Holder Step 3: Position the seam in the middle of the tube you created and line up the bottom raw edges. Sew the bottom edge closed. Be sure to move the straps out of the way!
Water Bottle Holder Step 4: Now box the corners of your carrier. To do this, clip the ends of the seam allowance so you can open the bottom seam flat. Align the bottom seam of the carrier with the side of the carrier. (There is no seam here, so use the center of your strap as a guide.) Flatten it out, creating a triangle at the top. Measure 3/4″ down from the top and mark a line. Sew along this line. Clip the triangle off to remove bulk leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat with the other side.
Water Bottle Holder Step 5: This is the bottom. It will look like after you have boxed and clipped both corners. Turn right side out.
Water Bottle Holder Step 6: Time to sew the lining. Fold the lining right sides together, lining up the short sides. Sew. Open the seam and press is flat.
Water Bottle Holder Step 7: With right sides together, slide the lining over the carrier lining up the top edge and the side seam. The straps should be between the two fabrics and dangling out the bottom of the carrier.
Water Bottle Holder Step 8: Sew along the top edge of the carrier.
Water Bottle Holder Step 9: Pull the lining up over the top of the carrier so the right sides are out. Tuck the bottom 1/2″ of the lining in and press. Sew the hole shut. You can use either a straight stitch on your machine or hand sew so your stitches don’t show.
Water Bottle Holder Step 10: Tuck the lining into the carrier and press the top edge. Be sure to avoid the strap, it can melt. Topstitch 1/8″ from the edge to keep the lining in place. That’s it! Now toss a cold water bottle in it and go for a nice long hike!
Other Posts
Thank you Kelly for your amazing DIY water bottle holder. Here’s a few other tutorials you might like:
9 Responses
Thanks for a great pattern with accurate information and easy to follow directions. Making them for my Grandkids to take on their bike rides. 1 down, two to go!
I just made my first one. I’m a teacher and need to keep my desk dry. This is perfect and easy. Thank you.
This was great. My 6 yo now has a mario one and he’s delighted. I added an adjustable strap so it can grow with him.
Awesome idea on the adjustable strap! Thanks
I am a sewer but I enjoy reading your instructions. I’m always open to new ways of putting things together. I love your pictures and very straight forward, easy to follow directions in all your posts. Great job!
Can’t wait to try making these maybe for my teacher next doors class
Just made my first one! Going to make a few more but I’m adding a few more inches to the strap as it’s a little tight for me. Otherwise I love it!
Good Day!! Your article have a great information.
Just finished 4 of these for my grandkids. Great pattern and easy to follow directions. Thank you so much.