November DIY Fabric Coasters and Camera Strap

Well the month is already more than half way over but at least I’m getting this out before the last day of November!!

Since I’m sharing two DIY’s I’ll waste no time and jump right in!

The first DIY features these sweet little machine-sewn fabric coasters. If you’re not a sewing gal (or guy) but happen to have a sewing machine tucked away pull it out and don’t sweat a thing. These coasters are so easy to create that my twelve year old daughter took over and finished them up!!

For one coaster you will need:

Sewing machine/threaded in any color

Scissors

Sewing pins

A stick to push finished corners into place

4 different colors of fabric

Iron

Begin by cutting your fabric into 5 inch squares. Use whatever colors you’d like but create some type of pattern similar to my picture below…so for the fronts of your coaster you’ll want 2 matching colors and then another 2 matching colors, one solid color for the backside, and lastly another color which will be hidden on the inside as a liner piece.

Fold those front four squares in half and then take an iron over all six pieces once you are at this point.

Now it’s time to layer; pretty sides face-up on all layers. You’ll want your inner (hidden) piece on bottom, then comes the backside piece and then the top pieces need to be layered in a woven pattern with the cut edges facing out. Probably best if you just check out pics to get the idea!😉Once everything is lined up neatly pin it all the way around like the photo above, and then sew all the way around the square about a half inch from the edge (removing pins right before you get to them). Make sure you back stitch at the start of sewing and then back stitch when you’ve made it all the way around the square and back to the starting point.

Cut off any extra thread and turn the material inside out. With a dull pointed stick (or closed writing pen) poke the inside of each of the corners so there’s no bulky excess fabric within. (See photo above)

Now you can iron over the front and back sides to give a flat and tidy finish.

That’s it!! Super simple!!

Now while you already have the sewing machine out why not put together a classy, personalized camera strap?!!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Sewing machine/threaded in any color

Fabric cut to 8 x 44 inches (length can be customized to your preference)

Sheet of leather (found on Amazon or in craft stores)

Metal hooks and rings

Scissors

Embroidery thread/needle

Iron

To start, be sure your fabric is ironed smoothly and fold it in half with the inside facing out. Pin along the long open side and sew about a half inch from the edge, removing pins as you come to them; only sew down the long edge, leaving the short ends un-sewn. See photos below. Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and at the end. Cut off any excess thread.

Once you are finished sewing along the edge you’re ready to turn your neck strap inside out.

For the leather sheet you’re going to cut a piece in the shape of a bow. It’s easiest if you draw half of the bow on paper first, fold it in half and then cut. Then follow up by tracing your cutout onto the leather sheet and cutting that out, you’ll need to do this twice (one for each end of your neck strap). Follow photos below.

After you have the leather sheet cut out it’s time to put everything together.

Put the leather through the ring, then lay the fabric end on top of the leather, fold the leather over (tucking the fabric ends inside).

Start the embroidery thread (about 30 inches long) on the inside part of the leather so all of the work is hidden to give a neat and clean look. Be sure the end of the thread is double knot tied and begin hand-weaving the embroidery thread through the front and back of the leather piece; work all the way around the edge like the photos below.

Once you make it around, double knot and carefully cut the end piece off, and then repeat this entire process on the other strap end. Attach the metal clips to the key rings, and then clip those onto your camera’s strap holder clips.

That’s all there is to it!!

The coasters or the camera strap (maybe even both!!) would make great Christmas gifts or any-time-of-the-year gifts!

As usual if you end up doing these DIYs I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Blessings!!

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” —Psalm 31:24