Look Ma! No Pattern: Sewing a Yoga Mat Bag
In my magical pretend life, I don’t ride the train for an hour each morning to sit cubicle-bound under a whirring air conditioner vent. My ideal lifestyle has more sun and more pajamas: I spend the early hours lolling around in bed drinking coffee out of brightly-hued latte bowls, the day pursuing creative endeavors, and the afternoon at yoga.
So my ideal isn’t a reality quite yet, but any serenity in my current life is thanks either to ice chocolate, happy hour, or yoga. But man, carrying those yoga mats is a drag. Personally, I feel like enough of a pack mule on the range carrying the day’s necessities; the last thing I want to lug is a cumbersome and unwieldy yoga mat. When I looked into buying a bag for my mat, the options were either ugly and expensive, or really ugly and really expensive. I’m no Betsy Ross, but I figured I could save myself some money and the humiliation of carrying a prefab bag by running one up myself.
I cannot sing loudly enough the praises of Hancock Fabrics. They have great prices, a dazzling array of fabrics, and my shipment arrived in a jiffy. I am still learning how to sew, so it’s a Girl Scout’s honor when I say that this project is simple (and gratifying!) enough for a beginning sewer. It could also easily be accomplished by hand if you have a rainy afternoon and When Harry Met Sally is on TBS. And as if you needed a bonus, this is a two for one special: if you shrink the whole project, you’ve got a fine looking wine bottle sleeve for your next hostess present.
Alison: I can’t believe that I am the first comment here because this project is so fantastic! Of course, I can’t sew, but if I could I would definitely make this nifty bag immediately! You will be the envy of every yoga studio and of every yogi searching for enlightenment. Yay!4 years ago
alison: I, personally, was speechless! (and also a bit self-conscious that I am such a POP junkie, as evidenced by all my rantings)
Brava!!!4 years ago
Katy of the Luke: like sticking your hand up an elephant’s trunk. you’re my new go-to girl for analogies. though i do not think the elephant in question would like that very much.4 years ago
Dawn: I’ve been looking all over for a yoga mat bag pattern, and your video inspired me! I just finished my bag a few minutes ago and absolutely love it! Thank you so much, and keep up the good work.4 years ago
corey: i think that video might have been the cutest thing i have ever seen. i’ll be toting my mat in style as soon as i get to the store for some fabric. thanks for the how-to … so brilliant!3 years ago
Merrie: OMG. I so loved this video. This bag is so E-A-S-Y. Can’t wait to make my own yoga bag. hmmm I am getting some good ideas for fabric!!!2 years ago
Kristy: Love this! I made mine today and instead of ribbon I used excess fabric. It was easy even doing that!
Thanks for the easy idea!2 years ago
Natalia Buleson: I just happened upon your site and I love it! The Yoga mat bag carrier what a great idea! I’m going to make one for mine!!!
Thanks!!
1 year ago
Jee: Yay! Thanks for doing the little video…you made it look “sew” easy and I’m totally going to try this when I get the chance!1 year ago
Jee: Yay! I had written you on October 5th and came back to say I finished mine…I messed up a little because I was doing it from memory and didn’t follow at what point to sew in the strap but I easily fixed that anyway because I needed to make mine a little wider to accommodate two mats (either rolled together or side by side). Thank you again!1 year ago
sarah: I’m so glad it turned out, Jee! Don’t you feel so cool toting a handmade yoga carrier?1 year ago
Sherry: THANK YOU Sarah for this fun video. I’m making several yoga mat carriers for Christmas gits!!! Making them is fast, fun and affordable!1 year ago
Alexis @ The Posh Passy: love your site, love the videos….will be back for more!
Alexis
http://www.theposhpassy.com1 year ago
Justine: Only a super-fab lady sews in such fantastic heels. Cheers!1 year ago
sarah: Those were the absolute best heels of all time and I wore them into the ground. I need to find a cobbler who can work some magic and restore them to their former glory!1 year ago
A different Sarah: SO Easy! For a little bit of an extra touch, I sewed three narrow tubes (two inch wide, long strips of fabric sewn right sides together and then turned inside out) and then braided them for my strap. I can’t wait to show off my new yoga mat bag to my fellow yogamates.
The heels are a classy touch. I usually sew barefoot.
1 year ago
Awesome idea on the strap, Different Sarah!
1 year ago
Lisa: Love this video tutorial. Love your personality, you need to do more.1 year ago
K: De-luring to say that I made this bag (one of my first ever sewing projects) and four people have asked me where I bought it. So thank you for the awesome yet easy tutorial!1 year ago
Yay K!1 year ago
Mandy: THANK YOU…this was my first project and so easy!!! The video was great!!!!47 weeks ago
josie: Love your video! I just decided to get my 75 year old mom a yoga mat for Christmas. She recently started doing yoga. But, a lot of the mats that I saw were pricey. And, I thought “I can make that!” So, I searched the internet and “voila!” Your site popped up. I am going to make this for mom. She will be thrilled!37 weeks ago
Cat: THANK YOU for creating this tutorial — this was my very first sewing project and I’m so proud of it! This is my kind of sewing: down and dirty, no pattern needed. I added a little pocket to the outside of mine for keys and whatnot. Thank you thank you thank you!34 weeks ago
Heather Grilliot: Sewing in RED heals! I LOVE IT! Great Video!34 weeks ago
Greta: Wow. Super video. Thanks.33 weeks ago
Erika: Thank you!!!!32 weeks ago
emily: Thanks for this user friendly version yoga mat carrier! I whipped out 5 in no time for my yoga students as a New Year gift. Haven’t sewn in years and they came out great!30 weeks ago
Chelsea Bell: What a great idea! I am going to try a modified version and let you know how it goes.
27 weeks ago
Chuck: Thank you so much for this video. I went out yesterday and bought fabric with no idea how was going to make it into a mat bag. You made it simple, now I can’t wait to get my sewing machine out and get my kokopelli mat bag put together and into the gym!16 weeks ago
s.: OMG. THANK YOU!! i went to yoga this morning and thought, my goodness, lugging around this mat is so not easy…wish i had a cute yoga mat bag. And Voila! i found your tutorial and made THE CUTEST bag ever. i love it! and your video was totally entertaining too!! thanks
5 weeks ago
krissy: AMAZING! I just made my bag, hand-sewn, using a reusable shopping bag for fabric!! thanks for the awesome and easy-to-follow video =)2 weeks ago