You Will Need
- old camera strap (for the bands)
- fabric
- batting
- matching coloured thread
- black ox-leather
- template
- sewing machine needle for leather
- measuring tape
- scissors
To Make
1 Unravel the old camera strap to get to the bands for the ends. Leave aside until later. TIP You can use the bands from an existing camera strap or sew on a new band with clasps; I chose the first option. If you do not have an old camera strap you want to undo, you can look in a second-hand shop or ask at camera shops for an old strap.
2 Decide on the width of your new strap (mine is 5cm wide), multiply by two and add another 2cm for the seam allowances, for example (5cm x 2) + 2cm = 12cm. This is the width of the fabric strip you must cut.
3 Decide on the length of the strap (my strap is 70cm long) and cut a fabric strip of 12cm x 70cm.
4 Fold the long sides 1cm over to the wrong side and press.
5 Now fold the strip in half so that the two long sides align and press along the fold. Your strip should measure 5cm in width.
6 Cut a strip of batting 1cm narrower than your strap (mine is 4cm x 70cm), to prevent a bulky seam.
7 Place the batting strip inside the fabric strip, alongside the fold, and tack the batting to the fabric to keep it in place while stitching.
8 Pin the open side closed and stitch close to the edge with your machine setting on a long stitch.
9 Pin the black bands you prepared in step 1 to a depth of 1cm to the centre of the ends to stitch it down in the strap. Stitch the bands to the ends and also stitch along the fold. I also stitched down the middle to keep the batting in place and produce a stronger strap. Remove the tacking stitches.
10 Use the template and cut four end pieces from the leather and insert the needle for stitching leather into your machine. Stitch the leather ends to the strap. Cut the end pieces a few millimetres wider than your strap to prevent the fabric from showing at the sides.
Packaging
Place the camera band in a box with a window and decorate it with washi tape. I added a small fabric bag that can be used to store the battery charger and additional battery, as well as a notebook in which they can write entries about their photos.
Tag Cut a camera shape out of black and white cardboard, to pick up on the graphic look and feel of the rest of the gift. Punch a hole in one corner and attach the tag to the gift with a length of string and a strip of matching washi tape.
