Get Crafty

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for your yogi friends? How about a yoga mat bag you made yourself? Our associate art director, Ali Zeigler, stitched this bag in an hour and a half. We love the fabric from Amy Butler.

Materials needed

1 yard of fabric at least 45 inches wide

1 yard of wide ribbon, binding, or cord for strap

1/2 yard of cord for drawstring

Step 1: Cut the fabric

First, measure your yoga mat. Loosely roll up your mat and measure the length and the circumference.

Cut a rectangle from your fabric. The length will be the length of your yoga mat plus 4 5/8 inches, and the width will be the circumference of your mat plus 11/4 inches. For example: If your rolled-up mat is 21 inches in length and has a circumference of 20 inches, the rectangle needs to be 25 and 5/8 inches long and 21 and one quarter inches wide.

For the bottom of the yoga mat bag, cut a circle that is the circumference of your mat plus 1 and one fourth inches. For example: If your mat's circumference is 20 inches, cut a circle that is 21 and one quarter inches in circumference.

Cut a strap that is the same length as your yoga mat, which in our example is 21 inches.

Step 2: Make a tube

Pin the ends of the strap to the right side of the rectangle at points E and F (see diagram), about 3 inches from the top and bottom of the rectangle.

With the wrong side of the fabric facing out, sew edges A and B together with a 5/8-inch seam to form a tube. The strap will be inside the tube.

Stop sewing 2 inches from the top edge (C).

Step 3: Create an opening for the drawstring

Turn the top edge (C) of the tube under 1 inch, then stitch 5/8 inch from the fold to create a channel for the drawstring.

Step 4: Attach the bottom fabric to the tube

Pin the circle to the bottom edge (D) of the tube (right side to right side) and stitch together with a 5/8-inch seam.

Step 5: Insert drawstring

Turn tube right side out. Thread the drawstring through the channel. Tie the ends of the drawstring to close bag, or secure ties with a toggle.

Pattern adapted with permission from www.craftbits.com.

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