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DIY Scarf Camera Strap

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Of the all 4 Scarf Week projects I took on this year (1 | 2 | 3), this is the one that intimidated me the most.

It would involve running through my sewing machine a nylon camera strap, faux leather, and scarf material all at the same time.  If we’re honest, it had the words “scarf fail” written all over it.  Or at least “someone’s-asking-for-a-new-sewing-machine-for-Christmas-because-hers-died-from-scarf-refashion trauma.”

But that’s not the story I’m here to tell today.

No, friend, this story has a happy ending.  And one that really sums up what Scarf Week is all about.  It’s about pushing the bounds of what scarves can be…and what they can become.  And pardon me for getting all sappy on ya, but it’s the truth!

Speaking of truth, this has been a killer week of inspiration here in blogland, and that’s thanks to all 29 bloggers who shared a whopping 48 projects this week.  And if you happened to miss any of them, you can catch them all HERE in one fin-tastic post.  It’s as epic as you imagine.

Welcome to Scarf Week 2015! Bigger, better, scarfy-er. July 6 - 10, 2015. We've got t-shirt scarves, dyed-painted-stamped scarves, scarves for sewists, knitted & crocheted scarves, and scarf re-fashions! It's going to be a killer week of inspiration, no fish-bones about it.

Now, onto the D.I.Y. tutorial so you can have a happy ending of your own.  {Grin.}

Supplies

Here’s what you’ll need in order to upcycle a simple scarf into a snazzy camera strap:

SUPPLIES for a DIY Scarf Camera Strap: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step. Just another inspirational project idea from the 2nd annual Scarf Week!

  • scarf: at least 27″ long, strong enough to hold the weight of your camera, comfortable around your neck.
  • nylon webbing connectors: harvest your own from an old strap or *buy these ones that I did for $6.98 on Amazon.
  • lightweight leather or better yet, faux leather: the thinner the better.  I bought 1/8 yard for 87 cents at the craft store.
  • sewing machine
  • walking foot, roller foot, or teflon presser foot
  • needle: use a denim or leather sewing needle, size #100/16 or #110/18.
  • thread: use a heavier thread for added durability.  Either #50 weight polyester thread or coats/outdoor polyester thread, which is what I used.
  • masking tape
  • fabric scissors
  • optional: snips
  • chalk liner
  • optional: measuring tape
  • mini binder clips, hair clips, clothespins, paperclips…anything but pins (since they create permanent holes in leather).
  • pencil
  • cardstock or paper

The Method to My Madness

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Just another inspirational project idea from the 2nd annual Scarf Week!Before we dive in, I wanted to give a shout-out to the Camera Strap Scarfies who have gone before me…and whose tutorials I consulted for inspiration:

Now, I ended up taking a different approach to my strap than any of the tutorials above, and I want to explain why.  (It may help you in your decision about whether this tutorial is for you.)

My Scarf Camera Strap incorporates the nylon webbing connectors into the design rather than abandoning them, and it’s mainly because you can’t beat ’em in terms of function when you’re working with inset metal strap brackets on a D.S.L.R. camera like mine.  Or so Mark convinced me!

The alternative would have been to run some lobster clasps or rings through them, but I didn’t want the wear and tear on my camera body from all that metal clanking.  Hence the decision to incorporate the nylon connectors into my design.

Tutorial

Step 1.  Choose your scarf and choose it wisely.  Now, I don’t mean to make too big of a deal out of this, but if you’re shooting with a D.S.L.R., they can be quite heavy, so you want a scarf that you know can hold the weight.  Believe it or not, silk scarves are actually surprisingly strong.  (Read more about that here.)

You also want one with a thickness you’re comfortable with.  I wanted mine fairly lightweight since this is Florida after all.  But if you’re in a cooler clime, a thicker scarf might make more sense for you!  And the truth is, you can just buy material that is scarf-like at your local craft store.  If you pay with coupons, it can be quite affordable!

I just used a favorite scarf I already owned.

Cutting the scarf!  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Step 2.  Measure and cut your scarf strap.  It’s up to you how long you would like your strap to be.  I decided to make mine comparable to my Canon strap, which is standard 42″ and hangs at my belly-button.

Lay your scarf next to your strap and cut it where it would fall 2/3 down the leather pieces.

Next, I folded my scarf two times length-wise, and then pleated the ends four times so they would be small enough to fit within the leather pieces.

Pleating the scarf!  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

I temporarily secured them with a binder clip, like so:

Prepping the scarf!  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Step 3.  Measure and cut your nylon connectors.  Using the same eye-ball measuring technique as above, I adjusted my nylon connector pieces so they looked identical to the ones on my original strap, laid them side by side, marked and cut them so the nylon connectors would reach about 2/3 up the leather piece.

Prepping the nylon webbing connectors! Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Like so:

Prepping the nylon webbing connectors!  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Step 4.  Cut out your leather pieces.  Here’s where I decided to simply mimic the leather design on my own camera straps.  (I figure Canon probably knows what they’re doing by now.)  And I traced the shape onto a piece of cardstock…

Creating a traced template for the leather pieces.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

…which I folded over and cut out to create a template.  I decided to leave one side connected (like how you make a Valentine!), since I figured it would make stitching easier with one less side to clamp.

Using the template to trace the cut-outs for the leather pieces.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Then, I used the template to trace two different sets of leather pieces, careful not to cut the connected side.

Pre-cut leather pieces.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Step 5.  Prep The Bermuda Triangle.  Sometimes I like to give out nicknames to the elements of my D.I.Y. projects, and when bringing together the three forces of the leather pieces, scarf end, and nylon connector, “The Bermuda Triangle” seemed apropos.

First, I secured the nylon connector to one of the leather pieces with a little bit of masking tape, placing it about 2/3 up.

Securing the nylon connector to the leather piece with masking tape.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Second, I unclipped one end of my binder-clipped scarf end and laid it so it fell about 2/3 down the leather piece.

Prepping "The Bermuda Triangle."  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Then, I closed the leather piece up and cinched it all together with mini binder clips.  And repeated on the opposite side.

Prepping "The Bermuda Triangle."  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Here’s something I wish I had done at this step rather than later: draw the X across the top of your leather piece with your chalk liner.  Learn from my mistakes, friends.

Prepping "The Bermuda Triangle."  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!
Imagine doing this step pre-stitching.

Now, we’re all ready to sew!  Well…almost.

Step 6.  Prep your sewing machine.  Before you can stitch, you’ll need to make sure your machine is ready to handle some heavy-duty sewing through all these layers of material.  So first, you’ll want to swap out your presser foot for either a walking foot, roller foot, or teflon presser foot (these links will take you to videos that show you how to install them on your machine; you can also consult your machine’s manual).  My machine came with a walking foot, so that’s what I used.

Prepping your machine with a walking foot.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

I also swapped out my needle for a fresh one…a leather sewing needle, size #110/18 to be exact.  You can also get away with a denim sewing needle, size #100/16.

Lastly, I wound a bobbin with my new coats/outdoor polyester thread and threaded my needle.  Since these seams are going to experience some stress with the weight of the camera, you’re going to want heavy-duty thread like #50 weight polyester thread for added durability.

Anytime I have to bust out my sewing manual, I get intimidated…but I promise, it’s not as scary as it seems.

Prepping your machine with a leather needle and coat/outdoor thread.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Step 7.  Do a practice run.  Cut two scraps of leather and do a practice run of stitches to make sure everything is running smoothly!

Practice run with faux leather.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Step 8.  Stitch the leather pieces together.  Again, I followed Canon’s example here with a perimeter stitch and an X at the top.  With the method I did, the nylon connector is secured with at least 3 different stitches.

In my research about sewing with faux leather (thanks JoAnn.com!), I learned a few fun new facts that proved helpful:

  • use a longer machine stitch of 4.0
  • no back tacking; but rather start and end with long threads that you’ll tie together in knots, old-school style.
  • you can also use a short stitch length for your first and last stitches to help secure the thread into the leather.
  • if your faux leather is giving you trouble, try top-stitching through wax paper that you pull away after the fact.  That was a great tip among many from Liz guest posting at Sew Sweetness.
  • again, never use pins to secure your leather pieces (since they create permanent holes), but rather use binder clips, hair clips, clothespins, paperclips…whatever you can to clamp the fabric together.

As a general tip for working around tight curves, don’t be afraid to sink the needle and lift the presser foot in order to more easily manipulate the material.

Stitching the leather pieces together.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!
Working the corners.

I stitched fairly close to the edge, a little under 1/4 inch.

For my first leather piece, I went around the perimeter, starting on the top edge, then the unconnected side, and working my way around.  Then, I drew my X and did the criss-cross.  However, you end up with more knots than necessary.

Stitching the leather pieces together.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!
Starting point.

Not too shabby though for my first try!

Stitching the leather pieces together.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

For my second piece, I attempted to do all the stitching at once…starting the same way, but just continuing from the top L corner into the X, and there was only one knot.  But as you can see, I “eyed” my X because I forgot to write in chalk in advance…and it’s rather wonky.  Clearly, I got overly confident here.

Stitching the leather pieces together.  Just another step in the DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Still…I did it!

And imperfect stitching kind of makes it more endearing to me.  It is handmade, after all!   And it represents a new notch in my sewing belt: stitching with a walking foot and stitching a “Bermuda Triangle.”

I’m actually eager to make a second one now so I can perfect my process even more.  (I think I’d like to try one with even more scarf and less nylon.)

So, here she is!

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

You’ll note that I’m displaying her on Mark’s vintage Minolta (ya know, the kind of camera that takes rolls of film!), so I could snap photos of my new Scarf Camera Strap on my Canon.  So you can use your imagination, but here’s what she’ll look like in action:

Backyard Photo Shoot

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

I love that it’s an instant accessory.  Both pretty and functional.

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

And so much more comfortable than my old strap, which would always dig into my neck.

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

I’m also thinking this would be a great gift for a friend who loves photography.  Choose a scarf in her favorite colors, and stitch it up.  BAM, you’ve got a custom gift!

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Don’t be deceived by the billowy scarf.  This baby is strong.

Strength test!  DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

See, I told you this story would have a happy ending.  Roll the credits!

DIY Scarf Camera Strap Tutorial: Upcycle a scarf into a snazzy camera strap that will quickly become your new favorite accessory. This sewing tutorial will walk you through each step of the fun refashion. Happy Scarf Week 2015!

Want More Scarf Week Inspiration?

The scarf refashion fun has only just begun!  Be sure to chomp those shark scarf teeth into each of these inspirational D.I.Y. projects hitting the blog-o-sphere today.

13 Creative Scarf Refashions: Learn how to transform a scarf into everything from home decor to bags to camera straps...and how to use an item you already have to create a scarf! Oh the upcycling possibilities.  Just 1 of 5 themed days during Scarf Week 2015!

From Childhood Memorabilia to Wall Art by It Was Weekend A Vintage Boho Reading Nook: The Ceiling by The Gathered Home Pom Pom Tassel Bag Charm by Ciburbanity DIY Scarf Tray by Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer How to Turn Your Scarf into a Vest by Burlap & Babies Turn a Vintage Scarf into a Lumbar Pillow by The Silly Pearl Inexpensive Framed Scarf Art by Crafty Bonds The Scarf: A Necessary Item in Every Child's Dress-Up Box by Apron Strings & Other Things Upcycled Scarf Planter by Upcycled Treasures DIY Sparkling Infinity Scarf Refashion by The Crafting Nook PJ Pants to Scarf Upcycle by Southern State of Mind Furoshiki Book Bag by Tried & True DIY Scarf Camera Strap by The Thinking Closet Image Map

Click the images above or links below to check ’em out.

1.  From Childhood Memorabilia to Wall Art by It Was Weekend

2.  A Vintage Boho Reading Nook: The Ceiling by The Gathered Home

3.  Pom Pom Tassel Bag Charm by Ciburbanity

4.  DIY Scarf Tray by Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer

5.  How to Turn Your Scarf into a Vest by Burlap & Babies

6.  Turn a Vintage Scarf into a Lumbar Pillow by The Silly Pearl

7.  Inexpensive Framed Scarf Art by Crafty Bonds

8.  The Scarf: A Necessary Item in Every Child’s Dress-Up Box by Apron Strings & Other Things

9.  Upcycled Scarf Planter by Upcycled Treasures

10.  DIY Sparkling Infinity Scarf Refashion by The Crafting Nook

11.  PJ Pants to Scarf Upcycle by Southern State of Mind

12.  Furoshiki Book Bag by Tried & True

13.  DIY Scarf Camera Strap by The Thinking Closet

Scarf Week-at-a-Glance

Well, we’ve reached the grand finale of Scarf Week with today’s theme of Scarf Refashions, and grand it most certainly was!  If you’re just tuning in, this was just one of five inspirational themes from this week.  And to check ’em all out, click HERE to visit the “home base” post for this series.  You can also explore all of the creative projects we’ve been sharing on social media by checking out our hashtag, #ScarfWeek2015.

Welcome to Scarf Week 2015!  Bigger, better, scarfy-er.  July 6 - 10, 2015.  We've got t-shirt scarves, dyed-painted-stamped scarves, scarves for sewists, knitted & crocheted scarves, and scarf re-fashions!  It's going to be a killer week of inspiration, no fish-bones about it.

This week has just been wave after wave of killer inspiration, no fish-bones about it!  Thanks for coming along for the ride.  It has been JAW-some.

Until next time…stay scarfy,

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*Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking through, The Thinking Closet may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Thanks for helping to support this site!

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18 Comments

  1. Well done! I may have to try this for my work bag, as the current strap is snagging my clothes (not good). It just might be the solution! Pinning this one!

  2. Okay, I’ve got to try this project once I get a sewing machine that won’t burst into tears at the sight of anything more hefty than cotton, haha. Seriously, this would be such a fun project. Pinning and sharing this!

    1. Ha ha. I was not certain my sewing machine would be able to handle it but I think the combo of the new foot, thicker thread, and leather needle helped make it do-able. I really was so surprised at how easily my machine sewed those leather pieces. Oh my dear Brother – – I should have never doubted you! Lol. Thanks for the pin and share-love, Jennie!

    1. I contemplated it…in fact, Mark encouraged me to take apart the original…but stubborn mule though I am, I wanted to really do a full D.I.Y. Ha ha. Oh, and you totally can do this, Christy. I believe in you and your Serial DIYer skillz. So glad you joined us for the mayhem that was Scarf Week 2015. And now, I hope you’re having a blast at Haven 2015! Though I’m definitely mourning the fact that I can’t be there with you fun gals!

  3. This is awesome, Lauren. Of all the things you could reuse a scarf for, this is my favorite. I will definitely be doing this with a rather unsuspecting paisley scarf that I’m digging out right now. THANK YOU for the very detailed tutorial and hopefully I can also pull this off without annihilating my sewing machine.

    1. Whoo hoo! So honored that this project reached FAVORITE status in your book. Thanks, Tiffany Anne. That unsuspecting paisley scarf is going to be SO chic after her upcycle…no doubt! And I have a very basic, beginner sewing machine and he handled it no problemo. So, just be sure to use the special foot, thicker thread, and leather needle, and you’ll be good to go. Oh, and send me pics of your finished camera strap so I can feature you in my next Reader Showcase, k?

  4. I agree that this looks complicated and intimidating, but it turned out stunningly. I love it and would love to eventually work up the courage to try and make one for myself.

  5. What a beautiful camera strap! Thank you for such a thorough tutorial too!
    And thank you for hosting Scarf Week. I’ve had so much fun checking out everyone’s ideas. Thank you for bringing everyone together!

  6. I’m so glad you decided to attempt this because I am in love!! Of all the scarves you’ve done this week this is definitely my favorite. I actually almost bought a new camera strap the other day that I *somewhat* liked, but the idea of making one I love is so exciting!
    –Brittany

  7. you did a great job! love this – I think I’ll be making one for my photographer daughter this Christmas.
    Thanks so much for spear-heading Scarf Week and inviting us all along for the voyage! It’s been absolutely Scarf-Tastic! I’ve enjoyed every Scarf-y minute 🙂

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