DIY Yoga Mat Bag Tutorial

How much fabric do I need to make a yoga mat bag?

Figuring out the measurements and how much fabric you need for a yoga mat bag is the most difficult part of making it. First, roll up the yoga mat and measure it.  Don’t roll it too tightly, or you will have trouble getting the mat in the finished bag.

To make a yoga mat bag, you will need the circumference measurement of your rolled bag, plus 8 inches (3 inches seam allowance, plus 5 inches for the strap).   The circumference of my mat was 16″, so 24″ or 2/3 yard of fabric.

If you are using a one-way print and you want the print to be upright on the bag (mine is sideways) you will need the width of your mat, plus 8 inches (3 inches seam allowance, plus 5 inches for the strap). My mat was 28″ wide, so 36″ or one yard of fabric.

DIY Yoga Mat Bag Supplies

• 2/3 – 1 yard of fabric
• 12 inches 3/8″ elastic
• a small amount of iron-on interfacing
• coordinating thread
• basic sewing machine and supplies

Cutting out DIY Yoga Mat Bag Pieces

Measure around the rolled mat + 2 inches for the circumference measurement.  For the length of your yoga mat bag, measure the width of the mat + 3 inches.  The main piece of fabric will be these two measurements [circumference + 2 inches] x [width + 3 inches].

The measurement for the strap and interfacing pieces is [width + 3 inches] x 5 inches.

You will need a circle shape for the bottom of the bag. The easiest way I found to do this was to trace around the rolled yoga mat, adding .5 inch for seam allowance.

Sewing a DIY Yoga Mat Bag

First, make the bag strap. Iron the interfacing onto the strap piece.  Then, sew the strip lengthwise, right sides together.  Turn right side out, press, and top stitch.

Sew the main bag piece in half lengthwise, right sides together.  Double fold 1/2″ down at the top of the bag piece to make a casing.  Sew it down, leaving an opening to insert the elastic.

Fold the ends of the strap piece in, and attach it firmly to the top of the bag, just under the casing.

Sandwich the bottom of the strap piece, the bottom edge of the bag, and the circular piece together.  Make sure the bag pieces are right sides together, with the strap in between.  Pin and sew around the circle.  Two rows of stitches will make the bottom of the bag extra strong.

Now, add the elastic to the casing at the top.  Make sure the elastic stretches enough to fit around the yoga mat, but unstretched is small enough that the mat won’t come falling out.  Finish off the opening in the casing, and you’re done with your DIY yoga mat bag!

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