DIY Camera Bag Pattern for DSLR Cameras (Camera Pouch)
This DIY Camera Bag Tutorial with photos and a FREE PDF pattern will show you how to make a camera bag or camera pouch with a few basic sewing supplies and a pretty and fashionable style. You’ll find clear, step-by-step instructions with full-sized pattern pieces and written instructions in this tutorial.
A good camera bag is an essential part of every photographer’s gear. Here are some tips and instructions to make your own high-quality camera bag.
DIY Camera Bag Pattern for DSLR Cameras Also known as Camera Pouch
This camera pouch is something I’ve wanted to make for a while. Only been delayed because I thought I needed a pattern in order to do it. I have to confess I didn’t want to buy one but couldn’t find any free pattern that I really liked.
I already had a camera bag which is actually a camera backpack but it was very big and not practical to use on a daily basis, I like to just go out and about. I wanted something that would protect my camera and still be able to just put it in my purse or bag.
Sometimes when I travel, I like to carry my camera around my neck and an extra lens in my purse/backpack instead of carrying my large camera bag around with me.
I had seen a neoprene one in a store once and I knew that was the style I wanted so I went back to the store and looked at it carefully looking for details shapes, and a way to recreate it, and then I came back home and start drawing it using my cam as a model LOL.
I came up with my own camera pouch pattern that you can download here in this tutorial.
I must say it’s not perfect, it turned out a bit bigger than I expected but it does what it was made for: Protect and cover…. And ok decorate it LOL.
How to Make a DIY Camera Bag for DSLR Cameras
Supplies:
- Fabric A (outside) 1/2 yard approx.
- Fabric B (inside) 1/2 yard approx.
- Batting ½ yard approx. – White felt do the trick too.
- 2 big buttons.
- Fabric chalk or marker Mark n’ be gone (those are amazing!)
- Your DSLR Camera Bag FREE pattern shared below – Print 100%. Do NOT Resize.
Tools:
- Matching thread
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
Instructions:
1. Cut the fabric pieces according to the pattern. Please, pretty please DO NOT fit on paper when printing. Print at its 100%, some of the text might get cut off but the pattern itself will print ok
2. If you have a Big pro series Camera cut the pattern leaving an extra 1 cm (1/2 inch) seam allowance. If you have a pro or semi-pro camera such as Nikon, Canon, or similar take 1 cm (1/2 inch) for seam allowance from the actual pattern.
3. Now let’s work in parts. We are sewing like 2 different bags and then putting them together one inside of the other with the batting in the middle.
Let’s start with fabric A.
4. Stitch together piece 3 (lateral/side) and Piece 1 (back) together.
5. Then stitch Piece 2 (front) to piece 3 (lateral/side).
6. The back also is the flap that closes the camera pouch all in one piece.
7. Put aside.
Fabric B and batting.
8. Put together each equal pattern part from fabric A with batting.
9. Stich lateral/side and back together.
Assembling the camera bag
10. Now stitch lateral/side and front together.
11. Now you have your 2 bags.
12. Next, insert the bag with fabric B with batting inside the bag with Fabric A right sides together.
13. Pin in place the 3 layers making sure the corner and edges seams match.
14. Stitch all around leaving about 3 inches open in the front part around the middle to turn it inside out.
15. Turn it inside out and backstitch all over closing the opening as well.
At this point, you are pretty much done.
The buttons
16. Now you have to decide where exactly you want the buttons to be.
17. I put my camera in the pouch, closed it, and pin the place as a reference.
18. Make the button holes with your button foot.
19. Cut through to open the button holes.
20. Make a mark with your chalk or marker where the buttons should be stitched.
21. Stitch in place your buttons.
Small camera bag handle
22. I made this last-minute detail that might be useful for you too. It’s a small handle.
23. Cut a stripe of one of the fabrics about 2 1/2 Inches.
24. Fold and stitch leaving about 1 cm (1/2 inch) seam allowance leaving ends open.
25. Turn it inside out.
26. Then fold inwards about 1 cm and make a pleat on each end.
27. Secure with a Pin.
Here you have two options.
1) Just stitch it after the backstitch. It’s not really visible. Or
2) make this step before stitching together fabric A and B inserting it in between and stitching them all together which is the ideal way.
Sadly, I came up with that idea too late LOL so I went for the first option.
There you have it. A cute, protective, and decorative DIY Camera Bag for your DSLR Camera.
You can even make it in different colors so it would match your outfit.
How cool is that???.
I’m loving my new stylish camera bags. I love that it almost looks like a camera purse. How about you???
Do you have a cute camera pouch???
Sewing Tips
I used normal-weight fabric for my DIY Camera Case and standard cotton for the lining but you could use standard cotton for both if you like. I had this fabric in my stash and thought it would work well for this project.
You don’t need to use buttons; you could easily use velcro too.
Instead of batting, you can use, high-density foam, fleece or felt. It will do the same work. However, batting comes in different thicknesses, it will come down to how much protection you need.
To keep your batting and fabric from moving, you can pin along each line.
You can sew a couple of cute pockets on the sides to put camera accessories such as the remote, batteries or lens caps. This will be coming in my camera bag 2.0 soon. LOL.
HA! How fashionable does my little kid look? My diy camera purse gets lost, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
The fabric was purchased at Walmart, but you could head to JOANN Fabric, Craft Stores, Hobby Lobby, Fabric.com, onlinefabricstore.net, or even amazon to get the perfect fabric for your project.
I used normal-weight fabric for my DIY Camera bag and standard cotton for the lining but you could use standard cotton for both if you like. I had this fabric in my stash and thought it would work well for this project. Since this camera bag is very personal, the fabric is not the most important thing, it’s the batting or protective insert. So, use your favorite fabric from cotton to canvas or even leather.
I have an old Nikon D80 and a Canon Ti6 (750D) and both fit perfectly the camera body with their 18-50mm lenses. I tested my Nikon with the 55-200mm lens and it fits, but more tightly. The cameras fit slightly loose inside the bag so I think a slightly larger camera will fit as well as long as the lens is not large.
More DIY Projects for PHOTOGRAPHers to Try
If you enjoyed this cute DIY camera bag tutorial with pattern, you might also love these other fun diy project ideas for photographers too:
✂️ Tutorial
DIY Camera Bag Pattern for DSLR Cameras (Camera Pouch)
Tools
- Matching thread
- Ruler
- scissors
- Sewing Machine
Supplies
- Fabric A outside 1/2 yard approx.
- Fabric B inside 1/2 yard approx.
- Batting ½ yard approx. – White felt do the trick too.
- 2 big buttons.
- Fabric chalk or marker Mark n’ be gone those are amazing!
- Your DSLR Camera Bag FREE pattern shared in the post
Instructions
- Cut the fabric pieces according to the pattern. Please, pretty please DO NOT fit on paper when printing. Print at its 100%, some of the text might get cut off but the pattern itself will print ok
- If you have a Big pro series Camera cut the pattern leaving an extra 1 cm (1/2 inch) seam allowance. If you have a pro or semi-pro camera such as Nikon, Canon, or similar take 1 cm (1/2 inch) for seam allowance from the actual pattern.
- Now let’s work in parts. We are sewing like 2 different bags and then putting them together one inside of the other with the batting in the middle.
LET’S START WITH FABRIC A.
- Stitch together piece 3 (lateral/side) and Piece 1 (back) together.
- Then stitch Piece 2 (front) to piece 3 (lateral/side).
- The back also is the flap that closes the camera pouch all in one piece.
- Put aside.
FABRIC B AND BATTING.
- Put together each equal pattern part from fabric A with batting.
- Stich lateral/side and back together.
- Now stitch lateral/side and front together.
Assembling the camera bag
- Now you have your 2 bags.
- Next, insert the bag with fabric B with batting inside the bag with Fabric A right sides together.
- Pin in place making sure the corner and edges seams match.
- Stitch all around leaving about 3 inches open in the front part around the middle to turn it inside out.
- Turn it inside out and backstitch all over closing the opening as well.
- At this point, you are pretty much done.
THE BUTTONS
- Now you have to decide where exactly you want the buttons to be.
- I put my camera in the pouch, closed it, and pin the place as a reference.
- Make the button holes with your button foot.
- Cut through to open the button holes.
- Make a mark with your chalk or marker where the buttons should be stitched.
- Stitch in place your buttons.
- SMALL CAMERA BAG HANDLE
- I made this last-minute detail that might be useful for you too. It’s a small handle.
- Cut a stripe of one of the fabrics about 2 1/2 Inches.
- Fold and stitch leaving about 1 cm (1/2 inch) seam allowance leaving ends open.
- Turn it inside out.
- Then fold inwards about 1 cm and make a pleat on each end.
- Secure with a Pin.
- Here you have two options.
- Just stitch it after the backstitch. It’s not really visible. Or
- make this step before stitching together fabric A and B inserting it in between and stitching them all together which is the ideal way.
- Sadly I came up with that idea too late LOL so I went for the first option.
- There you have it. A cute, protective, and decorative DIY Camera Bag for your DSLR Camera.
- You can even make it in different colors so it would match your outfit.
Other fun projects for photographers I love from other bloggers:
- How to Make a Photography Backdrop for Under $10 by Spoonflower.
- How To Make a Pvc Pipe Camera Mount by The Crafty Blog Stalker.
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Til' next time...
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I was wondering if you make another would you do a video. I made one today and I think there must be an easier way to attach the side panel to the top and bottom. Mine came out smaller than my dslr also and I did a very small seam allowance. Not sure what I did but one looks like the camera shape- lol
If I make another one, I’ll keep in mind your comments. I really don’t know what hapened, maybe your camera is bigger than mine? Or did you resize the pattern to fit media? those things could affect the final result… Maybe you can leave an extra seam allowance. I mean, once you cut the pattern and place it on the fabric, leave extra 1/2 inch, maybe it will help. Let me know your thoughts!
HUGS
Cute camera pouch!!
Thanks so much T’onna!!!! glad you like it!
XOXO
What a cute way to protect your camera! Love it!
Thanks Carrie!It is indeed! Now I don’t get worry when I put in my bag!!! =D Thanks so much for stopping by! Always great to have you!
XOXO
awesome bag! Love how it exactly mimics the camera shape. I would have put the purple out though cause you know I love purple!! You are so creative! I appreciate your sharing with us! M
ha ha I know purple is your color! I bet you can find a stripped or chevron in purple and it would be AWESOME!!!! ha ha! Thanks so much for such sweet compliments you are the sweetest! It’s always so nice to have you!
XOXO
I really really need one of these camera pouches! Thanks for much for sharing on Show-Licious! Pinning to the party board!
~ Ashley
Woot Thanks so much for your sweet visit and the pin is so much appreciated!
XOXO
Hi I so need this for our camera.
The link to pattern did not work. It was a link for something else. Could you check? I have the sewing machine out this week and working on several projects and want to add this one to my list.
thanks!
Hi Melinda, Thanks so much for letting me know it was a wrong file. I fixed it. At least I think so LOL. Please let me know if it’s the right one now! Thanks again for the patience and I’m super glad you like my pouch yayyyy!!!
XOXO
Camila,
It worked! Thanks for the quick turnaround. I needed this last week on vacation! LOL.
I’ll try to send a photo when done.
I’m really happy that now it worked!!! and yesss pleaseeee I would love to see photos, I’m sure it will be awesome!!!! =D Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know!
XOXO
It’s so cute, Cam!. Very creative!
Thanks Naznin! My camera so needed it! I had her neglected in my purse LOL now she’s protected {yes my Cam is a SHE LOL, it’s my other baby}
XOXO