DIY: Camera Strap For Summer

A camera strap always comes in handy, especially when you’re constantly taking photos. I recently found a way to recycle old lightweight scarves into cute little camera straps — it’s pretty quick to do, too. All you need is a few bits and bobs and a hot glue gun. The strap hangs comfortably over your shoulder and adds a bit on interest to your outfit, too. Here’s how to make a scarf camera strap.

DIY camera strap

What you need:

A lightweight small summer scarf (you can always cut it to size — so the length hits the desired spot you want your camera to fall)

A patch of leather

A hot glue gun

Scissors

2 D-rings

2 lanyard hooks

Step one – Fold your leather as pictured.

DIY camera strap
Step two – With a marker, draw a D-shape right on top of the fold, like so. Cut out the shape, making sure that the shape is connected in the middle, right where the fold is. You will need two of these like the ones below.
DIY camera strap
DIY camera strap
DIY camera strap
Step three – Gather the scarf ends slightly together to create a narrow width that will fit into the leather shape.
DIY camera strap
Step four – Place the gathered ends on the leather to see if the fit in place. Place the D-ring so the longest side is married to the fold. Fold over to make sure everything fits together well.
DIYCameraStrap
DIY camera strap
Step five – With the hot glue gun, glue the center of the leather patch and place the gathered end of the fabric down to secure.
DIY camera strap
DIY camera strap
Step six – Glue all the way around the leather patch and press the two sides together, trapping the gathered end inside like a sandwich.
DIY camera strap
DIY camera strap
Step seven – Repeat the same steps on the other end.
DIY camera strap
Step eight – Attach the lanyard hooks to each D loop to secure the strap to the camera.
DIY camera strap
DIY camera strap
And finally, place onto your camera and see the transformation!
DIY camera strap

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10 years ago

That is SO adorable!

Meg
10 years ago
10 years ago

clever! I have tons of scarves I never wear…will have to do this. :)
xx
~Taylor
http://www.forsurejadore.wordpress.com

sally
10 years ago

great idea and so much cooler than the usual black nylon camera strap.

10 years ago

I’ve wanted a new camera strap for a while,I sooo have to make this!

xoxo
Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/InfiniteStyleShop

10 years ago

Love this idea! I would probably sew a few stitches on top of the glueing because hot glue isn’t always camera weight proof :)

10 years ago

This is too cute and I have been thinking about how I could make my own camera strap!! I will definitely have to try it.
xo,
Natalie
Check out my blog!! Halfway to Harmony

Jenny
10 years ago

This is cute but I would never trust hot glue with my camera. I will be trying this but sewing the patch instead.

10 years ago

Pretty cute and fashionable, but that would never hold up in a New Orleans summer!

10 years ago

the strap on my computer bag broke last summer so I did a similar diy….its so cute and all your own..

10 years ago

will totally be making this as soon as i can!

Jennifer
10 years ago

Very cute! I would worry that the glue would fail. I would suggest reinforcing it with a sewing stitch if you have a sewing machine or a serger. This is really beautiful.

May
10 years ago

It is great creation. You are so intelligent! Hahaha

Samantha
10 years ago

You’re missing a crucial step…stitching! Hot glue will NOT hold this, and most people are hanging a $1000 camera from their strap. A quick hand stitching around the perimeter with embroidery floss would be best, but this post really should be revised asap, before someone who doesn’t know better destroys a pricy camera. :)

10 years ago

Ohhhh, I have been looking for a DIY tutorial on how to make a strap just like this. I’d be a little worried that the glue wouldn’t hold, but I do love any tutorial that doesn’t involve a sewing machine. Still, I think I’ll give it a go and see how it turns out. You could also always use super glue, which works wonders on fabric too!

10 years ago

That is such a great idea! So much cuter than a regular camera strap, I so want to do this now!

10 years ago

That’s so pretty.
Easy to follow tutorial too and the photos really help. x

Kelsey
10 years ago

I’m not sure id trust hot glue to to hold my heavy $3,000 camera from breaking and hitting the floor, but its a very cute idea. Stitching is incredibly nessary!

Knitascarf
10 years ago

I love the way this looks. http://www.learnhowtoknitascarf.com

Jason
10 years ago

Neat idea, but hot glue that’s just nutty. Clearly the writer didn’t do proper research.

Henrietta
10 years ago

Get real. Hot glue? no. Stitching is best. Also, for you city dwellers, weave a few strands of light weight aircraft safety wire, or at least picture hangar wire or something similar, to keep the creeps from knifing through that flimsy scarf. I trust everybody. But then, I don’t live in the real world, being from southern Missouri where everybody trusts.