It was nice to finish up this project today, because it was oh so needed. I made a camera purse! Well, sort of. It is an insert that can go inside any purse to hold my camera, lenses and accessories. Up till now, I have been either not carrying my camera outside the house very often, or when I do, I have been wrapping my camera in a diaper and stuffing it my diaper bag. I can’t believe I just admitted to doing that. Yeah, I have been so bad. I invested a lot of money into my camera and really need to treat it better.
To be honest, I did buy a standard old camera bag last year which does it’s job really well. But you know what, it’s not pretty. It isn’t stylish. It doesn’t make me feel hip carrying it. Maybe that is vain, but it’s the truth. After carting around a diaper bag for the past three years, this mama is ready for some fun, fashionable purses.
There are many beautiful camera purses on the market, but they run between $150-$200 or more even. Maybe some day I will have extra cash to spend on one, but for now I am working towards saving for more lenses. My list of lenses I want to buy is long and growing, so that nice camera bag/purse might be a ways off…
My solution was to turn a regular purse into a camera bag that would be functional as well as cute. Lucky for me, after some good ole internet searching, I found this tutorial for exactly what I had in mind.
Just so none of you out there think I am perfect, haha, I totally screwed this up the first time. I measured my bag and thought I could make my insert a bit bigger than what was called for in the pattern. After working for several hours on it, it was all done and ready to put in my purse. It was almost comical at this point. There was no way I was getting the insert in the bag. Try as I might, that baby wasn’t fitting.
So, after stomping my feet and spewing out a few choice words, I started over. This time however, I stuck to the pattern. The second time around should have worked right? No, it didn’t. I ended up sewing the fabric the wrong way and had to then spend a good 30 minutes ripping out stitches. Insert more expletives here. I really hate getting things wrong, mostly because it is a waste of time that I don’t have.
Thankfully, the third time was indeed a charm and my camera bag insert is now done. It is in my purse. It fits. I can easily carry my camera, a couple of small lenses or my big zoom, my off camera flash, my wallet, cell phone, keys, etc. My camera is snug as can be and I can’t wait to take her out. Next up on the sewing list for me is a cute camera strap.
The Project Details:
I used 100% nylon fabric. Be forewarned that it frays like a beast. Use some pinking shears to keep that under control.
I used 1/2 inch foam for the padding which seems to be perfect.
The removable Velcro dividers are a bit small. I think I’ll be making some new ones and making them a tad wider.
My total cost was $35. $30 for the purse at T.J. Maxx and $5 for nylon fabric and foam. Saweet.
On a totally different topic, Ember seemed big today. Something about this last photo made her look changed, older. She is really transforming so fast right now, both physically and mentally. Her word count is over 50 already and she is attempting to repeat many new words a day. It is amazing to watch. I love this age. My favorite word of the moment is “mambo”. That is her way of saying “te amo” or “I love you” in Spanish. It is so sweet. I wish I could keep her just as she is for a while longer.
wow!!! That camera bag is awesome! thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks!
cute, stylish and emmy looks great with it too! you are so amazing and creative sister!!!
Thanks Sis.
I love this. Just like you I am not in love with my0/ camera but can’t justify the expense of getting a new one. I will see if I can manage this one ;0)
You could totally manage this project Imene. The hand sewing the top closed was the most annoying part for me which is why mine doesn’t look fabulous. But I didn’t care since no one will be looking at it in my bag anyways.