Make a Yoga Mat Carrier

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An Online Extra to Threads magazine

Make a Yoga Mat Carrier

The simple shape is easy to sew; quilted layers give the bag lasting strength

by Paddye Mann



	Protect and safely transport your yoga mat in a sturdy bag that also has room for a sweatshirt, water bottle, and other personal items. Photo: Joseph Kugielsky.

Having a well-designed, yoga-friendly wardrobe, as described in my "Poised to Stretch" article in the October/November 2003 issue of Threads (#109), is a smart idea for any busy woman who desires easy, comfortable garments that are also stylish and flattering. A coordinating bag, shaped to carry a yoga mat, completes the casual look, and can be drafted, cut, and sewn in just a few hours.

Draft and customize
A mat carrier is very useful if you practice yoga regularly. A yoga mat is notoriously hard to handle: it's awkward to carry (even tightly rolled), it's made of a soft, foamy material that can easily tear or shred, and because the mat is designed to secure your hands and feet in various yoga positions, it's slightly sticky and is therefore a magnet for dust and dirt.

Pattern specs

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Over the years, I've tried various yoga mat bags on the market, but I've found that they're expensive and often made of flimsy fabric. Their sporty cylinder shape is always too snug, making it a struggle to get the rolled mat into the bag. So I took it upon myself to design an attractive, sturdy, good-sized bag that's easy to draft and sew. My bag is significantly larger than the dimensions of a standard rolled yoga mat, so I can slip the mat in and out easily (and the roomy size allows me to also fit in clothes, a water bottle, etc.). I also reinforce the bottom by quilting a second layer of fabric to the right side of the bag fabric. I've provided simple Pattern specs, but feel free to change the dimensions to suit your specific needs. If you like, you can also add interior or exterior pockets and loops to hold keys, your wallet, and other personal items.

Cut, layer, and quilt
After you've drafted the pattern, choose a fabric (a tightly woven, sturdy, easy-to-clean fabric, such as nylon ripstop, cotton duck, or hemp canvas, is your best choice), figure out how much yardage you'll need, then lay out and cut the bag pieces. Press under the seam allowance along the top edges of the reinforcement layers, then lay the main panels and side panels right side up on a flat surface, and pin each corresponding reinforcement layer on top, also right side up. Quilt the layers together using any design and thread color.



	With a secure drawstring, comfy strap, and all-purpose design, this handsome bag can double as an overnight carryall. Photo: David Page Coffin.

Sew it all together
The bag is a cinch to construct. First sew the bottom edges of the main panels right sides together, then press the seam allowances open. Fold the strap in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew the long unfolded edge; turn the strap right side out, press, then topstitch along the edges if desired. Center the strap on the right side of one side panel; baste at the top and bottom edges. Sew the side panels to the main panel, right sides together, matching the notches. Press the seam allowances to one side, and serge-finish or bind all raw edges.

Next, finish the top of the bag and create the drawstring casing. With an erasable marker, draw a line on the wrong side of the fabric at notch level. In the center of one main panel, right above the drawn line, sew a 1/2-inch-long vertical buttonhole. Press under the seam allowance at the top of the bag, then pin the pressed edge just over the drawn line, making sure the strap lies flat and straight. Stitch along the line, catching all layers. Parallel to and about 5/8 inch above this stitching, sew again to complete the drawstring casing. If desired, further secure the strap at the top of the bag with topstitching. Insert a length of cord into the buttonhole and thread it through the casing. Secure the cord with a slide toggle, and the bag is complete. Just insert your yoga mat, swing the bag over your shoulder, and off you go.

Paddye Mann (www.paddyemann.com) practices yoga and designs clothes in Pakenham, Ontario, Canada.

An Online Extra to Threads #109
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